tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77444827165302553622024-03-08T05:33:40.507-06:00Liberty in LimitationDina Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105836553804824129noreply@blogger.comBlogger402125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744482716530255362.post-44562213439048484412023-08-25T11:12:00.000-05:002023-08-25T11:12:25.326-05:00God is Working<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 31px;">God is working</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 31px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I am waiting<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 31px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hope is born<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 31px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Anticipating<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 31px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">God is working<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 31px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I am waiting<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 31px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> in my soul<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 31px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">His life creating<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 31px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">God is working<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 31px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I am waiting<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 31px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">peace is born<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 31px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> pride is breaking<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 31px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">God is working<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 31px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I am waiting<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 31px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">His promise true<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 31px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Invigorating</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">~Anonymous</span></span>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="background-color: #f7ffff; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">God has wisely kept us in the dark concerning future events and reserved for himself the knowledge of them, that he may train us up in a dependence upon himself and a continued readiness for every event. </span><br style="background-color: #f7ffff; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: #f7ffff; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">~Matthew Henry</span></b></span>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="background-color: #f7ffff; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 600;">There are always uncertainties ahead, but there is always one certainty--God's will is good. ~</span><span style="background-color: #f7ffff; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 600;">Vernon Paterson </span></i></span>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: #f7ffff; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 600;">Hope is patiently waiting expectantly for the intangible to become reality. ~</span><span style="background-color: #f7ffff; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 600;">Avery D. Miller </span></span>
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<br />Dina Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105836553804824129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744482716530255362.post-27721611239266770632023-08-25T11:09:00.000-05:002023-08-25T11:09:53.288-05:00The Work of Waiting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;">There
is some times an </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;">explainable</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;"> deeper work done in the heart when
time has said “wait.” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;"> We are tried in what we wanted, or did not
want and are then faced with our inability to do anything about it.
A heart that wrestles with waiting does not understand fully the REST
of God. </span><br />
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> Maybe, we have tasted it, but have hardened our hearts when
our Father wanted to lead us to a much FULLER land of His abundance.
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The Israelites, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">wanted <b>Promise without pain.</b> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> They wanted <b>riches
without having to reign over giants. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> We want, without waiting. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> <b>Good
things come to those who wait.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b></b>Why? Because they are not allowing
WANT to lead, and will not settle for anything less than what the
Father desires. </span>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">“<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><i>But they
that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount
up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they
shall walk and not faint.” Is. 40:31</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">“<i> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">A good
life makes a man wise according to God and gives him experience in
many things, for the more humble he is and the more subject to God,
the wiser and the more at peace he will be in all things.” </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><i>~Thomas
a Kempis</i></span></span><br />
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Dina Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105836553804824129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744482716530255362.post-91294138048253999992023-07-31T08:45:00.000-05:002023-07-31T08:45:31.438-05:00Cultivating Faith or Feeding Doubt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_vs_JCuJInF_glOouGrJGkIUI5-FdstNwDrPcfK_7J9jMJ3cdD7ElKALzL1OLxsdtHtO5R6JK4nNbFuAYGTDoYRiQCHoegt3KB0k9wFijanoIYUh7u3ltrE-M3maLkYMwxW55-LhA3GIBNEZa12xivHZhdtz4D4sbtOh_CA0uS6mIV1QYyOaeyORk00k" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="969" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_vs_JCuJInF_glOouGrJGkIUI5-FdstNwDrPcfK_7J9jMJ3cdD7ElKALzL1OLxsdtHtO5R6JK4nNbFuAYGTDoYRiQCHoegt3KB0k9wFijanoIYUh7u3ltrE-M3maLkYMwxW55-LhA3GIBNEZa12xivHZhdtz4D4sbtOh_CA0uS6mIV1QYyOaeyORk00k=w640-h400" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: xx-large; text-align: left;">“</span><i style="font-size: xx-large; text-align: left;">Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well</i><i style="font-size: xx-large; text-align: left;">as unto them; but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.” Heb. 4: 1, 2</i></div></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The people of God stood at the brink of entering into a land that promised the rest that they had longed for. Gardens already planted and houses ready for their dwelling. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">As a mother with children standing by her side, having traveled in barren lands, today held something more than a longing! Stability, food other than manna, water always available, grass instead of dirt, etc. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Did that young mother realized that she was one more doubt away from losing it all? <strong>Did she understand that her walk through the desert was a test to strengthen faith for this very day.</strong> The Israelites lack of faith to enter into the promise land started back at the Red Sea, and continued each test they met along the way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">They <strong>practiced doubt</strong>, and the habit of it became so much a part of their lives, that when the ultimate test came they were blinded from seeing the goodness and grace that God was offering them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We must be very careful not to underestimate the power of doubt, in every little test we face. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">“<i>Today if you hear his voice, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>harden not your hearts.”</i> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Each new day holds the challenge of cultivating faith or feeding doubt. One leads to rest, and seeing the goodness of God, the other leaves us standing there, watching others enter in. </span></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black;">Faith </span>is the mother of virtues. <span style="color: black;">Faith </span>is the fire which consumes sacrifice. <span style="color: black;">Faith</span> is the water which nurtures the root of piety. If you have not <span style="color: black;">f</span><span style="color: black;">aith</span>, all your graces must die. And in proportion as your <span style="color: black;">faith</span> increases, so will all your virtues be strengthened, not all in the same proportion, but all in some degree. ~Charles H. Spurgeon</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></em>
<em><span style="font-size: x-large;">"To one who has <span style="color: black;">faith,</span> no explanation is necessary. To one without <span style="color: black;">faith,</span> no explanation is possible." ~Thomas Aquinas</span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.2in;">
<em><span style="font-size: x-large;">"The only way to learn strong <span style="color: black;">faith </span>is to endure great trials." ~George Muller</span></em></div>
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Dina Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105836553804824129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744482716530255362.post-62035823759895299492023-07-20T10:59:00.001-05:002023-07-25T07:51:44.962-05:00Little Steps<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbslbss4FhuW79G7sEX2Z6DhDX3MOS7nXa7ZgPGVCAr_EIzIrao-afUeAyjdxf1Pwy5wiJwXzB6iFBvaeSDvp8HCPjCCjK8K456UglFjMz5jN-E35YByBC5wGnbIKRFtG6oWZlJEtVGslI4uM04IOx5zqHWEhj-rIi43pjoxhrXn0DOD7kcnEPc3zjCkM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="649" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbslbss4FhuW79G7sEX2Z6DhDX3MOS7nXa7ZgPGVCAr_EIzIrao-afUeAyjdxf1Pwy5wiJwXzB6iFBvaeSDvp8HCPjCCjK8K456UglFjMz5jN-E35YByBC5wGnbIKRFtG6oWZlJEtVGslI4uM04IOx5zqHWEhj-rIi43pjoxhrXn0DOD7kcnEPc3zjCkM=w488-h649" width="488" /></a></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Little steps could very well
represent major crossroads in our lives.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Anna took her first steps at six years
old (with the aide of a walker). </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alan, I and several friends witness the
event with tears and cheers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Some time after that event, I saw a
beautiful word picture expressing the importance of these little
steps. I saw people in the gym who saw a 6 year old that looked
normal, doing something that showed to them a little girl with great
need.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Those who knew Anna, and how far she
had come from saw the same steps taken, <b>as great strives,</b> and
the beginning of more progress to come.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I saw my self holding tight to my
walker taking the next step that my Father was telling me to take,
hearing Him cheering me on, </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>“YES, daughter, that's it!”
</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"> It was then, I realized how I lose
something very precious, when I stand like those who look on <b>from the
outside</b> without understanding,<b> at how very significant these steps
are. </b>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Whether I find myself behind the walker
straining to take the next step, or on the side lines, cheering
others on, <b>may I never lose sight, that obeying my Father's call
is the key to reaching His mission for my life, however small that
step may appear.</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">"We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first." </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hebrews 3:14</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Anna turns 34 years old. I was 34 years old, when she took these first steps. Don't underestimate the power of the little steps you take, each day. Keep your eyes on the One leading you, and you will find, with each step, you are no longer the same person, then when you started out on this journey. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0wIsoeJmKjPpH2tlhMcVbVy0MHwul-Yfyj3txoGVfOEbR3lGT_h1gfx3MfhhEdwZ9s_dxCMV0d1VODL0E5fQi9vadLI_mlbG4s6uHdVnASOS4YsHOWL2tSHZLaHeY-jPvlagQqov04GmZV0BG1eJlCJcmNdUIkfZ4vYc7w5M88Zu7dJAhyD45SUvKavs" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="574" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0wIsoeJmKjPpH2tlhMcVbVy0MHwul-Yfyj3txoGVfOEbR3lGT_h1gfx3MfhhEdwZ9s_dxCMV0d1VODL0E5fQi9vadLI_mlbG4s6uHdVnASOS4YsHOWL2tSHZLaHeY-jPvlagQqov04GmZV0BG1eJlCJcmNdUIkfZ4vYc7w5M88Zu7dJAhyD45SUvKavs=w299-h334" width="299" /></a></div>Above: Anna with my Dad...around the time period she began to start walking on her own.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
Dina Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105836553804824129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744482716530255362.post-88069778031611688542023-07-07T07:25:00.000-05:002023-07-07T07:25:23.171-05:00Reactions make the Differences<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0nKxcx2mZ655MvZRih41OihVCUw7bD9MJaG74bSRffjt9534juS8c88pzz7xP63VbuV7Ple-o2zqADhNS1E4YtXDCyLtT9VzU6t74BTof4h7zyhWw18RKfKAIrWgTFbLtKE1jdar9jo/s1600/391749_265791450205089_1609179160_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0nKxcx2mZ655MvZRih41OihVCUw7bD9MJaG74bSRffjt9534juS8c88pzz7xP63VbuV7Ple-o2zqADhNS1E4YtXDCyLtT9VzU6t74BTof4h7zyhWw18RKfKAIrWgTFbLtKE1jdar9jo/s640/391749_265791450205089_1609179160_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="font-size: xx-large;">Reactions make the Difference</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Who shall separate us from the love
of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or
nakedness or danger or sword?...No, in all theses things we are more
than conquerors through him who loved. us. (Rom. 8:35, 37)</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">A young army officer said: “Weather,
in war, is always favorable, if you know how to use it.” That is
the point---<i>if you know how to use it. </i> The fact is that
everything that comes to you in life is favorable, if you know how to
react. (Everything, that is, except for your own personal sin, which
is never favorable; its results are always evil. But even then, God
can help you use your sins, if forgiven and conquered, to help others
in their moral battles.)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Life is determined perhaps more by
reactions than by actions. It comes to you on its own; it forces
situations upon you without your asking. What counts is your
reaction. You can react in self-pity and frustration. Or you can
react with confidence and courage. You can make the evil thing make
you better. Its origin may have been evil, but by the time you get
through with it, the destination is good---you have turned evil into
good.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">A woman of culture surrendered herself
to God, only to have troubles pile in upon her; Her husband became
less and less responsive, while her daughter, a brilliant girl, went
into a mental hospital. The woman brought them both back through her
marvelous spirit. The daughter, restored by her mother's love and
faith, said: “Everything has fallen unto you. You get over one
thing, and then it's another. But you sit there and smile. You're
wonderful.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">In fact, she is, “Nothing hurts me
now,” she says in summary. “I have power to come back from
anything.” Her reactions have made all kinds of weather serve her.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Edwin Markham, the poet, said that
“sorrow stretches our hearts for joy.” It does, and more---it
stretches our hearts for new achievements, new usefulness. Sorrow
plows the field for God's sowing and our harvest.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">I thank you, O Christ, that I can be
saved from all self-pity and frustration. I choose to react in Your
way to whatever comes. I am unafraid. Amen.</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Taken from E. Stanley Jones' The Way
/ 365 Daily Meditations</span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><a href="http://libertyinlimitations.blogspot.com/2012/03/providential-places-of-his-presence.html">"Coming to this place, fires will bring out the sweet aroma of Christ. We will not come out of them smelling like smoke, but seeing HIM more clearly."</a></i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Picture taken by <a href="http://iwillalwayshavehope.blogspot.com/">Madison Berkemeyer</a></span></i></div>
Dina Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105836553804824129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744482716530255362.post-43741095657316750712023-06-13T06:56:00.000-05:002023-06-13T06:56:39.263-05:00What we call the process, God calls the end...<div class="col-sm-8" id="key-verse-box">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>And straightway He constrained His disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side.…</i> — </span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=31&search=Mark+6%3A45-52" target="_blank" title="Mark 6:45-52"><span style="font-size: large;">Mark 6:45-52</span></a></div>
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<div class="top-rule">
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<section class="entry-content-classic"><div class="post-content">
<span style="font-size: large;"> We are apt to imagine that if Jesus Christ constrains us, and we obey Him, He will lead us to great success. We must never put our dreams of success as God’s purpose for us; His purpose may be exactly the opposite. We have an idea that God is leading us to a particular end, a desired goal; He is not. The question of getting to a particular end is a mere incident. What we call the process, God calls the end.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> What is my dream of God’s purpose? His purpose is that I depend on Him and on His power now. If I can stay in the middle of the turmoil calm and unperplexed, that is the end of the purpose of God. God is not working towards a particular finish; His end is the process — that I see Him walking on the waves, no shore in sight, no success, no goal, just the absolute certainty that it is all right because I see Him walking on the sea. It is the process, not the end, which is glorifying to God.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> God’s training is for now, not presently. His purpose is for this minute, not for something in the future. We have nothing to do with the afterwards of obedience; we get wrong when we think of the afterwards. What men call training and preparation, God calls the end.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> God’s end is to enable me to see that He can walk on the chaos of my life just now. If we have a further end in view, we do not pay sufficient attention to the immediate present; if we realize that obedience is the end, then each moment as it comes is precious.</span></div>
</section><!-- .entry-content --> <br />
<div class="bottom-rule">
</div>
<div class="wisdom-wrapper">
<div class="wisdom-title">
<span style="font-size: large;">Wisdom From Oswald Chambers</span></div>
<div class="wisdom-content">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="wisdom-content">
<span style="font-size: large;">Rubenstein, the great musician, once said, "If I omit practice one day, I notice it; if two days, my friends notice it; if three days, the public notice it." It is the old doctrine, "Practice makes perfect." We must continue believing, continue praying, continue doing His will. Suppose along any line of art, one should cease practicing, we know what the result would be. If we would only use the same quality of common sense in our religion that we use in our everyday life, we should go on to perfection.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><div class="wisdom-content">
The motto of David Livingstone was in these words, "I determined never to stop until I had come to the end and achieved my purpose." By unfaltering persistence and faith in God he conquered.</div>
<div class="wisdom-content">
Todays Stream in the Desert; Jan 19</div>
</span><div class="wisdom-content">
<br /></div>
</div>
Dina Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105836553804824129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744482716530255362.post-85534543892163883102023-05-22T10:41:00.000-05:002023-05-22T10:41:34.840-05:00Purpose of Heart or Plan at Hand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPeoZJFjwGc17oSW6vpAt0srbVbj4eC_kj7KZKsb2xujIN_xKp-d2er4L6402LoXb3C9tzL7hQiOTl7Kzl3zDaPNr_wet4Grn34Pi8FGZ5GX5wxTZMm_J1hmnb5lv7dvPoMrlKngzD4V4/s1600/Pictures+from+Hard+Drive+13125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPeoZJFjwGc17oSW6vpAt0srbVbj4eC_kj7KZKsb2xujIN_xKp-d2er4L6402LoXb3C9tzL7hQiOTl7Kzl3zDaPNr_wet4Grn34Pi8FGZ5GX5wxTZMm_J1hmnb5lv7dvPoMrlKngzD4V4/s640/Pictures+from+Hard+Drive+13125.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">When the purpose of the heart becomes more than just getting the job done, it's a wonderful thing to watch in our children. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I will never forget the time Joseph went to feed the chickens. It was taking a little longer, so I looked outside, and what I saw brought a smile to my face. Four or more hens staring up at him through the fence, as he wiggled his body, bobbed his head, flapped his arms, and made some type of sound that I'm sure he thought they understood. Well they sure were as fascinated with him as I was – (or maybe just waiting for him to throw more food.) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">This simple act of childhood innocence in seeking to do more than feed, to care... reminded me of his name sake.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">While serving his fellow prisoners and seeing their needs – Joseph stops and inquires because their continence is down. This one caring question starts a tide of events that will forever change his life. His insight arose from having<b> a purpose of heart deeper than a near-sighted focus of accomplishing the plan at hand. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">There is a BIG difference between the two and time will reveal which one we are living for. When the deeper purpose of heart is to please our Father – our steps are measured accordingly. The overflow of this will impact our relationship with others. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Disappointments/interruptions/misunderstandings will all begin to <a href="http://libertyinlimitations.blogspot.com/2011/10/adaptation-with-joy.html">fit like a glove</a>, because whether it's a prison or palace – <a href="http://libertyinlimitations.blogspot.com/2011/03/not-position-but-presence.html">His presence</a> and His pleasure are all that matters.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The plan at hand – is nearsighted, looking only to find fulfillment in it the present moment; without the interference of man. It rarely looks for anything outside of the obvious, so many opportunities</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">to experience His presence and bring Him pleasure are missed. This is a very difficult way to live – because control always comes at a high price -seeking foremost what is in our HAND rather than His plan.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Memories of Joseph's chicken dance remind me that – a heart that serves in love, can not help but share itself with others.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">“<em>You can give without loving; BUT you can not love without giving.</em> ~Amy Carmichael</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span><br />
<br />Dina Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105836553804824129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744482716530255362.post-77760728701294990802023-03-28T10:02:00.000-05:002023-03-28T10:02:46.679-05:00Learning Endurance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXyq4v23hzzmXP3CZp3qd0yTBid45-9UWnxtFXpFIA_15Gybz2Sj8ZKzU1w1xeyhmRna-x5DL8fZ_ZZP_HOJy2szR8cibPxnIxnTg0hdpdQoChccT72eM33Mty2w0qy_Mt-TMciOKoFI/s1600/Anna+and+Joseph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXyq4v23hzzmXP3CZp3qd0yTBid45-9UWnxtFXpFIA_15Gybz2Sj8ZKzU1w1xeyhmRna-x5DL8fZ_ZZP_HOJy2szR8cibPxnIxnTg0hdpdQoChccT72eM33Mty2w0qy_Mt-TMciOKoFI/s640/Anna+and+Joseph.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Endurance is not always some surprise trial, sent by God to test us. It is learning how to live, when you do not see what the future will look like. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">It is a faith that is not fed by feeling, but in all believing, knowing that His Grace is sufficient<strong> for this day. </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">When Endurance begins to call our name, it is saying to our hearts...<strong>its time for your love to go deeper.</strong> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Its time for sorrow to do its plowing in your heart, to make room for love that only pain can make room for.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The problem with pain, is that we just do not want or welcome it. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">And all who choose to <strong>shut their hearts up to it,</strong> <strong>live shallow lives, casting blame in the shadows (ie past or people), for their difficulties.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The beautiful thing about those who see endurance as just part of growing in HOPE...they do not measure HARD things, as bad things. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">It becomes, what I call, a <a href="http://libertyinlimitations.blogspot.com/2011/02/painful-joy.html">Painful Joy</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">At the time period of the above picture</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">(<i>Anna had just been released from the hospital after nearly a month in ICU...she could barely lift her head up because of all the med's they had her on</i>), I did count HARD, as BAD...because my love was more SELF focused. How the HARD effected me, not what He was after in my Heart.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"> <b>My LONG-suffering Heavenly Father...taught me different.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">We grow weary, when we place <strong>time limits on our trials</strong>. Seek to REMEMBER, <strong>Who </strong>is with you, instead of <strong>Wondering When</strong> the struggle will be over</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">...strength will come. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">We are people with <strong>ENDS,</strong> bumped up to a God WHO <strong>never ends...</strong>He does not view TIME, like we do.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">My own experience of calling out, when I was needy, taught me much hope. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>TIME and time again</strong>, what once seemed insurmountable, proved to be small next to a Grace <strong>that had no end to it. </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">A Grace that was more than enough, for the day it was given. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Sometimes, endurance was as simple as the next step. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><em>“It takes Almighty grace to take the next step when there is no vision and no spectator – the next step in devotion, the next step in your study, in your reading, in your kitchen; the next step in your duty, when there is no vision from God, no enthusiasm and no spectator. It takes far more of the grace of God, far more conscious drawing upon God to take that step, then it does to preach the Gospel.” ~Oswald Chambers</em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>"The
only way to learn strong faith is to endure great trials."~George
Muller</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>"We
are always in the forge, or on the anvil; by trials God is shaping us
for higher things." ~Henry Ward Beecher</i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Also....this is the pathway to<a href="http://theanaxiosdoulos.blogspot.com/2011/11/rest-profound.html"> A Profound Rest</a></i></span></span></span></div>
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</span>Dina Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105836553804824129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744482716530255362.post-22945049497651361992023-02-13T09:51:00.002-06:002023-02-13T10:04:39.187-06:00Grow Heart Grow<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJ09mDwI7j41oXcbXJ_n1a7nTmn5vnPRUCVxCIn2MUH36pHcefepy61duxrUyxGJicr7GDWUbsoV1Z-aMdAOGrDBfF0rUv3U6Y8nCycF9kXnyMhyHtBevU-zt_Nrz6tGpa9qYTN4iO5eFNbBWe8f4XAk-hQ9FTJuj2tn_8XjtcYxiVQTzgXFIgZuo/s400/grow%20heart%20grow.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="300" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJ09mDwI7j41oXcbXJ_n1a7nTmn5vnPRUCVxCIn2MUH36pHcefepy61duxrUyxGJicr7GDWUbsoV1Z-aMdAOGrDBfF0rUv3U6Y8nCycF9kXnyMhyHtBevU-zt_Nrz6tGpa9qYTN4iO5eFNbBWe8f4XAk-hQ9FTJuj2tn_8XjtcYxiVQTzgXFIgZuo/w480-h640/grow%20heart%20grow.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville Old Face, serif; font-size: x-large;">E. Stanley Jones speaks of the difference between "Thronging or Touching? when speaking of the woman with the issue of blood. "If I were only to touch him, I would be healed" The disciples only saw the throngs of people, but Jesus felt her touch. He goes on to write, "Sunday after Sunday the multitudes go to church and listen. Their thoughts throng Jesus. But how many of the thronging multitudes really touch Him, set up a connection with Him, and live by Him? How many touch Him so that they go away not merely better, but well?"</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville Old Face, serif; font-size: x-large;">We have been influenced to believe that LOVE, is what we give and take. The crowds wanted without wonder, would take from HIM without touching They looked for Him, without longing. They were inspired by what he said and did, but unlike the woman who threw herself against the crowd, just to touch his garment, she was changed. Have we considered how different our relationships would be, if we, like her, experienced the transformation of His touch.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This would change our relationships, from expecting them to meet our needs, to pouring out love from a filled heart. This kind of love takes the stretching of our hearts, to be filled up with His love. Stretching that sometimes means laying down our own expectations. The Love of God shed abroad in our hearts, looks very much like Paul's description of love in 1 Cor. 13 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Growing hearts IN HIS LOVE means Guarding them, too. </span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">Max Lucado says it well in, Grace Moments:</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Guard the Gateway</span></b></p><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“<i>The devil, your enemy, goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to eat. Refuse to give in to him, by standing strong in your faith.” 1 Peter 5:8-9</i></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">You've got to admit, some of our hearts are trashed out. Let any riffraff knock on the door, and we throw it open. Anger shows up, and we let him in. Revenge needs a place to stay, so we have him pull up a chair. Pity wants to have a party; so we show him the kitchen. Lust rings the bell, and we change the sheets on the bed. Don't we know how to say no?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Many don't. For most of us, though management is, well, unthought of. We think much about time management, weight management, personal management, even scalp management. But what about thought management? Shouldn't we be as concerned about managing our thoughts as we are managing anything else? Jesus was. Like a trained soldier at the gate of a city, he stood watch over his mind. He stubbornly guarded the gate way of his heart....</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">If he did, shouldn't we...”</span></div>Dina Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105836553804824129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744482716530255362.post-10224638711468355192023-02-09T08:30:00.002-06:002023-02-09T08:58:52.199-06:00Take your seat, and Look to ME<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvX9VANuk3ccfp7GtaJKI6Oi0Yjo4yHHst5ED_8JfyFSVT4MyXC4PGk7LtOPAcUoaLIxnvYOyoG_jXSiN3uK27XM35ebJg1uks-QA0Y6IGaPrF_l8cmb9pnqr9OEyCiWNd0ipMekfWi1vwVcqJQfGTsUaaRhOpFMep1cbrQ-6d9mOhLhEHLYEeAcOS" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1285" data-original-width="771" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvX9VANuk3ccfp7GtaJKI6Oi0Yjo4yHHst5ED_8JfyFSVT4MyXC4PGk7LtOPAcUoaLIxnvYOyoG_jXSiN3uK27XM35ebJg1uks-QA0Y6IGaPrF_l8cmb9pnqr9OEyCiWNd0ipMekfWi1vwVcqJQfGTsUaaRhOpFMep1cbrQ-6d9mOhLhEHLYEeAcOS=w384-h640" width="384" /></a></div><div>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">I
place Anna in the “<i>Caroline” </i>shopping cart for Special Needs adults. The
chair is designed so that she sits facing me and I buckle her in. We begin
our shopping. Whoever created this chair, understands my girl! You see facing
away from me means Anna will look at everyone and everything else and whatever
Anna sees, that’s what she wants. Someone makes eye contact with her, and she
smiles and reaches for them. Shopping
while trying to keep Anna from grabbing people does not help me get my job
done. Sometimes it stops it altogether!</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;">We are not all that different
from her; we have our own special needs. We easily get overstimulated, wanting
things that we really do not need. Our focus naturally turns towards others
when comparing ourselves to each other. We tend to look to physical relationships to
meet our emotional needs, instead of going to the ONE who desires our direct
attention. We end up doing a lot of nothing and feel lacking even though all we
need God provides. When will we learn that true living is found in Christ, not
in the things we place in our cart? We
need to sit more often in our own “Caroline Cart”, face to face with Jesus.
</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;">I hear my Heavenly Father say,
turn around and take your seat. Face me and Focus. We will get a lot more done,
when you begin to turn your eyes to ME. All the things you think you want, are
not what you need right now. Find that place of gratitude and contentment right
where you are. And at the end of the day, a task that would have been a pain,
can become a treasured moment by simply focusing on HIM. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;">"You will keep him in perfect
peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." Is
26:3-4</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;">"God is most glorified in us when
we are most satisfied in Him.” <span class="GramE">John</span> Piper</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #001320; font-size: 18pt;">"And He raised us up together
with Him [when we believed], and seated us with Him in the
heavenly </span><i><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;">places,</span></i><span style="color: #001320; font-size: 18pt;"> [because we are] in Christ Jesus, and
He did this] so that in the ages to come He might [clearly] show the
immeasurable </span><i><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;">and</span></i><span style="color: #001320; font-size: 18pt;"> unsurpassed riches of His grace in
[His] kindness toward us in Christ Jesus [by providing for our redemption]." Eph
2:6,7</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div>Dina Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105836553804824129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744482716530255362.post-86208469376226271322023-01-31T17:03:00.000-06:002023-01-31T17:03:15.361-06:00Rooted and Established<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9VN4sdeRr_ZGu3ZmL4FKgG3JWzqpaHd6AygW1e4Mu30dUaaXSoQjcw4oKQD0VE0bYhjVS6jAjyG28G9IY1PqmdUcelvVNvGVYDHUMIzQ3pFUY4NehR0ilHkKpKZ2nRk2vA44pUNWvfY/s1600/Rooted.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9VN4sdeRr_ZGu3ZmL4FKgG3JWzqpaHd6AygW1e4Mu30dUaaXSoQjcw4oKQD0VE0bYhjVS6jAjyG28G9IY1PqmdUcelvVNvGVYDHUMIzQ3pFUY4NehR0ilHkKpKZ2nRk2vA44pUNWvfY/s1600/Rooted.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him. Have the roots (of your being) firmly and deeply planted (in Him, fixed and founded in Him), being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving." Col. 2:6,7 Ampl.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>The business of being built up and rooted in Him, often happens in the hidden places of our heart. It comes in our day-by-day duties, that are not seen by men, but are known by God. Our encounter of the difficult, and mundane teaches us to walk by faith, and not by what we see or feel. Do not underestimate, the small and simple steps, of going forward, when you would rather "check out". Sometimes it is stepping out on the other side of our self, that opens our eyes to seeing the beauty that was right in front of us. Walking by faith, grounds us in the eternal, and gives life to our weary souls. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Now, if we talk about lives God blesses, then or now, we're headed for trouble if we stay at the surface of personality and activity. Blessing rarely seems tied to things that are visible. Remain there, and I'm not sure we'll learn a thing that will be helpful.......If you want to think through the subject of the life God blesses, go then to the soul, to the deepest parts of "inner space" where God is most likely to visit with a person, whisper His secrets, establish convictions, heal spiritual wounds, generate hope and courage. If there is something to this business of being blessed by God, that's where you'll find the answers...." The Life God Blesses, Gordon MacDonald</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span>
<span>"In the apostle Paul there was a strong steady coherence underneath, consequently he could let his external life change as it liked and it did not distress him, because he was rooted and ground in God. Most of us are not spiritually coherent because we are more concerned about being coherent externally. Paul lived in the basement; the coherent critics live in the upper story of the external statement of things, and the two do not begin to touch each other. Paul's consistency was down in the fundamentals...." My Utmost for His Highest; November 25, Oswald Chambers</span></span>Dina Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105836553804824129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744482716530255362.post-40300088065191900092022-12-31T05:22:00.000-06:002022-12-31T05:23:00.034-06:00Renew Your Mind<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFy1VRQJS7rmvGlLJYr43yy50nWeQY9CiwWaluJVOfTM5xs7yBRYyj6w4_RoYEhr-bXIV2X-k9vhHFDuSyVif-qhROadO05L7Eo6CipZAapxKyqEYdjAlWxk98Ixk2Bxw_ivw7XJGnk-I/s1600/closet+of+clothes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFy1VRQJS7rmvGlLJYr43yy50nWeQY9CiwWaluJVOfTM5xs7yBRYyj6w4_RoYEhr-bXIV2X-k9vhHFDuSyVif-qhROadO05L7Eo6CipZAapxKyqEYdjAlWxk98Ixk2Bxw_ivw7XJGnk-I/s1600/closet+of+clothes.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">“Just like our closets, our minds can become cluttered by patterns of trends of this world. These outfits or thoughts processes may look like they belong in our closets the first few years they take up residence. But with the passage of time they soon appear thread bare and out of sorts. They fit too tight or too loose, too long or too short. Unless our closets- minds -are cleared out and reorganized on a timely and regular basis we will not be able to test and apply </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">God's truth to our lives.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"> ~Lisa Bevere</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;">
“Who is there that sets himself to the task of steadily watching his thoughts for the space of one hour, with the view of preserving his mind in a simple, humble, healthful condition, but will speedily discern in the multiform, self-reflecting, self-admiring emotions, which, like locust, are ready to eat up every green thing in his land; a state as much opposed to </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
simplicity and humility</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
as night is to day.”</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
~M.A. Kelt</div>
</span><br />
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Dina Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105836553804824129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744482716530255362.post-79665182662955196012022-12-24T06:14:00.000-06:002022-12-24T06:14:48.220-06:00Is There Room in Your Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7us6IB8q-iMNFE4Xq1T6yzgqQtXnzPDiF56Ry-Q_NyN8VajTAK9rDkN5Aw-ZmU6lzA_AnFamepXDzqpDPeods9-i6pEPVEBW-rYaXEilmQ6BkaBaYSDZitpFejo2GQDbst2grna6CHfY/s1600/away-in-a-manger-king-size-bed-jesus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7us6IB8q-iMNFE4Xq1T6yzgqQtXnzPDiF56Ry-Q_NyN8VajTAK9rDkN5Aw-ZmU6lzA_AnFamepXDzqpDPeods9-i6pEPVEBW-rYaXEilmQ6BkaBaYSDZitpFejo2GQDbst2grna6CHfY/s1600/away-in-a-manger-king-size-bed-jesus.jpg" height="378" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is there room in your heart this Christmas</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is the Savior abiding there</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Are you filled with the joy of His coming</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">or are you losing your hope to despair</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Has your life become busy like Bethlehem</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">filled with travelers jammed everywhere</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is there room in your heart this Christmas</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is the Savior abiding there </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Do you still have your first love this Christmas</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is your faith just as strong and still new</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">or have the cares of the world caused a cooling</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and affected what you used to do</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">There's an answer if this is your problem</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Christ can come once again and renew</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">so in the midst of your pain and confusion</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Look to Jesus to be born in you</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Please don't let your faith become a fable</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">just a tale many doubt could be true</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The whole point of Christ birth in a stable</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">is His miraculous Re-birth in you.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So have you given HIM</span><span style="font-size: large;"> the best you could offer</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">or just a place in the back some where</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is there room in your heart this Christmas</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is the Savior abiding there </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Dina Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105836553804824129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744482716530255362.post-48312789107329824122022-07-25T07:14:00.006-05:002022-07-25T13:22:27.026-05:00When mountains don't move<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 20pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dbHSy_3u9zV0JB96l1MalgisC9TnX7pURNvgPLnjZcGuJtLMn7ICvo9QRzNo8LGyx3YRxN1BTT0dOkVFZWcdvBqglOHG2HDRP2T-FGyny06Q_HHq_RL24Da45v8PT2CBprI-A8NqIlB4WBkesmeMP-XX4e4ObvdBH1i9rbVxMmGMAG2A0Ytqqkfs/s1996/Anna%20with%20puppys.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1584" data-original-width="1996" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dbHSy_3u9zV0JB96l1MalgisC9TnX7pURNvgPLnjZcGuJtLMn7ICvo9QRzNo8LGyx3YRxN1BTT0dOkVFZWcdvBqglOHG2HDRP2T-FGyny06Q_HHq_RL24Da45v8PT2CBprI-A8NqIlB4WBkesmeMP-XX4e4ObvdBH1i9rbVxMmGMAG2A0Ytqqkfs/w640-h508/Anna%20with%20puppys.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span>Anna turned
33 years old this month.</span></span><span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">I always like
to reflect on these landmarks, and the lessons that have come to my heart.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">In our earlier years with Anna, it seemed as
though her needs were like an unmovable mountain that blocked my view. Eventually, I came to the realization that God would not move this mountain; instead, it was time for me to start climbing.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">We were soon to discover that this journey would lead to heights and lows, spiritual vision, insight, and joy. It became a call to endurance.</span></span></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large; line-height: 107%;">This kind of commitment calls for affections
that are set on things above (so as not to get dizzy from the heights). It requires
faith that puts on hiking boots (because you will need the traction to keep
from falling back). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large; line-height: 107%;">We would learn that endurance comes before joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
the blood, sweat, and tears, that deepen our appreciation for the kind of LOVE
that lasts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When once dreaded duties become
so much a part of you, that you do them without thought, crosses have quietly become
blessings, strivings cease; you have found the "still waters". <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Commitment
has found a place to flourish in a heart content with where life actually is, not where you want it to be; that’s when the party begins. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anna’s birthday’s belong to us all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">It belongs to my children,</span></b><span style="line-height: 107%;">
who had to adapt to her needs: Hard
seasons of unpredictable messes, limitations that kept us home bound, and a lot
of unanswered questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> This opportunity to learn</span> how
NOT to despise, but to accept what God had given us, birthed in our children a sensitivity only found in these hallowed proving grounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><i>It is the people and circumstances that do not change, that change us the most. </i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">It belongs to my Grandchildren</span></b><span style="line-height: 107%;">,
whose aunt wears diapers, and does not talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They have been introduced to seeing up close that being different is
not bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They treat her as an equal and
know what makes her laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their love
and respect for her comes through in their eyes and smiles;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> n</span>o words needed,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> n</span>o expectation, just pure love. Anna doesn’t grow
old to them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could learn a lot
through their example<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">She belongs to our marriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have become the 3 in 1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the beginning, it felt like she took more
from us, than she gave. </span><span style="line-height: 107%;">But
now, we have come to see, she has been used to teach us more about what true
love is than we could have ever imagined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When we celebrate her, we are celebrating us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will light her candles this year and thank
God for the mountains we have climbed so far, and those still ahead of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Light has come, Anna has been the gift of God's grace to us; none of us will ever be
the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><i><span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">"Faith does move mountains, </span></span></span><span>but sometimes unmovable</span><span> mountains were meant to move you." </span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><i>"Own what God has given you, and when you do, beautiful things will unfold around you and in you."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDFlN6QUksm0zEtESq7WHsipPg7Gg7W1x6uluZqyIJckJ2PrSHgTRMTdYiV7J37u5wToUsfdSnIskJGOCeao0ReX0aiwQjeahimR7tV3ptp7mplIE5_db_yyYGB1mpxQj2fSBTVNQvh2_NPrkmD_cJppaLFjOxHD-i4XbgzwwXTPX8ALkvH0X4QTJ/s1580/IMG_0003.jpg" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1580" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDFlN6QUksm0zEtESq7WHsipPg7Gg7W1x6uluZqyIJckJ2PrSHgTRMTdYiV7J37u5wToUsfdSnIskJGOCeao0ReX0aiwQjeahimR7tV3ptp7mplIE5_db_yyYGB1mpxQj2fSBTVNQvh2_NPrkmD_cJppaLFjOxHD-i4XbgzwwXTPX8ALkvH0X4QTJ/w640-h554/IMG_0003.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_oY38YZOqutcSAzB4B6sTDxNMMy3DPS6bVr20Cc7dqrT1cpk6pGsERoGxXbL33TibRawWGiQKuyXqhNGvO7lYh7VPrkQJa6CZYmWW7mFWXfc2twFNuZKSDiDDwr7VXuyAQgU0JGBp0zrlBBNbg8eamq638jCuHMv-AM_UeLL976BKkKqKyVk566H/s2048/IMG_0262.JPG" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_oY38YZOqutcSAzB4B6sTDxNMMy3DPS6bVr20Cc7dqrT1cpk6pGsERoGxXbL33TibRawWGiQKuyXqhNGvO7lYh7VPrkQJa6CZYmWW7mFWXfc2twFNuZKSDiDDwr7VXuyAQgU0JGBp0zrlBBNbg8eamq638jCuHMv-AM_UeLL976BKkKqKyVk566H/w640-h480/IMG_0262.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ki1icI6fH2V8ia0tNyKTO28sIkd6ZcQDfZlqiXH7cdMuF04k2aoNoyLxPOcKQaSf23E-d0TgoJlBbhNmDfgnnW_90uulmjRKg9s2vbCpLdwm57cZvZ1wFZj87XiEKUYc8xkJC1kU6VtMa0-iHxmg3-cBek72-MlyvmV9h1SWwcu03KuAAa01MiJ2/s640/Pictures%20from%20Hard%20Drive%2010589.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ki1icI6fH2V8ia0tNyKTO28sIkd6ZcQDfZlqiXH7cdMuF04k2aoNoyLxPOcKQaSf23E-d0TgoJlBbhNmDfgnnW_90uulmjRKg9s2vbCpLdwm57cZvZ1wFZj87XiEKUYc8xkJC1kU6VtMa0-iHxmg3-cBek72-MlyvmV9h1SWwcu03KuAAa01MiJ2/w640-h480/Pictures%20from%20Hard%20Drive%2010589.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSJyYUIiPN-JF7HPJ1VQoFaxyqWbKScx2OrmkwGMovsk2TSX2RoGZFmhaoEUBVaE3rt34ZgXCHRAIjz2BohwTT6NDM9ZOKKo_PHbJ2M7v6tGETPSjMuvM4lN1MHb4n03nR30fkU0k7R3tmeWkQ2HSu7PH5VjbUzAJBQ1kUh9u6nJAbNrBiFBaGX5C/s1920/_C9A2752.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSJyYUIiPN-JF7HPJ1VQoFaxyqWbKScx2OrmkwGMovsk2TSX2RoGZFmhaoEUBVaE3rt34ZgXCHRAIjz2BohwTT6NDM9ZOKKo_PHbJ2M7v6tGETPSjMuvM4lN1MHb4n03nR30fkU0k7R3tmeWkQ2HSu7PH5VjbUzAJBQ1kUh9u6nJAbNrBiFBaGX5C/w640-h426/_C9A2752.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Dina Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105836553804824129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744482716530255362.post-4923790704427325362022-06-20T06:38:00.000-05:002022-06-20T06:38:24.054-05:00Trusting in the No's<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxKNbGg2rO3F756fYLT-h3lpIF4OT9uYBCoBa3MjhI4kLN0yPQkxssq2W_Rignu0hmMlIzU4J1o5B6bS7AZLeoAWh2x6wyfo85BlBcTRvNaNCZ2CHeOXeT9qNBwy0pMVZvycjlNZwY60/s1600/IMG_9161.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxKNbGg2rO3F756fYLT-h3lpIF4OT9uYBCoBa3MjhI4kLN0yPQkxssq2W_Rignu0hmMlIzU4J1o5B6bS7AZLeoAWh2x6wyfo85BlBcTRvNaNCZ2CHeOXeT9qNBwy0pMVZvycjlNZwY60/s640/IMG_9161.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Its the No's, not the Go's, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">that we learn the most </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">about where we stand.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">No's mean, wait.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;"> Waiting requires trust.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Even after the Red Sea parting,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">the tambourines were only for a day,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">but the journey they were walking</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">was for a lifetime. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">They complained, and remained.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">They would discover that</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"> provision was not packaged</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">like the places </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">they had come from...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">His purposes were not about </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">going from point A to B...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">it was to prove their hearts.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">No's have a good </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">way of </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">doing that. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">And disappointment can </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">be like sand in the eye,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">it irritates and causes your </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">vision to blur. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">So, as I wait, I will cleanse my eyes,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">by washing them with the water </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">of His Words and Truth.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Father, help me re-focus,</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"> like that weaned child,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"> I will find that place of trust.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div class="chapter-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span class="text Ps-131-1" id="en-KJV-16150" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>"Lord, my heart is not haughty, </i></span></span></div>
<div class="chapter-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span class="text Ps-131-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>nor mine eyes lofty: </i></span></span></div>
<div class="chapter-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span class="text Ps-131-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>neither </i></span></span><i style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: xx-large;">do I exercise myself </i></div>
<div class="chapter-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: xx-large;">in great matters, </i></div>
<div class="chapter-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span class="text Ps-131-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>or in things too high for me.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span class="text Ps-131-2" id="en-KJV-16151" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>Surely I have behaved </i></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span class="text Ps-131-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>and quieted myself,</i></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span class="text Ps-131-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i> as a child that is </i></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span class="text Ps-131-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>weaned of his mother: </i></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span class="text Ps-131-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>my soul is even as a weaned child.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span class="text Ps-131-3" id="en-KJV-16152" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>Let Israel hope in the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></i></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span class="text Ps-131-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i> from henceforth and for ever.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span class="text Ps-131-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Psalm 131</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<em><span style="font-size: x-large;">Trusting God does not mean believing that He will do all that you want, but rather believing that He will do everything He knows is good. ~Ken Sander</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></em>
<em><span style="font-size: x-large;">Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither. ~C.S. Lewis</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></em></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Dina Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105836553804824129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744482716530255362.post-86310531996660074882022-06-13T07:10:00.001-05:002022-06-13T07:12:11.621-05:00Monopoly without Rules<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwc2jpTKXBP-1_88Sb4fvnrkdjIOV8lEW9cTVFP8MU_MH1EmkLfWhmzajtG3pSPthbXi8vuPFDnBV5vmG6yFxMz7d4skG7ML2XvkCDOkk_UFcivOO_BpaHph3mhma3iAQDGaI1dUco8Y/s1600/Monopoly+without+Rules.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwc2jpTKXBP-1_88Sb4fvnrkdjIOV8lEW9cTVFP8MU_MH1EmkLfWhmzajtG3pSPthbXi8vuPFDnBV5vmG6yFxMz7d4skG7ML2XvkCDOkk_UFcivOO_BpaHph3mhma3iAQDGaI1dUco8Y/s640/Monopoly+without+Rules.jpg" width="640" /></a><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: x-large;">Everything
looks right, as I pass by the dynamic duo's game of Monopoly. It's
when I sat down near the game and listened that I realized that this
game was not by the rule book. </span><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: x-large;">“</span><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: x-large;"><i>Let's
trade deeds.” </i></span><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: x-large;">I also discovered that
anytime they bought a property they put all the money in the
middle </span><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: x-large;"><i>(to make it interesting</i></span><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: x-large;">)
instead of the bank. Then I hear the words,<i> “Your cheating!”</i></span></div>
<span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: x-large;"><div><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>I'm
baffled, how can you cheat at a game with out set rules?</span><br /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: x-large;">On
a daily basis we can do much the same, if instead of setting Christ
before us, we compromise and set our own standards; to our own liking
- just like when we measure our actions by what we see or feel.</span><br /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: x-large;">A
good sign that we are not living by the<b> </b></span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;"><b>rule of Christ</b> </i><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: x-large;">is
when failure or correction comes, often evidenced by our initial
responses to quickly accuse or blame others.</span><br /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: x-large;">Maybe,
it would do us good to look at Who is setting the rules? Sometimes
failure can be the gift that points us back to the beginning,
to Him who loved us and forgave us all our sins. We will
always fail without His law of love leading our lives. </span><br /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: x-large;">Our daily life
before the Father is no game where failure cost us very little; to
fail at love is to fail in life. His loving guidelines always
bring life and peace and everyone who plays by His rule of love -
wins in life. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Christian life is not adding Jesus to one's own way of life but renouncing that </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>personal way of life for His and being willing to pay whatever cost that may </span><span>require." ~John MacArthur</span></span></i></div><div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><br /></span></span></div>
<span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br />
<span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: x-large;"><i>Picture taken about the time of this writing, 2000. Joseph and Benjamin playing Monopoly without Rules.:-)</i></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div></div></div></div></div>Dina Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105836553804824129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744482716530255362.post-37421348277604795842022-05-30T05:57:00.007-05:002022-05-30T05:57:56.071-05:00LET GO...<p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-pbrqTdilEFVmnmXN3ljuzc3Ted_1LCvNrvDX_OUdrcQW9KK0mqTSBpXdBaLIaaGikdkddscuLydirYa-qVZbRNsdhzxmzWmIKCmMRymGLBle35B0UfnUeecrtMqsedg5HMSrVVfqL4Cf-QQSa_LwuDEASQvwX4Dcs1hAENiFKB3Oy9hFAMOsT6Hn" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="509" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-pbrqTdilEFVmnmXN3ljuzc3Ted_1LCvNrvDX_OUdrcQW9KK0mqTSBpXdBaLIaaGikdkddscuLydirYa-qVZbRNsdhzxmzWmIKCmMRymGLBle35B0UfnUeecrtMqsedg5HMSrVVfqL4Cf-QQSa_LwuDEASQvwX4Dcs1hAENiFKB3Oy9hFAMOsT6Hn=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">and Let God.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Tight grips indicate tense hearts. </span><span style="font-size: xx-large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">There is a beautiful sense of calm and peace to the one who can let go and give their concerns to God. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">The peaceful serenity of HIS paths is discovered by walking with the Heavenly Father, not racing to our own agenda's. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">The tug of war arises from the desire for control within. This </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">works against the peace of God which will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>The real struggle is not with those things that we see; the enemy of peace is our own hesitation to trust and let HIM lead.... victory begins in </span><span>letting HIM be God.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">We see things clearly when He goes before us; in His light there are no shadows. Then, our main objective is not winning, but enjoying His presence and treasuring His counsel in our hearts. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">These tight fists were made to open up and raised up to worship HIM. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">"<i>RESIGNATION to the will of God is the whole of piety; it includes in it all that is good; and is a source of the most settled quiet and composure of mind. Our resignation to the will of God may be said to be perfect, when our will is lost and resolved up into His; when we rest in His will as our end, as being itself most just, and right, and good. And where is the impossibility of such an affection to what is just and right and good, such a loyalty of heart to the Governor of the universe, as shall prevail over all sinister indirect desires of our own.? ~Joseph Butler</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>THERE are no disappointment to those whose wills are buried in the will of God. ~F.W. FABER </i></span></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><i style="font-size: xx-large;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">.</span></i></p>Dina Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105836553804824129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744482716530255362.post-50993978295917126402022-05-21T10:00:00.014-05:002022-05-21T10:00:00.204-05:00Open wide your mouth...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiB0e6X4TZv40Mc15RIyCxzvy2F8HG2PjYmrjJ_fvFMIqW-cNDT9XHRs8DHX6IgSFdJOhKc6wuGhEK0aLb5quiM481zbNKag8FwJJTJQiIJam3L6eoJXmfIvKs26zIVNDaf7WrwNyU5GnhLQbmRhle3JUr7Po-B_vyVge1el40RFklXL0MC4gADpC_5" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiB0e6X4TZv40Mc15RIyCxzvy2F8HG2PjYmrjJ_fvFMIqW-cNDT9XHRs8DHX6IgSFdJOhKc6wuGhEK0aLb5quiM481zbNKag8FwJJTJQiIJam3L6eoJXmfIvKs26zIVNDaf7WrwNyU5GnhLQbmRhle3JUr7Po-B_vyVge1el40RFklXL0MC4gADpC_5=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The people of Israel were on a FREEDOM March.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the last 400 years they had only known
slavery. They were accustomed to suffering without hope, with eyes and hearts
downcast, not looking to the ONE who would save them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Their journey through the wilderness would expose their
"I’m tired of men telling me what to do" hearts. They were still
slaves, not to the Egyptians, but to their own desires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had no idea of what true freedom was. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The people demanded their needs to be met; God wanted a
relationship. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;">They wanted to be their own boss; God wanted them to learn
to trust Him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He invited them,
"Open wide your mouths and I will fill them." Ps. 81:1 But instead of
opening their mouths to Worship HIM, they poured out their unbelief and whined.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of praising Him for His
kindness, they lodged their complaints about their situation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead trusting with Mouths Open wide, they
closed their fists with defiant murmuring. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;">All the rest of God’s creation understands HIM, but the men
and women created in His own image, those He longed to save, were walking head
down, going nowhere. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;">He was leading them to the PROMISED LAND, but knew they
needed to be set free from themselves first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>REAL freedom always has more to do with what's going on inside us, than
the circumstances surrounding us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We need to remember their journey too, lest history repeat
itself. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The birds know and trust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Helpless from the very beginning, God created them to look up with their
mouths wide open in expectation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;">And in time, those wide-open mouths are meant to do much
more than receive food, but to receive HIS words of life, because “Man shall
not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” Matt. 4:4<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /></div>Dina Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105836553804824129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744482716530255362.post-53807875898075599552022-05-12T07:26:00.001-05:002022-05-12T07:30:07.631-05:00Labor to Enter...<div style="background-color: white; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 0in;"><img height="481" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSHbRrhOK166nUQjRQlwxotqvfGSERKPSxmgXlFjZDdqTqb-J7S" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: xx-large;" width="640" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I was hoping her labor wasn't like my first.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">After all, most of what I had seen in the last 10 years, by those she would call her peers, were quick births. Some happened so quick, they became “delivery van” births.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">One of my initial thoughts in our 10 minute ride to the hospital was -</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">"I hope we make it!"</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">But it was not to be the way <i>I was hoping for.</i> </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">This was <b>LABOR </b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">strong,</span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"> <b>long, </b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">and <b>hard, </b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">as most births are. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Halfway through - she pronounced ”I am done!” She <i>felt like</i> she could not do it any more...and trust me, she had more than a few offers for drugs to stop the pain.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Sensing her desperation – stirred me deeply and <i>then</i> - I remembered when I began to tighten my fist, clench my jaw, and I too pronounced ... "I can't do this...!"</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Alan remembered too.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">"Don't let her do that, remember our training, she can't tighten up like that, it makes the pain even stronger. Have her focus on when the relief will come, then she can and will. That's what you used to do, remember, you would set your mind to just get to that easing off point of the intensity of the contraction."</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">At one point, one of the nurses told her, “don't close your eyes, focus on your husband. Doing that will help you turn your thoughts <i>away from yourself,</i> and listen to him, and do not let your pain lead you.”</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Courage sometimes comes </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">through the commands of others. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">When we have lost our grip - allowing the words of others to carry us to the end.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3mUEs_92SIwYuuTipp0I_0ZUBK39OqLMUF4mfAmhmsEShQ4e7rd9G1NgwoDGQ5oAcpQUteSrwStqq7DFzLdb_AhKpa6QMhHAp__0e8L_WSHC0MofMvbdW6KC3hCk6QObWP0oB7y1hJoQ/s1600/LABOR+2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3mUEs_92SIwYuuTipp0I_0ZUBK39OqLMUF4mfAmhmsEShQ4e7rd9G1NgwoDGQ5oAcpQUteSrwStqq7DFzLdb_AhKpa6QMhHAp__0e8L_WSHC0MofMvbdW6KC3hCk6QObWP0oB7y1hJoQ/s640/LABOR+2.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I watched in awe as Tim did this. He breathed almost every breath with her. He commanded strength by his words. "<b>You can..." </b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">And something changed in her at this point. She would not even have known it, but we all saw it. <b>She found a place to endure to the end.</b> Her eyes focused upon her husband and strength came. That strength that comes even in our own weakness, that sometimes cries, and that breathes long hard breathes, but instead of screaming and clenching...</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">yields to listening and trusting.</span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Its an amazing thing to watch. It looks feeble and weak on the outside, but it reflects a powerfully beautiful submission. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">It says, I can't, but He Can. And as Joy can count it all worth it...Pain shows us the path to Life. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Jesus walked this path for us. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">He showed us the way. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">For the Joy set before Him, He endured. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">We need more of this strength as we labor to enter His REST. Clenching fist, or pain stopping drugs, will either intensify or delay His T<b>rue Rest</b> for our lives.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The great temptation I faced while watching my daughter in such great pain, and all of us face when gripped by our own desperation, is we want to stop it! We are swayed by the urge to sympathize with it, instead of understand that this is what Labor and Life is all about...<b>learning to let PAIN have its Perfect work</b>. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">We will know when this full work of Rest has been entered. All the pain and struggle begins to diminish in our minds. And the child we hold in our arms tells us, it was worth it.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">And His Rest is better understood when we let Pain bring what it will, in due time....REST and JOY!</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">And my view from here, watching this beautiful story unfold...is amazing...Thanks for your prayers.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_P0J-mmHAC2o5a9Lpiyq4Rb0xHpRXJRRPScFD3qLFAReVum4_ZPKSj7M6lL7t0uQpPV-z5GSMmUMbJg3V4W_mdQi_Zt1dAxPHKJvdIv4z3QHYUkqn4mFJ2USikssW397PRfo8xY5PNw/s1600/My+view.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_P0J-mmHAC2o5a9Lpiyq4Rb0xHpRXJRRPScFD3qLFAReVum4_ZPKSj7M6lL7t0uQpPV-z5GSMmUMbJg3V4W_mdQi_Zt1dAxPHKJvdIv4z3QHYUkqn4mFJ2USikssW397PRfo8xY5PNw/s640/My+view.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Jesse Jon was there first child. They will be having their 6th child in July, 2022.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTAldFoH6wvt5CL7IoPevV_-tRaVTO6j8vQWzye8_p9d7B0PObzSYa3vmNM_Pr3-R56hVUYVqgz4e6VM44XA1uh0q2H8nMCoYTcIU-s4mjJBO5zSuKE_9D8815ImkrxeIvwePcFQilVPIAmgp_hgnALrLBBuLjHVEs8dylBEzoWmapQ-j2C3jbgnf/s1183/holloways.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTAldFoH6wvt5CL7IoPevV_-tRaVTO6j8vQWzye8_p9d7B0PObzSYa3vmNM_Pr3-R56hVUYVqgz4e6VM44XA1uh0q2H8nMCoYTcIU-s4mjJBO5zSuKE_9D8815ImkrxeIvwePcFQilVPIAmgp_hgnALrLBBuLjHVEs8dylBEzoWmapQ-j2C3jbgnf/w520-h640/holloways.jpg" width="520" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
Dina Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105836553804824129noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744482716530255362.post-7226482129281901092022-05-09T07:59:00.006-05:002022-05-09T18:47:40.760-05:00Staying in Tune<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5RkKqVt90_rwYtDWOq1NsZ8H6qKLKemubUfGtoh1qEx9k8FGko_lTabncUmcv2FKubJE29PQk8m2rYHlU1U4QcGXLHFHv8hvIPbreyOgaW_-MH5JjXlbCTx5XWNKjG8EJvkoPIR3dWGsdaHT4r0gv6gCOM_yuq3xzGA2FuDTe067DmNkzPqELwCrX" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="806" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5RkKqVt90_rwYtDWOq1NsZ8H6qKLKemubUfGtoh1qEx9k8FGko_lTabncUmcv2FKubJE29PQk8m2rYHlU1U4QcGXLHFHv8hvIPbreyOgaW_-MH5JjXlbCTx5XWNKjG8EJvkoPIR3dWGsdaHT4r0gv6gCOM_yuq3xzGA2FuDTe067DmNkzPqELwCrX=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: times; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">If we have not experienced HIS songs in the night (in
those hard seasons), it might be because we resent being stretched.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: times; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: times; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">We tend to avoid the difficult songs that
require a lot of practice, especially when the score is complicated.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: times; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: times; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">It is so much easier to play the old familiar
tunes.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: times; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: times; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: times; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">Being able to play the great pieces with other
dedicated musicians requires hours of discipline driven by the vision of how
beautiful the concert will be.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: times; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: times; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">If we
don’t prepare our heart we will stay out of tune and miss out on being the
instrument that He longs to play His music through.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222;">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">The biblical idea of “hate” is to disdain or devalue.</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">When our own comfort is what we value First,
(playing our own favorite music), we become our worst enemy when things do not
go our way.</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Our song will be just like
those sad country songs about the hard times that everyone can relate to
because life is so hard.</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">The beautiful music we love to hear, is coming from
instruments that have all been carefully tuned to exact concert pitch. When we learn
to stay in tune with Him, we will not only find that our lives sing HIS songs,
but we’ll also grow in chorus with each other.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: xx-large;">Heavenly Father, help us to tune out of the world’s
noise and listen to you.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">"Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred
pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other?</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">They are of one accord by being tuned, not to
each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow.</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">So one hundred worshipers meeting together,
each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they
could possibly be were they to become “unity” conscious and turn their eyes
away from God to strive for closer fellowship.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">A. W. Tozer The Pursuit of God</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span>"God uses suffering to purge sin from our lives,
strengthen our commitment to Him, force us to depend on grace, bind us together
with other believers, produce discernment, foster sensitivity, discipline our
minds, spend our time wisely, stretch our hope, cause us to know Christ better,
make us long for truth, lead us to repentance of sin, teach us to give thanks
in time of sorrow, increase faith and strengthen character." Joni Eareckson Tada</span></p><br /></div>Dina Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105836553804824129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744482716530255362.post-88391775684322694932022-05-02T06:46:00.003-05:002022-05-02T06:54:05.259-05:00A Mary Mind<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVnPuTWDFvrG5esTObiSBozePzEe5t7UGd2MRwhZRPakg-H61nxNV2CRDTB_j0EhCIZpAES_lOKZO1EqBY7O1VqHrWMoysd3_NsdJggb51XILlruP8WRnNWVHkQNmcLhKXEOdkgZeSo5ZVdK5zw1-51fjwXK8YlRAV2yAa7BEjci-1YuRhsj88p0pj/s964/under%20the%20shadow%20of%20his%20wings.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="964" height="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVnPuTWDFvrG5esTObiSBozePzEe5t7UGd2MRwhZRPakg-H61nxNV2CRDTB_j0EhCIZpAES_lOKZO1EqBY7O1VqHrWMoysd3_NsdJggb51XILlruP8WRnNWVHkQNmcLhKXEOdkgZeSo5ZVdK5zw1-51fjwXK8YlRAV2yAa7BEjci-1YuRhsj88p0pj/w640-h459/under%20the%20shadow%20of%20his%20wings.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I have a quiet moment now,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">but suddenly I find</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">that while I have a Mary-heart,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I have a Martha - mind.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><br /></span>
<span>The things I thought I'd finished with</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">are springing back to life</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">like little flames among the brush</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">of daily cares and strife.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><br /></span>
<span>My thoughts seem filled with "brushfires," and</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">although I rush and race</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">as soon as I put out one fire,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">another takes its place.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><br /></span>
<span>So now I find, when I'm alone</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">and peace is my desire</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">my mind's a busy Martha - mind.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">tending to one more fire.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><br /></span>
<span>O Lord, I know that Martha's hands</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">are needed, good and kind</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">But in my heart I've one request</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Grant me a Mary- mind.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>~Reta Spears-Stewart</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: times; font-size: xx-large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: times; font-size: xx-large; text-align: left;">"though we all applaud the thought of transformation, most of us don’t appreciate the process that gets us there. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; text-align: left;"><b>To be transformed means we have to change</b>, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: xx-large; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">and change too often hurts.”</span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;">― </span><span class="authorOrTitle" face="Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: left;">Joanna Weaver, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;"></span><span id="quote_book_link_8291164" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;"><a class="authorOrTitle" href="https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/209794" style="color: #333333; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration-line: none;">Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World:</a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;"><a class="authorOrTitle" href="https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/209794" style="color: #333333; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration-line: none;"> Finding Intimacy With God in the Busyness of Life</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><div class="theQuote" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: left;"><b><span><span>God is more concerned with conforming me to the likeness of His Son than leaving me in my comfort zones. God is more interested in inward qualities than outward circumstances - things like refining my faith, humbling my heart, cleaning up my thought life </span></span></b><b><span><span>and strengthening my character. </span><span> </span></span></b></div><div class="theQuote" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: left;"><b><span> <span style="font-style: italic;">- Joni Eareckson Tada</span></span></b></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Father, raise up women who serve without looking back for praise. Who love, as You love. Who understand what it means to "sit at your feet". Who do everything, especially the hidden duties of life, as an act of worship to You. And give us the ability to walk in Your Joy, as our eyes are on your Eternal purposes. </span></div>
Dina Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105836553804824129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744482716530255362.post-53703925403715383162022-04-25T09:00:00.002-05:002022-04-26T14:13:00.404-05:00It was just a small decision.<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsF43xU3JwrJ10NBqrSD5kkqeCuIrPyk2Ac0EBoPHQoh66KaSWCQd1pMPQq4Y1OGEycwqlwi5rpefvYev5e2NMqzmh-lqFSjL8MBtUaEul8t0SuBiWCBW8TbEmmymWi40lLLdiP5miPWyPTrp7xaICMn52cELs-3E8SFqX-B2qFmaAwSlP_T8g_5dX/s1600/IMG_0182.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsF43xU3JwrJ10NBqrSD5kkqeCuIrPyk2Ac0EBoPHQoh66KaSWCQd1pMPQq4Y1OGEycwqlwi5rpefvYev5e2NMqzmh-lqFSjL8MBtUaEul8t0SuBiWCBW8TbEmmymWi40lLLdiP5miPWyPTrp7xaICMn52cELs-3E8SFqX-B2qFmaAwSlP_T8g_5dX/w640-h480/IMG_0182.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It was just a small decision.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">A choice that did not seem great or significant.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">So small that as I began to change my course of direction in it; little thought was given.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Then something very awe inspiring </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">began to take place.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;">A little light became a greater illumination, and with this a confidence and peace. </span><span style="font-size: xx-large;">Productivity began to take a path that seemed smooth to me, and all this, by just one small decision.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sometimes routine can route us in ruts that we never intended. It's easier to go with the flow, than to stop and ask, "Father, what is your heart's desire for me?"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"There may be no trumpet sound or loud applause when we make a right decision, just a calm sense of resolution and peace." ~Gloria Gaither</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "apple color emoji", "segoe ui emoji", "segoe ui symbol"" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“<i>The will of God is not something you add to your life. It’s a course you choose. You either line yourself up with the Son of God, or you capitulate to the principle which governs the rest of the world.” ~Elisabeth Elliot</i></span></span></div><p></p>Dina Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105836553804824129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744482716530255362.post-20804001606571609222022-04-18T13:56:00.000-05:002022-04-18T13:56:23.222-05:00Open Wide / Lessons through the Lens<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span>
<img height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJZX8jcsr5GqLru1S6vWeF9MsGC6Sl-oDDM8Ss7Z__4YEGsRailWjoPBOFFckJXDceRDzpoaNkratsOK0mMtTQ9JvZz2HOTyEtuNxezl-Cn7alaXkW_90pkQEe_mF43NVXPGqimF06Aw/s640/IMG_9558.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; line-height: 25px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The neat and tidy robin’s nest with four perfect </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 25px;">eggs nestled deep within came alive today. I heard </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 25px;">it before I saw it. Desperate cries creating a sweet </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 25px;">chorus. While the mother bird flew back and forth </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 25px;">with food for those hungry mouths I got closer to </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>W I D E O P E N</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">my heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Tiranti Solid LET';"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>“Open your wide your mouth and I will fill it”</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">He can’t fill a closed mouth. It’s the truth. There is </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">an abundance of provision for each day-are we </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">ready for it? The only way to be ready for all that </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Grace is to open your heart…not just a crack but </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Sometimes we’re </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">fearful to open wide because we </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">don’t completely </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">trust Him. We’re afraid that he’ll </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">on…or maybe it </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">wont taste good.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The best way to overcome this fear is to open your </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">heart and close your eyes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>You’ll soon find out He is a good </b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Father and </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">always delivers the best.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Taken from <a href="http://lessonsthroughthelens.blogspot.com/">Lessons through the Lens</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Father You Are</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>~Joe Garrity</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">Father you are still in control</span><br style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;" /><span style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">Jesus you are still on your throne</span><br style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;" /><span style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">Lord we embrace what you allow</span><br style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;" /><span style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">Be still, my soul, and know He is God</span><br style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;" /><br style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;" /><span style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">He is faithful, He is loving</span><br style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;" /><span style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">In his kindness He allows what is best</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.godlychristianmusic.com/music/play2.aspx?id=169&type=song.mp3">Listen</a></span></span><br />
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<br />Dina Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105836553804824129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744482716530255362.post-14651937324636375162022-04-10T22:11:00.001-05:002022-04-10T22:11:37.775-05:00Ride a Donkey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplODgQnB6YJf2hty8SZk-vpnzxLkjhbssdLPKJBRHb9NkmG2bxtjZpYB_uq7U9X4Er2nUrdgZhM6t1OHYJoHm9kos99hPrirCeBasLnjOy_pyHw1RAyq2A4sxxFfvkq9s2hC4SVbEY3Q/s1600/Pictures+from+Hard+Drive+4175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480px" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplODgQnB6YJf2hty8SZk-vpnzxLkjhbssdLPKJBRHb9NkmG2bxtjZpYB_uq7U9X4Er2nUrdgZhM6t1OHYJoHm9kos99hPrirCeBasLnjOy_pyHw1RAyq2A4sxxFfvkq9s2hC4SVbEY3Q/s640/Pictures+from+Hard+Drive+4175.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“<b>Get off your high horse and ride a donkey.”</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Seems to be the message being proclaimed on the day of triumphant entry. The people had too long trusted in the might of horses and men. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Jesus knew this last ride, before he would die on a cross, was leading the way. Reminding them of their humble beginnings and showing<strong> that might does not make right</strong>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Our own triumphant entry will not be that much different. Greatest in His kingdom will always find those willing to trust and obey. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We are closest to this when we find ourselves at the END of our efforts, and longing for only what He will bring. If it looks like a donkey, we ride it! And it will take us to places that will lead us to His best for us.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“Some trust in chariots and some in horses </span></div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">but we will remember the name of the Lord, </span></div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">our God.” ~Ps. 20:7, 8</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><em><span style="font-size: x-large;">“God has brought us into this time; He, and not ourselves or some dark demon. If we are not fit to cope with that which He has prepared for us, we should have been utterly unfit for any condition that we imagine for ourselves. In this time we are to live and wrestle, and in no other. Let us humbly, tremblingly, manfully look at it, and we shall not wish that the sun could go back its ten degrees, or that we could go back with it. If easy times are departed, it is that the difficult times may make us more in earnest; that they may teach us not to depend upon ourselves. If easy belief is impossible, it is that we may learn what belief is, and in whom it is to be placed.” ~F. D. Maurice</span></em></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“The king is not saved by a mighty army; A warrior is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a false hope for victory; Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength. Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His loving kindness.” Ps. 33:17, 18</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
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</span></div>Dina Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105836553804824129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744482716530255362.post-17941334156464526822022-03-15T14:16:00.000-05:002022-03-15T14:16:17.893-05:00Blessings are upon the head...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpdkdkCfFodh0lE5xQaruCCr9D2-XnYKble-K19n_NzyQ7zvR73MAi-37mBeDTNnYjK5ixWCYZee8lqKys_8vMEVdoihBL7EsspuPPt2GOQvk0brpMfqOAr7LMknrTGwLyvUJmFlyPpM/s1600/IMG_9887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpdkdkCfFodh0lE5xQaruCCr9D2-XnYKble-K19n_NzyQ7zvR73MAi-37mBeDTNnYjK5ixWCYZee8lqKys_8vMEVdoihBL7EsspuPPt2GOQvk0brpMfqOAr7LMknrTGwLyvUJmFlyPpM/s640/IMG_9887.JPG" width="640" /></a><i style="background-color: white; font-size: xx-large; line-height: 0.18in;">.</i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"Blessings are upon the head of the (uncompromisingly) righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence." Prov. 10:6,11 Ampl.</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-large;">There
is one thing about <b>JOY </b></span><b style="background-color: white; font-size: xx-large;">you can not do</b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-large;">...<b>and that is conceal
it.</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-large;">Its
easy for some one void of LIFE to talk (<i>hiding hate in the heart</i>), <b>but the test of trials will always
reveal, the temperature of our hearts. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The
joyful heart is good medicine because it has found that place of
a <b>settled heart.</b> It takes its seat, and enjoys the ride. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Yes, even
when the ride might get rough,<b> it knows the One in control of the
vessel. </b></span></span>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: x-large;">This
type of JOY, isn't necessarily</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-large;"> the show of a laugh, <b>but shouts
assurance in the way one LIVES.</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-large;"><b>It does not conceal, but contains an understanding of ALL that has been given...His Riches!</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-large;"><b>A
simple faith, and a letting go of control,</b> allows for this<b> </b><i><b>Blessing on the head</b>,</i> that the Proverbs mentions. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"For thou O Lord art a shield for me, my glory, <b>and the lifter of my head."</b> (Ps. 3:3)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-large;">This
is why the way of the transgressor is hard</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-large;">,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-large;"> and why true<b> JOY</b> is such
a treasure to behold.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"The joy of the Lord will arm us against the assaults of our spiritual enemies and put our mouths out of taste for those pleasures with which the tempter baits his hooks." ~Matthew Henry</i></b></span><br />
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</div>Dina Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105836553804824129noreply@blogger.com0