tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44949732496687546602024-03-13T23:16:50.154-07:00BUT GOD IS REALTestimonials to the goodness, faithfulness, and "realness" of God and His intervention in our lives.God's Peachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050848543544790225noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4494973249668754660.post-36491286110218210402020-11-25T13:19:00.002-08:002020-11-25T13:19:56.801-08:00Counting Blessings<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagjJZd3vj-wcYrWTWk283Qb7MuOHapyWaHUY5ppxgEovp881PRiHgzcRaEUSZMnzZFH96WgcF-8VSLEnuxavb3voa7i9j7ZIDxozwG0XPX6SM5KnePiBF2V7iZS2jAjrwHHaqDUlZoEhG/s570/Blessings_2_630x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="570" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagjJZd3vj-wcYrWTWk283Qb7MuOHapyWaHUY5ppxgEovp881PRiHgzcRaEUSZMnzZFH96WgcF-8VSLEnuxavb3voa7i9j7ZIDxozwG0XPX6SM5KnePiBF2V7iZS2jAjrwHHaqDUlZoEhG/w640-h640/Blessings_2_630x.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I’ve been
thinking so much about Thanksgiving and how different this year has been and
will be.<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">My husband and I will be alone,
but together, for the first time since we’ve been together, in over 40
years.</span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">I shared last week
a blog called, ThanksGrieving, which basically says, it’s all about our
focus.</span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">And we need to focus on what we
have.</span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">Appreciate what we have and who we
have in our lives right now.</span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">Still chewing
on that thought and two blogs that I wrote some time ago, came to mind.</span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">One, The Perspective of Gratitude and the
other, Number 759, 760, 761… and Counting, which tells us to count our
blessings.</span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">Feeling led to sort of
combine the two if I could.</span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">Right now,
especially now, Thanksgiving, even “ThanksGrieving”, if you find yourself grieving
the loss of anything this year, but all of it, our mindset is a matter of
perspective. </span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">If we take inventory of
what we have, we will have a written record of what we have.</span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">God said that is one way of counting our
blessings.</span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">Acknowledging what we have
gives witness to it.</span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">And although we may
not realize it, we are making a mental note of our provision.</span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">Namely, how God has provided for us.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">Whereas, if we take
note of what we don’t have, it will clearly cause us to overlook the things we
do have.</span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">Our focus has to be shifted.</span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">Especially now.</span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">Especially today,</span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">In this season.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">The Scripture
says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will
of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Counting our blessing, focusing on what
we have, is giving thanks for everything we have. And that is what God wants us
to do. That is the will of God concerning you. Concerning your life. Be
thankful for what you have. And most importantly be thankful for what God has
done for you.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">As we begin to count our blessings, it will lift us up. </span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">When you are discouraged and thinking all is
lost, count your many blessings, name them one by one and it will surprise you
what the Lord has done.</span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">It may be a
song, but it is a song based on Truth.</span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">This
makes you take a moment in the midst of your storms of life and realize what
God has done, in spite of them.</span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">You are
still blessed.</span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">You still have reason to
be thankful.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">Counting, and numbering </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">all the things that God has done will show you that things may not be as bad as they seem. </span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;"> And I am
reminded of the Scripture in Lamentations, chapter 3, “This I recall to my
mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not
consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great
is thy faithfulness." The words cause you to meditate on the goodness and
the faithfulness of God… what He has done for you. This can carry us over.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">When we stop to
take a moment and breathe and remember that God is yet good, and He is faithful
it gives us hope. When we do that, when we remember what He has done for us in
the past, we are acknowledging how He has blessed us, we are counting our
blessings and it is when we grab hold of what He has done for us in the past,
that we are compelled to go on.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">Focusing on
what we have, gives us hope.</span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">So count your
blessings. </span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">Acknowledge what you
have.</span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">When you begin to get down, count
your blessings. When you get discouraged, count your blessings. When you get in
the complaining mode and don’t feel as though anybody appreciates you or what
you do, count your blessings. When your body aches, count your blessings. When
it’s raining, count your blessings. </span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">You’ll
be filled with hope and realize just how much you really have.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt;">Be blessed and
stay thankful and keep counting.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Evelyn Fannell</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Copyright ©2020 EvelynFannell</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /><p></p>God's Peachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050848543544790225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4494973249668754660.post-65359376592822392612020-11-20T11:49:00.002-08:002020-11-20T11:49:19.073-08:00ThanksGrieving<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6LS_8_EaLjZyI2kJ1N3qKTpDBq7FdQ890swtPO-fUxRVKpmHMBbV5dcLz_Ge-GPoL-TwJbKZFXpwwn13AAiQ4rGO9YyLVyIKOsJ2FhybYVpOxO7tBwKZWMlPFyghu9cJXjAT-Nqy9h8r/s2048/Holiday-Post-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6LS_8_EaLjZyI2kJ1N3qKTpDBq7FdQ890swtPO-fUxRVKpmHMBbV5dcLz_Ge-GPoL-TwJbKZFXpwwn13AAiQ4rGO9YyLVyIKOsJ2FhybYVpOxO7tBwKZWMlPFyghu9cJXjAT-Nqy9h8r/w583-h390/Holiday-Post-1.jpg" width="583" /></a></div><br />Thanksgiving is upon us… just one week away and most of the
country has gone back to lockdown.
Quarantined. Eight months into
the year and COVID-19 still has us out of whack, alone and separated from one
another.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This time of the year is already usually hard for so
many.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially those who are grieving
the lost of a loved one, in particular, the anniversary of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a death that happened during this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For myself (and my husband) this would be the
first year, the first time ever, in the 40 plus years we’ve been together, that
we will be spending Thanksgiving alone.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For us, like others I’m sure, this will be a major
adjustment, not being able to at the very least spend time with our daughters
and our grandson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And most of all,
missing Joseph, yet another holiday, yet another year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suppose we should be somewhat used to being
alone, after all we’ve been on lockdown for months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He kept his office closed and I was already
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we’ve been here alone together already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this time, THIS holiday season, is like
no other.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For others, those who’ve lost children, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>those who lost loved ones to COVID or anything
else, those who are generally alone, and even those who have been struggling to
make ends meet, this Thanksgiving certainly presents a whole new and different
challenge on so many levels that I could not even and don’t even know where to
start to address.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t claim to know
everything or even want to know everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But I do know that this is an extremely complicated time and season we
are in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trying to find words to satisfy
or comfort someone, even myself is a struggle.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But if I could offer one piece of advice for anyone who
might be grieving loss this year, of any kind, financial, job, personal, death,
or even activity, I would say as God has been telling me, “Focus on what you
have.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I know this might be hard, for some.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it was for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But as I begin to dwell on those things that I do not have, that I won’t
have, that I could have, God simply spoke and said, “But what about the things
you have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Focus on those.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It might not be much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You may not be able to visit with people in your life or change <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>your surroundings, but you can focus on the
things that you do have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The things that
you can do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people you still
have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if it’s only you, I suspect
that if you know God, you have at least three more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Focus on what you have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Celebrate and appreciate and give thanks for what you have in your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For whom you have in your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When we take the time to appreciate what we have, what we
don’t have becomes less important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
doesn’t mean that a loved one is less important or that their life did not
matter, I would never say that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
Joseph mattered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All your loved ones
matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if we focus on our losses,
we will miss the blessing in what we have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What we have right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When we focus on things we don’t have or don’t like or
whatever lack we may be missing… we can cause ourselves to lose hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can become depressed and lonely and sad
and dejected and so much more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if we
focus on what we do have, we’ll see the hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’ll see the promise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll see
the tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll see that this too
shall pass.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So while I do not have my girls and my grandson, and
extended family physically here with me; while I don’t have my Joseph… we will
yet have each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m thankful that we
have phones, we can communicate, we can see one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can eat together if we want to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, I cannot do that with Joseph, but I can
remember him and continue to honor him, by living and appreciating others who
are still here.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And right now, in this season, that is reason enough to be
thankful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In spite of my grief.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Once I start there, I can think of plenty of other reasons
as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have my life. I have my
strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have the ability to move, to
speak, to hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a roof over my
head. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have my health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still have my mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have people who love me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have my husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we’ll be alone, but at least we’ll be TOGETHER.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the midst of my grief, in the midst of grieving, for
whatever reason it may be, I can and you can get through this season, although
it may be difficult, if we focus on what we have.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Focus on what you have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You will find that you will also have HOPE for tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Because God is real, I am thankful, even in the shadow of my
grief.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evelyn Fannell<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Copyright ©2020 EvelynFannell</p>God's Peachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050848543544790225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4494973249668754660.post-43729179069827081472019-06-20T11:54:00.004-07:002020-09-02T09:42:05.406-07:00Humility, The Better Teaching<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5qp5xfvdSPmkRqJq25G4pWdNkvP5f_Au-7qlb0quAzlVv45qftZAJrkd7BNf_CCpQ2DR4OZPza8ijxiDr2V3i5TrgS1-J3JwVUq0s53WvGviUbSC_GXYH2jk33eD-NWUjnIxf02q00lf/s1600/lightstock_255450_full_user_493488-copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="910" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5qp5xfvdSPmkRqJq25G4pWdNkvP5f_Au-7qlb0quAzlVv45qftZAJrkd7BNf_CCpQ2DR4OZPza8ijxiDr2V3i5TrgS1-J3JwVUq0s53WvGviUbSC_GXYH2jk33eD-NWUjnIxf02q00lf/s640/lightstock_255450_full_user_493488-copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve noticed a trend as of late (or maybe not) that people
have become so focused on themselves in so many ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially in ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has become quite disappointing and quite
sad to say the least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are so many
who are so me-focused that, and I say this often (and I guess not often
enough), that they believe that people want to hear from them so much that they
have to share what “God” has given them while they’re driving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God does not give you anything so important that you have to share it
while you’re driving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would not risk
your life nor the lives of others to have you share a message while you are
driving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So please let’s just stop that
nonsense once and for all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> (Side note: </span>I really wish
there was a way for me to start reporting all of those who do it, because I
would, honestly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Distracted driving is
one of the prime reasons people are killed on the road these days, in
particular, my Joseph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yes, I am
very sensitive to that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So now since
that one is out of the way, let me continue).<br />
<br />
I think we have gotten too prideful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People are focused on themselves so much so,
that every time they “minister” they have to take a picture of themselves to do
so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it’s okay to take a picture of
yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if you want to minister
and share with people a thought from the Lord, why must you make it about
you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It has even crossed over to those who minister in
music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Singers and gospel choirs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The emphasis is so much on them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The focus is so much on them and what they can
do, their talent, their ability.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where
is God in that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where is the humility in
it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where is serving in that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s what they can get out of it. If it can
bring them to the next level in their ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If it can help them move up financially.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ve witnessed people with all the talent and not so much the anointing,
because they lacked humility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Humility
give you the power you need to get the next level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
People are spending too much time on their own selves trying
to get ahead, on going up, increasing, getting to the next level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everybody wants to go higher in God,
supposedly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is so important to them
to get to the next level in ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nobody just wants to
serve anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not enough to simply
want to serve the people of God from where they are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To simply be a servant of the Lord and
minister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has called each one of us
to be ministers of reconciliation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simply
put, He has called every single one of us, titled or not, to bring someone into
the kingdom of heaven, to declare the gospel of Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But so many are just interested in just
wanting their face to be seen or to make money, or to get to the next
level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not enough to be a servant,
they have to have a title.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not
enough to be a deacon, they have to be a minister, or missionary or evangelist,
or pastor, or bishop and now even that’s not even enough, now they have to be an
apostle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last time I checked the only
apostles were in the Bible with Jesus. But that’s for another time and another
blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Let me present this, what if we put all that energy that we
have into teaching humility?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The energy
we use in the videos we make we say that God told us to make while we’re
driving (except not while we’re driving of course) and teach people what it
means to be humble)?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The energy <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it takes to snap a selfie to use to tell people
in some soft encouragement that we’re not even walking in, that energy, to actually
learn and study humility?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if we
took all that energy that we use to try to get ahead, to try and study the Greek
and the Bible in every language, to attain more knowledge to grow closer to
God, and simply just started becoming more obedient to His will?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if we ourselves just became more
submissive to the Word of God, to God Himself?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What if we actually used a little more of that energy to humble
ourselves?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To dig deeper into the things
of the Lord and get to know more of His ways?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> ©</span>And begin to practice walking them out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Jesus was a humble man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was the perfect example.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Bible says He humbled Himself in the form of a servant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s a thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if we actually followed that example and
humbled ourselves in the form of a servant?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ouch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not too many of us like
that term.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there lies the
problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t want to serve, but we
want to “minister.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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But look it up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
minister means to serve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you want to
be a minister you must first be a servant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And to be servant, you must humble yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if you humble yourself, truly humble
yourself, then perhaps, God will exalt you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Isn’t that what the Scripture says?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Humble yourself and in due time, I will exalt you.<o:p></o:p></div>
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God will exalt you to where you want you to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is He that exalts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no reason for you to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God
will bring you to the next level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
He that elevates and promotes, not us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are to serve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His people.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If we humble ourselves, and walk in humility, exercise
humility, live it, we will teach others humility as well, and maybe it won’t be
so much about getting ahead or atop, or above anymore, but, below…. Right where
we belong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the feet of Jesus,
listening and ready to do the Father’s will, because that is what true humility
is all about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doing the will of the
Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His Will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His Way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s not so much about going up but staying low.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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And the other thing about staying low, being humble, you can
probably relate better to those that are in the valley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span>
God is real.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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A servant of the Lord, still,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sis. E</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Copyright ©2019 EvelynFannell</div>
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God's Peachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050848543544790225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4494973249668754660.post-59546889504964630312019-05-31T09:55:00.001-07:002020-09-02T09:53:58.690-07:00These Thorns<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="MsoNormal">E<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoPoUQZqc-MbmcGr7ZKkR592aLRifFtfucyw1vtaDvbK3nmAwIs19cP0nBMcSNbReydxTG_vv9a1bn4AhG50kqMtufH9Y2oS8DrRKJEvvIC0Jns-n6GRscnutq0hVewi0cKb9zdFY2OBH/s928/Save+the+Date+2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="604" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoPoUQZqc-MbmcGr7ZKkR592aLRifFtfucyw1vtaDvbK3nmAwIs19cP0nBMcSNbReydxTG_vv9a1bn4AhG50kqMtufH9Y2oS8DrRKJEvvIC0Jns-n6GRscnutq0hVewi0cKb9zdFY2OBH/s640/Save+the+Date+2019.jpg" /></a></div><br />very year God allows the women’s ministry of our church,
The Favoured Women of God, to host a Women’s Tea, sponsored by our church, On
Good Ground Christian Fellowship, where my husband is the pastor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not that it matters, (but it does), you don’t
need a lot of people, nor a lot of money, nor to host a fundraiser (ouch…) to
do the will of God, you just need those who are willing and those who dare to
believe Him, but I will save that for another day and another blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyway, God speaks as He does about things that we are going
through and deals with us throughout the year at our women’s meetings on various
topics from a personal standpoint and allows us to share with others what He
has shared with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then gives a
vision as I create the save-the-date, flyer or whatever promotional material I
feel led to do or is needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few
months before the Tea, I posted the Save-the-Date on a website I was and had
been a member of, as I normally have with past women’s events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went
back a few weeks later after creating the flyer for the Tea to update my post
on the site and posted the flyer to the Tea to the upcoming events page.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>week
or so later I had made some changes and wanted to add some things to the post,
so I went back to the event site, and my flyer was missing, then I tried to go
the ministry page to where I was a member and I could not find it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then realized that not only had my flyer
been removed, but I had been removed as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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These Thorns.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I was both shocked and disappointed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One because no one had the courage to say
anything to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And two, because this is
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supposed</i> to be a site where women
encourage one another, where they help one another to minister to other women
(using their talents and abilities through ideas about ministry events
concerning women)… something that the Tea, our women’s Tea, our purpose, is
designed to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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So I had these questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And I’m not really asking them of you the reader, but just putting it
out there as a Selah moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Something
to pause and calmly think about” as I was taught by one of my pastors,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dewey Lane from Alexandria, Virginia. “How
can you minister to women if a picture of a woman will appear as offensive to
you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can you reach somebody if the
very person you are trying to reach does not come packaged the way you expect
them to be?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can you expect to
encourage someone in their walk, or even in the talent and ability, if you
strike them out, before given them the opportunity to see where they’re coming
from?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hmmmm…<o:p></o:p></div>
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The picture is featured above and depicts a women dressed in
a bathing suit with thorns coming out of her body from different spots. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It represented the theme of our Tea, and how as
women we are stricken with thorns, all kinds, but like a rose, are yet
beautiful because God has made us that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But if we allow Him to deal with us, BY HIS GRACE, we can be healed of
those thorns, as we were taught, and they can become, scars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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These thorns, prickly and ugly, as they can be sometimes
represent all the issues that we as women can have and that we deal with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Women have some issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary Magdalene had some issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And she wasn’t the only one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if the women (the leaders in this
ministry group), cannot see past issues, who are they ministering to, who are they
really trying to reach?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we can’t see
past the ugly, “these thorns” who are really trying to reach?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each other?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus would not have turned me away from that group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would have welcomed me with open
arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Come on in, daughter.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which is what they should have done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I believe they failed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the way, I have contacted them three times
(three times I asked of the Lord, Paul said)… and I have yet, received a
response.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Ministry is not clean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s not flowing and pretty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot
of the artwork and flyers I see in their ministry group are just that, pretty
and clean, and they serve its purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Women
like pretty stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we had some pretty
stuff at our tea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But every now and then
we’ve got to get to the heart of the matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And go to where it hurts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve
got to touch where people where they are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hurt as they do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prick their thorns,
no matter how inappropriate that picture may appear to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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So I’ve been blocked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Certainly
won’t be the last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve gotten used to
people liking me one day, disconnecting from me the next. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s something about being in ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sort of goes along with the calling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hubby preached a word at recent Bible Study, I’d
rather please God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because if I try to
please man, I do an injustice to Him and myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve got to be me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nobody can do me better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not the first time, I’ve been blocked from a
person’s life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not the first time I’ve
been block from a ministry site, probably won’t be the last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you know what, persecution is a thorn too
and I’ve learned, and am still learning, God’s grace is sufficient, even for
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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God is real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And He’s
real good at turning “These Thorns” into “These Scars” so I won’t go around
pricking and hurting people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Still, the Lord’s servant, <o:p></o:p></div>
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Sis. E<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">Copyright ©2019 EvelynFannell</div><div class="MsoNormal">All rights reserved.</div></div>
God's Peachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050848543544790225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4494973249668754660.post-42663848676082876972019-05-16T14:15:00.004-07:002020-09-02T09:59:23.282-07:00Sleeping With the Enemy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="9ar66" data-offset-key="3h4vq-0-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1c1e21; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px auto 28px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 700px;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3h4vq-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEEVj6mrYw3E0MnlG4N8am8GOFxsKhbO7zR0EQXSYN5yjcZQIv450KM-AUJeKlMmwo_uKuBVKRiKN3YpXBpcG2pZrABEDtNxH4CVNFvJqM7l87jr7Yi_P8OhncXaaL2W_68Zh-_gWMj4F/s1600/Sleeping.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEEVj6mrYw3E0MnlG4N8am8GOFxsKhbO7zR0EQXSYN5yjcZQIv450KM-AUJeKlMmwo_uKuBVKRiKN3YpXBpcG2pZrABEDtNxH4CVNFvJqM7l87jr7Yi_P8OhncXaaL2W_68Zh-_gWMj4F/s640/Sleeping.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span data-offset-key="3h4vq-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span data-offset-key="3h4vq-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Sometime ago there was a movie with Julia Roberts called “Sleeping with the Enemy.” The title is kind of weird for the movie because it really had nothing to do with what happened in the movie. For those who never saw it, SPOILER ALERT, it’s an old movie, released in 1991. After faking her death in order to flee from her violent husband, Martin (played by Patrick Bergin), Julia Roberts character, Laura, leaves Cape Cod and moves to Iowa, where she creates a new identity and starts dating a local teacher named Ben (played by Kevin Anderson). Martin begins to discover that Laura isn't dead and tracks her down. But Martin has some real OCD issues, which is why Julia Roberts leaves in the first place. Why it’s called </span><span data-offset-key="3h4vq-0-1" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic;">Sleeping with the Enemy</span><span data-offset-key="3h4vq-0-2" style="font-family: inherit;">, I don’t know. Maybe because at one point, she is forced to have to stay with someone she considers her enemy. Someone against her. Someone against everything she believes in. Hmmmm. But whatever the case, it was a very good movie and worth watching.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Bible says “how can two walk together except they be agreed.” Which simply put means, how can you walk in peace or in unity with someone, unless you are walking in agreement, believing the same thing or being of the same mind. I found myself of late chewing on this Scripture. Coming off of the Tea Party that our Women’s group, the Favoured Women of God were able to host recently, still meditating on the Word of God shared by Evangelist Lillie Bonds, “Thorns vs. Scars” and even meditating on our theme, “These Thorns” and how the grace of God is sufficient. All of this has me in the Spirit realm.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">God has been showing me so much and He has been speaking in so many directions and on so many other levels. But isn’t that so like Him? (Side note: Don’t ever put God in a box, looking for Him to speak in just one way or to answer one specific question. God will give you that answer and give you a host of other answers to questions you didn’t even ask). Anyway, the battle is real in the Spirit, even as far as what is going on with the abortion law and women’s rights and the political arena. It’s so much more than what it appears to be. This is a spiritual battle. We are in spiritual warfare and it has been that way for years. But let’s not get off topic, even though I feel as though I’m right there. Sleeping with the Enemy. How can two walk together except they be agreed? That’s the question.</span><br />
<span data-offset-key="b8fml-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Many are walking in agreement with the enemy. Yep. It’s all over the place. Right before your eyes. People are sleeping with the enemy. Agreeing to </span><span data-offset-key="b8fml-0-1" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic;">his</span><span data-offset-key="b8fml-0-2" style="font-family: inherit;"> word. He has one too. Chock full of lies. Agreeing to what he tells them to do. His silent whispers. They’re walking in bitterness. In shame. Walking in unforgiveness. Walking in darkness. Walking in untruth. Walking in guilt. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">He is whispering things to them in the middle of the night. Going to bed with them. They are laying down with him. Under the covers. As they pull the sheets over their heads to go to sleep, he is right there, whispering. Kissing them. Cuddling with them. Filling their heads and their hearts with lies. I can hear him. “It’s not going to be alright. You are all alone. You are not that strong. You can’t do it on your own. They don’t care about you.” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you are listening to all of this, you are sleeping with the enemy and it’s time to wake up. Time to stop agreeing with the lies he’s telling you. You know the Truth. It’s time to come out from underneath that blanket of darkness and open up those blinds. Let the light in. Let the Truth in. Even if it hurts you. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You know that I thought that the movie had nothing to do with it, but look at God, because it does. Throughout the movie, Julia Roberts was always afraid. Afraid of what she was feeling. Afraid that the enemy would always come back. Afraid that she would be found out. Afraid to face him. And the horror she felt when she realized that she was found... it was all over her. But she knew it was either her or him. One of them had to go. She had to come out of agreement with him. Come out of agreement with what SHE was allowing him to say to her. To do to her. Even if it meant it would hurt her. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But once she did, she came into alignment with the Truth. The light of who she was. She realized she was nothing of who that enemy said she was. She was no longer sleeping with the enemy. She was defeating him. Defeating the enemy and winning. And you can too. But you have to stop sleeping with him, first. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Because how can two walk together except they be agreed? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Walk with God. Agree with God. Because God is real and God is good. </span></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="9ar66" data-offset-key="2h035-0-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1c1e21; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px auto 28px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 700px;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2h035-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="2h035-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">A servant of the Lord,</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sis. E</span></div>
</div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="9ar66" data-offset-key="2h035-0-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1c1e21; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px auto 28px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 700px;">Copyright ©2019 EvelynFannell</div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="9ar66" data-offset-key="2h035-0-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1c1e21; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px auto 28px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 700px;"><br /></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="9ar66" data-offset-key="eg8g5-0-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1c1e21; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px auto 28px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 700px;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="eg8g5-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
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God's Peachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050848543544790225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4494973249668754660.post-79745125344708793272019-02-22T12:42:00.003-08:002020-09-02T10:09:10.865-07:00Hear Me<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpj1V9IkukJcIEJAxRY2v_oGPr1tdipOuWI5osDBJqUznTcArXayKy2M3LGPSvZxX3g7Cm_0W8H_QsWTBOfYHFV0LWT4h3bbjereDY94eTC1ADXOQblt_Z5oWklDBEW18hgsStLycMnOwf/s800/dreamstime_s_20558271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpj1V9IkukJcIEJAxRY2v_oGPr1tdipOuWI5osDBJqUznTcArXayKy2M3LGPSvZxX3g7Cm_0W8H_QsWTBOfYHFV0LWT4h3bbjereDY94eTC1ADXOQblt_Z5oWklDBEW18hgsStLycMnOwf/s640/dreamstime_s_20558271.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />God spoke to me recently from the story of 1 Kings 19, where
Elijah was on the mountaintop. It’s a funny thing how God meets you
where you are and desires to comfort you in that place.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elijah had been running from Jezebel and got to a place
where was just tired. Tired of running, and he said to the Lord, “I
have had enough Lord. Take my life, for am no better than my
ancestors who have already died.” Then the Scripture says an angel
of the Lord came to him and told him to eat (and drink). For the journey ahead
of him is too much for him. The Scripture doesn’t say that he needed to eat
again, it doesn’t say that he was tired anymore. God fed him and
sustained for 40 days. The food and drink that God provided gave him enough
strength to travel 40 days and nights until he arrived to Horeb, the mountain
of God, then met God at a cave. Know this, IF God provides for you,
it’s going to be enough to sustain you for whatever time or function is needed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Then the Lord appeared to Elijah and God said, “What are you
doing here?” Funny how God asked Elijah what he was doing there,
when God was the one Who sent him there. God has a purpose for
bringing us to the things He brings us to, He asks us the questions to see if
we know. And Elijah said, “I have zealously served the Lord God
Almighty. And then he starts talking about the people and how they
rejected God’s covenant, and torn down altars and did this and that, and then
he says and I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” Isn’t
that just like us, blaming stuff on people, pointing the finger at them and
then say how they’re out to get us. Hmmmm.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Then God tells Elijah to go before Him on the mountain, and
we know what happens, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm
came. But the Lord was not in the wind. Then an
earthquake, then a fire, then finally the sound of a gentle
whisper. And that’s where God was. My hubby, Pastor Jeff,
did a four-part series on the Hearing the Voice of God and how important it is
to hear Him speak. God speaks in a whisper. With all
these things going on, God spoke to Elijah in a
whisper. Seemingly back to back, the windstorm, the
earthquake, the fire, because the Scripture doesn’t break, much like our
lives. Things happen, back to back. And God speaks in the
midst of it all, in a whisper. Do we hear Him? Are we
hearing Him?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Then God asked Elijah again, “What are you doing here?” Same
exact question as before. God wanted to know if Elijah’s answer was
going to change. Did Elijah hear Him? But Elijah gave the
same exact answer. The SAME EXACT ANSWER. How
many times has God asked us a question, presenting us the opportunity to change
our responses but we give Him the same answer? The same exact answer.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Then God sends Elijah back the same way again, almost
dismissively, answering his complaint, the same complaint as before, of being
the only one, but letting him know, he yet had a job to do. So go on
back and do it. He said to Elijah, “Go back the way you came.. When you
get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram.<b><sup> </sup></b>Also,
anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of
Shaphat from Abel Mehola to succeed you as prophet… <b><sup> </sup></b>Yet
I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to
Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.” And in His mercy
and His grace (for it is SUFFICIENT), He gives Elijah help.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Spoke to me in so many ways. Sometimes we
get to the point in ministry, in life even, that we are tired. Tired
from ministry. Tired of fighting. Tired of trying to tell
people about God and they refuse to listen. Tired of
serving. We feel alone. Like we are the only ones doing
things. We feel used. Abused. Let
down. We feel like someone of the enemy is always out to get us and
we get to the place where Elijah did, just plain tired. I don’t want
to do this anymore. I don’t want to fight anymore. Just
end this now, Lord. Take me away from here. Take me out
of here. And God in His sovereignty, and comfort, provides for
us. He shows us and gives us something to sustain us (His grace is
sufficient… there it goes again). A word, food for the
Spirit. Something to build us up, to encourage us. Then
once He sees that we are built up, He send us on our way to the next place He
has for us. A place where He can do further work to build up our
character and make us more like His Son. More like
Jesus. Isn’t that what all this is about anyway? To be
conformed into the image of the Son. He brings us to a place of
solitude to do that. Where the only place we can turn to, is
Him. Where the only thing, the only One we can see is Him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elijah was in the cave. Alone. Then
God does all these things before Him. Right before His
eyes. And they were destructive things. A
windstorm. The Scripture says that it was such a terrible blast that
the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. Then
God sends an earthquake, and we know how destructive they can be, we’ve seen
the destruction with our natural eyes. Then God sends a fire
following it, all of this right before Elijah’s eyes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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God allows us to go through things. Turbulent
things. Destructive things. And things happen right before our very
eyes, but in the midst of these things, God wants us to see Him. To
hear Him. In the midst of all the noise, He spoke in a whisper.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And so He asks Elijah again, (as He does with us), to see if
he “heard” anything. Because He wants Elijah to know, I am with you,
Elijah. In the midst of the storm, raging in your life, I am with
you. Hear Me. In the midst of things breaking apart; the
ground falling apart beneath you, I am with you. In the midst of the
fiery furnace, I am with you. You shall go through the fire, but you
will not smell of smoke, I am with you. HEAR ME.<o:p></o:p></div>
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God is with you. In the midst of whatever it is
you are going through, He says, “I am with you. Hear Me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Oh, that we would hear. Praying for the ears to
do so. God is real and He is speaking….<o:p></o:p></div>
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Hear Him.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>
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Sis. E</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Copyright ©2019 EvelynFannell</div>
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God's Peachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050848543544790225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4494973249668754660.post-69804699383064199022019-02-15T07:08:00.003-08:002020-09-02T10:28:05.858-07:00His Grace Is Sufficient<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJ_rDWP_xAfMliQAhI8KYogdtuIYqjAZlKJ0WnxZQJfu6QOhXjrSZWIK159PWaZWejWxJvMdL8AHmudTEj-2aBm1Ide_aTwjto2bxioAxDT25CO9eLn9fto6VUMJEvnW9oH9Y0Fx_E2-X/s6000/DSC_0380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJ_rDWP_xAfMliQAhI8KYogdtuIYqjAZlKJ0WnxZQJfu6QOhXjrSZWIK159PWaZWejWxJvMdL8AHmudTEj-2aBm1Ide_aTwjto2bxioAxDT25CO9eLn9fto6VUMJEvnW9oH9Y0Fx_E2-X/s640/DSC_0380.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Now since
the holidays have passed, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year and what would
have been birthday year 26, feels like I can move on and breathe again.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Another season in the books without my Joseph…
. But we made it through by the grace of God. Approaching another year without
him.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Year 4.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Year 4 for us without him.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Life forever altered by befores and afters.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Withs and withouts.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Death has a way of changing how you look at
the calendar and the seasons.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Was a rough patch for a
while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A rough season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A hard time filled with memories of other lost
loved ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A sister, a brother, a mother-in-law,
whom we lost in the span since we’ve lost our Joe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
there were visits to the ER, to the doctors (multiple), to ambulatory care
units and then diagnoses… one, two, three… all in the midst of this season of
just a few months, “my season of despair,” I called it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone called me Jobette.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sort of felt like that for a minute, still do
on some days, but God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Covered by His
grace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">And yet even
in the midst of all of that, my family and I got to take a family vacation to
Aruba, (far away from last year’s trip to Chicago).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Weather was ideal, no lower than 78, no
higher than 82.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perfect temperatures for
the beach, where we spent most of our time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The beach
relaxes me, you know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s almost like I
belong there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like I was born there or
something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s what I call my little piece
of heaven on the earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mi paraiso.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I suppose it’s as close to paradise (and
Joseph) as I will get.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For now,
anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I’ll take it any chance I
can.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Looking at
the sand on the beach, I saw myself as a child just sitting and playing in
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure you’ve seen how children
sit in the sand and are content to just sit there playing in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Totally oblivious to what is going on around
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is where God had me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is where I felt like I was. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the sand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A child playing in the sand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Twirling
my stick, oblivious yet aware.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And God
has sat me there in the midst of all the things that are happening all around
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know why they’re
happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is nothing I can do
about them happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now
anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve just got to go along with
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in order to go along with it, sometimes
you’ve got to get out of the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so
I sit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the sand, where God has placed
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Twirling my stick until God comes
along and says it’s time to move on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
tells me to put the stick down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Truth is, it
is only then that we can move on. That we can do anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When God says so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can only move by His grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until then, we must be content to simply sit
and wait…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I don’t why
things happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still don’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know why my Joe had to die, but I’ve learned
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>something from it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m learning some other things, which you
will hear about soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s grace has
been moving in my life in ways I had not seen BUT by His grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His grace is sufficient.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I don’t know
why we have to suffer and suffer so much at one time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back to back, to back to back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do know that the Word says that Jesus
suffered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that He learned obedience
through the things He suffered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe
that’s one reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seems a harsh way to
learn obedience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’m not God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His ways are not my ways, neither are His
thoughts my thoughts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who am I to
question them? But thankfully in the midst of the suffering, God’s grace comes
along and lightens the load.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never
gives you more than you can bear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
grace <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> sufficient.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In this
season, in these few months all I’ve heard and keep hearing is, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My grace is sufficient.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>I
open the Word and read it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hear it
from a preacher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I heard it out of my
husband’s mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In devotionals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From things I just happen to pick up and
read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the very mouth of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My grace is sufficient.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In 2 Corinthians,
Chapter 7, the Apostle Paul speaks of a thorn that he believe he had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That thorn could have been an illness, could
have been a shortcoming, an annoyance, the Bible doesn’t say; but Paul said to God,
“Three times I asked you to take it away from me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three times… the number of the divine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His divine will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each time he asked God told him, “My grace is
sufficient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For when you are weak, then
I am strong.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Paul got this
revelation, “So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power
of Christ can work through me. <b><sup> </sup></b>That’s why I take
pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and
troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">His
grace is sufficient.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Everything
you need, everything you are going through, everything you shall face… God says,
My grace is sufficient. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That shortcoming… My grace is sufficient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That hardship, that persecution, that trouble…
My grace is sufficient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Your broken pieces…
My grace is sufficient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your missing
ones… My grace is sufficient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your
health challenges… My grace is sufficient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Your financial burdens… My grace is sufficient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your loved ones… <b><i>My grace is sufficient. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Just
continue to play in the sand (as I have) until it’s time for Me, until it’s
time for My grace to move you on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
grace is sufficient to do so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My grace
is sufficient to keep you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sufficient to
hold you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sufficient to lighten your
load.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">His grace is
sufficient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And His grace is sufficient for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Because God
is real, I am, still,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">His servant,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Sis. E<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Copyright ©2019 EvelynFannell</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">All rights reserved.</span></div>
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God's Peachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050848543544790225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4494973249668754660.post-25902186972312498352018-09-21T09:06:00.003-07:002020-09-02T10:37:11.982-07:00Wild Flower<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZML3gyGdAJkao4WR2-MeYtpXkuMSf3yac2Lk7cNovjZMqAw2pnFTJv7TWstCD_kFYBom0sndB9g96AQLbOCeTrc6rUXiOFoOIB3p0JiI2iWg91cx5wq3Tk0_op73yKf5pESOfia4Ta1k/s960/wildflowers.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZML3gyGdAJkao4WR2-MeYtpXkuMSf3yac2Lk7cNovjZMqAw2pnFTJv7TWstCD_kFYBom0sndB9g96AQLbOCeTrc6rUXiOFoOIB3p0JiI2iWg91cx5wq3Tk0_op73yKf5pESOfia4Ta1k/s640/wildflowers.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>“She's faced the hardest times you could imagine.</i></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>And many times, her eyes fought back the tears.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>And when her useful world was about to fall in,</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>each time her slender shoulders</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Bore the weight of all her fears</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>And a siren no one hears</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Still rings in midnight silence in her ear.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<i>“Let her cry for she's a lady.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Let her dream, she is a child</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Let the rain fall upon her</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>She's a free and gentle flower growing wild.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<i>“And if by chance I should hold her</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Let me hold for all time</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>If allowed just one possession</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>I would pick her from the garden to be mine.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<i>“Be careful how you touch her she will awaken</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Sleep's the only freedom, that she knows.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>And when you walk into her eyes, you won't believe</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>The way she's always paying for a debt she never owed</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>And the silent winds still blow</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>But only she can hear, so she groans…</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
For the last four days I have awakened to this song, gone to sleep with
it and it has even been in my dreams. "Wildflower" a remake of a song
originally sung by Canadian group, Skylark, covered by New Birth in 1973. Often
times when a song gets in my spirit, I have learned that the Lord is speaking
and wants me to know something. So of course, as I normally do when this
happens, I looked up the words. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Then I looked up the reason why the song was written, it said that this
man was in love with this woman though something in her eyes told him this
woman was troubled, “She’s faced the hardest times you could imagine and many
times her eyes fought back the tears.” But he asked to date her and when they
were going to go on their date, a patient that the woman had been caring for
died and she blamed herself for it, even though it wasn’t her fault. “The way
she’s always paying for a debt she never owed.” And the woman falls asleep and
the man just allows her to sleep, not wanting to wake her because in her sleep
is all the peace she gets. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Looking at her the man falls in love with her and he wants her to be
his, maybe to take away the pain that she so obviously feels (thinking no one
knows about), “And a siren no one hears, still rings in midnight silence in her
ears.” And the man understands. He wants to anyway. And he calls her a lady,
and a child and then a wild flower. Realizing that she found herself in a place
because of happenstances. Circumstances that just happened that she had no
control over. And she was still beautiful. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I also looked up what a wildflower is. It’s a flower that has not been
intentionally planted anywhere in particular, but because of the circumstances
that seed found itself in, sprung up. Sometimes in undesirable places. But even
in that undesirable place that wildflower continues to blossom and grow, in
spite of the rain. “Let the rain fall down upon her.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
That’s when God spoke to me. God loves me. NEWSFLASH!!! And He loves
you too. And He will tax every grain of sand whenever we are doubting that, to
let us know, even if it means speaking through a song from many moons ago. God
said that I am like that flower, growing in the wild. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
That wild is representative of the stage that I am in, in my life right
now. An unfamiliar place, (becoming all too familiar). For me it’s my walk in
this shadow of grief. For you, it may be a job (new or old), where you seemed
to have worn out your welcome. It may be a place in your life where you might
feel alone. A stage where thorns have grown, and it seems that you find
yourself apologizing or blaming yourself (as the lady in the song) for even
things you didn’t do. As I have, all too often. It’s an unfamiliar place. A
place in the wild. A wilderness experience, where you might feel lost. Where
tears are falling, and no one seems to know about it. Where you have been
dreaming dreams, but tired that they are not coming to pass. (God has given you
that vision, don’t you dare let go of it!) Where you no longer feel useful,
because all your world (as you knew it) has fallen. (Like this woman in the
song, who was distraught because a patient died). God said that although you
may find yourself in a strange place, He knows where you are. (And knows where
I am too). You are a flower. Growing in the wild. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
But even in the wild, the flower still grows. And it makes wherever it
has found itself, beautiful. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as
this woman was despite her circumstances. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And by mid song, the singer changes the chorus to <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>“Let her cry for she's a lady</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Let her dream, she is <b>MY child</b></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Let the rain fall upon her</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>She's a free and gentle flower growing' wild</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>She is <b>MY flower</b> growing wild.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The singer takes ownership of her. It was almost as if God was speaking
Himself when I heard this. You are MY child. You are MY flower. MY flower
growing wild.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Because God is real, I am<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Still His servant and now His wild flower,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Sis. E<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Copyright ©2018 EvelynFannell<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>You can listen to the song here...</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><br /><u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FjmhHwlmTMA" width="320" youtube-src-id="FjmhHwlmTMA"></iframe></div><br /><br /></u></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>I pray it ministers to your spirit, just as much as it has
ministered to mine.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
God's Peachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050848543544790225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4494973249668754660.post-67418345189457997992018-07-19T09:35:00.004-07:002018-07-19T12:23:59.719-07:00It’s Okay NOT to be Okay<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimm2eFPiQQWDvQVM5z8ht0qgyxvY7y8p_d1yMNjdU6W8IPd9loSLN0LVqDClZCmjfuEG6h4ny-etCcLscy8pKMK8ut3wKHqxDioeNzB5q-0PdNxPhX0qvNQCc-_Es8KnyVURH0aPMEJgTh/s1600/37373968_1619706448156927_9189897220663541760_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1353" data-original-width="1439" height="601" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimm2eFPiQQWDvQVM5z8ht0qgyxvY7y8p_d1yMNjdU6W8IPd9loSLN0LVqDClZCmjfuEG6h4ny-etCcLscy8pKMK8ut3wKHqxDioeNzB5q-0PdNxPhX0qvNQCc-_Es8KnyVURH0aPMEJgTh/s640/37373968_1619706448156927_9189897220663541760_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s okay NOT to be okay.
I have heard people say this a few times and have seen it in different
forms on social media. And I have
certainly heard the term in my head over the last few months, for sure. But for a certainty, it really is past time
that we, as people, Christians especially, realize the truth of this
statement. You are not perfect, nor are
you expected to be, (no matter what others may put on you). As long as you are on this side of the earth
you will never be. And that is
“perfectly” okay.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You see the church has said some things to me over the
years, and especially since the death of my son, Joseph, that would have me to
believe that it is a sin and a dishonor for people to know that you are not
okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some reason we have this idea
in our heads, that when you display some sign of weakness, some sign of
imperfection, some sign that something is wrong with your life, that what you
are telling people is that God is not good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“The church” has also stressed that since you are NOT okay, you yourself
cannot go and preach to others to believe God or walk in faith, if you are
struggling to do so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe that as
long as you continue to live your life; continue to do what you know to do, in
spite of your feelings; continue to strive to believe God (remember the father
of the boy with the unclean spirit, Mark 9:24, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Lord, I believe, but help my unbelief.”), as
long as you desire to live in faith (even the little that you hold on to); you
can share your experience with others and encourage people to hang on to theirs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time out for everything to be okay with
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially by someone else’s
standards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God does not put that on us,
don’t let someone else put it on you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s okay NOT to be okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are
not practicing sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are not being a
bad example and you can still encourage someone else.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We do God and people an injustice when we walk around as if
everything is right with our world, because what we are doing is
pretending.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretending that things are
perfect in our lives and they could not be any better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we walk around as if we have it
altogether it is part of the reason why unbelievers and the world cannot relate
to us, because unlike you, they have issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Real ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Problems that get them
down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Problems in need of solving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if you don’t have any, or pretend that
you don’t, how will they know about the problem solver you claim to know?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or better yet, that their problems can be
solved by the Problem Solver you claim to know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>People are delivered by real testimony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Real situations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Real circumstances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Real feelings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not something you heard, or made up, but what
you have actually gone through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if
you do not share it, or think it’s okay to share it, how will they know?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People
should not know everything you are going through. And I agree with that to an
extent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when people know that you’ve
been hurt and see you trying to pretend that you are not, what they actually
see is hypocrisy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are talking a good
game that all is right with your world, when it is not. Clearly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People know, lots of them, that my son Joseph
was killed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People know how much that must
hurt, most people anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if I were
to walk around pretending that I am not hurting, I not only hurt myself, but I
hurt others, because some would believe, one, I must have not loved him as much
as I said I do; or two, I am invincible (perfect) and have no feelings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feelings matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mine, yours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, we are called to walk by faith, which is why you can overcome those
feelings… casting aside every high thing that exalts itself against the Word of
God. So, when it comes to am I going to ride with these feelings and let them
sink me deep into a depressive state or am I going to take up my bed and walk;
my faith says, take up your bed and walk, even if I am walking with a limp.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It's okay NOT to be okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s okay to feel it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you try
and bypass those feelings, even talking them out, you’re pretending that you
have it altogether.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you don’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re holding it inside, too afraid to say
something for fear of being judged and you’re giving a place to the devil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will take those thoughts and twist
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His motive is to steal, kill and
destroy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as he set about to get
Jesus to kill Himself by throwing Himself over that mountain, that devil wants
you to kill yourself too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whispering the
very things that are hurting you back into your ear, to make you so depressed
that you actually believe it to be better if you were not here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t let him do it to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s okay not to be okay and it’s okay to tell
somebody.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Find someone to share those thoughts with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I know it’s hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are even therapists out there who have
experienced pain themselves and are not even sharing the pain that they are
feeling, but in turn, taking that pain and causing someone else to fall in some
way by passing on lies and false beliefs as to why they feel the way they
do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therapists have issues too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please, if you are a therapist, tell people
the truth and not what you would have them to believe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell them you’re hurting too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell them you’re not perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That YOU made a mistake. Show them the power
of forgiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes the not being
okay is because we have not forgiven ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s real therapy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And for those who believe that people are okay when they are
not, don’t think of people being dramatic, or overly so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What does that mean anyway?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They may have some real issues and you miss
the sign, the call for help, if you simply dismiss it as, “her being dramatic,”
“or this is what he always does.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That “drama”
might just be a cry for help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For an ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a hug.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I often wonder what it is that pushes people over the
edge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe that the thoughts are
always there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in little ways, people
play a role.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You never know what that
phone call did or how the slightest little thing changed a thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What happened to Kate Spade recently and
Anthony Bourdain, and of late, Bobbi Kristina Brown and Robin Williams, is not a
rare occurrence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suicidal thoughts are
even with people that are well known, loved, successful, young and old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We never know who these thoughts are
affecting and to what degree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I do
believe this, for whatever reason, those thoughts may not have been
shared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of people suffer inside, in
silence, for many reasons and it seems these days we make it harder for them to
say anything about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For fear of what
others might think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately,
especially in the household of faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have this thing in the church, that if something is wrong
with your life, you did something for it to be wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have become very judgmental, hiding behind
the Word, and people, especially leaders, are afraid to say anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are living behind the façade that all is
right with their world, when they need to be on the altar, the most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s okay not to be okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s okay to hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s okay to feel bad, to be sad, to mourn,
to grieve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s okay to display emotion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know there was a part in the Bible where God spoke to
Ezekiel when his wife died, and He commanded Ezekiel not to mourn her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But God had a specific purpose for doing
that, and unless He told you not to mourn, not to hurt, not to cry, you do
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s okay not to be okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it’s okay to say so.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s okay to cry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s okay to say you are doubting right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s okay to come clean with where you are
spiritually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In your walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are free from condemnation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In spite of what people tell you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now of course there is another side to this, because there are
always two sides to a story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the way
you do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t be like Job’s wife and
curse God and die, because something has happened to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Continue to believe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Continue to have faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Continue to confess that and ask God to help
you with your struggle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask God to help
you to believe again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To restore the joy
of His salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And most of all, ask Him
to be glorified in it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because if
that is your ultimate goal even in the midst of your pain, God WILL be
glorified.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He can be, and He will be.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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It really is okay NOT to be okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take it from someone who knows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I admit I am NOT okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I WILL BE. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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And there shall be glory after this, because God is real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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God's Peachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050848543544790225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4494973249668754660.post-80500606472933726492018-02-05T06:35:00.002-08:002019-09-27T14:23:23.447-07:00Winning<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfVxe8zqO_0M-UyqopzmdUKNL3_9ZldSsjOQm23AWRoMTkzGNaX1uBAbkIOr8-30HB8IDeU6J_243fwxhw1NG8r8z-oGVzuLUNqhyclyzy8Gaq0aW2-n4rVXHKx_zkXcoUIZhcgNJk9VK/s1600/victory-2017-billboard-1548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="636" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfVxe8zqO_0M-UyqopzmdUKNL3_9ZldSsjOQm23AWRoMTkzGNaX1uBAbkIOr8-30HB8IDeU6J_243fwxhw1NG8r8z-oGVzuLUNqhyclyzy8Gaq0aW2-n4rVXHKx_zkXcoUIZhcgNJk9VK/s640/victory-2017-billboard-1548.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My
husband, Jeff, was away for a couple of days recently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those who don’t know him, after working
for the Major League Baseball Players Association for over 10 years, God
allowed him to start his own business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s been five years and he’s doing great, having just relocated into
larger space. (God will increase your territory and bless you indeed, if you
wait).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in his current business, he
represents players from the union and/or their agents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">From the
end of January through February is salary arbitration period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baseball season is over, and this is the time
that has been set aside where players (if eligible), negotiate for a new
contract or in some cases, just a better one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hubby had a case where he had to argue and represent a player.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His clients were well pleased in how Jeff
pleaded his case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It says a lot about
you and your character when others are well pleased in how they are
represented.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God said about Jesus, this
is my Son, in whom I am well pleased.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus represented Him well…. Hmmmm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Anyway,
with arbitration different sides of the case are presented, the player’s side,
the union’s side and the team’s) as a case is laid by each one and presented
before an arbitrator, who decides the case and determines the outcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Our cases are argued too before an
Arbitrator, God, who always has the final say in what the judgment will
be).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At one
point, my hubby’s case didn’t look too good, and he thought they were going to
lose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While he presented a good case,
another factor came in and it appeared as though the scale leaned to the other
side. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what it looked like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But God!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hubby got the phone call just a day later, that they won!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That the player got what he asked for,
determining the presentation of the case, a winner!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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praying and thanking God for the win (I normally don’t ask for a “win”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pray God’s will be done and that I am able
to accept what He allows, but this time, given what happened, I asked for a
win), so as I was thanking God for the win, I heard Him say, “In spite of what
it looks like He allows for a win.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In spite
of what it looks like, in spite of how that person stepped in and seemingly
messed things up for you; in spite of laying the proper foundation and things
took a turn; in spite of your stumbling and stuttering during the job
interview; in spite of what is showing up in your bank account.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In spite of what it looks like, God allows
for a win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He allows you to win.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God goes
against the flow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Greater is He that is in you than he that is
with the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You and Him are more
than enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With God, all things are
possible, in spite of what it seems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When the odds are stacked against you, God allows for a win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially if it was God Who put it in your
spirit to ask for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And just a day
later… God said, “Catch that!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am
reminded of a song by Jekalyn Carr.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
words have this running theme, “The enemy came up against your home, your
children, your name, your character, your health, your finances, your vision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>know you're hurt, I know you're torn I know you are broken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you will win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of those may be facts, but the Truth
still remains that in the name of Jesus, you will win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of those may be facts but the truth
still remains that in the name of Jesus You will win.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In the
name of Jesus, you will win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Declare it
to be your winning season, as the song continues… “It’s your winning season and
everything attached to you wins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
will win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God allows us for it! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Because
God is real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thanks be unto God Who
ALWAYS causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">#andthereshallbegloryafterthis<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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servant of the Lord, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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God's Peachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050848543544790225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4494973249668754660.post-37966958847630971332018-01-26T10:50:00.001-08:002018-01-26T11:30:33.760-08:00Broken Crayons Still Color<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYG5ZtmE89R7WLTzsF0ZTPk46EGH8llx2Y1aWUqgYTuNab8ocYTEiQ63bGLhiewZ4msj2oPyvoWXP0OfRVJGF4rOklBLx_W5RjfY7r2nH9jNO5Yr5-OJrFJxMlnC17UdlkPTrdnariH4e/s1600/broken+crayons.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="698" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYG5ZtmE89R7WLTzsF0ZTPk46EGH8llx2Y1aWUqgYTuNab8ocYTEiQ63bGLhiewZ4msj2oPyvoWXP0OfRVJGF4rOklBLx_W5RjfY7r2nH9jNO5Yr5-OJrFJxMlnC17UdlkPTrdnariH4e/s320/broken+crayons.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Came across this sign some
time ago and immediately it jumped out at me, so I saved it. As I began to pray
this particular morning during my devotional time with the Lord, God brought
this back to my remembrance. Had been asking Him for a Word for the year
that will anchor me. We need a Word from the Lord to hold on to. A
Word that will give us hope and strengthen us for the trials and even the
triumphs to come. That’s the purpose of a New Year theme in church that
Pastors often share during the Watch Night services or the first message of the
New Year. The Word that the Pastor delivers at this time is usually an
anchor to the congregation, giving them something to stand on, a Word to
remember, to hold on to, when things start to go a little awry (and they
will). <o:p></o:p></div>
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Last year, the Word God
had for us as a church was “Come Out Fightin'” (Though a year has passed, I
encourage you to take a listen, the Word is always appropriate in our walk with
Christ). And yes, a strange word, but it seems that was all we had to do
all year as the enemy found different ways to oppose us. Each battle and
each struggle that I personally faced last year, that Word popped up in my
spirit, (and of others) as things came to challenge my faith. 'We wrestle
not against flesh and blood, but of principalities...' It brought me back to
where I should be, standing on the Word of God and contending for my
faith. Fight the good fight of faith, that's what the Word says.
And while things happened, I yet remained victorious at the end of the
year. What was meant to destroy me, what was meant to kill me, did
not. It is 2018 and I am still here. I am still alive. I am
reminded of the words of my dear son Joseph who shared so poetically in one of
his spoken word performances, (oh, how I miss them) … “See, they say, the human
heart beats 4,000 times per hour. Each beat, each pulse, each rhythm,
each drop, is a token, is a trophy, is a reward, engraved with these words, you
are still alive.” I am still alive. Albeit, broken.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyway, as I had been
asking God for a Word, He spoke to me New Year’s Day and said, “Restoration and
Renewal.” And while I thought that this would be my anchor for the year,
and it some ways it yet is, God spoke again. I’ve learned that God often
speaks in sentences, a thought today, a Word tomorrow, that if we would only
string it together, we would have our ‘Morse code’ from God, a battle plan for
our victory. So, this particular morning, God continued to speak and
spoke to me through this image... about brokenness. <o:p></o:p></div>
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You see when my Joseph was
killed, something broke in me. My heart. Joseph is my only
son. He was my last born. He was just 22. Just getting
started. And we won’t ever be able to see him continue. In his
career, in his performances. In his life. He won't ever marry or
have his own family. Life was stripped from him. And life was
stripped from me. I birthed three children and now that was broken, for
now I only had two. And when he died, so did my passion, my ability to
focus, my desire to live as I had been. My faith was shaken.
Betrayal came, and I lost friends and people I thought loved me. And so
much more, that is not for me to share at this moment. But I was
broken. And God spoke to me and said, “Broken crayons still color.”
And regarding the restoration and renewal, in order to be renewed, you must
first be broken. But understand, in that brokenness, God yet desires to
work in you and through you. He yet desires to use you. He yet desires to
use me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Broken crayons still
color. This is what He said. Think about a crayon. They are
used to bring a black and white drawing to life. To add color to a
sketching. When we were young, we had all kinds of coloring books.
The color by number. The magic coloring books where things would appear
once you colored them. Theme coloring books, animals, toys, so
many. And we had all sorts of boxes of crayons; the 8, 16, 24, and the
double-sized box of 64 with the sharpener. And those of us who came later
even had the erasable crayons. And we loved to color with a brand-new box
of crayons. We couldn’t wait to use those. It was just something
about them. They had a point so that we could make our coloring more
accurate, staying in the lines. But there was always somebody who colored
outside of the lines (and that’s a whole other message, but sometimes we need
to color outside of the lines and not do what everybody else is doing), but
anyway, for the most part we needed to stay in the lines in order to have a
pretty and perfect view, and color of whatever the subject was. (Order is
needed as well, but that too is another message). <o:p></o:p></div>
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As a child, sometimes I
would color and color with the same crayon, usually the black one, that seemed
to be used the most. (Or the blue and green, as there was always a sky or
grass in the drawing that needed to be colored). But those
particular crayons would be used so much, they often broke. And that was
it. Once those crayons were broken, it was like the whole pack did not
work. And most times it would stop me from coloring at all, because I
could not use that one color. I was like that as a kid (still like that
in some ways). Everything had to work. Everything had to
match. My hair had to be neat or I would cry. "The crayon is
broken!" I would yell to whoever was around. And I would
stop coloring or declare the whole box of crayons, worthless. (Thank God that
when something breaks within us, He doesn’t toss us out, or stop using us,
declaring us worthless).<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyway, when we really
wanted to color, especially if there was nothing else for us to do (there were
no video games, or Netflix, or cellphones), sometimes we would take that broken
crayon and peel off the paper, sharpen it and use it anyway. As broken as
it was. But what made it even better was since the crayon was broken, we
could share it and someone else could actually use that broken piece. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Broken crayons still
color. And they still can be used to make a difference. When we
find ourselves broken, just like we did with our broken crayons, God just peels
away that layer of paper, that thing that holds us back from being used, and He
sharpens us and puts us back to work. Back in the box with all the rest
of the crayons. Back in the midst of life with all of the rest of the
people. And the piece that was broken, broken off of us, He allows us to
share with someone else, so that they can color too. Our shared experiences
serve as a threshold for someone else to share their experiences.<o:p></o:p></div>
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That broken piece of us,
where our heart was broken because of betrayal or rejection or loneliness or
even death, God allows someone else to learn from and now they are able to
color with it. To use the experience, they gained and the wisdom they
learned from your broken piece and color with it. Make the world around
them, and the people they meet better. <o:p></o:p></div>
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God will use our
brokenness in spite of our brokenness. And each time we break, He will
sharpen us and make us new so that we can still color. So that we can
still make a difference. Just because we are broken, just because things
happen to us, death, sickness, a fall from grace even, does not mean God cannot
use that situation, or use us as we go through it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And every time I am
reminded of just how broken I am, God reminds me “yep, but you're still coloring.”
So, with God’s help and by His grace, I’ll just take my broken self and
continue to color all the plans, God draws for me. Or puts in the Book.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Though broken, I shall not
die, but live to declare the glory of the Lord. For there SHALL be glory
after this.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Broken crayons still
color.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And I am still, a servant
of the Lord, coloring.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sis. E<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
www.butgodisreal.com<o:p></o:p></div>
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www.intheshadowofgrief.com</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">#ripmyJoe</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Joseph
Malik Fannell</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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January 14, 1993 – June 5,
2015<o:p></o:p></div>
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www.josephmfannellmemorialfund.org<o:p></o:p></div>
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God's Peachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050848543544790225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4494973249668754660.post-70855857692871845432017-07-13T10:38:00.001-07:002017-07-13T10:38:01.642-07:00Killing Jesus<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In Mark 15, we read of where Jesus was taken prisoner because of what the people said, ‘His claim to be God.’ He was presented before Pilate and although, Pilate was warned by his wife through a dream, Pilate chose instead to have Jesus crucified.<br />
<br />
What led Pilate to his decision was his concession, his compromising, his desire, to give in to the people. Verse 15 says, “Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.” Jesus was killed because Pilate gave in to the people. And this is what happens when you give in to the people. <br />
<br />
When we compromise, concede, make room for, give in to what the people want; what we do, what we have done is killed Jesus. We’ve killed His spirit living inside of us. We’ve killed His will for our lives in that given situation, in order to appease the desire of someone else’s. <br />
<br />
Religion, churches, spiritual leaders all over the world are giving into the people. Some are not preaching the Word God spoke for fear that the people won’t get excited. Some are not correcting congregants for fear they might leave the church. Some are allowing people to be in ministry, when they themselves are in no position to minister to themselves, carrying unforgiveness, harboring bitterness and the like, and leaving a trail of my way or no way wherever they go. <br />
<br />
There is no power in the church these days and we find ourselves wondering why. People are not being saved, lives are not being transformed, they are not being conformed, miracles are not taking place, healing is sporadic, because Jesus is being killed. The spirit of the living God is being hindered. God’s way of doing things, whether people like it or not, has been given second place to the opinions, to the feelings and thoughts of man. There is no real power in many churches because God’s will has been killed. Why would He abide in a place He is not obeyed? Why would He manifest Himself when the desires of the people are what matters first?<br />
<br />
But it’s not just happening in the church. It is happening our homes. In our personal lives. We find ourselves lost, discouraged at not receiving the promises of God, because somewhere along the way we have given in. To people. Instead of studying our Word, praying, or seeking God’s face, we have chosen to seek the face (or something else) OF someone else. Instead of attending Sunday services and corporate church empowerment gatherings, we have elected to spend it at some other social setting, in the name of “spending quality time together.” Anything that takes you away from God is not quality. It’s distraction. Especially if that is what you used to do. You have conceded, you have compromised and you have quenched the spirit of the living God leading you and guiding you into Truth. All Truth. Even thsst we refuse to see.<br />
<br />
Instead of spending our morning singing songs of praise, we have elected to sing the praises of someone we want the attention of, albeit perhaps of a boss. Instead of spending spare time sitting in the presence of God, we have chosen to sit in the presence of a computer or phone screen. Ouch!! We are the “people” too, we give in to. <br />
<br />
Instead of doing what we know to do is right, continuing to stand on the principles we have learned and was taught, like forgiveness, honesty and truth, we are satisfying the fleshly need of someone else, giving in instead to their warped feelings of injustice. Instead of giving like we used to, we’ve began to give in to the cries of a loved one or even worse, our bills. Chasing the dollar instead of attracting it. The spirit of the living God has even been killed when it comes to our finances. God said He would show us how to prosper. It is Him who shows us how to get wealth. But it's in the spending time with Him, that is where and how we will learn. <br />
<br />
Jesus is being killed. Again and again. Look at the state of the world. Look at the politics, especially in this nation. Uh-oh. Leaders gave in to what the people wanted. They wanted a king. Someone to save them from their problems. Did he? Or were more presented? How many lives have been destroyed? How many families have been torn apart? And how much more will come forth? What has happened to the integrity of the office? The integrity of this great nation, we call the United States. Surely it has become the “Divided” States of America. Because someone gave in to the people.<br />
<br />
Going forward, we cannot allow people to dictate what must be done or what we will do, especially when it comes to serving the living God. We cannot compromise, concede or give in to the will of people. It must be God’s will be done. It must be God above all else. Jesus first. Otherwise, we will become guilty of exactly what Pilate was guilty of… wishing to satisfy the crowd. And killing Jesus.<br />
<br />
Because God is real, I remain,<br />
<br />
A servant of the Lord,<br />
Sis. E<br />
<br />
http://www.butgodisreal.com<br />
Copyright 2017<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
God's Peachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050848543544790225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4494973249668754660.post-34436037823546791102017-07-11T15:55:00.001-07:002019-09-27T14:32:18.994-07:00Questions, Anyone?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9EpYsetz4-mVOVM6yR8caZLEAcAAXJiLDG8K_xRLtciz2TXsmbHvnagA7p1Z4_D3ONNHiq6irPg-VCrCr0r4gpm8Yl_TSbr9FD402MJD2mwmy0E3t_6-5i_c8xfTjSgwUSYvI4OhH5qI/s1600/questions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9EpYsetz4-mVOVM6yR8caZLEAcAAXJiLDG8K_xRLtciz2TXsmbHvnagA7p1Z4_D3ONNHiq6irPg-VCrCr0r4gpm8Yl_TSbr9FD402MJD2mwmy0E3t_6-5i_c8xfTjSgwUSYvI4OhH5qI/s640/questions.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In our walk with God, if we’re honest, we can admit that we have our moments (albeit long sometimes) where we have questions. We were believing God for something, waiting for a promise, expecting justice, and even found ourselves at a loss at unexpected turns. I certainly have experienced them all, especially the one of late, with the loss of my son, Joseph and asked God a bunch of questions. Still do in fact.<br />
<br />
We present our questions to God, why this, how long, what now, and seemingly we do not get an answer (and definitely not the one we want). In fact, often times God leaves us with a question. In particular I am reminded of the many He asked of Job, starting with “Where were you when I created when I created the earth?” (Job 38).<br />
<br />
But things don’t pan out the way we think they should and we ask our questions. We act foolishly, we pout (naturally and spiritually), and throw our spiritual tantrums. Then we host a pity party, inviting God and anyone else who will listen to us complain.<br />
<br />
And God in His sovereignty comforts us and allows to groan and moan for a time, but then He shows us the error of our ways. And when we still don’t quite seem to get it, He simply leaves us with a question, just as He did with Job, and even more so as He did with Jonah.<br />
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In case you are not familiar with the story of Jonah, Jonah was a prophet of God who was told to go to the people of Ninevah and declare the Word of the Lord, that if they repent, they will be saved. But Jonah did not think that the people were worthy of being saved. <i>Let me stop here.</i> Some of us have the same attitude. God has delivered us and saved us from some things, bad habits that we had, bad attitudes that we had, the wrong way of thinking and doing things, SINFUL acts and we were considered to be unworthy, too. And here is a news flash, we still are, IN and OF ourselves. For it is by grace we are saved, not of works, lest any man shall boast. That means in spite of us and who we thought we were, God yet saw fit to count us as worthy. Worth saving. Hallelujah! But, like Jonah, we have this way of hanging condemnation over other people’s heads, becoming JUDGE and JURY to what they have done or are doing and making them feel as though they are not worthy to be saved. Wrong! God saved you. He saved me, (the wretched one that I was), surely He can save someone else. <br />
<br />
<i>Okay, moving right along</i>... This is where Jonah was. He believed that the people were unworthy of God’s deliverance. So instead of doing what God told him to do, Jonah figured he’d run. And so he ran, right into a storm, which landed him smack dab in the belly of a fish.<br />
<br />
But let me stop there for a minute also, because Jonah ran away from what God told him to do. The Bible says when Jonah was instructed to go to Ninevah, he paid his fare on a boat that was on its way to Tarshish, the opposite direction. And twice the Bible says, ‘to flee the presence of the Lord.’ Jonah must have thought that Tarshish was a place where God does not dwell. In doing research about this, it was believed by some scholars that the spirit of prophecy was evident in the city of Nineveh because God had a work to do there, so when Jonah decided to flee, he thought he would be fleeing from the spirit of God breathing upon him to go and preach the Word. But if God tells us to do something, it doesn’t matter where it is, God will be there. <br />
<br />
We can’t run from God’s spirit. The psalmist David said, “Where can I flee from your spirit? Even if I make my bed in Sheoul you are there. You are everywhere.” <u>Side note.</u> Sheoul is a dark place. It is considered to be hell. That place where evil resides, where evil is practiced. On earth, that place where you do your dirt. God sees it. He sees you. From the minute details of lying, bitterness and anger to the acts of lust, fornication, unforgiveness and murder (whose spirit did you kill with those judgmental words or gossip?) There is no hiding from God. He will ALWAYS find you. Don’t forget HE SEEKS and saves those who are lost (or even in this case, hiding). <br />
<br />
Anyway, back to our issue at hand. Being the forgiving God He is, God delivered Jonah and gave him a second chance to go and make it right. “Declare My Word to the people,” God said, “that they may be delivered.” This time Jonah obeyed and delivered the Word, a Word of warning to the people that their city shall be overtaken. And after hearing the Word, the Bible says, “the people fasted and repented.” We have tob stop here, too… what do we do when we receive a cautionary word from the man of God (or woman God sends), do we turn around or do we turn against? Around (change our ways) or against (them), talking about them every chance we get. Do we just get it right or leave the church? I'll just leave that one right there. That's between you and God. But God already knows...<br />
<br />
Anyway, when God saw that the people turned away from their sins, He delivered them and after He had done so, Jonah had an attitude. With God. The Bible says in Jonah 4:1-3, “But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. So he prayed to the Lord, and said, “Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm. Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!”<br />
<br />
Then God shows him an object lesson. God is always about teaching us and causing us to see things from His perspective, molding us to be more like Jesus. As Jonah sat pouting, and angry at God for saving the people, God allows a tree to grow to keep Jonah from the heat. In the midst of our spiritual tantrums, God is YET merciful, as He is with Jonah. And then God allows a worm to eat away the tree. And Jonah is once again upset and expresses it. So God simply asked him a question and left Jonah alone, “Should I not have pity on them, as I have had on you.” Hear the Word of the Lord: “Until you can answer God’s question, He will not answer yours.” For there the book of Jonah ends.<br />
<br />
Many of us, myself included, have asked God many questions. We have our whys, hows, whats, ifs, ands, buts. Excuses on top of reasons and reasons on top of excuses why we can’t, or why we won’t do something. And God being the merciful God He is, does for us, anyway. Provides shelter from the storm, makes a way of escape, delivers us, provides for us. And too often that is just not good enough for us. Oh, it serves us for a time. But we have short memories. Things don’t go our way and we forget. There really is Truth in the Scripture, “forget not all thy benefits.” For if we remembered them we wouldn't ask our questions. But we do, so I will say it again, until you are ready to answer God’s question, He will not answer yours. <br />
<br />
Have a question, ask it, but be prepared to answer, FIRST.<br />
<br />
But God is real. <br />
<br />
A servant of the Lord,<br />
Sis. E<br />
<br />
Copyright 2017<br />
http:www.butgodisreal.com<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
God's Peachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050848543544790225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4494973249668754660.post-89358509626063881212017-03-01T13:33:00.002-08:002017-03-01T13:33:11.565-08:00Too Much to Bear or Not?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The Scripture
says in Exodus 13:17-18, when Pharaoh let the people of God go, God did not
lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was the
shorter route. For God said, if they face war they might change their
minds and return to Egypt. So God led the people around by the desert
road towards the Red Sea. God
knew that if He had taken the Israelites the shorter journey they would have to
“fight” and since He knew what was in them, He chose not to put them through
that and them another way.</div>
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There is a Scripture that is often misquoted from the Bible, “No temptation has
overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will
not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” (1 Corinthians 10:13a). This Scripture is often used in the context
that God knows how much we can bear, at that alone. But if you take the whole Scripture, what it
represents is God’s hand that is able to make a way of escape, because He knows
our temptations. He knows what will get
us into trouble or a bad place, so He makes a way for us to get out of it,
before we even get in it. God knows how
much we can bear, for sure. He knows
what we can handle without breaking. He knows how much we can take. He
knows how much He can turn up the flames in our lives or allow the enemy to do
so, without us being destroyed. And since He knows, He will not
allow us to go through more than we can bear…. OURSELVES. <br />
<br />
In our own strength we are nothing. We can do nothing. For the Scripture
says nothing is possible without God. Even
those times when we feel as though it is more than we can bear, God says, “It's
not more for Me. It's not too much to bear for Me.” So when He brings us to those times, God
wants us to rely on Him. To rely on His strength.<o:p></o:p></div>
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After our dear
son, Joseph died, I was strong for a minute.
My children, my husband, my family, friends and others were looking at
me for strength. And it was all good for
a little bit. But there came a point
where I had no more strength and I felt like dealing with the death of my son
and trying to help others deal with it, was too much of a burden for me to
bear. And that is when I realized I
could not do in my strength. I had to
rely on the strength of God to see me through this tragedy. And once I did, peace flooded my soul, like a
river. Oh yes I still cry, nearly every
day. But I get through the day, relying
on God.<br />
<br />
If we're walking in our own strength, God in His sovereignty, knows when we
won't be able to take anymore. He knows that some of us will turn away
from the faith, and call it quits. That we will stop doing what we know
to do is right and go according to the way that <i>seems</i> right. And He knows that way is death.<br />
<br />
God knows when enough is enough. He sees our struggles. He sees our
pain. He sees our suffering. And in His still small voice, He says
to us, “Be still and know that I am God.”
Just like the children of Israel, when their burden got to be too much,
God will either redirect our steps or He will remind us that He is with us
and all we need to do is to look to Him. To look to the hills from whence
cometh our help. To look up and see the
salvation of the Lord. That is when He
may continue to allow the burden, because then He knows we will turn to Him and
seek His face. We will spend more time
with Him, acknowledging just how much we need Him.<br />
<br />
God has to put on us more than we can bear. And the Truth is He does,
because it is the only way that He can stretch us sometimes. It is
only then that we can exercise our faith... the size of the mustard seed He has
given us. How else would we know that we
are walking in faith if we never have to take a step of faith. Real.faith.
Right NOW, in your face faith, if we don't get a chance or something that
challenges us to act in faith. Looking to God, of course, as the Author
and Finisher of our faith. <br />
<br />
Sometimes God puts on us more than we can bear, to see just how much we are
going to trust Him. To believe Him.
Will we rely on His strength to get us through or will we rely on our
own? <br />
<br />
God knows the answer and it is telling or a testimony against our faith, in
what He does. Will He allow the storm or will He redirect it? He knows (and
you should know) whether or not you have the faith to withstand it.<br />
<br />
Like I said those are times when God does not put on us more than we can bear,
because He knows our breaking point. He knows when we think we are
pushing the envelope. He knows how to push the envelope. He
knows that some of us are not Job. That we <i>will</i> do what someone suggests, like Job’s wife did, curse God and
die. Being like the Israelites, choosing instead to go back to the leeks,
garlic and onions.<br />
<br />
But He also knows this... He knows who is His. He knows who He can
brag on (you might not know it). He knows what you will do, and who you
will become as a result of pushing the envelope, climbing that mountain. A faith giant, just like Abraham and those
written in the hall of faith. <br />
<br />
He knows who will look to Him and cry out and say, <i>“Lord, I can't do this BUT I can do all things through Christ Who
strengthens me. I can't bear this load, but I'm looking to you as the One
who can, who says to me, cast your cares upon Me, because I care for you. Take of My yoke, because My yoke is easy and
my burden is light.”</i> God knows.
And all He wants us to do when we get to those breaking points is to look unto
Him. In all situations, look to Him. Cry out to Him. See Him
at work. By faith.<br />
<br />
We can see Him challenging us. We can also see Him holding something else
back, knowing that things can be worse. That's faith. Giant faith. And we must know that we can't put God in a
box. God does not always do things the same way. His ultimate
purpose is the same. His divine will is the same. That we will be
conformed to the image of His Son. His
permissive will might change. What He allows or doesn't allow in a moment’s
time, depends on who we are and what He wants us to learn. We can never
guess what God wants to do through any given situation. But we do know that He wants us to operate in
faith. Always. Without faith, it is impossible to please the
Lord. <br />
<br />
But we can ask, and come to know that whatever it is, it is for the good.
And one thing for certain, if it is more than we bear, it is not our load to
carry. So we need to rely on the only One who can. For it is only when we can't bear the load,
the strength of Christ can kick in and He becomes everything that we need and
more.<br />
<br />
God is real. And He is the real burden bearer. <br />
<br />
A servant of the Lord, <br />
<br />
Sis. E<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.butgodisreal.com/">http://www.butgodisreal.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://intheshadowofgrief.com/">http://intheshadowofgrief.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.ongoodground.org/">http://www.ongoodground.org</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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God's Peachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050848543544790225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4494973249668754660.post-11226715208072772922017-01-27T13:54:00.001-08:002017-01-27T13:54:18.280-08:00Silence is NOT Golden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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There’s an old adage that says “silence is golden,” which
simply put means some things are better left unsaid. Well, in the days of late
and what has transpired over the last year in politics and in general, I beg to
differ.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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You see, too many of us, especially in the church, have
taken the stance, silence is golden, choosing instead to opt out. Really to
chicken out, if you ask me. They have taken a this is not my fight stance,
choosing instead to hide behind, “prayer.” They say things like, “this is the
will of God, I’m just going to pray about it.” Hello, if it’s the will of God,
why do you need to pray about it? First of all. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And let me just get this straight from the onset. I have no
problems with prayer. I have no problems talking and communicating to God, my
Father. I myself, and I only make mention of this for those who don’t know me
personally, commune with God, often, daily, if not always. The Bible says, “Men
ought to always pray, without ceasing.” And while I certainly make the effort,
in my human frailty, I am not afraid to admit, I do fall short. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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But my problem comes when people hide behind the prayer and
use it as an excuse to do nothing else. You see, the Bible says in James 2,
faith without works is dead. So, if we pray, I believe, God speaks. And it
doesn’t end there. God gives directions, or instructions when He speaks. He
gives us a Word for whatever it is that we are praying about and it should
spring us into action. How else will things get done on the earth if we do not
pray and act upon what God tells us to do? We certainly cannot right wrongs or
undo injustices, simply by praying. It takes far more than that. Jesus said in
Matthew 11:12, <i>“From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of
heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.”</i> By force.
Not simply by prayer. Force requires action. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Jesus went to the cross to die. He suffered, bled and died
for the sins of the world. If prayer was all it took to save the world, He
could have just prayed. And in fact He did. He prayed, BUT, He also went to the
cross. Jesus is our example. We need to pray and DO.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Going back to James 2, What good is praying for someone when
they are hungry and then sending them away? We can pray for somebody when they
are hungry, but we also need to give them something to eat. They cannot eat a
prayer. That will not feed them. God does not want us to be so spiritually
minded that we are of no earthly good. And that is just how many of us have
become. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Yes, there’s a time to pray. Always a time to pray. But
never a time to pray and do absolutely nothing. Even when Jesus was praying in
the Garden of Gethsemane, He asked His disciples to watch and pray. Even
watching is an action word. Isaiah 40:31 says, “but they who wait for the Lord
shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they
shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Often misquoted,
misread, misunderstood, to mean that we are just supposed to wait after we pray
for something and then God will renew our strength. No. Our strength will be
renewed as we wait on the Lord. As we serve the Lord. When you wait, you must
think of it as serve. As a waiter, serves. You wait on the Lord. You are
serving the Lord. You are yet doing something in service to the Lord. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Praying and waiting. We are never just STILL. Sitting idly
by waiting for God to move. We must always play a part in our deliverance or
the deliverance of someone else, as we are not in this thing or on this earth,
alone or better yet, we are not “I”-lands. This is exactly the reason why God
has not moved in some of our situations, because you haven’t. You are not
serving. You are simply praying.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I keep getting this picture in my spirit. Someone crying in
the street. Yelling, screaming, just lying in the street. And what are the
saints of God doing? They’re “praying.” And they are saying it. ‘I’m praying
for you.’ Not one has gone over to help. Not one has gone to actually lift the
person out of the street or to wipe the tears from their eyes. No, they’d much
rather pray about it and say so. This is how “religious” some have become. And
it’s sad.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I believe this wholeheartedly. If some of us were praying as
much as we say we are praying, this world would not be in the state that it is.
It really has become just something else the church has added to its
terminology. Something to say that sounds good, with no action behind it whatsoever.
In some cases. I thank God for those that I know that are true prayer warriors
that have some action behind their prayers, because it takes both.<o:p></o:p></div>
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God is looking for you and I do something. We ARE His hands
and feet! God wants us to PRAY AND FAST. PRAY AND SEEK. PRAY AND ACT. PRAY AND
BELIEVE, EVEN. Isn’t that what we do when we GO and fill out job applications
or to get a mortgage or something? We pray and then MOVE. We don’t sit still
and wait for the job or whatever we need to fall in our laps simply because we
prayed! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Yes. We must pray. But we must act as well. It’s a part of
what we believe as we pray. We can’t just sit on our hands and expect God to do
everything. And we can’t just stay silent about things that are happening in
our midst. And I’m talking to those that are not praying, either. It is time
out for that. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It is time out for the silence. It’s time out for the
excuses. It is time out for the I have to pray about it. It’s time to be about
it. This time your silence may not be so golden. This time, your silence could
be dangerous.<o:p></o:p></div>
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God is real. And His deliverance is seen in your action.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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A servant of the Lord,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sis. E<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.butgodisreal.com%2F&h=ATMkLRSGlPnk_6grH4eqXTtt3zWvFXu6A3Prf6T4Ly1PITTKLA1a8TOYsg8GZkxTJ6MqHu_h1PScS8TIr7W-phpMgDTrZObl3KvG23E0U3USJPpDl2LprGYniFk_jDiuy63Ey-t1BeB4mYZiZGvl" target="_blank">http://www.butgodisreal.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
God's Peachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050848543544790225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4494973249668754660.post-70590400375412781602017-01-26T15:47:00.000-08:002017-01-26T15:47:02.802-08:00Wounded Soldiers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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As Christians we like to say and we often do, we are soldiers
in the army of the Lord. In fact, there’s
a song that not many churches, I’m sure, have not sung about it. <i>I’m a soldier in the army of the Lord. I’m a sanctified soldier in the army. Got my war clothes on, in the army of the
Lord, got my war clothes on, in the army.
If I die, let me die, in the army of the Lord, etc.… fighting for my
rights, blah, blah, blah.</i> </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s a great song, don’t get me wrong. It empowers you. And it gives you strength and courage to know
that you are in an army and you have some backup. Brothers and sisters to help you in your
fight. To help you in your Christian
walk. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Lately though, I have been a witness to something quite
contrary. For myself and even a few
others that I know who have fought the good fight of faith, dodging blow by
blow, and yet remained victorious. And
then there was a major blow. In our
case, the death of loved ones. In other
cases, financial setbacks, job loss, health crisis, doctor reports. Lots of things continued to hit. And the struggle to maintain continued. Things that have shaken them to their core,
things that have made them stumble, but did not make them fall or in some
cases, some did. Blow by blow, hit by
hit. They’re wounded. Down for the count. And sadly they’ve been left alone. Stranded in enemy territory.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I thought about what it is like on an actual battlefield and
even looked to one of our military church members for answers. When a fellow soldier has been wounded, what
is the response? They don’t leave them
there. They don’t leave them alone. They go back and they pick them up, even if
it means they might lose their own life.
They don’t even think about it. He
told me it was a dishonor to their country to leave them there. How about that? A real soldier knows that we are in this
thing together. If you die, we all die. He says, you can count on me. No matter what. I got your back. <o:p></o:p></div>
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That’s how it ought to be with us, not only as people, but as
Christians. After all, aren’t we
soldiers in the army of the Lord. Aren’t
we all in this thing together? Shouldn’t
we have each other’s backs? <o:p></o:p></div>
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If you see somebody hurting, can you really say it’s not
your responsibility or you don’t have time to be depressed or you got your own
issues going on? Really? Will you just continue to fight your own
battle, while your brother lies wounded in the field? Or will you risk your life, your happiness, or
the comfort level you have, the space that you’re in, the things that you know,
to go and pick him up? Something we must
all ask ourselves. Are you your brother’s
keeper or not? <o:p></o:p></div>
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If we are all soldiers in the army of the Lord, shouldn’t we
all be fighting the same enemy or at the very least, make sure our own comrade doesn’t
get lost in the battle? For if he loses,
you do too. What about how it honors
your Father?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And know this, today it may be him, but tomorrow you might
be the one left in the battlefield wounded and the brother (or sister) you left
stranded, won’t be there to pick YOU up.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I’m a soldier in the army of the Lord, for real. And I got your back. For if you lose, I do too. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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A servant of the Lord,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sis. E<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://www.butgodisreal.com<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
God's Peachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050848543544790225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4494973249668754660.post-69195320169218556532017-01-06T13:56:00.002-08:002017-01-06T13:56:47.510-08:00Birthed With Purpose<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Recently in our Sunday School class we had been talking
about certain Scriptures and how seemingly (by some in church) they are only
brought up at certain times of the year… in particular, Christmas and Easter.
Which is why we need to always be praying that God will speak something new
each and every time we open up the Bible. Hebrews 4:12 says, <i>“For the word
of God is alive and powerful.</i> <i>It is sharper than any two-edged sword,
cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our
innermost thoughts and desires.”</i> It is able to discern the thoughts and
intentions of the heart. That means it can speak to you wherever you are.
Whatever thought you’re entertaining, it will reveal it to you and show you
perhaps why you shouldn’t. Selah. Scary, huh. But good. A good kind of scary.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Anyway, right before Christmas I read Luke 1:57-66, where it
speaks of John the Baptist and actually what he (John) should be named. Recall
now, that Zachariah could not speak because his mouth was shut for not
believing what the Lord had spoken to him. (Side note: We must be very careful
when the Lord comes to us, whether in a dream or through a person and confirms
what we had believing Him to do. Zachariah was believing God to do something.
He had been praying for God to do something and then the angel of the Lord
appears and tells him your prayers have been answered and the first thing
Zachariah says is, “How will I know?” Uh, hello, Zachariah, you are not Whitney
Houston and God does not have to answer). So of course, God shut His mouth. Be
careful about the way you ask God questions. I had to learn this one myself. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Getting back to what I was saying… the people wanted to call
the child by the name of his father, Zachariah, but Elizabeth said, no, he
shall be called John. And then they signaled to Zachariah to get his thoughts
and he wrote, his name is John. And then the Scripture says immediately his
mouth was opened and he was able to speak. Then the first thing he did, was
praise God. How about that? He wasn’t able to speak for a good nine months, but
he learned his lesson, because the first word wasn’t a complaint, it was a praise.
Bless the Lord! Let that be our testimony when God brings us out of the
silence. And the Bible says that fear came upon all the neighbors and relatives
and as they walked away, they wondered, they pondered in their hearts, what
kind of child will this be? For the hand of the Lord was upon him. And that is
where God spoke. <i>What kind of child will this be, seeing the hand of the
Lord was upon him?</i> <o:p></o:p></div>
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Purpose. God spoke purpose into John the Baptist. And the
people recognized it. For they wondered, what kind of child will this be for
the hand of the Lord is upon him. The people saw that because God’s hand was
upon the child born to Zachariah and Elizabeth, <i>that</i> child was born with
purpose. And we know what that purpose was, for we know what he grew up to
be... the forerunner to the Messiah, the Savior of the World. <o:p></o:p></div>
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But what really struck me, what stood out for me, is that
because the Lord’s hand was with him, the people <i>knew </i>he would grow up
to be something. The people knew. Because the Lord’s hand was with him. Just as
John the Baptist was born with a purpose and the people recognized it because
the Lord’s hand was with him, so are we. We have been birthed with a purpose.
And as the people saw it with John the Baptist and knew that he would do
something, people are looking at us and expecting us to do something and to be
something, as well. Because the Lord’s hand is with us. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Which reminded me of the Scripture where it says, because
the gracious hand of the Lord was upon him, Nehemiah was able to build the
wall. Ezra said, as he guided the right people to protect his return to
Jerusalem, it was God’s hand upon him that led him to do the choosing. So if God’s
gracious hand is upon us, is upon His people, we ought to amount to something,
because God has filled us with purpose. And as people of God, we ought to walk
in what God has anointed us to do… walk in our purpose. People are expecting
it. People are looking for it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Whitney sings another song that I enjoy and could listen
anytime of the year, Who Would Imagine a King? And basically she says that
Jesus could grow up to be anything, but He grows up to be a King, who would
imagine that? Because God’s gracious hand is upon you, you have been filled
with purpose. I have been filled with purpose. And with that purpose you could
be, you could do, absolutely anything. John the Baptist, forerunner to the
Christ. Jesus, as the song says, a King. But you have to walk in your purpose.
People are expecting you to. They see the hand of the Lord upon you. They know
who you belong to or who you say you do. And they are looking for something
from you. Hear them, <i>“What kind of person will this be?”</i> Could be a Word
they’re seeking. Could be a hug. Could be love. One other line in the song goes
on to say this, <i>“That the world would be different because you were alive.”</i>
And though Whitney is singing about Jesus in the song, I believe God is saying
something to us… <i>“and you have walked in your purpose.”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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The world would be different because you were alive and you
have walked in your purpose. And the gracious hand of the Lord was upon you. <o:p></o:p></div>
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God is real. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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A servant of the Lord,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sis. E<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>http://www.butgodisreal.com</u><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
God's Peachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050848543544790225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4494973249668754660.post-20041301170531115132016-11-29T11:59:00.002-08:002016-11-29T11:59:52.109-08:00Walking by Faith Step by Step<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Still learning to adjust to the death of my son Joseph, over
a year ago, and on the heels of the death of my mother-in-law, who we had been
praying would get better, I recently received some news about my brother. A report from the doctor had initially been
given my family about three years ago that he was diagnosed with a brain tumor
and that they would have to remove some tissue to see how far advanced it was. On and off meds, chemo treatments, medical
procedures, ups and downs, God had shown Himself faithful, because although my
brother had some very rough moments to say the least, he was still here and
still cognizant. I thank God for my
oldest brother and youngest sister who were with him, and are with him, daily
and tirelessly, to see and to make sure that he has everything he needs and to
make life as comfortable for him as it can be.
I know for a certainty that being a caretaker is far from being an easy
task and requires a great sacrifice.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Somehow when I was told that the doctors said my brother was
in stage four and that there was nothing else they could do for him, it had not
really hit me until I saw him. You see
the last time I had seen him was about two months ago and he was up and
talking, and I was able to take him grocery shopping and he was telling jokes
and talking about putting a puzzle together (you all know how much I love
puzzles and how that warmed my heart).
So when my family and I went to see him the day after Thanksgiving it
came as a shock for me to see him the way he was. And although he seemed totally oblivious to
who we were, he wasn’t, as he held my cheek, kissed me and smiled at us. It took everything inside of me not to break
down in that moment, in the presence of my girls, my grandson, my husband…
him. And I didn’t. We left shortly after that as he had grown
tired, and I felt like crying knowing that it could very well be the last time
I might see him again. But I held in the
tears again and just believed that all would be well, for that moment that I
had.<o:p></o:p></div>
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You see just two days earlier, a dear brother in the Lord at
our church, had just shared with us of how he had received a report from the
doctor that his wife may be undergoing kidney failure. His wife had a major stroke. She lost the use of her hands. She could not talk. She could not feed herself. She could barely walk. And in just a few years, we at the church,
have witnessed how God has raised her up.
How God has restored her health.
How she is talking, walking, using her hands, helping us out in the
ministry, with the back to school give-away, decorating. Our dear brother tells us how she cooks and
cleans and helps him in his business.
God has really done a miraculous work.
So when I heard this report after knowing what God did, it threw me for
a loop. How do you go from that to this
and then back to that? I asked. And then
when I saw my brother, it shook my faith to the core… Again.
An all too familiar feeling. One
that I have yet to adjust.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When Joseph was killed by that driver who ran the red light,
my faith was shaken. I had so many
questions for God… how could He allow that to happen? Why would He allow it to happen? What did Joseph do? What did I do? What did any of us do? Did he/we deserve this? Why wasn’t I there for him? Truth is, things happen to us. Things that can and will shake us to our
core. Things that will challenge what we
believe. Things that will challenge our
faith. And this is where I was with
this. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I asked the questions.
Again. What God? Why?
What is going on? What in the
world? What is this? Every what, why, question you could think of,
I asked it. I was discouraged,
disappointed, dismayed, etc... (Just a side
note: Whenever you start with the
feelings of dis…., you end up with dis-belief.
Not a good place to be). Anyway, I
didn’t know what to think. I did stop believing. My faith was shaken. Sunday was coming, church was coming and I
didn’t even know what to say to anybody.
I asked myself as I asked my husband (my Pastor), how am I supposed to
encourage somebody to have faith when my faith has been so shaken? And my hubby told me, first of all, it was
okay for me to be me. That it was okay
to share from a place of where I am.
That God doesn’t expect me not to feel.
But he also said this, that he also had to share from the same place
when Joseph died, when his mom died, and as he kept his eyes on God he was able
to do what God wanted him to do. Those
words stood out for me as I remembered what God spoke to me earlier that
morning. He kept his eyes on God. He kept his eyes on God. In order to keep your eyes on God you have to
have FAITH. <o:p></o:p></div>
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God led me to His Word.
He led me 2 Corinthians 5:7, We walk by FAITH, not by sight. And then God reminded of a devotional I read
back in 2013. I took a note from it that
I journaled that says this… “We don’t walk spiritually by an electrical light,
but by a hand-held lantern. And a
lantern shows only the next step, not several steps ahead. Our walk is one of faith, step by step,
moment by moment decisions.” I spoke
about this last Sunday in a reflection, but imagine if you will… light. Everywhere.
That means everywhere you look you can see whatever is there. God says that is NOT faith. Faith is the substance of things HOPED FOR,
the evidence of things NOT SEEN. So if
you can see it, it is NOT faith. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Now imagine this… there is no light. Everything around you is dark. You CANNOT SEE anything. But if you have faith a light shines exactly
where you are. Right where you are. In that moment. In that spot.
Ahead of you is still dark. But
where you are is light. God says that’s
faith. NOW FAITH IS. FAITH IS NOW.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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God says He gives us faith for the moment. NOW FAITH IS.
We don’t have to worry about what is going to happen ahead of time. The Scripture says do not worry about what
will happen tomorrow. Sufficient for the
day is the evil thereof. Our walk of
faith is a moment by moment, step by step, decision. God is with us every step of the way,
lighting the path. He is in the
future. He is already there. And He stands ready to provide whatever we
need for that moment when we get to it. We
just need to operate in our RIGHT NOW faith.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I don’t know what is going to happen with my brother. I yet believe that God is good. I yet believe that he is in God’s hands. I yet believe in the report of the Lord, that
by His stripes he is healed. I yet
believe that absolutely nothing is too hard for God. I believe that He is a God of miracles. And I make the decision to walk by faith,
step by step, moment by moment, trusting that when the next moment comes, God
will be there, giving me the faith that I need to get through it, in whatever
way that will mean. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Because God is real and so must my faith be.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A servant of the Lord,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sis. E</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.butgodisreal.com/">http://www.butgodisreal.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
</div>
God's Peachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050848543544790225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4494973249668754660.post-19971599661738229972016-05-10T10:29:00.000-07:002016-05-12T06:40:41.403-07:00Thank You For Being A Friend (Your Friendship Matters)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Been led to
share this coming on the heels of our Women’s Tea, where our topic was “Friendships
Matter.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God has
spoken and He still is speaking a lot about friends, revealing hearts, what is
in mine, and what is in others. Or more
so what I perceive to be in others.
Certainly everyone is not meant to be your friend and just because we
might consider them as such, does not mean that they are. But as discussed at the Tea, if we allow Him
to and if we are open to hear, God will reveal who your friends are and where
in your life they belong, which will not only give you peace but them as well. God will also remove people from your life
the way He deems. We would save
ourselves a lot of grief if we would allow God to do so and stop trying to do
it ourselves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Anyway, friends...
Some are just like us. Some are completely opposite. Some are in your life for a reason. Some are in your life for a season. Some friends stretch us and help to mold us.
Some friends we are supposed to stretch.
Some friends show us what not to
do, which actually help us to become better people. Some friends we pray with, some friends we
hang out with, while there are some we just sit and chill with. But one thing is certain every friend should
allow you to be you. And when you feel
as though you don’t have that space to be who you are, it may be time to
reevaluate. Not necessarily getting rid
of the friend, but just knowing where they belong at any particular period in
your life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At the Women’s
Tea, a new friend of mine and each one of the Favoured Women of God, (the name
of our Women’s Ministry) spoke from a different sub-topic. Needing A Friend, How to Pick Your Friends,
Dealing with Expectations, Recognizing False Friends, Categorizing Friends,
Being A Friend and Knowing How/When/IF to Walk Away. And each one of the topics crossed over to
another topic in some way. But God has
been dealing with me specifically on Needing A Friend and Dealing with Expectations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As I shared
there, I have never been more aware in my life of needing a friend than I am
now. Following the death of my son,
Joseph I have found myself more in need of friendship than ever before. For months leading to this and up until this
day, I have dealt with a host of emotions, seemingly from friends, including, betrayal,
separation, loneliness, and unforgiveness.
And my first reaction to all of this was simply to pull away. To be by myself. And I struggle often with that, but God yet
keeps bringing me back to what it means to be a friend. And I can’t be a friend or have one even if I
insist on being by myself. So with that in
mind, I want to share some thoughts about friends that God has shared with me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sometimes
friendship is a bit uneven. One friend
will often carry the weight of another, or seemingly do more than the
other. It does not mean one is not a
friend. If we find ourselves questioning
why they don’t do such and such, then we are the ones who are not being
friends. Friendship comes from the
heart. You don’t do something for a
friend and then expect that friend to do those things with you or for you. That’s what you do. That’s who you are. It’s not what they are. You do <i>you</i>. Don’t expect
your friend to do <i>you, too</i>. They can (and will) only do themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A friend is
someone who assesses the needs of another and wants to meet that need without
requiring the same. Don’t pick up the
heavy load and then ask your friend why are you not helping me. Pick it up and be willing to carry it (without
proclaiming you are carrying it) for as long as you need to UNTIL your friend
has the strength to carry it with you, even if it is her load.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A friend is
someone who is there when you pick up the phone. One they can lean on for support. They are ready to step in (when and if they
can) and help you even if it means their own plans will suffer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A friend is
someone you want to spend time with even if the time you spend together you are
not necessarily doing anything. One of
the best measurements of friendship is that you are comfortable with the
uncomfortable. You don’t have to force
yourself to talk when there is silence. I love that about my husband and even with my
children, that we don’t have to talk, sometimes it is just the being
there. TOGETHER. I often have conversations on the phone with
my daughter, and I don’t hear anything except her breathing. We don’t feel like we HAVE to say anything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God said, “Friends
are consistent, persistent, but never insistent.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Friends are
consistent... they are unchanging over a period of time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Friends are
persistent… they continue firmly, without wavering, in a course of action in
spite of difficulty or opposition. Friends
endure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Friends are
never insistent. They do not insist or
demand something (especially which one cannot give). They do not simply refuse on the basis of
just because.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A friend
does not insist on having her own way. And
in learning this, I am learning that I cannot demand things from my
friends. Especially if they are just not capable of
giving it. A hard lesson, but one I have
come to accept.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Isn’t that
what love is? 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, NLT
it says, “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or
rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no
record of being wronged. (<i>Remember that
the next time you keep count of how many times you do something for a friend?</i>) It does not rejoice about injustice but
rejoices whenever the truth wins out. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Love never gives up, never loses faith, is
always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God also
said, “Friends do not feel obligated, they feel obliged.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Obligation
comes from you. It’s a demand you put on
someone else. To be obliged comes from
them. It’s a demand they put on themselves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Your friends
should not feel like they are obligated to do something and you should not have
to compel them to do anything. Friends do
it simply because they want to. They
oblige. They give in (and of) themselves
freely without question. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And a friend
loves at all times. At ALL times. Even when friends are not lovable. And here is where God flipped the script on
me, because He showed me, ME. Even when
I did not feel like loving or allowing myself to be loved, if I am to be a
friend or call myself one, I am supposed to love. AT ALL TIMES.
Which sometimes might mean picking up the phone when I’d rather not. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That’s what a friend is. That’s what friendships are
made of. And that’s why friendships
matter. Because God does and He is love. And His love never fails.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So in
whatever category you may fall, I thank you for being a friend. My friend. Your friendship matters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A servant (and
friend) of the Lord,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sis. E<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://butgodisreal.com/" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">http://butgodisreal.com</a></div>
</div>
God's Peachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050848543544790225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4494973249668754660.post-37064058790340209092016-04-21T06:44:00.002-07:002016-04-21T06:46:24.688-07:00Wilderness Triumph<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="3sgcd" data-offset-key="3mcd2-0-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141823; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px auto 28px; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 700px; word-wrap: break-word;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3mcd2-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="3mcd2-0-0">Very often the things that we must go through, in order for us to grow, require suffering and hardship. Alone time and separation. In a place, a dry place, albeit, we consider the wilderness. Immediately after Jesus was baptized of John and God declared “This is My beloved Son,” the Bible says in Matthew 4:1, “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” </span></div>
</div>
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<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8juio-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="8juio-0-0">Many have the idea, just as Job’s friends, that when someone is in the wilderness or when they are going through, it’s because they have done something wrong and God is punishing them. Or as some have said, they are reaping what they have sown. Not so. Go back and read that Scripture again. The Scripture says, it was the Spirit that led Jesus into the wilderness. It was the Spirit of God that directed Him there. The Spirit of God ordered His very steps right into suffering. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="3sgcd" data-offset-key="5bd6q-0-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141823; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px auto 28px; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 700px; word-wrap: break-word;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5bd6q-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="5bd6q-0-0">And suffering He did. After Jesus was in the wilderness and fasted for 40 days and 40 nights... here came the devil. To tempt Jesus. To make Him suffer. Three times, the enemy plagued Jesus with what He might have wanted to fulfill His need, but definitely not what He needed. The enemy does the same to us too you know. Troubling us, plagueing us, torturing us with thoughts and desires, that if we were not alone, we would never even consider. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="3sgcd" data-offset-key="bv2vs-0-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141823; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px auto 28px; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 700px; word-wrap: break-word;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bv2vs-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="bv2vs-0-0">But if God leads you to the wilderness, God has a purpose behind it. He has a reason for doing it. And we do God an injustice when we believe otherwise. Myself included. Certainly God has a plan. The Word says it’s a good plan, a plan to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future. Just as He did with Jesus. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="3sgcd" data-offset-key="bvhfl-0-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141823; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px auto 28px; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 700px; word-wrap: break-word;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bvhfl-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="bvhfl-0-0">What we fail to understand though sometimes is, somehow we believe that if God led us into the wilderness, He is calling us to rest and since He led us there He won’t let anything trouble us. Not so... again. For it was not until AFTER the Spirit of God led Jesus into the wilderness, the attacks came. And for some of us, the attacks still come.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="3sgcd" data-offset-key="5eqgo-0-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141823; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px auto 28px; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 700px; word-wrap: break-word;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5eqgo-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="5eqgo-0-0">God separates us. He calls us apart. He brings us onto the mountaintop for a time. He brings us into the wilderness for a time. Those are periods of testing. Periods of refreshing. Times to grow and stretch our faith. But we are not and will not be immune to attacks from the enemy. His whole purpose is to kill, steal and destroy no matter who you are, where you are and regardless if God brought you there.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="3sgcd" data-offset-key="47u5d-0-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141823; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px auto 28px; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 700px; word-wrap: break-word;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="47u5d-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="47u5d-0-0">And even in those times where we are fasting and praying, it does not mean that we will be protected through it or that nothing is going on, or going to happen. During these times we are being tested the most, for whose strength will you lean on? In your own strength, even while you fast, you will fall, every single time.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="3sgcd" data-offset-key="9a6pf-0-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141823; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px auto 28px; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 700px; word-wrap: break-word;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9a6pf-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="9a6pf-0-0">But in God’s strength, and in the power of His Word, you will be able to stand. In God’s strength, you will be refreshed through your wilderness journey and for that moment that you need it, be given the sufficient grace to get through it. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="3sgcd" data-offset-key="8c6aa-0-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141823; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px auto 28px; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 700px; word-wrap: break-word;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8c6aa-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="8c6aa-0-0">Thanks be unto God, who always causes us to triumph IN Christ Jesus. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="3sgcd" data-offset-key="48nlv-0-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141823; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px auto 28px; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 700px; word-wrap: break-word;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="48nlv-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="48nlv-0-0">God is real. Even in the wilderness.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="3sgcd" data-offset-key="1al5j-0-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141823; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px auto 28px; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 700px; word-wrap: break-word;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1al5j-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="1al5j-0-0">Still, a servant of the Lord,</span></div>
</div>
<div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="3sgcd" data-offset-key="f40r7-0-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141823; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px auto 28px; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 700px; word-wrap: break-word;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="f40r7-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="f40r7-0-0">Sis. E</span></div>
</div>
<div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="3sgcd" data-offset-key="6vsg9-0-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #141823; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px auto 28px; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 700px; word-wrap: break-word;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6vsg9-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span class="_2ou" data-offset-key="6vsg9-0-0" spellcheck="false" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: underline;"><span data-offset-key="6vsg9-0-0">www.butgodisreal.com</span></span></div>
</div>
<br />
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</div>
<br />
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<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="773jf-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span data-offset-key="773jf-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
God's Peachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050848543544790225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4494973249668754660.post-15204365861013832632016-03-23T07:41:00.002-07:002018-04-03T11:04:43.886-07:00The Vampire Spirit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lately God has been speaking about forgiveness. In little ways, He has been dropping subtle
(and not so subtle) hints for me to forgive.
It’s funny how many times I have shared on this very topic but it yet always
seems to come up. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For any of us who struggle with hurt, we have to know that
we might be struggling with forgiveness, also.
Somehow they go hand in hand. Not
saying that they should, but they yet do or can. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, a major part and I believe at the foundation, the
core of our belief in Jesus Christ, is forgiveness. And our ability to forgive. After all, this is what sent Jesus to the
cross. To die on our behalf, that we
might be forgiven. But God says, if you
do not forgive others of their wrongs, neither will He forgive you. So no matter what Jesus did to take away our
sins, our injustice towards others, if we continue to hold on to unforgiveness
in our hearts toward other people, will not be forgiven.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
I was chewing on this word forgiveness, again and God sort
of painted a picture for me. Of
vampires. Yes, you read that right… vampires. With all the shows on tv, and the movies much
is said about vampires and zombies and flesh-eating creatures. And for me, God often shows me something in
the natural to make a spiritual point. And
this is what He said. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Vampires, zombies and flesh-eating creatures, (oh my…)
thirst for blood. That is how they
survive. That is how they thrive. And we, when we do not forgive, do the same. Because we have been hurt, sometimes we thirst
for blood, have a desire to see the one that has hurt us bleed. Not so much in the natural (first natural,
then spiritual). As a vampire who hungers
and searches for blood, he has a need to feed that thirst. Only once he feeds, he doesn’t stop wanting
to feed. He continues to have the need. When he gets the blood, for him, it doesn’t
get better, it only gets worse.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The same is true of us.
When we hold on to hurt, we have that same need. That need to feed. We want the other person to hurt. Hurt people really do <i>hurt</i> people. We want them to feel our pain or some kind of
pain. Desiring to see them cry, like we
do. Experience some type of hurt, emotional,
mental, some of us actually want to hurt them physically. And then once we see them hurt, it’s not
enough. That is how revenge works. It’s a need to feed a vengeful spirit that
doesn’t end. Always having the yearning
to see whoever hurt you, hurt even more.
And it’s fueled by unforgiveness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But God is real. Glory
to be God who always causes us to triumph.
God cares about us so much that He allows us to see where we might be
struggling. He shows us where we are
falling short. He reminds us of what
Jesus died for and what it cost Him. Especially
now in this season. When Jesus was on
that cross, with the two thieves on His sides, with people mocking and
ridiculing and stabbing and crucifying Him, He made a decision to forgive. If He can do that from that position, seeing
what He saw, feeling what He felt, who are we that we can’t forgive someone who
called us out of our name, forgot our birthday or didn’t meet our expectations.
Oh, forgive me, Lord. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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“Vengeance is mine. I shall repay,” saith the Lord. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Rebuke that vampire spirit within you. Take away the need to feed and give it (whoever
the “it” might be) to God. He can
actually handle the blood. Selah.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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A servant of the Lord, still.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Sis. E<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.butgodisreal.com/">www.butgodisreal.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Copyright ©2016<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
God's Peachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050848543544790225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4494973249668754660.post-90312474583765355542016-02-05T13:04:00.003-08:002016-02-09T09:41:35.248-08:00Grief IS NOT A Disease<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Grief is not a disease<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you go near it you’re not gonna “catch” anything.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Yeah, you may be forced to deal with some emotion<o:p></o:p></div>
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You may come face to face with some sadness<o:p></o:p></div>
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I suppose a little too much for your comfort<o:p></o:p></div>
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But I promise you, you won’t catch anything<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s not like Chicken Pox<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s not contagious<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s not the common cold<o:p></o:p></div>
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Air-borne, and bound for anything in reach, breathing<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Grief is not a disease<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you touch the person that’s grieving<o:p></o:p></div>
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It won’t happen to you<o:p></o:p></div>
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Simply because you reached out to them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s non-transferrable<o:p></o:p></div>
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I promise you, you won’t catch anything<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s not a disease<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Grief is the emotional outcome of a circumstance<o:p></o:p></div>
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An involuntary state of mind that one finds itself in<o:p></o:p></div>
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Resulting from the death of someone they loved<o:p></o:p></div>
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Someone that loved them<o:p></o:p></div>
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Knowing that for this time they will never be able to see
them again<o:p></o:p></div>
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That there will never be another opportunity to eat with
them<o:p></o:p></div>
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To say simple things like hello, good morning, good night…<o:p></o:p></div>
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I love you<o:p></o:p></div>
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Because the final farewell has been said<o:p></o:p></div>
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And they are no longer where they’ve always been<o:p></o:p></div>
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That’s what grief is<o:p></o:p></div>
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A yearning, a longing for what was and can no longer be</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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A deep sorrow beyond human explanation<o:p></o:p></div>
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And human touch<o:p></o:p></div>
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And no, you can’t catch it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Yes, you might feel it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And it might leave you feeling a certain type of way<o:p></o:p></div>
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Feeling lost, feeling a loss… for words.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But times that by about a million<o:p></o:p></div>
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And you might have a sense even if for a moment of how the
one who is grieving feels<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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It’s not a disease<o:p></o:p></div>
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But it feels like one to them</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Especially when they’re treated like it is<o:p></o:p></div>
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By those who stay miles and miles away<o:p></o:p></div>
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Keeping them at arm’s length… not wanting to get too close<o:p></o:p></div>
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Not even by phone<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Grief is not a disease<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s not a condition.
It’s not a disorder.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s not terminal. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And I personally want you to know, you can’t catch it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But even if you could, you won’t<o:p></o:p></div>
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…you’re not that close.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<o:p>Copyright 2016 Evelyn Fannell</o:p></div>
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<o:p>http://www.intheshadowofgrief.com</o:p><br />
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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God's Peachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050848543544790225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4494973249668754660.post-39361937054503957352016-01-14T14:40:00.001-08:002016-02-09T09:41:59.984-08:00Happy Birthday For My Son in Heaven<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Here it is. The day I waited for, 23 years ago.</div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">The day you would be born.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">It was going to be a glorious day! </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Having two girls already, “this one,” I said, “will be my boy.”</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Dad wanted you so badly. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Oh yes, he certainly loved his girls (back then and even more so now),</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">But he was relieved and so happy when you were born.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">And the possibility of having to put another dollhouse together, disappeared.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Now there would be blues and greens, maybe some purple and orange, but not pink everywhere.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">There would be cars, planes, trains and action figures around the house, taking the place of Barbies.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Race tracks to put together! </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Even I got excited at that prospect.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Our son was born. We had a baby boy!</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">I remember the plan we made before you came.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">I would go to the hospital of my choice and pretend to be in labor,</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">so that you wouldn’t have to be born in the city hospital we couldn’t afford, anyway.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Little did I know the joke was on me, because when I got there, I was in labor.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">36 hours.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">They took a sonogram and told me I was having a girl even at that last minute.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">“Oh, no I’m not.” I told them. “You’re wrong.”</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Even daddy made jokes about it and said I had to change your name. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">But I told him, “Nope. It’s a boy and his name will stay the same.”</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">J Malik Brandon Fannell, that’s what it was to be.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Too much distress on my body, so they had to take you.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">And there you were. My boy!!! Our boy!!!</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Just like I said. In spite of the doctors.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">And all I could do was laugh.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">I think dad chuckled too.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">We were so happy!!!</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Dad shouted to the rooftops, “No more dollhouses to build!”</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">And he changed your name.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Let’s name his Joseph.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">So instead of the J, it was Joseph.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Joseph Malik Fannell.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Though I wanted you to have a piece of daddy’s name, the Brandon was removed.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Dad wanted you to have a piece of his dad’s name.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Yes, Joseph.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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But something was wrong the doctors said</div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">I don’t understand. You cried like the other babies.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">But you weren’t like them.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">(Even then you stood out from the rest).</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">You had to have surgery. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Three, before your first year of life.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">A rare condition you had. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Requiring a specialist. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">You were so very special. So very unique.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">We just never knew how true that would come to be.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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Growing up, we laughed with you.</div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">We cried with you. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">You had certainly had your share of spankings.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">And we cried for you. As parents would say.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">“This hurts me more than it does you….” </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">So many memories.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">The time you fell off your bike and caused me to faint,</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Because of all the blood. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Wasn’t really that much but it could have been to me.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">When you bumped your mouth on the bathroom sink</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">And cracked your tooth in half. Twice.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">I remember you “living” outside. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">You were out there so much. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Climbing the vine bricks in the backyard,</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Digging up bugs in the ground and playing with them</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Calling them your friends.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Funny, you wouldn’t go anywhere near one later in life.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">I remember how you used to ride your tricycle in the house</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">And slam into the door whenever daddy was trying to study.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">How you ran to the window in the excitement of seeing your grandmother.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">“Ahma’s car! Ahma’s car!” is what you would say.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">And how we couldn’t pass a McDonald’s or Dunkin’ Donuts,</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Having to take the long way home..</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">For fear you would cry out, “Hamburger, fry” or “Doh doh”</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Amusing.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">I remember the way you loved your sisters.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Adoring them, even as they made fun of you, in almost every gathering.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Whenever I tried to take a picture.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">How you would secretly ask me about dad</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">And the things he did when he was younger, with me,</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">So you would know how to treat your girlfriend.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">How you admired him from a distance. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Telling him so, “in your own way.”</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">He knows that now. For sure.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">I remember watching you teach Christian basketball</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">And ran him until he was tired.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Making sure every basket went in the hoop a certain amount of times, straight</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Before you let him come in the house.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">So many memories.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Oh how you loved them all. How you loved us all.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">I saw it in your eyes.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">I remember the birthday celebrations of yesterday,</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Watching you get older with each one,</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">How you always had the biggest smile,</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Especially when we got it “right.”</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">And gave you the perfect gift.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">I remember one year though, we didn’t quite meet that expectation</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">And you let it show.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">You were like that Joe. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">So honest in your emotions with us.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">So much so, I often wondered how you hid it so well with others.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">But I realized it was a gift.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Whatever you felt when it came to others,</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">You bottled. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Tucked it away so it could be used later.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">As you delivered those spoken words so effortlessly.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">“Do you really think I have a talent?” you asked me.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">“Oh yes,” I said, in my effort to encourage you.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">“Just being able to remember written words like that, is a talent.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">And then to recite them, page and page of text, so fluently,</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">That’s a gift.”</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Inspiring.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">You used that gift well.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Even if it was only for a short period of time.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">I believe you touched more lives in your 22 years</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Than some do in a lifetime.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">To look back now and to be able to see just how much you’ve done</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Makes me so very grateful.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">So here it is. The day I’ve been anticipating,</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">What would have been your 23rd birthday.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">And you’re not here.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Who would have imagined that I’d be here? </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">That we would be here.</span></div>
<div data-redactor="1" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; color: #222222; font-family: 'Droid Serif', Georgia, TimesNewRoman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 28.8px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="line-height: 1.8;">I ask myself, can we really say Happy Birthday to someone in heaven?</span></div>
<div data-redactor="1" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; color: #222222; font-family: 'Droid Serif', Georgia, TimesNewRoman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 28.8px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="line-height: 1.8;">How do you celebrate?</span></div>
<div data-redactor="1" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; color: #222222; font-family: 'Droid Serif', Georgia, TimesNewRoman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 28.8px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="line-height: 1.8;">We can celebrate your birth and the fact that you were born to us.</span></div>
<div data-redactor="1" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; color: #222222; font-family: 'Droid Serif', Georgia, TimesNewRoman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 28.8px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="line-height: 1.8;">We can celebrate the life that you had, the person you were,</span></div>
<div data-redactor="1" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; color: #222222; font-family: 'Droid Serif', Georgia, TimesNewRoman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 28.8px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="line-height: 1.8;">And the delight you have given us.</span></div>
<div data-redactor="1" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; color: #222222; font-family: 'Droid Serif', Georgia, TimesNewRoman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 28.8px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Yeah, delight.</span></div>
<div data-redactor="1" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; color: #222222; font-family: 'Droid Serif', Georgia, TimesNewRoman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 28.8px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div data-redactor="1" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; color: #222222; font-family: 'Droid Serif', Georgia, TimesNewRoman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 28.8px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Those words of Michael Jackson could not be more true for you.</span></div>
<div data-redactor="1" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; color: #222222; font-family: 'Droid Serif', Georgia, TimesNewRoman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 28.8px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="line-height: 1.8;">For you were…</span></div>
<div data-redactor="1" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; color: #222222; font-family: 'Droid Serif', Georgia, TimesNewRoman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 28.8px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Born to amuse, to inspire, and to delight.</span></div>
<div data-redactor="1" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; color: #222222; font-family: 'Droid Serif', Georgia, TimesNewRoman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 28.8px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="line-height: 1.8;">The road was never easy, but it was worth it and very well tread upon.</span></div>
<div data-redactor="1" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; color: #222222; font-family: 'Droid Serif', Georgia, TimesNewRoman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 28.8px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Because of you.</span></div>
<div data-redactor="1" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; color: #222222; font-family: 'Droid Serif', Georgia, TimesNewRoman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 28.8px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div data-redactor="1" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; color: #222222; font-family: 'Droid Serif', Georgia, TimesNewRoman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 28.8px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Happy Birthday in heaven, Joseph.</span></div>
<div data-redactor="1" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; color: #222222; font-family: 'Droid Serif', Georgia, TimesNewRoman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 28.8px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="line-height: 1.8;">You will forever be 22, but you will forever be celebrated.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Rest in peace. Sleep in peace.</div>
<div data-redactor="1" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; color: #222222; font-family: 'droid serif', georgia, timesnewroman, times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div style="line-height: 28.8px;">
<span style="line-height: 1.8;">Mom</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 28.8px;">
<span style="line-height: 1.8;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 32px;">Copyright 2016</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 32px;">www.intheshadowofgrief.com</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 32px;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
God's Peachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050848543544790225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4494973249668754660.post-19534687564237839662015-12-14T15:26:00.002-08:002016-02-09T09:42:16.032-08:00Grief<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Alone...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Somehow I
keep finding myself there<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Somehow I
keep finding myself here<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Left to
listen to the sound of the drips<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">as the drops
make their way down my cheek<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">I know I’ve
cried before<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Just never
like this...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Didn’t ever
think I would be able to actually hear the sound of a teardrop…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">That is
until you were gone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">And I was,
(we are) left to continue without you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">How can I
remember to breathe<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">knowing that
a life I breathed into this world<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">I could
never hear breathe again?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Funny thing
about grief<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">and losing a
life (that you gave)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">you never
really know <i>how</i> it feels<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">until it
comes upon you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Must be what
God felt that day when He gave up His Son.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Didn’t
really want to know… It was just a thought, I said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Wasn’t meant
to be answered<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Wasn’t given
an option<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Take it or
leave it wasn’t presented before me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">I would have
definitely left it<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">But things
happen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">…The grass
withers, the flowers fade…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">…For
what <i>is</i> life? It is just a vapor that appears for a little
time and then quickly vanishes away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">It’s weird
being in this place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">It’s not a
feel good place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Walking in
this valley of the shadow of death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Alone, but
not so much. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">You’re
there... but not there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">You’re here.
But not REALLY.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“I AM,” I
hear. Just in a different space.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“But not MY
space.” I answer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">So I take a
deep breath and I breathe again with the life I have…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">The life I
have yet to give, remembering<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Oh, Lord
teach us to number our days…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">And I
tenderly pick up the pieces of my brokenness<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">...alone,
but alive. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">You are
STILL ALIVE. You’re still alive!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">You said so
poetically. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">I go on with
this never-ending look of sadness in my eyes, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Wiping away
involuntary tears that don’t seem to know how to stop running… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">on the
inside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">And I no
longer ask God the question, why<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">But don’t
hesitate to ask Him, when<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">…until I see
you again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">As I sit
alone, (but not lonely),<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">in this
place called grief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">For
my Joe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">From
Mom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 15pt;">©
Copyright 2015</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">All
rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">http://www.intheshadowofgrief.com</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<br /></div>
</div>
God's Peachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050848543544790225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4494973249668754660.post-36369867359094560802015-11-25T07:47:00.001-08:002015-11-25T07:47:25.979-08:00The Perspective of Gratitude<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our Helping Hands Ministry distributes canned goods and
other non-perishable items every Wednesday at our church. Recently after one of the giveaways, when
the crowd died down, my daughter began to take inventory of the items we had on
hand… baked beans, corn, tomato sauce, pasta, spam, sardines, hash, tuna, and
the list goes on and on and on. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, I saw her list and realizing how extensive it was, I
said to her, “I think it is much better to know what we need, then to see what
we have,” arguing my point really good (not only as her mom, but as her first
lady) or so I thought. That is until
someone else jumped in the conversation and said, “No… not to take Brandi’s side, but I believe it’s
easier to have a record of what you have.
That way you can have an inventory and then you could look at your list
and see what you need.” And he continued
with, “So you could say, I have this many cans of this. We want to have this many of them, or we have
this many boxes of these, we need to have this many…” and blah, blah, blah... <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yeah, yeah, yeah” I said.
Sounded like too much work to me.
And then I went on, “I’d rather look at what is on the shelves, and
write down what we have need of.” And
felt inclined to go continue, but instead followed the prompting of the Holy
Spirit, Who told me (as He often does), “leave your daughter alone” and I
walked away. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Okay, so what’s the point?
We can surely go back and forth with this, and just like the other
member said, “It’s just a matter of perspective.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Right, it’s all a matter of perspective. And as I walked away from that conversation and
even until the next morning, God spoke. And what He said was this, “Taking
inventory of what you have is a way of expressing thanks.” You have a written record of what you have
when you look at what you have and write it down. What you are actually doing in writing it
down, is giving witness to it. Giving
witness to what you have. And though you
don’t realize it you are making a mental note of how you have provision. Namely, how GOD has provided for you. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whereas, taking note of what you don’t have, clearly defines
your focus and causes you to overlook what you do have. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, it is a matter of perspective. While one way may not necessarily be the best
way over the other as you actually go to replenish your inventory for a church
give-away; one way is definitely the best way to look at the inventory in your
life. First natural, then
spiritual. Focusing on not what you
don’t have, but what you DO have, and that is certainly the right perspective
and more than enough reason to give thanks.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yep, it is a matter of perspective. And I’m grateful for what I have. <i>What
say you?</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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A servant of the Lord,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sis. E<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.butgodisreal.com/">www.butgodisreal.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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God's Peachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050848543544790225noreply@blogger.com0