tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31445943321083590742024-02-21T00:52:35.664-08:00WhisperingsPeggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10759178429429841184noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144594332108359074.post-4286075250740652262015-10-30T07:57:00.001-07:002015-10-30T07:57:45.864-07:00When prayer's answered hardWhat joy we have had in the past few months. First Oscar Ray joined our family as a tiny little thing that already smiles and giggles.<br />
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Then it was our youngest daughter delivering Jesse Iven, a not so tiny line-backer kind of boy at over 8 lbs. I think our grand-parent quiver is about full.<br />
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Below is one day old Jesse being welcomed to the family for the first time by Big Sis and Big Bro and the other Grandma Irene.</div>
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(Those last two are some of 60 pics I found on my phone that my Big Sis took on her own one day. 60! I deleted a number of blurry and crazy ones. Where was Gma anyway?)<br />
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Those praises said, I'm going to ponder a little about the thing on my heart. You may get to read this, or it may just stay on my draft file. We'll see.<br />
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I have been burdened of late to pray for the salvation of all these grandkids, for my family. I have prayed often for my daughters as they grew and matured and went out on their own or with a hubby. But as they became adults themselves, it seemed that whenever I prayed for them hard things would drop on to the path they walk.<br />
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Have you had that happen?<br />
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I would pray for wisdom and they would have BIG decisions to make. Pray for their marriages and I would soon be hearing how hurt they felt. Pray for the gkids and I'd hear that they were flunking out or partying too much. (This comes when you have gkids in college and in the nursery.)<br />
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Has this ever happened to you? Have you felt burdened to pray AND guilty for doing it all in the same breath?<br />
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I know that a person must be brought low, really low, with all things gone and nothing left to cling to, before they can see that its only up that they can look.<br />
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But, God . . . .<br />
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This past year or so I realized that every time I prayed for my family I would get a phone call of lament from the one I prayed for.<br />
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Then, I would quit. Quit praying.<br />
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And things would quiet down.<br />
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Then I would feel the burden growing and I would have to give it to God. And it would all start again.<br />
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Nothing seemed to "stick." No permanent answers. No confirmations of "success". Nada. Zilch.<br />
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So this summer I determined that I would NOT stop praying. I decided that maybe the answers weren't coming through because I would STOP praying when it got too much.<br />
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You see it is very hard for the FM Gma to listen to the difficulties in her family. It is really, really stressful. And stress breeds nerves and nerves turn into The Pain.<br />
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But if I just dropped the request they seemed to fall back into worldly ways once the present trial was over.<br />
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So I decided I would pray THROUGH the trials. I would continue daily.<br />
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And things got HARDER. The trials, mostly physical, hit and hit hard. Physical, emotional, spiritual.<br />
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Was it my fault? Should I let it go?<br />
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Then I felt like Job, though I wasn't covered with sores, and my family is alive, and we still have a home to live in.<br />
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But Job's words were pointed out just then in my devotional reading:<br />
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<i>"'Oh that my request might come to pass,</i></div>
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<i>And that God would grant my longing!</i></div>
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<i>Would that God </i><i>were willing to crush me;</i></div>
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<i>That He would loose His hand and cut me off!</i></div>
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<i>But it is still my consolation,</i></div>
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<i><b>And I rejoice in unsparing pain,</b></i></div>
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<i>That I have not denied the words of the Holy One.</i></div>
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<i>What is my strength, that I should wait?</i></div>
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<i>And what is my end, that I should endure?</i></div>
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<i>Is my strength the strength of stones,</i></div>
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<i>Or is my flesh bronze?</i></div>
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<i>Is it that my help is not within me,</i></div>
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<i>And that deliverance is driven from me?'"</i></div>
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<i>--Job 6:8-13</i></div>
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I have no answers for you. I can warn you that if you ask me to pray for the salvation of your family member, I'm libel to only do it once. Because first I want to be selfish. First I want to pray for MY family, to see answers for MINE. <br />
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Forgive me for my selfishness. I admit, when it comes to my kids, I am the Mama Bear protecting them and wanting them safe and redeemed.<br />
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If you too have felt this burden when you pray for yours, let me know. Or am I alone in this?<br />
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On bended knees,<br />
Peggy<br />
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<br />Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10759178429429841184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144594332108359074.post-9811206261471445022015-10-08T07:17:00.001-07:002015-10-08T07:17:32.559-07:00Cuba? Maybe.(NOTE: This is rough, but going to post it as it is getting old. Started watching the 3 kiddos below again and am tired.)<br />
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Hello family and friends. I know its been awhile since I last wrote something. (And its been a few days since I typed that!) At the last post we were deep into espanol and congegating verbs and all.<br />
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But things have changed.<br />
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First of all, he came:<br />
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Oscar is our 14th grandchild, 6th of the male kind. He came on the 17th of July and his sisters ADORE him. (That's an understatement.)<br />
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I have been on "maternity leave" from my paid nanny job, but have been enjoying seeing my gkids (all 5 that are in town) more often. It's does a grandma's heart good.<br />
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Not sure where the summer went. I know, I'm old. We all think time passes too quickly.<br />
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In the mean time, we had taken a break with our formal Spanish tutoring for July. When August finally arrived, our maestra (teacher) felt she was too busy with her new responsibilities at her real job. Bummer. We do miss you Michaela. And our espanol is getting weak again!<br />
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I'm still doing some with DuoLingo, but its not the same as having a person to correct my pronunciation and sentence structures.<br />
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No more movement toward Cuba either. Not sure if we dreamed a calling to there or truly "heard" God's words. More prayer is definitely needed.<br />
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So I've been waiting for something, anything to write about. Too long a wait, I know. I continue to work for Tiny Hands International sending out One Girl Prayer Bracelets. Check out our updated web site at www.tinyhands.org and if you are led to pray for the interception of girls and boys being trafficked out of Nepal, India and Bangladesh, purchase a bracelet. I'll be the one mailing it out to you.<br />
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I am doing an on-line Bible Study this Fall because I wasn't sure if I could make it to a study after watching a newborn again. I'm truly thankful for Liz Curtis Higgs for putting together the book, videos and emails. Its almost like being at a study. "It's Good to Be Queen" a study on the Queen of Sheba. Who knew there was that much to unpack? (I know, God did)<br />
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My Saturdays are rather lonely as Hubby heads out to sell hotdogs at the Husker games. He even has t-shirts available: You've Been Dogged by the King. I think he forgets that he sells at the games for free admission. But if you need a place to relax and chat, I'm usually at home here.<br />
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Pray for us as we reevaluate Cuba and language studies, etc. <br />
<br />Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10759178429429841184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144594332108359074.post-29367650881791743042015-06-02T06:52:00.001-07:002015-06-02T06:52:52.258-07:00Journey to Cuba, part 3: Keeping the Vision AliveHola! Mi familia y amigas. Como esta usted? Estoy muy bien!<br />
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As you can see my Spanish is improving. Not sure all of that is correct gramatically (conjegating verbs is HARD!), but I didn't have to look anything up. Now I need a keyboard that can add the accents.<br />
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Our vision to visit Cuba is ponderously slow at times. We still are unsure HOW or with WHOM to go. But it seems that our government is egging us on as they keep removing political obstacles.<br />
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And it seems each time I get discouraged about never getting there (yeah, patience is a virtue that I don't seem to have much of), God sends me some encouragement.<br />
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Lately it has been in the form of sermons preached at Faith Bible Church. Pastor Tom has been leading us to see how God worked in Old Testament saints. On May 24 it was Caleb. Here are 3 points he told us:<br />
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1. To trust God wholly is to totally distrust self. God is our overwhelming majority; not me and God.<br />
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2. When one has witnessed the arm of the Lord, he is no fool to venture great things in His name. The God who used Caleb to overcome the "giants" of the promised land is the same God who uses us to accomplish great things.<br />
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3. Courageous enterprises rarely succeed until someone steps forward to lead. Chuck Swindoll says, "True faith is believing the Lord against all odds and obeying Him even if things backfire."<br />
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Caleb, it seems (a truth I had not seen before) was 85 when he defeated those living on his promised land. 85!! Hm, at 60 I should have more spunk, that's for sure.<br />
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Pastor Tom said, "...there will never be a lack of voices willing to point out the
obstacles. The problem with courageous, obedient people is that
they hear the voice of the Spirit of God, and they believe it to the
core of their being. But they are graciously surrounded by realists
who say, “But did you think about the implications of that?” And
they usually package their hesitation, we’ll put it that way; I’m
looking for a better word, but that’ll do; in spiritually cloaked
language, like, “You’re going to embarrass God with that,” or “God
didn’t really say that,” or, you know “Do you really understand the
implications, you know, we just need to slow things down a little
bit.” I’m pretty sure if somebody would’ve said [to] Caleb that day,
“You know, we really need to slow things down a little bit,” he’d
go, “Hey, at eighty-five, there’s not a lot of time to slow things
down a little bit.” "<br />
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And if all of this had not encouraged my soul, Pastor Tom ended with this prayer:<br />
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Lord, I have no idea who You you plan to speak to from the
story of Caleb today, no idea what challenges lay before most of
my friends and brothers and sisters, and what questions are
raised. I don’t know what You stirred in their hearts to do for Your
glory and Your fame. But they know, and You know. I would ask
that You would use the encouragement of one who refused to let
the dream die, refused to look at the obstacles as barriers, and saw
them simply as opportunities for You to get great glory by
showing up big on their behalf. That You would give your people
courage to follow You fully and completely in order that Your
name might be more famous. Because when people like us are
seen as doing great things for You, it’s obvious it’s not us. It’s all of
You, and therefore, You get the glory. We thank You for that in
Jesus name. Amen.<br />
<br />Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10759178429429841184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144594332108359074.post-47810315704574816622015-05-11T09:19:00.001-07:002015-05-11T09:19:56.511-07:00When God TestsWe just went through nearly a week of trials. It was supposed to be a little "honeymoon" get-away; three days to celebrate 43 years of marriage. But from the start things went awry.<br />
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And if we had timed things differently, we would have missed . . . .<br />
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Let me explain.<br />
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We packed up all our stuff on Thursday morning. 2 suitcases: 1 for me and 1 for him. Oh, yeah, and the one with toiletries. Ready to go by 7:30.<br />
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But wait, we needed to hang around until 8:40 so we could take our ggirl (the photographer) to school.<br />
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So she was dropped at our home. I made her a pancake. We loaded the car. And off we started, dropping her at school on time to chat with friends before the doors opened.<br />
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Off to Kansas City. No wait. Stop at the bank and get some cash 1st. No problem.<br />
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Need coffee? Oh, yes, please. But our usual coffee spot was closed. Hmm. Target? A little out of our way, but we had all morning. All day really. You can't check in before 4:00 pm, right?<br />
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So a detour to Target's Starbucks. Long line. Slow. But no worries. We had the time.<br />
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On the road, finally, headed out on Hwy 2 to Nebraska City (which came out as Bibi city on my phone FB post????) Only 9 more miles to NE City when . . .<br />
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The song "Jesus, take the wheel" played through my mind for the next 2 hours. That's how long we sat on the shoulder of Hwy 2. Two hours. Hubby claims it was longer.<br />
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You see, a truck with the tailgate down (why?) decided to zoom a left turn across our lanes. No problem. That is until that industrial jack he had not secured in the bed went rolling out the back and across the highway. No stopping. We hit it and our front wheel was punctured.<br />
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The truck and its driver? No, they did not stop.<br />
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No problem. We'll just get the spare out and change to it, then head BACK to home.<br />
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Wait, what? No spare? How can that be? It's a nearer year car! It has to have one! But alas no spare. No jack. Only a black box that claimed it could pump our tire up and get us to some help.<br />
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Really? Even a heavy-duty patch would not have held air for the 40 miles we needed to retrace.<br />
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We learned that no one changes their own tires now a days. They call for "roadside assistance" instead. <br />
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So we climbed back into the car and call them. Then we call our insurance people. Then we call our friend who sold us the car to let him know we would be headed his way. Soon.<br />
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Not so soon. Two hours later and finally the tow truck comes.<br />
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As we waited we praised God that it was only a tire, that we safely made it to a stop. It could have been so much worse. (Hubby kept looking at the on-coming traffic behind us and saying, "Hold on! I think they are going to hit us!)<br />
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Then the song played in my head. And the "If only we . . ." Hadn't stopped for coffee? Had stopped longer for coffee? If that line had not been so long at Starbucks in Target? Or had been longer?<br />
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Car stowed at the repair shop. Luggage and stuff moved over to their curtesy van for a ride to a rental place. Then transferred to that car which was much like my car, but not quite. <br />
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And we began, again. It was only after 2:00 pm. We wouldn't be too late. It only meant not as much shopping time. What?<br />
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Better get some food. So again we stop. Then restart.<br />
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We get checked in and decide for "happy hour" munchies, we definitely needed some "happy" now.<br />
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And then, "I didn't bring the baseball tickets." What? We were so looking forward to seeing Gordon play as he was a home-town boy who grew up in our neighborhood.<br />
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Stress. Phone calls. Emails. Tickets reprinted. Saved.<br />
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Its now 6:30ish. We only had the one meal at 2:00ish. Let's stretch our legs and go to the Country Club for dinner. But all the stress, and all the hours, and . . . a very many people waiting at the Cheesecake Factory. Sad.<br />
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"I'm not hungry enough for Cheesecake," I admit. And he agrees. So we settle for blended coffee drinks at . . . yes, Starbucks.<br />
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To make a long story short, we compromised through the rest of Saturday (they took our "tickets" just fine and we only had to search for our car for 15 min. or more in the poorly lit parking lot of a game that was only interesting for about 10 minutes when there was some confusion at 2nd base). <br />
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We left on Sunday, arriving home before the storms hit. Hail. Wind. Rain. Even a tornado somewhere south of us. And, you guessed it! The lights went out! <br />
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Two hours of sitting in the dark, too tired to talk, too tired to make the blackout (on our side of the street only) any fun.<br />
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And I began to cough. I knew what it was. The chest cold my ggirl had coughed on me last week. <br />
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So in the dark, I stumble to the bathroom every 30 minutes or so to cough up some junk I can't see, which is all for the better. Just saying.<br />
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It has been an interesting week, um, 3 days. What? Only 3 days?<br />
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And in my head I know it is a test, a test from God to see . . . what? How much can I really take? At 10:00 pm last night I had taken all I could take and I cried out to Him with more intensity. Sleep. I just needed some quiet sleep.<br />
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But we made it. We're on this side and can laugh ?? about it, right? May not yet. But still able to thank our God who is our Father, our Protector, our all and all, He who protected us from harm, from floods, from complaint. <br />
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Maybe next anniversary we'll just stay home.<br />
<br />Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10759178429429841184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144594332108359074.post-84467074124060111222015-04-30T08:58:00.002-07:002015-04-30T08:59:55.175-07:00On the Journey with us (Step 3)"Hola! Mi amigas! Como estas?" (Hello my friends of the female persuasion. How are you?)<br />
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Those are some of the words I remember, not from the past year of study, but all the way back to high school Spanish class. Why do the new words not stay in my brain? Oh, yeah, I'm old.<br />
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(I do remember Que hora est? Que es esto? and Tango hambre! But I digress)<br />
<br />
As we slowly plow along on our path to doing missions in Cuba (we hope), we have begun to share this vision with others. It makes it a little more real.<br />
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We bolstered our courage and headed back to our high school (Lincoln High School) to listen in on some conversations in Spanish at the Dia de Ninos fiesta. It was sponsored by Centro de Las Americas. Due to rain they moved in doors, unfortunately. <br />
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It was crowded and a little bit wild with ninos running here and there. Many were in the cutest outfits for dancing. Ninas in big colorful skirts that seemed to make wings as they danced. Ninos in black coats and pants with sombreros--so cute you could die! (Nope, no pics.)<br />
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We watched some dances. Checked out the food (lines too long to eat). And eaves-dropped. We weren't too bold to hablamos very much. Sad.<br />
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A praise item: I thought my little red camera was gone FOREVER! Then one day this week, hubby came with a smirk on his face. It seems that my lost camera was right. in. front. of. my. nose! Really. He found it here.<br />
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That's right. I walked past it every day since Christmas when I last saw it. So why does my awesome purchase of an "organizer" end up eating my camera for FOUR months?<br />
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We have contacted a few mission's boards, but still aren't sure which one to go with or for how long we're supposed to go. I keep going back to TEAM but they don't have anyone in Cuba--yet. Could it be that the Lord wants us to be the first?<br />
<br />
I'm finding these updates are a little dry for my writing taste. I miss sharing what God is showing me in His word. So, here's this week's find.<br />
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Blessed by the LORD (Yahweh), my rock (Elohi Tsuri),</div>
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My lovingkindness (chesed) and my fortress (metsudah),</div>
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My stronghold (misgab) and my deliverer (palat);</div>
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My shield (magen), and He in whom I take refuge (my place to flee to-chasah). . . .</div>
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Psalm 144:1a and 2</div>
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This spoke to me because of the study I recently finsihed on the names of God. I'm seeing His names EVERYwhere in His word. Awesome.</div>
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A blessing this Spring is the return of lilac blooms to the bushes we cut WAY back about 3 years ago.</div>
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They are so pretty and smell so good. Achew! </div>
Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10759178429429841184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144594332108359074.post-64975698333434625312015-04-13T09:59:00.001-07:002015-04-13T09:59:56.519-07:00A Journey of 1,000 Steps 2Cuba! Just saying the word invokes a bit of excitement in my heart. <br />
<br />
Excited to see how this adventure will unfold. Excited to see God work through me, us to encourage others. Excited to see some movement here.<br />
<br />
As my ggirl's favorite song says, "I love to Move It!" (You should see us dance when this song comes on! London says, "Get up Gramma!" because she doesn't want to dance alone.)<br />
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<br />
Some things that I can praise God for:<br />
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- Our maestra Michaela thinks we are doing awesome (awesomely) in our Spanish lessons! Woohoo! (No translation needed for that one.) We can definitely buy groceries and ask for directions. It's a start.<br />
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- We've had two people tell us they are interested in going with us on a short trip. Woohoo!<br />
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- I learned last night at our small group Bible study that my hubby is open to long term. What? I never would have thunk it.<br />
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You can pray for these things:<br />
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- We need to find a way to get there. We want to be honest and obey all of Cuba's laws. Perhaps the ending of the embargo will open a door. Perhaps there is a mission board that we can work with. Much wisdom is needed. (James 1:5)<br />
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- I'm concerned about The Pain. Can I truly handle 7-10 (or forever) of travel like this? ("I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Phil. 4:13.)<br />
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- I need to have time off of grannying to go. I have over 2 months off this Fall as a new grandson will be joining the familia. But we are not nearly ready to go that soon, are we?<br />
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I realize this is only the 2nd step on this road of a 1,000. (1,458.4 miles to be exact. I looked it up. Wonder how many steps in a mile? Good thing we can fly there!)<br />
<br />
Let me know if you want to be a prayer partner for this adventure and I'll try to keep you updated. For now, Adios! Mi amigos y familia. (Hm, do you plural family?)<br />
<br />
<br />Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10759178429429841184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144594332108359074.post-6635936647760269242015-04-04T17:11:00.001-07:002015-04-04T17:11:56.023-07:00A Prayer to be still<span style="font-size: x-large;">Psalm 23</span><br />
<i>A Psalm of David</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b>The LORD is my Shepherd,</b><br />
<b> I shall not want .</b><br />
<b>He makes me lie down in green pastures;</b><br />
<b>He leads me beside still waters.</b><br />
<b>He restores my soul;</b><br />
<b>He guides me in the paths of righteousness</b><br />
<b>For His name's sake.</b><br />
<b>Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,</b><br />
<b>I fear no evil;</b><br />
<b>For Thou art with me;</b><br />
<b>Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.</b><br />
<b>Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;</b><br />
<b>Thou hast anointed my head with oil;</b><br />
<b>My cup overflows.</b><br />
<b>Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,</b><br />
<b>And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.</b><br />
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Father, I love studying Your names. I wish I could study them on my own, but I lack the education to. <br />
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Each name is a portion of Your character, a part of You and who You are. They reveal a tender part of You.<br />
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Like being my Shepherd, a tender care taker who not only looks out for my safety, my nourishment, my protection, but who has adopted me as one of Your own.<br />
<br />
When studying this name for You, I learned that a shepherd will sometimes discipline a wayward sheep by breaking its leg. Then as the lamb heals, that same shepherd will carry that sheep in the crook of his arm, close to his heart. Until, healed, that lamb prefers to stay close to that shepherd.<br />
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And I am like that lamb, right?<br />
<br />
I had not noticed the intensity of the verse 2 before. (How could I have missed it? Could it be that this part of the living Word was not yet alive for me?)<br />
<br />
"He makes me lie down in green pastures." He <i style="font-weight: bold;">makes</i> me lie down. You, You make me lie down. You make me rest. You tell me I need refreshment, to be still and close to You.<br />
<br />
You show me that I am a foolish sheep wanting my own way, not realizing that Your way is best. Was I too busy doing? Was I too busy filling my day with service to You that You turned and <i style="font-weight: bold;">made</i> me lie down. You gave me the Pain that forces me to stop and lie down.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Come</i>, behold the works of the LORD,</div>
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Who has wrought desolations in the earth.</div>
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He makes wars to ceasae to the end of the earth,</div>
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He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;</div>
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He burns the chariots with fire.</div>
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'<i style="font-weight: bold;">Cease striving</i> and know that I AM God;</div>
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I will be exalted among the nations,</div>
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I will be exalted in the earth.'</div>
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The LORD of Hosts is with us,</div>
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The God of Jacob is our stronghold. [Selah.</div>
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Psalm 46:8-11</div>
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Be still. Cease striving. Stop doing, working, trying. </div>
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To be still is defined by <i>Strong's</i> as "to sink, to let drop, abandon, relax."</div>
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Exalted, on the other hand, is defined as "to rise up". </div>
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Thus I am to be still, drop my work to rest, to sink down low. And You, Father, are to rise up! Whoa! What an awesome picture! It reminds me of John the Baptist's words, "'A man can receive nothing, unless it has been given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but, 'I have been sent before Him.' He who has the bride is the bridegroom, but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. And so this joy of mine has been made full. <i style="font-weight: bold;">He must increase, but I must decrease.</i>'" (John 3:37-30)</div>
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Father, if I allowed myself to be exalted above You in any way, took credit for something that was truly a gift from You, forgive me. Pride can come even when I was teaching and encouraging others.</div>
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I admit I was proud. Proud to be used by You. (You would use me? Needed me!) I should have humbly conveyed my unworthiness to You, the fact that I on my own could not achieve anything. But You could fill me with Your Spirit and use me.</div>
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I see now that You do make me lie down in green pastures. Help me to be still, quiet, restful that I may know that You are the Great I AM God. Like the sheep I am restless, antsy, uncertain even.</div>
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I want to be still and know You as God, to know You as my Shepherd. I open my hands and release whatever it is I've been holding on to and I accept this peace, this quiet, this restfulness from You. </div>
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And with the still-ness, I know You better</div>
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. Amen.Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10759178429429841184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144594332108359074.post-81210327717948471862015-02-19T08:53:00.000-08:002015-02-19T08:53:08.200-08:00A Journey of a Thousand StepsHola, amigas! ?Como esta?<br />
<br />
Amigas, because I think most readers are women. Accent over the a in esta.<br />
<br />
So begins our study of Spanish.<br />
<br />
I find that my keyboard does not allow for the correct punctuations. I probably wouldn't use them correctly yet anyway.<br />
<br />
Over a year ago, I finally broke down and ordered a computer Spanish program. I had wanted to learn Chinese because my heart was with them and our missionary. But Hubby said he wouldn't learn Chinese--too hard--and Spanish could be used in the US and, well, he's usually wiser than me.<br />
<br />
To tell the truth, I doubt I would have stuck with Chinese this long if Hubby hadn't been "hablas espanol" with me these past years. And my old brain could not begin to remember such a hard language. Spanish is supposed to be easy--ha! But I digress.<br />
<br />
When we started we had no goals. Why were we struggling to conjugate verbs (say what?) and mis-pronouncing, even butchering the sweet language of Latinos? We could not tell you.<br />
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Then just a few months ago President Obama lifted some of the restrictions with Cuba.<br />
<br />
And BAM! Hubby heard a call, or just got a bee in his bonnet, that WE were headed to Cuba.<br />
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Now I must confess that I have ALWAYS wanted to be a missionary. Seriously. Every time a missionary talked at our church, or I saw a video about the work, or I read a letter from one, I was all "Here! Here, Lord! Here I am. Please. Please send me! Don't you see my hand up, my arm waving? I'll go! Really!" <br />
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But my sweet Hubby was all, no, I don't think so. Not now. Probably not ever.<br />
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Bummer.<br />
<br />
And now this, this assured focus that we are headed to Cuba. Say, what?<br />
<br />
I am confused. No entiendo, por favor. I don't understand.<br />
<br />
You see, we have known the Lord for the better part of 35 years. We are, if we can admit it, old. The grey hair is under all this beautiful coloring our 3rd daughter so painstakingly brushes onto it. Our waists are wide. Our fatigue levels high. <br />
<br />
We are old. And we struggle to put sentences together in espanol. (Where do the subjects go to in those sentences anyway?)<br />
<br />
I have learned something in these passing years. I have learned that God's timing is not my timing. (Having a 4th baby after the oldest is 16 and the youngest 8 was not MY plan.) He has a reason for this time and this space. And maybe we are the ones to go and encourage His Bride in Cuba.<br />
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So I won't fret. I won't worry. I'll trust in Him, rest in Him, and allow His joy to be my strength.<br />
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And maybe, just maybe, He will grace us with the gift of tongues.<br />
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So Adios, amigas. Hasta luego.Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10759178429429841184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144594332108359074.post-72561962991880068732015-01-29T07:59:00.000-08:002015-01-29T07:59:21.474-08:00Homesick<br />
Homesick. That edgy feeling that I'm out of water and thrashing for air like a fish. That deep down pain that needs the comforts of home to alleviate it.<br />
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You would think at my age (uh-hem, 59!) that I wouldn't get homesick anymore.<br />
<br />
But I do.<br />
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I have always been the one who hated to spend the whole night at a friend's home because I felt insecure and afraid. Homesick.<br />
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Even as an adult I have been homesick . Like when we vacationed at Disney World. I was dead-tired. So tired I could not keep my eyes open, but still wanting my bed and smells and comforts of home. (When we got home, I was ready to turn around and fly back south as there was nearly 2 feet of snow to be trudged through at our car!)<br />
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Yet, today, this day when I'm, well, you know how old, I am still homesick. But this homesickness is a bit different. I have it even when I'm home, in my earthly home.<br />
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Homesick for heaven.<br />
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I wonder sometimes if you can be homesick for a place you have never been to. Is that possible?<br />
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Homesick for heaven.<br />
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Crazy? Maybe.<br />
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But I have my reasons. First of all, who doesn't yearn to see God face to face? Who would not long for that?<br />
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And a place where the sun shines because the Son shines. I'm in!<br />
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And the 'ole stand-by, a place with no more tears, death or pain. Ahhh, so need this.<br />
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And when The Pain has forced me to remain at home, I've wondered, even prayed, "LORD, why do you terry?"<br />
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Today, (as I write this) Liz Curtis Higgs sent me her latest blog (http://www.lizcurtishiggs.com/). And she pointed me to 2 Peter 3, as if God was speaking directly to me.<br />
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It begins in verse 8's well-known words.<br />
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<i>But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved,</i></div>
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<i>that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years,</i></div>
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<i>and a thousand years as one day.</i><br />
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I understand that last part. It can seem like a 1,000 years when you are up all night with a fussy baby, or recovering from an illness. It's been a few years since a day zipped by WAY too quickly.</div>
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But what caught my attention this time through 2 Peter 3 is in verse 15:<br />
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<i>...and regard the patience of the Lord to be <b>salvation</b>...</i><br />
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Wait! What? God's patience is salvation?<br />
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Now why have I never noticed that part? I know that verse 9 tells me that the Lord is not slow but patient. <br />
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<i>...but [He] is patient toward you,</i></div>
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<i>not wishing for any to perish </i></div>
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<i>but for all to come to repentance.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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He is patient. He is patient toward ME. This I know well. If He weren't, I would have no hope at all.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But His patience is salvation? Wow.<br />
<br />
Deep down, I guess I knew this. I just never really realized that it was written in stone, hm, black and white, that God is patient so that _______________ will get saved. (You fill in the blank)<br />
<br />
So I'm trying to be more like Paul, praying to be more like Paul. (I have so far to go!)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>But if I am to live on in the flesh, this means fruitful labor for me;</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and I do not know which to choose.</i></div>
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<i>(Philippians 1:21-22)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Paul understood well this feeling of homesickness as he was chained to the Roman guards next to him. In a strange land, in a strange situation of imprisonment, of course he longed for something better. And like me, he longed for heaven, a place he had not seen yet either.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But Paul, being the Paul that was chosen by Jesus to go to the Gentiles, he could write this:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And convinced of this, I know that I shall remain</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Philippians 1:25)</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Paul could see the fruitful need of staying here on earth, aliens in a strange land, missionaries to the masses. That's the mind-set I want.<br />
<br />
So I pray that my homesickness will spill out as a "last kick to the finish line" attitude. May I encourage you to finish the race well, knowing that heaven waits--soon.</div>
<br /></div>
Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10759178429429841184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144594332108359074.post-75039521435464963652014-12-16T10:28:00.001-08:002014-12-16T10:28:37.423-08:00Christmas On 34th Street 2014Instead of printing out a letter to family and friends, I decided to post my summary of 2014 and allow those who want to know what's up to read it. The others can give a big sigh of relief that they don't have to worry about not caring about us here.<br />
<br />
2014 started out shaky. I had to have foot surgery at the beginning of February, which meant I was limping until then. Surgery went well, but recover was ... bothersome. Six weeks on crutches and in a wheel chair with no weight on that foot was exasperating, to say the least.<br />
<br />
Yet in the healing, the waiting, God came down and "tabernacled" with me. He was my constant companion during that time, more so than He usually is. For just as the Baby Jesus came as Emmanuel, God with Us, God's Spirit will come and dwell in you if you believe. So for me it was a time of closeness with God.<br />
<br />
About a week after surgery, Wayne's father died. We were kind of expecting it, but it is still difficult to realize we are both parent-less. Orphans. God claims that He will be a Father to the father-less, and I take Him at His word.<br />
<br />
Memorial weekend brought the graduation of our 3rd grandchild up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Caleb Smith. We had a wonderful "vacation" sharing a townhouse with 2 daughters and 2 granddaughters. We walked, a lot, and road bicycles and scooters (age appropriate there). Wayne grilled our meals and Tasha did laundry each day. We celebrated Caleb's pass into adulthood with camp fires and food and fun. And FAMILY.<br />
<br />
On the church-front, we both found some new ways to serve our Lord and Savior through Faith Bible Church. Wayne became a greeter at the front door before the EARLY service. A perfect place for one who loves to chat and joke, and can't sleep past 6.<br />
<br />
I was able to wheel myself to rehearsals for a Good Friday skit. The Youth Drama did an awesome job! Then we were right into Vacation Bible School drama practices as the kids were Secret Agents to the Kingdom of God. Presently I'm directing a bunch of animals, I mean children, as they get ready for Dec. 14th worship with a drama called The Manger Mystery. It should be hilarious. (Note: I missed the performance due to a stomach bug, but I heard they did great.)<br />
<br />
Through all of this our grandkids grew one year older. We enjoy watching Drew (7) & London (2) a few days a week. I love having Liza come over with Evelyn(3) and Isaac(18 mos) once a week. We are looking forward to another grand-girl graduating next May, Madelyn Ausenbaugh. Sydney Smith transferred to a college in Riverside Christian College (not sure why she wanted to leave cold and snowy Michigan for sunny Cali), while her brothers Corbin and Caleb started classes at schools in Grand Rapids. Elijah Ausenbaugh is an entepenuer in high-end atheletic shoes while he enjoys High School. <br />
<br />
Jenn & Patrick purchased a new home and Jenn moved from Grand Rapids to Missoula, MT. The rest of my girls continue on in good health: Jeff & Tammy remain in Omaha, while Tasha & Jeremy and Liza & Nick live here in Lincoln.<br />
<br />
Christmas on 34th Street is rather quiet. Wayne and I will head to the Christmas Eve service to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. And Christmas Day will be spent at his sister Sharon's, a long-standing family tradition.<br />
<br />
God has been a close Friend this year, even through the trials and pain. I find great comfort in going into my prayer room and sharing my heart's burdens. Does He always give me my requests? No. But in the praying I am acknowledging that He is God and I am not. I humble myself to Him and accept all His answers, good and bad, slow or quick. <br />
<br />
My prayer for each one of you is that You will humble yourself before our God Almighty and realize that you can't save yourself out of sin. <br />
<br />
That's why Jesus came. That's why Emmanuel (God with Us) was born that Christmas day. We needed a Savior, so God gave us His Son. When Jesus died He took away our sins and the guilt from them. God did everything that HE required from us. We need do nothing to earn His salvation. But, just like in prayer, we must become humble and acknowledge that we can't do it alone, by ourselves. We need God's help.<br />
<br />
So may the true Spirit of Christmas come to "tabernacle" in each of your hearts, now and into the New Year.<br />
<br />
Blessings, Wayne and Peggy Schafer<br />
<br />Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10759178429429841184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144594332108359074.post-31957406740086173472014-11-15T14:52:00.000-08:002014-11-15T14:52:59.293-08:00Getting back to fellowshipIt's been awhile since I wrote. I've been mulling over the thoughts that have been stirring my soul lately. I'm praying I can make them coherent. So....<br />
<br />
"In the beginning God" is how the Bible, His-Story, begins. <br />
<br />
There was God. Elohim. Creator God.<br />
<br />
He was alone, but not alone as He is 3-in-1. But that is not the topic of this post.<br />
<br />
Fellowship with Him is the topic I see as a thread woven into the fabric of His-Story.<br />
<br />
You see, it finally dawned on me the other day, more like week. No, probably last month! Time flies when you are pondering the deep, deep, things of God. Anyway, it dawned on me that God is all about fellowship.<br />
<br />
In the beginning was God. Father, Son and Spirit. Fellowship in one. Then, for a reason only He can truly understand, He decided to create us. You. Me. A new kind of fellowship.<br />
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<br />
<br />
We all know the story of creation. Each day reserved for some new majestic creation that Elohim deemed "Good". <br />
<br />
Then the not good: Man, Adam, alone.<br />
<br />
So the Whoa, Whoa, Whoa Woman was made. And she was all that. And more.<br />
<br />
And God placed those first 2 in a Garden. He didn't just place them there and let them evolve on their own into whatever.<br />
<br />
No. Genesis 3:8 reads "And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day...." <br />
<br />
Now I will confess that I am not a Biblical scholar, but I remember someone teaching on this. And what I remember is that this was a daily activity, God walking in the garden. God in fellowship with man.<br />
<br />
Think of it. You've been enjoying the foliage, snapping pics of the most beautiful plants and flowers and posting them for everyone to, well, ah, Adam to see. And you hear the rustle of the bushes and you aren't afraid. You are excited. For you know that God, Elohim, the Creator is coming to see <i>you</i>.<br />
<br />
Fellowship. True fellowship comes from being with God. True fellowship is a consensual meeting of 2, or more, people to enjoy each other's company. No more perfect enjoyment than to be a friend of God's.<br />
<br />
When I experience fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ, we laugh, we talk, we listen. Sometimes we cry or pray together. And almost always there is food!<br />
<br />
Adam and Eve were privileged to fellowship each day with God. They didn't fear Him. They loved Him and enjoyed being with Him. Laughing, crying, talking, listening, hugging. Oh, yeah, I forgot hugging.<br />
<br />
And then sin happened. It came in, and this perfect fellowship was broken. In fact, God moved the 2 out of the Garden and put a guard at its entrance to keep them out.<br />
<br />
Broken fellowship. No more sweet times of conversation with He who knows all things, who loves us, who understands exactly what we mean.<br />
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Sad.<br />
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<br />
"In the beginning God" created man to be with Him in perfect fellowship.<br />
<br />
Move with me down the road, through the years, to Moses and God's people Israel being led out of their slavery to Egypt. God has once again come down to fellowship with man.<br />
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It is not as sweet a fellowship as before. Sin has put a rift between God and His creation. So He remains aloof, a pillar of fire or smoke set before them. No hugging this time.<br />
<br />
And the only one who can come near enough to truly fellowship with God is His servant Moses.<br />
<br />
It seems though that God yearns to return to that true fellowship between Himself and mankind. So He gives His one friend, Moses, the instructions to make Him a home where He can dwell among men. And the Tabernacle is born.<br />
<br />
But the rift remains. Sin has tarnished our fellowship, and sin keeps rearing its ugly head in our lives, in our hearts, pushing God further away.<br />
<br />
Then came David, a "man after God's own heart". A true friend of God's. So David draws up plans for a permanent home for God among His people. The Temple. <br />
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Yet God said that David could not build that home for David had sinned. David had killed many men and God could not let David build that home.<br />
<br />
What to do? How about David's son Solomon? Here is one without bloodshed on his hands. He could build God a home here on earth. A permanent dwelling place where God could meet and fellowship with His people. And it was so.<br />
<br />
But sin. . . .that ugly wound festering.<br />
<br />
God removes the Temple, not just once, but I believe twice. Until Herod's Temple is built. In His desire to be with us, God has had a plan all along, a plan to fellowship again with His creation.<br />
<br />
The new Temple is during the time of the New Testament. In God's perfect timing, His plan unfolds.<br />
<br />
If He, a perfect and holy God, can not be around sin, and if the only way to erase sin is by the death of something, then that Something needs to be sinless and perfect. But a lamb is only a temporary fix. The Lamb that God provides is complete.<br />
<br />
A perfect time. Christmas, the first Advent of Christ. The day that God's Son is born as a human and placed among men.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Behold, the virgin shall be with Child, and shall bear a Son, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and they shall call His name </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Immanuel</b>," </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>which means, <b>"God with us.</b>"</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Matthew 1:23</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Immanuel. God with us. Fellowship! Sweet and true fellowship is restored.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
God wants us in fellowship with Him. That is why He created us: you and me. That is why He sent His Son to earth, to fellowship with us.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Isn't that awesome? Woohoo!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But sin. Again sin. Sin has a way of breaking our fellowship with God. Why? Because we are told that God is holy. Holy, without sin. Pure. Perfect. Unblemished. Because He is holy, He can't be near sin or sinners.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
That's what broke our fellowship the first time. Adam sinned and God had to break away.<br />
<br />
God came to Moses and the Israelites, but Moses and the Israelites sinned. God stayed awhile, but man kept sinning. God left.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Then Jesus came. Immanuel. God with us. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
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But sin. He could not remain with us because of our sin inherited from Adam.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So, He died. But in His dying, He reconciled us to God.</div>
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<br /></div>
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For "...without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness"(Hebrews 9:22). </div>
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<br /></div>
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He shed His perfect, holy, without-sin blood so that our sins, yours, mine can be forgiven.</div>
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<br /></div>
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He died. He was buried. He rose to new life. Away from us.</div>
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<br /></div>
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But not fully gone. This time He sent His Spirit, God's Spirit, to live not next to us, or near by us, but IN us.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sweet fellowship! When my sin was forgiven me I was cleansed of all sin. I am no longer guilty of the sin in me. God sees me as holy like Him.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So He comes to live in me. <i style="font-weight: bold;">IN ME!</i> Fellowship, sweet fellowship, beyond comprehension.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Bear with me and fast forward to Eternity Future. See there in Revelations that our fellowship within will return to an outward fellowship of perfection with God.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>'Behold, the tabernacle of God</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>is among men,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and <b>He shall dwell among them,</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and they shall be His people,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and God Himself shall be among them....'</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Revelation 21:3</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
God's story, His-story, His plan for us was fellowship with us. It has been working its way all through His-Story. He has never stopped loving us and wanting to fellowship with us. And though the fellowship that I presently have with Him, He in me, is nice, I believe that future fellowship will with, seeing Him as He is, will be perfect.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Oh, sweet fellowship! Come Lord Jesus and restore your Garden of perfection for us. We wait anxiously to have you dwell among us forever.</div>
Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10759178429429841184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144594332108359074.post-88316542279232976072014-10-03T11:18:00.000-07:002014-10-03T11:18:02.356-07:00Let the wordsI did it again! I must have, for I hear that familiar refrain, "Oh, Peggy."<br />
<br />
That is a clue that what I said did not really match what was in my mind and heart.<br />
<br />
Like the time I ran into a sweet younger woman in age, but older in faith, at the Post Office. I had thought to just run in an mail somethings, so I hadn't put on make-up (cause the postal clerks don't mind???) nor did much with my hair. And what DID I have on for clothes?<br />
<br />
I don't remember that part. But I do remember her telling me about coming from the gym. And though I did not see evidence that she wasn't all put together as usual, I blurted out, "Oh, good. I'm not the only one who looks like this!"<br />
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Really. Truly. That popped out of my mouth. I hang my head in shame.<br />
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<br />
At the moment I was worried that I looked horrible and I found some kind of commeraderie in thinking that maybe she didn't feel all put together either....<br />
<br />
Then she laughed and said that refrain, "Oh, Peggy." And gracefully, yes fully of grace, hugged me and hurried out the door.<br />
<br />
Why is it that we can't seem to not say the stupid things that pop into our heads? Or did I just do it again? I lumped you into my suffering, foolish mind. <br />
<br />
Of course YOU don't say everything that is on your mind. YOU don't feel that bile taste of foot-in-mouth syndrome like I do. <br />
<br />
Or do you? (Kind of looking for someone who understands and suffers like I do, people.)<br />
<br />
That's what is on my mind today. And this verse:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: 'Lucida Sans', Lucida; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: 'Lucida Sans', Lucida; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>be acceptable in your sight, </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: 'Lucida Sans', Lucida; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: 'Lucida Sans', Lucida; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i> Psalm 19:14</i></span></div>
<br />
This brings me up short. This puts the emphasis not only on what I allow out of my mouth, but also what I am allowing into my thoughts.<br />
<br />
And what had I been thinking before speaking it? I was thinking about ME! How do I look if I run into someone I know? What will she think of me?<br />
<br />
In wasting time thinking about myself, I miss opportunities to hear how she is and what God is doing in her life at the moment.<br />
<br />
Thus I need to repeat this verse often to myself. And this one,<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Search me, O God, and know my heart; </b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Try me and know my [foolish, selfish] thoughts; </b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>And see if there be any hurtful way in me, </b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>And lead me in the everlasting way" (Psalm 139:23-24)</b></i></div>
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Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10759178429429841184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144594332108359074.post-584601234659930902014-09-30T08:49:00.002-07:002014-09-30T08:49:32.529-07:00What I learned in SeptemberI'm joining my other blogger friends in seeing IF I learned anything this month. No wait, they did for sure. Me? We'll see.<br />
<br />
1. I definitely prefer to be comfortable rather than fashionable. Don't believe me? Check out the denim capris I've been <i>rocking</i> (Oh, I wish) this cooler days.<br />
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2. Okay, taking a pic of myself in a mirror when its cloudy out doesn't really work. All for the best. From this selfie you can't really see that these are elastic waist jeans capris. Totally grandma 101, right? But at least I can breath.<br />
<br />
3. Prayer is awesome. I did already know this, but sometimes I am reminded of it again. Awesome!<br />
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4. I can clean my house in a few hours on an off day (I normally do cleaning on Mondays) to be ready for Bible study hosting. Toilet and sink clean. Floors scrubbing or swept. Living room vacuumed. Thankfully my flock members don't notice its still dusty or that there are a few stray toys under things.<br />
<br />
5. Don't lock the screen door during a night football game when Hubby is gone. Learned this the hard way. I know I debated whether to lock the screen door at all as the evening wore on and the lights came up in the house, but I do feel a little safer with it locked. Until I get 2 phone calls back to back (I didn't answer the first one.) at 12:07 a.m. I answer worried that Hubby is in the hospital or something, "What's wrong?" I hear "the door's locked" and think (say?) "Yeah. So." When I open the door Hubby waits. I wait. Why is he not coming in? Then he rattles the screen door. Oh. I unlock it and turn around and head back to sweet sleep.<br />
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6. If grandgirls watch you do something, like turn the computer monitor back on or off, they will never forget and you won't be able to keep them out of the computer. (If the screen is black they think, or used to, that the computer is off.) Now what?<br />
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7. If you get WiFi at your house you will never, ever know the password. I mean, come on, that was months if not years ago that we set it up! Am I to remember everything?<br />
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8. On a more serious note, The Pain <b style="font-style: italic;">loves</b> the change in the weather. This has been a particularly rough Summer to Fall transition. The Pain has raised its ugly head and I am nearly defeated.<br />
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9. Did I mention that <i style="font-weight: bold;">prayer is awesome!</i> And The Pain does not like it. awesome.<br />
<br />
Okay, so I can't come up with ten things. I hope these things that I've realized are things I've learned, otherwise I may be repeating them in a list yet to come.<br />
<br />
How about you? Have you learned anything lately?<br />
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Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10759178429429841184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144594332108359074.post-26366444518508510842014-09-22T09:31:00.000-07:002014-09-22T09:31:18.527-07:00And this is worship.My heart was soaring. Truly flying over this earth and hoovering just there, below the Heaven I long for.<br />
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<br />
It was a Saturday night. Normally I would have been secure on the couch doing something with my hands as Hubby watched football.<br />
<br />
But the game this week was in town. And at night. (Not a good combination. Fans can't seem to figure out what to do until that kick-off time.) <br />
<br />
I found myself alone.<br />
<br />
So I wandered about the house, tried to watch a movie and do some busy work for Tiny Hands International, a ministry I work for that is stopping sex trafficking in Nepal, Bangladesh and India for thousands of girls.<br />
<br />
And when my forearm ached from flexing it, stapler barely held in check, I wandered into my room where I pray.<br />
<br />
That's when it happened.<br />
<br />
It was almost as if the veil of Heaven, the one Jacob saw angels coming out of, opened up and I joined the choruses of angel songs praising my Father.<br />
<br />
I didn't just come out of me spontaneously. First I had to be still.<br />
<br />
I know in this hectic world, stillness, that not moving not listening to anything, is the most difficult place to find and stay in. My mind tends to wander, to go to those things I haven't done yet. Or to counting those carbs that overwhelm me in this new eating I'm in.<br />
<br />
But this night I pulled out my Bible and the study book of the names of God my women's study is going through, and I began to read passages that turned my thoughts, and my mind, to my awesome Dad, Yahweh.<br />
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<br /></div>
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<i>So David blessed the LORD in the sight of all the assembly;</i></div>
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<i>and David said, </i></div>
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<i>"Blessed art Thou, O LORD God of Israel</i></div>
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<i>our Father,</i></div>
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<i>forever and ever.</i></div>
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<i>Thine, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the </i></div>
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<i>glory and the victory and the majesty,</i></div>
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<i>indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth;</i></div>
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<i>Thine is the dominion, O LORD,</i></div>
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<i>and Thou dost exalt Thyself as head over all.</i></div>
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<i>--1 Chronicles 29:10-11</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Ryrie Study Bible</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And then David's prayer to Adonai Yahweh:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Be gracious to me, O God,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>be gracious to me,</i></div>
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<i>For my soul takes refuge in Thee;</i></div>
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<i>And in the shadow of Thy wings I will take refuge,</i></div>
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<i>Until destruction passes by.</i></div>
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<i>I will cry to </i></div>
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<i>GOD MOST HIGH,</i></div>
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<i>To God who accomplishes all things for me.</i></div>
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<i>--Psalm 57:1-2</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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Do you feel it? Is your heart growing lighter? No? Then how about:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>He who dwells in the shelter of </i></div>
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<i>THE MOST HIGH </i>(Elyon)</div>
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<i>will abide in the shadow of </i></div>
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<i>THE ALMIGHTY. (</i>Shadday<i>)</i></div>
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<i>I will say to the LORD,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!'</i></div>
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<i>--Psalm 91:1-2</i></div>
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How about now?</div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>Shout joyfully to God, all the earth;</i></div>
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<i>Sing the glory of His name;</i></div>
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<i>Make His praise glorious.</i></div>
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<i>Say to God, "How awesome are Thy works!</i></div>
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<i>Because of the greatness of Thy power </i></div>
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<i>Thine enemies will give feigned obedience to Thee.</i></div>
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<i>All the earth will worship Thee,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And will sing praises to Thee;</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>They will sing praises to Thy name." [Selah.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>--Psalm 66:1-4</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Speaking of singing, let's add some really good music, like <i>Mystery</i> by Charlie Hall (I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this song) and <i>Creed</i> by Rick Mullins.</div>
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<br /></div>
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If this doesn't get your soul dancing and singing and praising God with Psalms and songs of praise, I'm not sure what will. Check your pulse.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I wept as I prayed. I sang really loud (and probably off key). And I sat quiet as I contemplated who I am (which is not important, except for), Whose I am.</div>
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I believe that we must be broken to be of any use to God. Broken in heart, broken in soul. Busted up, like crashing a vase to the cement and having it shatter. Little tiny pieces that can't be put back together, or can they?</div>
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<br /></div>
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God is the Great Re-cycler. A re-Purposer of the highest degree. He not only sweeps up every last tiny dust particle that used to be me, but he breathes new life into it. </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Therefore if anyone is in Christ, </i></div>
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<i>he is a new creature; </i></div>
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<i>the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. </i></div>
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<i>--1 Corinthians 5:17</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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God takes our shattered lives and He vacuums up the pieces. Then He mixes those dust particles with His Son's blood, forming a new me, a new you. Then to top it off, He breaths new life into us. His life. His very Spirit. Breathed into me?!</div>
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Goose-bumps!</div>
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And this, my friend, is worship.</div>
Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10759178429429841184noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144594332108359074.post-7980913627213909082014-08-29T17:33:00.000-07:002014-08-29T17:33:02.746-07:00What I learned this summer, hopefully.Prompted by Lori Harris over at http://loriharris.me/2014/08/29/10-things-i-learned-this-summer/ I'm going to give you a few things that I THINK I've learned. Sometimes the lessons don't take and I have to learn them all over again :-)<br />
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<br />
<br />
1. You CAN find a kindred spirit right here in blog-a-sphere. <br />
<br />
2. A summer with low humidity is so much easier to tolerate than the opposite. I know this because normally southeastern Nebraska is humid, though we seldom say you can cut it with a knife. This summer was so much drier in the air that I could handle even the 90's without complaint. (Right now the humidity is heavy and my lungs seem to struggle to get oxygen out the the wetness.)<br />
<br />
3. God's precious Word is alive. True, I already knew this, but it has been so very alive again this summer.<br />
<br />
4. A "God bless you" from the other room from the lips of a near 2 year old is so very precious after a sneeze.<br />
<br />
5. I do not like clutter. My daughters may scoff at that because I seem to always have clutter. And its EVERY where! But it's getting on my nerves lately. Too much stuff or too little house? The first I'm sure.<br />
<br />
6. Being artistic requires a certain amount of clutter. I know, I don't like it, but I find that my artsy Ggirl, aka photographer, works best when she can lay out a few supplies and really get down and dirty with her art. (See the T-shirt she made above.)<br />
<br />
7. When the word gets out that you are a prayer warrior, satan tries to rob you of your time. It took me awhile to accept that one of my spiritual gifts is prayer. Its so not me! In my "closet" with no one around, alone, oh, except for God. But now that I love being one, communing with God alone, just He and I, I get a little covetous of my prayer time. (Where do my mornings go?)<br />
<br />
8. God cares for the girls being sold, often by their parents, into a life of sex slavery. I praise Him for rescuing over 6,000 girls through the work of Tiny Hands International. (Check us out at http://www.tinyhandsinternational.org/ )<br />
<br />
9. For me, memorizing a psalm is harder than the whole book of Philippians was! <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Psalm 139:1-2</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>for the choir master, a psalm of David</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>O LORD</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Thou hast searched me and known me.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise up;</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Thou dost understand my thought from afar.</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I love that last line. It fits in so well with my prayer life.</div>
<br />
So much for the what I learned this summer. It was not too busy here in Huskerville. Just the right mixture of sun, water, family and church. And the weather was AW-some!<br />
<br />
How was your summer?Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10759178429429841184noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144594332108359074.post-44880085974774759592014-08-23T17:51:00.000-07:002014-08-23T17:53:04.217-07:00apples of goldIt probably only took a few minutes. <br />
<br />
You thought about it off and on, then finally sat down and wrote it.<br />
<br />
You chose a card (it was so perfect). You picked up a pen.<br />
<br />
Maybe you took a few moments to gather your thoughts. Then again, maybe it was just there in your heart, each word lined up, ready to be written.<br />
<br />
You wrote. You penned. You scrawled.<br />
<br />
Then you folded it. Tucked it into an envelope. Addressed it quickly because other things were calling. <br />
<br />
You stamped it. And, if you are like me, you placed it in your mailbox and raised that flag that calls the mailman to stop at your box.<br />
<br />
Then...you probably didn't think much else about it.<br />
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<br />
<br />
I know the steps. I've done them hundreds, maybe thousands, of times in my life.<br />
<br />
But the effect at this end, the giver becoming the receiver, well, I'm not sure you understand.<br />
<br />
Your words reminded me of this:<br />
<br />
<i>"Like apples of gold in settings of silver</i><br />
<i>Is a word spoken (written) in right circumstances" (Proverbs 25:11).</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
I'm not sure I truly understand that saying. But I've seen some artsy depictions of it. And let me tell you, they are B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L!! <br />
<br />
And that is what your kind words mean to me.<br />
<br />
Perhaps I DID do something to merit your thoughts. I'm not sure, maybe.<br />
<br />
But I think that God did something through me that touched you and thus you responded in my heart-language. Snail mail. (Love it!)<br />
<br />
All I know is that the day before my mailman dropped those cards in my box, I had told God I was weary. Or was it frustrated? Lost maybe? Not sure that I was doing what He wanted me to be doing at this stage in my story. So why bother.<br />
<br />
I'll admit it, I was low. (Stinkin' thinkin'!!)<br />
<br />
I battle with depression. Unfortunately, or not, it IS a symptom of being a creative person. I'm not sure why. Perhaps I need the deep down blues in order to be motivated to write. All I know is that statistically artists and writers (even actors and musicians) struggle with depression.<br />
<br />
I haven't been really down, you know that down-downness where even brushing my teeth seems futile, I've not been there for many years.<br />
<br />
But I've been on the edge, finding my feet beginning to slip down that slippery slope of stinkin' thinkin'.<br />
<br />
I was there just the other day. I could see the ground beginning to teeter.<br />
<br />
So I cried out to my Father in Heaven, the One who, even though He is the Creator of all things, still lifts me to His lap and bends His ear down to hear my whispers.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>I love the LORD, because He hears </b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>My voice and my supplications.</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Because He has inclined His ear to me,</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live.</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Psalm 116:1-2</b></i></div>
<br />
And what was His response?<br />
<br />
He, in His omnipresent way, saw me those days before I was slipping. He saw me on Monday, and He knew exactly what I needed. <br />
<br />
So He moved in your heart, whispered in your ear, "Write that note to her! She needs it." <br />
<br />
And you heard. And you heeded.<br />
<br />
And all I can say is...what an awesome God we both serve.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>(I am a prayer warrior by God's gifting. And with it I've used my writing gift to encourage others with snail mail. I encourage you to take that minute or too and just write a simple note to that woman that God has been nudging you about. Just write "I prayed for you today." I can tell you it will make her day AND glorify God in the giving.)</i>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10759178429429841184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144594332108359074.post-90850568162881683662014-08-05T11:23:00.002-07:002014-08-05T11:23:41.432-07:00His Plans <i>This is an open letter to a friend who is in a transition time in her life. She's feeling a little down and lonely and "unused" by God. As I began to write to her I thought that maybe there are others of you out there who are also going through a sabbatical time and could use these thoughts on the subject.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Dear sister-in-Christ,<br />
<br />
I heard what you were saying last night at our study, how you are feeling kind of left-out because you are not preparing for youth ministry this year, and I wanted to encourage you if I could.<br />
<br />
So I was praying and trying to find just the perfect edifying words from The Word that would encourage you in this season of your life, but I just kept coming back to the old familiar words of Jeremiah 29:11.<br />
<br />
I know you know them too. <i><b>"'For I know the plans that I have for you (dear friend),' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'"</b></i><br />
<br />
Familiar words.<br />
<br />
Fresh thoughts (I hope).<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
I looked up the key words and this is what I found.<br />
<br />
<i>welfare</i> is the Hebrew word <i>shalom</i>. Yes that word. Meaning peace. I had never connected this verse to receiving His peace before. I like that.<br />
<br />
<i>calamity</i> literally means "friend, friend of the king". Strange thought. This did not seem quite right, but then I see it is often translated "adversary." Better. <br />
<br />
Adversary. Someone who tries to undermine my faith, to pull me down, to work against me. How thankful I am that God's plans for me are not to tear at me, burdening me to go where I do not want to go. <br />
<br />
<i>future</i> literally means "after part; end." So God's plan will take me right up to the end. To that moment when I breath my last gasp and wake in His arms.<br />
<br />
Can you see what I see here? That we are to view God's plans for us as bringing us peace, the absence of fret and worry, that they are not adversarial making us pull back, but they will see us through to the end (He'll never leave us!)<br />
<br />
<i>hope</i> means "expectation".<br />
<br />
We should be at peace with all seasons knowing that God has a plan for us that is peace-filled, not heavy-laden, expecting the best from Him right up until the end.<br />
<br />
And in this spirit, His Spirit, I am praying for you. <br />
<br />
I totally understand the transitional times, how they can seem lonely and empty. <br />
<br />
I urge you to spend more time drawing closer to our Lord in prayer and in meditation on His Word. For I have found these down times to be times when He is trying to break through my striving, my serving, my doing to get closer to me.<br />
<br />
Sometimes He needs to wipe my slate clean so He can begin writing the "rest of the story," as Paul Harvey always said. The rest of His-story through me. Through you.<br />
<br />
Be of good courage, dear sister. He is not through with you yet. This is merely a pause in the action.<br />
<br />
For <i style="font-weight: bold;">HE</i> knows the plans He has for you. Plans that you can stake your life on, that you can hope in. He is still moving you toward the end of those plans. And He is still walking with you, even now.<br />
<br />
On bended knee, PeggyPeggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10759178429429841184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144594332108359074.post-19980299827122200832014-07-21T10:10:00.000-07:002014-07-21T10:10:03.614-07:00God's Calling to Ministry is Not Based on My Abilities.I love to teach. I LOVE to teach. Truly, I love to teach.<br />
<br />
But...<br />
<br />
Of late I have fretted and fumed each time I have offered to teach. Especially when faced with being the "older" woman to newly-wed, hope-filled brides.<br />
<br />
I DO love to teach. Especially God's word to the pre-prepared soil of the hearts of tween girls. And love it, I do, when I learn so much more than I'm going to teach. <br />
<br />
Because for me teaching is all about the preparation.<br />
<br />
But....<br />
<br />
I have struggled of late to try and change my demographics. You know, I AM older now. (Don't laugh! Sure YOU knew I was old, but my heart remains slightly older than a tween. Wish my body knew that.)<br />
<br />
I tried to teach the young women's study, but it was a fiasco. I couldn't get myself behind me, away from me, out of the way, so that God's Self, His Spirit, His leading could fill me and use me.<br />
<br />
So I gave up. Don't judge me. It's not that I gave up, caved in, ducked under the covers and never poked my head out again. <br />
<br />
If I had, we wouldn't be here now.<br />
<br />
No, I gave up trying to "mature" my Spiritual gifts along with my age.<br />
<br />
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<br />
(I downloaded my camera pics and found over 100 mostly taken by Drew! She's my little artist. And these were all in July! Yes, we needed jackets in that last pic! In JULY!)<br />
<br />
You see, I've been working with the tween girls for . . . about . . . well now, its been over 30 years now! Yikes! I was called late to God's salvation. I wasn't a youth when I was hauled (no lovingly slow and easy adoption here), I was HAULED kicking and screaming into God's family.<br />
<br />
So that means, 30 plus 20-something, makes me, okay, I can say it. I'm 58.<br />
<br />
I figured I was getting too old to do the middle school thing. It hurts to run now and throw a ball? No way. I KNOW I am too old to keep up with the youth. Especially when it comes to Ultimate Frisbee in the dark with blinkie necklaces and lit-up discs. (That was SO ultimately fun! Sorry for knocking down the 6th grader that ran into me!) Did you hear they want to make Ultimate Frisbee into an Olympic Sport? Yeah!<br />
<br />
But I digress.<br />
<br />
I thought that I was too old, too mature, too from the we-didn't-even-have-remote-controlled-TVs age group. It's hard to relate to these techno wizards who are socially connected 24/7. <br />
<br />
Too old. Maybe. <br />
<br />
But God's calling to ministry is not based on my ability. I'll repeat that, not for you, but for me! <i><b>God's calling to ministry is not based on MY ability.</b></i> (Funny that until I wrote that I hadn't really thought of it before. Thank you, Father.)<br />
<br />
Shortly after becoming a Christian I found myself teaching Sunday school to Kindergartners. Then a need arose to lead the 6th grade girls and I jumped at the chance. They know how to read, right? <br />
<br />
And what joy I found in allowing God to use me to teach His truths to these up-and-coming adults!<br />
<br />
Third times a charm, so I'll repeat myself. God's calling to ministry is not based on MY ability. And I thank Him for that truth.<br />
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I gave up trying to "grow up" in ministry. He is not calling me to lead women's ministry. And I've learned that there is no better place to be than in the center of God's will for you! And His will for me is to teach and love on middle school kids.<br />
<br />
How about you? Did God call you to rock babies in the nursery on Sundays? If He did, don't feel guilty that you enjoy it so much. I confess that I totally dislike it. Okay, I'll say it honestly. I HATE working in the nursery. So, please, please, please continue to love on those wee ones, and rejoice there.<br />
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Maybe He called you to mercies and with mercy to cook, really well. And you LOVE doing it! Keep at it! (Yes, another pet peeve on mine, though I do volunteer for funeral food.)<br />
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Maybe, just maybe, you haven't found that perfect place to serve yet. I urge you to keep trying. Try all of the opportunities at your church. And pray. <br />
<br />
James 1:5 reads "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all (wo)men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him (her)." <br />
<br />
If you need some further reading, outside of your Bible, I recommend <i>Radical</i> by David Platt and <i>Don't Waste Your Life</i> by John Piper.Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10759178429429841184noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144594332108359074.post-71541572442917941032014-07-07T10:20:00.002-07:002014-07-07T10:20:08.136-07:00LimpingI never would have thought it. No way. That I could have something so intensely personal in me that is shown to also be in Jacob, aka Israel.<br />
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Strange.<br />
<br />
I have been musing over how to write about the past year. About what I learned when so much was taken from me.<br />
<br />
And then this Sunday the sermon was on Jacob. And I thought, wow, I know what that feels like.<br />
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Now don't jump to conclusions. I am a truth-teller to a fault. Just watch me squirm when you ask about your new blouse or hair cut that I'm not to hip on. They say I wear my feelings on my ...face. (What happened to my sleeve where I can hide them under a jacket?)<br />
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Jacob's name means deceiver. And that he was. From fooling the doctor when he acted like he would be born before his twin Esau, to robbing Esau of a blessing from dad (a blessing not worth deception), Jacob became his name.<br />
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But when it came to reuniting with Esau after a few decades of separation, he was so scared that he couldn't sleep. He hatched a plan to give Esau much of what he had: cattle and herds, family members, etc.<br />
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Yet it wasn't until he wrestled with God and refused to let go of God until God blessed him (a blessing worth having), only when he had basically given up everything and finally himself, was he blessed by God.<br />
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Okay, now that I've written that, a poor recital of a great sermon, it sounds lame. But here goes nothing.<br />
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I too THOUGHT I had given up everything to God. First, my health (fibromyalgia). Then my mom, my ministry, my friends, my ... My, My, My. (Possession might be 9/10 of the law, but not in a so-called godly life!)<br />
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I had not yet given ALL to God. I thought giving all up to God meant I gave up earthly things like shopping, and parties, gossiping and coffees out. These losses would make more room for ministry, like working with the youth of my church. <br />
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I didn't know that God wanted it ALL, even the "righteous" things.<br />
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Being laid up for 6 weeks, pretty much alone, and feeling very sorry for myself, I finally realized I needed to give it A-L-L up. I had to turn to Him alone.<br />
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"God will orchestrate details of your journey until He has led you to the place where you come only to Him to be blessed" - Pastor Tom Rempel, Faith Bible Church. Jacob wanted his earthly father's blessing. Then his father-in-laws blessing of a wife. It took him nearly all his life to finally turn to God.<br />
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And this: "If when you wrestle with God about what He should do with you, you will never walk the same again" (Ibid.)<br />
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That last part is literally where I am right now--limping. My foot surgery went well, but recovery can take up to a year. So I'm still limping.<br />
<br />
And my soul-surgery will probably take a life-time to recover from. Things have been stirred up in my life. I'm no longer the jump-on-the-band-wagon volunteer-for-every-ministry girl I used to be. I am learning to be content, to wait on God, to know that He IS enough for me.<br />
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For "when you wrestle with God you suddenly discover that when you lose, ultimately you win" (Ibid.)<br />
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The Bible seems full of such backward thinking. You know what I mean. To be strong you must be weak. To be first, you must be last. And to gain everything you must first lose all that you thought was a gain.<br />
<br />
Like Paul I am trying to<br />
<br />
"<span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; text-indent: 13px;">... count everything as loss because of</span><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; text-indent: 13px;"> the surpassing worth of</span><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; text-indent: 13px;"> knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I</span><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; text-indent: 13px;"> have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ</span><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; text-indent: 13px;"> and be found in him, not having </span><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; text-indent: 13px;">a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but </span><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; text-indent: 13px;">that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith" (from studylight.org) Philippians 3:8-9.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; text-indent: 13px;"><br /></span>
The things I think I have "lost" truly are of no value when compared to God. I would therefore rather let go of all of them, refuse to accept any more of them, so that I might be completely in the center of His will for me. For there is no better place to be than in the center of God's will for you.Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10759178429429841184noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144594332108359074.post-91314182671675034762014-06-30T12:39:00.002-07:002014-06-30T12:39:57.125-07:00When things get slow in the summertime.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Sometimes my 7 year old g-girl Drew snatches up my camera and goes looking for some art. And surprisingly her snaps are more creative than not. These are just a few. <br />
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We've had a fun filled month of summer vacation. She had swimming lessons for 2 weeks and did awesome. We had VBS at church where she reconnected with Kolia a kindred spirit in energy. And this week is the 4th of July, so we'll stay up late and do the fireworks thing.<br />
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Here is her sister caught by her lens:<br />
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That's her mean-girl look. <br />
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Now to try and keep the fun going for the last month and a half of this summer. Maybe we'll do some more creative snap shots.Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10759178429429841184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144594332108359074.post-76974321138075490482014-06-20T06:32:00.002-07:002014-06-20T06:38:05.057-07:00Five Minute Fridays: Release<br />
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<br />
Well, here it is another Friday. I've only linked up once before, I think, cuz I can't seem to remember how and EVERY Friday is too much for this old gal. But today it is <i style="font-weight: bold;">release</i>.<br />
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<i>Release.</i> I am surprised that this is the theme this week. But really I shouldn't be. I simply LOVE to see God work things together in my heart before I realize He is there working.<br />
<br />
You see, just today, as I was praying over many things, and many people I try to remind Him to take notice of, I was moved to release. <br />
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Release the worry about whether the VBS drama I am in charge of will work out okay or not.<br />
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Release the fear that the grumpies I experienced yesterday with my fussy ggirl will raise its ugly head next week when I'm trying to be an example to my ggirls and my actors.<br />
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Release the fear that The Pain will raise its ugly head and try to thwart God through me!<br />
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For all these things have come in the past. All these things have come and God has <i>always</i> shown up. And all has been as He desires it to be.<br />
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I know I love when He pushes me to my limits, physically, emotional and spiritually, then when I can't hold on any longer, He pries my fingers loose. And when I free-fall, He is there beneath me (above me, around me, and always IN ME!) to carry the weight.<br />
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Release. It does my soul good.<br />
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So join me with your 5 minutes of from the hip writing!<br />
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<img alt="Five Minute Friday" src="http://lisajobaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/5minutefriday.jpg" /><br />
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http://lisajobaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/5minutefriday.jpgPeggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10759178429429841184noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144594332108359074.post-5208810939702890012014-06-03T08:47:00.001-07:002014-06-03T08:47:23.421-07:00All of Me?<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Here I am, Lord. Send me!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have shouted those words over and over in my heart. Missionaries come to share what they are doing out there in the world of the lost, and I beg God to send me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Teens with such awesome faith travel to foreign lands and come home to share it with me. And I beg God, "Please! Send me!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then in His own time, in that still small voice, He shakes His head and says, "Not this time."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Have you ever wanted to serve God so fully that you shout to Him to use you, but He quietly refuses. Or so it seems.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have always believed Isaiah 40:31.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Those who wait upon the LORD</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Will gain new strength;</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They will mount up with wings like eagles,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They will run and not get tired,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They will walk and not become weary."</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have believed these precious words. I have waited. And waited. And waited.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But I have not waited unproductively. I once heard a lesson on this waiting, that it is an anxious-for-the- arrival kind of waiting. A running to the window every few seconds to see if it (they) have arrived. Like waiting for company.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And that is the definition of the word <i>waiting </i>here in Isaiah 40:31. The Hebrew word is <i style="font-weight: bold;">qavah. </i> And the definition of it is "to wait, look for, hope, expect" (Stong's).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know this kind of waiting. Whenever guests are expected at our home, I clean and cook and clean some more. I pace, I sit, I check the driveway. Impatience personified.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I would be in trouble if the verse said to wait patiently for the Lord. Patience. Not so much.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One year ago I felt a tugging at my heart about my "service" to the Lord. He was saying it was time to stop striving, to stop doing for Him, and just wait. So I, more like we, hubby and I, resigned from youth work and began a period of waiting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Again, remember, I am not good at patience. But He kept reminding me that it is not my service He wanted, but me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I figured okay I'll pray and wait and wonder. In the mean time, I better have my foot looked at since I could no longer walk a block without pain. I figured it was some type of strain and that I needed different walking shoes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">X-rays revealed nothing. Confining my foot in one of those bulky, ortho, walking boots was my next step.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Okay. I'm waiting. Guess I can limp around in that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ortho boots are not easy to get on and off, and since it was my right foot, that is exactly what I had to do if I wanted to drive anywhere alone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Guess what? I decided not to run errands during the week. It was so much easier to stay put.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So I waited. And waited. 6 weeks turned into 8 by the time I got an MRI (because the boot didn't help!). Patience wearing very thin as the holidays came. Passed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then the results of all the waiting. A torn tendon in my foot. Treatment: surgery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, I'm not new to surgery. I've had a number of them, mostly simple, 2 rather intense. And I know my body, the one with fibromyalgia. The one that does not handle pain well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Surgery. This is not the type of service I had had in mind when I said, "Here I am, Lord. Send me!" I had meant, here I am, healthy and strong and raring to go and move mountains for You! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And He is saying, "All of you? You give me all of you?" <span style="font-size: xx-small;">yes. </span>"Then this is what I'm calling for now."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So I wait. I wait for the date of the surgery. I wait to deal with crutches and some scooter thingy and pain and not seeing my ggirls as often.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Did I really expect His work for me to be fun and games? Well, I had come from youth ministry with wild games of chase, over-night laser questing, and motivating summer camps. Not to mention FOOD!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And now? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I truly believe that there is no better place to be than in the center of God's will for you. Someone said that once and I've thought of it often.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So I truly believe that strength will come as I wait. I'll do the next thing, as Elisabeth Elliot wrote.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And I'll remind God--I'm not much of a patient. </span></div>
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Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10759178429429841184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144594332108359074.post-27875332902971540302014-05-29T07:25:00.001-07:002014-05-29T07:25:54.779-07:00Forsaken<b><i>Forsaken.</i></b><br />
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Strong's Dictionary uses words like abandoned, secluded, alone.<br />
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This is the truth that God amped up for me this past Easter.<br />
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But let me start from, well, the beginning? No, more like the middle, or even maybe more closer to the end of this revelation.<br />
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God the perfect Teacher took me from what I knew to a dive deep into the unknown. Yet I had not known that I did not know it.<br />
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The known: Jesus, my loving Savior, was one with my Father and His Spirit. One. A more one-ness than I have with my hubby of 42 years. A one-ness so complete that they can be 3 in 1. Words fail me.<br />
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Yet the Father asked the Son to break away, go away, leave. <br />
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<i>Go down to earth, Son, and live among these hard-hearted people. But you will have to give up your special-ness, your deity, not totally, but just so there is room for you to be All-Man and All-God.</i><br />
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The first slice.<br />
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<i>Feel what mankind feels. Be tired, hungry, crabby, joyful, loved, tempted. All of it. Experience every single thing that humans experience. And live it like a human for 30 years.</i><br />
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The second slice.<br />
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<i>Then top it off, be obedient to Me, Your Father, and give up all of Your deity. That part of You that is God, perfect, holy. Give up ALL. OF. GOD-ness. All of it. And take on the world's sin, ugliness, unholiness.</i><br />
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As a mom of four girls, I guess I always knew that I would have to give them up to their hubbies, leaving behind family, our family, and making a new one-ness with their hubbies, their children. New families.<br />
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But when the time came to let go, I found some easier to release than others. The oldest, though it should have been hardest, was easiest because I didn't understand the pain of separation. How does a woman hold a child in her womb, near her heart, and then rip that child away without leaving scars?<br />
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I just didn't see how it would effect me. Later.<br />
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So each daughter-child became woman-child and bride-child and finally mother-to-child herself. And a mother's heart bleeds tears of loneliness and joy.<br />
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Did the God Father feel that same joy mixed with the aloneness? I know the Son did. His words have echoed through time, "My God! My God! Why hast Thou forsaken Me?"<br />
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Jesus sliced up, dished out, emptied: FORSAKEN.<br />
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I can only imagine the pain of that separation. Forsaken. No longer 3-in-1, but 1 minus 2 leaving less than 1. One ripped from the Triune, bleeding and in pain. And broken and suffering and ... evil.<br />
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I wasn't ready to learn this truth before now. God made it so very real to me this year. But first He removed all those things I had been clinging to. He took "my" ministry to youth. He took my mother. He took my health. He left me alone.<br />
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But NOT forsaken. Not abandoned. At least not by Him. He was ever with me, filling me, guiding me with a welcoming light into His words for me.<br />
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And when I seemed to be at my lowest, He turned His light upon the truth of <i>forsaken</i>-ness, how He HAD to turn away, abandon, forsaken His Son, His other part, His Beloved that I might have life and have it abundantly.<br />
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Sisters, our God is holy. Without sin. And in His holiness. He can not be near sin, unholiness. And so when His Son delivered Himself up for me, for us, Jesus took on our ugliness. Our sin. "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf" 2 Cor. 5:21.<br />
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What love the Son must have for His Father that He would "deliver Himself up for ME"! (Gal. 2:20). And what love for me who did not deserve it.<br />
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Did He know beforehand what pain there was in being forsaken? I'm not sure. But forsaken, left alone, separated from the Father, is what He willing did. <br />
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I thank my God for the fact that I have a part of Him in me. If I did not have His Spirit in me, could I truly learn about being forsaken and endure it? I think not.<br />
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<br />Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10759178429429841184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144594332108359074.post-62717491182008186552014-04-26T09:05:00.000-07:002014-04-26T09:05:10.946-07:00Hello again dear friendsI can't believe that its been 4 months of silence from me!<br />
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How did that happen? Where was I?<br />
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As I wonder on those words, I realize that its been "quite a year". Not a year of busyness, commitments, events. Rather a year of stepping back, sitting quiet, wondering what's next, waiting. Waiting.<br />
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I've always thought of waiting as an active waiting. I've heard it compared to waiting for a long unseen relative to arrive. You know, that anxiousness of trying to focus on my quilting as I check the driveway every second or 2.<br />
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But my waiting this past school year has been a quiet, "be still and know that I am Lord" kind of waiting.<br />
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I'll let you in on a secret. I'm not good with that kind of waiting. <br />
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The <i>be still</i> waiting does not seem to have a purpose to it. There is no goal. No promise of finding treasure in the end.<br />
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I know. I was missing something in the verse. Something important.<br />
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(Oops. How did those cuties get in there? My youngest four grandbabies. I know, so cute!)<br />
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And God, in His infinite wisdom, said I needed to be still. I needed to set aside all the strivings of good things to focus--on Him. For the verse does say, "and know that I am God". <br />
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At first I wasn't ready for it. It took Him 5 months of preparation before my heart could accept the quiet. I had ignored His leading and prayed, "but what about this, Lord?" Each time He countered with a quiet, even a longing for me, "Am I not enough?"<br />
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Am I not enough? The great I AM, is He not enough? Was I crazy! Did He need to ask? I guess so.<br />
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I have always felt that loving my Lord was an agape love, an active love, an I-will-go-to-the-ends-of-the-world-or-die-trying kind of love.<br />
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Instead, He has been teaching me that it is a "I-will-go-to-the-ends-of...ME love". A give it up, give me up, empty me of me, so He could find room in my heart.<br />
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I long to jump in and begin banging the keyboard with all the ways God has been moving in my life in the past year.<br />
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But not yet. Some of it is still a little raw, painful, tear-jerking. Right now as I remember this year it seems to be about me and not Him. And I want it to be all about Him.<br />
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Thus, I will wait. Waiting produces patience--eventually. Perhaps in future blogs I can slowly, bit by bit, explain how He quieted me and prepared me for a season of just Him. Perhaps.<br />
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But coming soon, in this blog near you, a recounting of death, death, life, death, and a love story. So stay tuned.<br />
<br />Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10759178429429841184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144594332108359074.post-60056803067035208292013-12-18T08:32:00.001-08:002013-12-18T08:32:16.245-08:00For the Joy of itSunday was an awesome time of worship at our church as we met as one and let our hearts be stirred by the children.<br />
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We no longer have wee ones except of the grand kind. But when the children sing there is always something, someone to watch. <br />
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There is the one in the front row who bows after the first song.<br />
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Or he who begins to cry because worshiping a Big God who created the world is scary and all these people are watching.<br />
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But my joy came, even as tears threatened to blur my vision, at the<i> multitude</i> of little ones singing. Their voices joined together as one, or in harmony a little tentatively. But there was a multitude.<br />
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You see our little church has been having some growing pains. A good problem to have, right?<br />
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We began a building project to ease the tight fit. But building projects seem to always cause some to move on to the already built churches.<br />
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And many have moved. Some leavings seemed to rip my heart out at the thought that I may never see them again, life being what it is. <br />
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Some were easier as they moved on to do missions in new towns in new ways at new churches. These also hurt to think about but they seemed to heal more quickly.<br />
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I had begun to think that somehow our church had a hole that was oozing the blood of its members. A hole I could not see nor knew how to fix. Except through prayer. For prayer eases all the pains, fixes the hurts, restores the Body of Christ.<br />
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But just as I was wondering who else might be leaving, there they were! All those children! Filling up our new larger stage. Voices booming out to fill the rafters in sweet song! <br />
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The Advent candle for this 3rd week is JOY. We sing of it, "Joy. Joy. Joy." God's JOY is not that happy feeling of giddiness, but a contentedness that all is right with life, even when life is upside down. The Gospel is JOY, God's JOY. <br />
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Ann Voskamp said on her vlog that the opposite of joy is not pessimism, but unbelief. JOY, God's JOY, is the Gospel.<br />
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Maybe these 2 points don't come together in your mind. For some reason they do in mine. Just as I was uncertain of the ripple coming out of my church, hope was restores. And with hope comes JOY, God's JOY. And I can exhale in praise.<br />
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Unwrapping Tuesdays prompted by <a href="http://www.chattingatthesky.com/2013/12/17/tuesdays-unwrapped-15/">http://www.chattingatthesky.com/2013/12/17/tuesdays-unwrapped-15/</a> and <a href="http://loriharris.me/2013/12/17/on-showing-up-and-god-given-swagger-tuesdays-unwrapped/">http://loriharris.me/2013/12/17/on-showing-up-and-god-given-swagger-tuesdays-unwrapped/</a>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10759178429429841184noreply@blogger.com0