tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14150791581091171722024-02-20T05:12:43.182-08:00Splattered FaithKathy Thompson Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10327157330654855339noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415079158109117172.post-72812406516791952552013-05-17T07:00:00.001-07:002013-05-17T07:00:13.576-07:00What Do I Do With This Cross?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUn3SsJhm2AOJ1M3DDS74AHIc_qeX8yTLTB5LBuuSaqvIdEADTD9zYnfbaZHh4QJn8xTkBnpztjxRywHoj6y8RLn_wkgurlf9omAiHojVAPwpKhQVmHZ4LlLBIQnYteT0bGzJ2OimO0tl/s1600/crosses.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUn3SsJhm2AOJ1M3DDS74AHIc_qeX8yTLTB5LBuuSaqvIdEADTD9zYnfbaZHh4QJn8xTkBnpztjxRywHoj6y8RLn_wkgurlf9omAiHojVAPwpKhQVmHZ4LlLBIQnYteT0bGzJ2OimO0tl/s320/crosses.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I was wandering around my home trying to figure out what to do with this cross. My daughter had given me a beautiful wood and metal cross at Christmas. Christmas had come and gone... several months ago. <br />
<br />
It was way past time to find the perfect spot for it in my home.<br />
<br />
I carried it around with me to every room. I tried it in an empty corner... or on a wall next to a picture. After about 30 minutes of going in circles in my house holding this beautiful cross in my hands, I finally found the perfect spot.<br />
<br />
Yes, the cross has become a decoration. They are so beautiful! We hang them on our walls, set them on our tables as a centerpiece, wear them around our necks, on our wrists, on our feet. They sparkle and shine as jewelry. They are painted and decorated gloriously!<br />
<br />
For quite a while, this has bothered me. The symbol of Jesus' sacrifice... the cross which is an instrument of torture and death has been turned into a decoration, an ornament.<br />
<br />
I cringe to see a cross necklace around the neck of someone and hear foul language slip from their lips or see unholy actions in their day to day lives.<br />
<br />
Profane.. that's what it is.... blasphemous. <br />
<br />
What is that old saying? "Point a finger at someone and four fingers are pointing back at you."<br />
<br />
The question of what to do with The Cross is asked. Jesus said <br />
"take up your cross and follow Me". <br />
<br />
He didn't say 'take up His cross'. He said 'take up yours'. Mine. My cross. <br />
<br />
Some of us may have a hard time figuring out just what is our cross actually anyway? Some of us think that our cross is the life that we live, the joy and hardships we go through along the way. I've heard people say "Oh, it's just my cross to bear" when something goes wrong in their life. <br />
<br />
Think about it. Jesus' entire life and ministry was His cross. His earthly ministry culminated in His death.<br />
<br />
It's what He was put here to do.<br />
<br />
I have come to determine that my cross is not the life I live. My cross is the life of Jesus in me. My cross is the ministry of lifting up and encouraging others as I walk with Jesus.<br />
<br />
My cross is not what has gone wrong. It is the only thing that is right.<br />
<br />
It is what I was put here to do.<br />
<br />
That is the mission that He has entrusted to me. Yet it is not my mission. It is His.<br />
<br />
Sometimes it is not easy to be encouraging. It is not easy to be like Jesus. Especially when I am not " feeling " it. Especially when I think that I am the one that needs to be lifted up and encouraged.<br />
<br />
Those are the times that I am trying to live 'my' life. I want to be put on display, praised, to be the center of attention, a decoration in the perfect spot that pleases the eye and enhances. I, me, my, mine.<br />
<br />
In my thinking, that attitude is just as bad as wearing a beautiful diamond cross around my neck and blaspheming God with my words and actions. <br />
<br />
The "me" attitude profanes what Jesus did for me. I might as well trample on Him with my perfectly pedicured flip flopped feet that are decorated with those pretty little rhinestone crosses.<br />
<br />
Jesus had times when he was not "feeling" it. The night before His crucifixion he prayed "take this cup from me".... but then He said "nevertheless."<br />
<br />
<br />
Nevertheless. That is an entire lifetime right there. An entire mission or ministry. Nevertheless.<br />
It didn't matter how Jesus felt at that time. What mattered is that He chose to do the will of the Father regardless of what it cost Him.<br />
<br />
I confess... it seems I have more of the "me" life in me than I do of Jesus. If I am filled with me, there is no room for Jesus. <br />
<br />
I want to have a "nevertheless" life. A life where Jesus is the center of attention, the beautiful decoration and the focal point; what people see when they look my direction. A life where it doesn't matter what I want but I count the cost and say "Nevertheless, not my will... not my life... not my idea or desire... but Yours, Lord."<br />
<br />
Now that's the perfect spot for my cross. <br />
<br />
"...for you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." (Colossians 3:3)<br />
<br />
<br />
"Oh the wonderful cross. Oh the wonderful cross.<br />
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live."<br />
<br />
<em>Precious and beautiful holy Father, please help me to stay hidden in You and live the life of nevertheless... crucified with You. Amen.</em>Kathy Thompson Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10327157330654855339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415079158109117172.post-9080078410200780392013-05-11T16:50:00.001-07:002013-05-11T16:54:04.579-07:00Smoke of Worship<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">How do I worship You O God</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Through the fog of praise</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And vague understandings? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My mind cannot conjure the image of You,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Though Your Spirit within swells joy at Your Name.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are elusive and shaded from vision, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yet one in spirit and love and truth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Even covered by the smoke of worship</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The weight of Your righteousness is crushing,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Breaking the shields covering my unbearable truth,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My face unable to hide from You.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yet the balm of Christ’s blood covers </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And You claim me as Your own.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One day… one day the haze and fog of smoke …gone.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One day… one day to know as I am known.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Kathy Thompson Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10327157330654855339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415079158109117172.post-68941055317684636202013-05-02T21:13:00.000-07:002013-05-02T21:13:02.063-07:00Who Turned Out the Lights?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
<br />
Don’t you hate it when the electricity goes off and you are in the dark?<br />
<br />
You scramble to light a candle, or feel your way through the dark to that multi-purpose drawer that holds the flashlight. Of course, once you find it amongst all the other gadgets, tools and junk that has accumulated over the years, the flashlight usually has dead batteries and you are still in the dark. <br />
<br />
Pitch black. Can’t see your hand in front of your face. Dark.<br />
<br />
I much prefer light.<br />
<br />
God is light.<br />
<br />
Darkness is sin.<br />
<br />
So why would we want to sin? Why would we want to walk in the dark? You can’t see where to put your feet. You can’t see what is in front of you. You stumble around. So it is with sinning.<br />
<br />
We may not like it, but we are all born in sin and are natural darkness dwellers. If we don’t admit to that one essential fact of our life, we can not know any truth.<br />
<br />
Fortunately, there is a way out of the darkness.<br />
<br />
But first: Why would we try to deceive ourselves about our sin?<br />
<br />
Well, for one thing, if I have convinced myself that I am a good person and if I believe that I am not living in sin, then there is no action required on my part. I don’t have to change my life, my habits, or my activities. I can carry on in a false state of safety and comfort.<br />
<br />
It’s kind of like eating a gallon of Blue Bell ice cream every day and thinking that I won’t gain weight (or get sick). The consequences of over indulging are there whether I want to believe it or not. Before long I will have gained 20 pounds, and it is evident for all to see. <br />
<br />
Romans 8:1 says “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus...”<br />
<br />
If we admit to being a sinner, we are agreeing with God that we deserve condemnation. But “there is now no condemnation (from God) for those who are in Christ Jesus...”<br />
<br />
So, who’s the liar?<br />
<br />
If I say I am a Christian, yet live in the darkness of intentional sin, then I am living a lie. My entire life is based on a lie. . But, if I say I don’t sin, then that makes God the liar.<br />
<br />
If God lies about one thing... anything..., then ALL of His word is a lie and it has no ‘place’ (no meaning, no power, no basis, no function) in our life.<br />
<br />
I have good news for you. God is not a liar.<br />
<br />
He is not the flashlight with dead batteries. He is the broad light of day. He is the sun at its zenith! He has absolutely nothing to do with darkness. He is the complete opposite of dark.<br />
<br />
Where does that put you? He has provided a way, through Jesus to step out of the darkness of sin and into the light of His love.<br />
<br />
If you are in the dark, who turned out the lights? Here’s a clue: God didn’t flip the switch.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<em>Lord, I pray that your light will shine in the hearts of each of us to convict us of the darkness of sin in our lives, and to change us into reflections of You. May we live in your light and truth. In Jesus Christ’s precious and holy Name. Amen.</em><br />
<br />
<br />
<em>1 John 1: 5-10 “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”</em><br />
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<br />Kathy Thompson Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10327157330654855339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415079158109117172.post-42028338689026024352013-04-11T08:56:00.001-07:002013-04-11T08:57:46.165-07:00Seriously Stinky!<img _jsvbnd="&131&132&133" alt="funny zombie photo: zombie m_dc516d49ad840be91c7a6c53852bbd46.gif" data-link="src{:fullsizeUrl} width{:rsWidth} height{:rsHeight}" height="150" id="fullsizeMedia" src="http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb193/mrballerina/m_dc516d49ad840be91c7a6c53852bbd46.gif" style="height: 132px; width: 150px;" width="150" /><br />
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I have to tell you. It's plain. It's simple. It is Truth.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>"For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) </i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Think about this. God created the universe, the world and everything in it including the human race. You can believe otherwise if you want to, but I fear that you will wake up the other side of the grave one day and be sadly mistaken. Very sadly.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anyway, on with my story... Have you ever made anything? Have you ever created anything? I mean even a sandcastle, a house of cards, sewn a stitch, baked a cake, painted a picture, planted a seed? If so, you will know what I mean when I say you feel like these things belong to you. You feel like you can do whatever you want with them, but no one else better touch them. You have a sense of ownership.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the same way, God owns us. He created us. He can do what He wants with us and expect what He wants to expect from us. He can display us for all to see or He can toss us in the trash can as unacceptable.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Fortunately for us, He created us so that we could have a relationship with Him, not just be objects on a shelf or zombies without a brain. He gave us the ability to choose.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Unlike zombies, we get to choose a lot of stuff. We choose what we do, where we go, the clothes we wear, our friends, our lovers, our entertainment, our idols, our enemies, and so on. Unfortunately, way back somewhere in time, the original non-zombie people that He had created chose wrong. They chose to do something that He told them not to do. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, in order to rectify this wrong choice which, by the way, has affected every creature ever born, causing all of us to have this ugly putrescent stench which we can't get rid of no matter how much deodorant we use or perfume and cologne we spray on ourselves. We kinda stink in God's nose like an old walking dead zombie as a matter of fact. Ewwwwwww.... ! In order to rectify all of this, God sent His most precious possession. He sent Himself in human form. A human without the horrible death smell.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He sent Jesus as a sacrifice to die a tortuous death. He did this because pouring out His own holy blood was the only thing that could remove the stench and make us acceptable to be near Him again. He loves us so much He would die just so we could come near to Him again. No, we are not zombies to Him. We are precious to Him.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
However, His sacrificed blood did not remove the choice. We still have that. We get to choose the type of relationship we are going to have with God. Because we all have a relationship with Him either as a blood bought child or as one of His disobedient creations that refuses Him. Remember? He created us.. He can do what He wants because He owns us. He even gave us some rules about having a good relationship with Him. It is a list of "Do This and Don't Do That" and all will be well with God.<br />
<br />
So far none of us have been able to live a life without breaking most all the rules. We should all be judged "Guilty - Life in jail - NO parole".</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It is simple. All we have to do is choose to believe in the Son and then we will have eternal life. Of course, there is more to it than that. Because if we choose to believe, then we also are choosing to believe everything that God said and did. We can't believe part of it and not all of it. We are choosing to believe that we MUST live our lives according to His rules. We are choosing to believe that we contain a rotten death stench within that can not exist in God's presence unless He removes it. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So here's the gist of it:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
We have a stench that God calls sin.<br />
<br />
There is nothing we can do about it.<br />
<br />
God sacrificed His only Son for us. He spilt His holy blood. <br />
<br />
In order to honor the sacrifice of Jesus, God says that those of us who choose to believe in Him are covered by that blood sacrifice and our stinking sin is forgiven. (That means God forgets it ever happened and we no longer are a horrible smell to Him.)<br />
<br />
In order to receive this forgiveness, we have to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and died for us AND we have to ask God to forgive us and save us from separation from Him (also known as Hell)... He saves us from hell through the blood that Christ spilt.<br />
<br />
Then we have to choose to repent (turn away from) our old sinful stinky life and begin living a life that pleases God. (still not easy, but it is doable.)<br />
<br />
We have to keep on choosing God over our natural desire to be stinky. This is a life long process.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Good news! Once you choose Him, God will be right there with you every day...helping you.</div>
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This sounds like a lot of hooey to some of you.</div>
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<br /></div>
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To others it sounds like there is a hope for you after all. Yay!!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I promise you. Seriously! This is unchangeable truth.<br />
<br />
There is no escape from God.<br />
<br />
You are not a brainless zombie dancing in a graveyard.<br />
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One way or the other, your relationship with Him is your choice. </div>
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Kathy Thompson Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10327157330654855339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415079158109117172.post-895079012481516562013-04-08T05:22:00.001-07:002013-04-10T08:39:21.538-07:00Appointment<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqJHn4mmVl5vRVYcg0JVeQg6kCQm9W6ZRWeXyr1F2fHcmbe_rEG4Elvnud4V9ARYIf4qM-By-Bi6GCVhN6OH6DajLNmihV9Sr-WMOxYkBygdNauqnXWagiJ_dGigV_BrptP9V3w0GAGIW/s1600/Colt+Daniel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqJHn4mmVl5vRVYcg0JVeQg6kCQm9W6ZRWeXyr1F2fHcmbe_rEG4Elvnud4V9ARYIf4qM-By-Bi6GCVhN6OH6DajLNmihV9Sr-WMOxYkBygdNauqnXWagiJ_dGigV_BrptP9V3w0GAGIW/s320/Colt+Daniel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Today is an important day. It is an appointed day. It is the day that my new grandson will be born!! It is a birth day!!<br />
<br />
Colt Daniel Ellis will be brought into the world today. His birth is not a random thing. God has formed him and created him and appointed him to be born in this time and in this place.<br />
<br />
The Lord of all creation has a purpose and a plan for this new little one.<br />
<br />
My prayer, as for all my grandchildren, is that this child will seek the Lord and know Him. Serve Him. Live in Him. Fulfill the purpose for which he is created.<br />
<br />
Welcome to the world, precious one. <br />
<br />
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<br />
<i>"and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation,
that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;
for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we also are His children.'
"Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine
Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and
thought of man.
"Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent,
because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead." (Acts 17: 26-31)</i>Kathy Thompson Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10327157330654855339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415079158109117172.post-41176867310604048182013-03-31T07:33:00.000-07:002013-03-31T07:33:02.833-07:00Sunrise in Ur<br />
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<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1qcUhuX9PVrvdDdfHHG9vFJhEZiw6rk3ALNroCRwUI4FC4SW2AyF7D2BN5cjYFKg8sV9RD9kNpKqUKmMpVfOWgpI6pQ0sswUVT_4WzLFKQzuV9eHf-jr3KL1cwq9g6tDiTXmQzk16E00i/s1600/616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1qcUhuX9PVrvdDdfHHG9vFJhEZiw6rk3ALNroCRwUI4FC4SW2AyF7D2BN5cjYFKg8sV9RD9kNpKqUKmMpVfOWgpI6pQ0sswUVT_4WzLFKQzuV9eHf-jr3KL1cwq9g6tDiTXmQzk16E00i/s320/616.JPG" width="320" /></a></i></div>
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<i>(Written Easter of 2009, Tallil AFB, Cob Adder, Iraq)</i><br />
<br />
<br />
I am living on Tallil Air Force Base, Iraq. It's Easter. We had a sunrise service.<br />
<br />
Services were held at the archaeological digs where they have excavated the home of Abraham in Ur of the Chaldees. This site is right outside the gates of our base.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
In a few
weeks, the U.S. government is going to hand this piece of property back
to the Iraqi government. The opportunity to tour the site will be gone.
(at least for the time being) Possibly the opportunity to worship the
LORD at this site will not occur again this side of Jesus' return. <br />
<br />
<br />
How honored and humbled am I that of all the people in the world and all the people in time, I was allowed to participate in what could be a once in history event.<br />
<br />
I know I haven't done anything to deserve such a thing. But I am so grateful that God included me.<br />
<br />
There
were maybe 200 people attending. A praise team was playing acoustic
guitars and leading us in worship and then one of the chaplains stepped
up to a podium, opened his Bible and read Holy Scripture there on
those age old grounds. We sang again and I
could not keep from crying as I sang along with the others praising God in this place where God spoke to Abraham, "Go!" <br />
<br />
The chaplain stood on
the reconstructed wall of the ancient home of Abraham and presented the Word of God. Adam and Eve.... to Noah... to Abraham.... all the way to
Jesus. He explained the covenant God made with Abraham and how we are a
part of that covenant. He shared about the resurrection of Jesus. <br />
<br />
<br />
He asked us to respond to him when he proclaimed "He is risen!"
and the congregation would loudly respond "HE IS RISEN INDEED!" It became the
theme for his message. It is the proclamation of Easter! <br />
<br />
The sun has risen in Ur. God's covenant promise to Abraham continues to be fulfilled.<br />
<br />
<br />
I can't explain
how filled with the Holy Spirit I am... how He pounds in me with every breath. What words could I use to describe such an incredible resurrection morning in which I am privileged to stand on this spiritually holy place?<br />
<br />
HE IS RISEN INDEED!!<br />
<br />
<br />
Kathy Thompson Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10327157330654855339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415079158109117172.post-15600460106875073132013-03-20T11:57:00.001-07:002013-03-20T11:57:25.072-07:00The Other Side<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJK5J8rDtGJ4gcV5dNufMHxFADk7TG1n1ffmfY6Ootq8iFQQ_z7gwZPPOOcX9kQkd-UJXR8dArFdqCrXUTJbxuwDCEocCwvc7wD-jQ8FCa852yDcvaHZFWwc-qJiZzHS86UrNJLCCyj0L9/s1600/Ocean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJK5J8rDtGJ4gcV5dNufMHxFADk7TG1n1ffmfY6Ootq8iFQQ_z7gwZPPOOcX9kQkd-UJXR8dArFdqCrXUTJbxuwDCEocCwvc7wD-jQ8FCa852yDcvaHZFWwc-qJiZzHS86UrNJLCCyj0L9/s320/Ocean.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em>"When Jesus saw the crowd around him He told his followers to go to the other side of the lake. Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you any place you go”. Jesus said to him, “the foxes have holes to live in and the birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to rest his head.” Another man, one of Jesus’ followers, said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “follow me and let the people who are dead bury their own dead.” Matthew 8: 18-24</em></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I want to follow Jesus to the other side of the lake, the other side of the world, the other side of this life. He tells me to follow Him and let the things of this world take care of themselves. He tells me that it is not easy... that every living creature has a place to call home except those who follow Him. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
However, if He tells me to go to the other side, then it means that I will get there. It might not be an easy trip. I may not be able to see the road ahead of me. There won't be any shortcut. But there is no doubt about it. I will get there.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Let the dead bury their dead."</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am following Jesus Christ. </div>
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<br /></div>
Kathy Thompson Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10327157330654855339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415079158109117172.post-90692910383332950932013-03-17T21:13:00.003-07:002013-03-17T21:25:28.574-07:00Dare I Sing?<br />
<br />
<img alt="Singer : Illustration of a Singing Smiley" id="13131969" src="http://us.cdn3.123rf.com/168nwm/lenm/lenm1204/lenm120400036/13131969-illustration-of-a-singing-smiley.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #e5e5e5;" /><br />
<br />
Songs of joy and childish play filled my days when I was young.<br />
I knew the Lord would laugh and smile at the songs that I had sung.<br />
<br />
With the faith of a young heart and eyes that saw no pain,<br />
I grew and flourished sweetly in the wonder of His name!<br />
<br />
My eyes became distracted by the world and all its gain.<br />
My heart, yes it did fracture as death called loved ones by name.<br />
Days grew dark and heart grew heavy as the years they tolled away..<br />
Death, despair and then self pity claimed my song of life each day.<br />
<br />
Long I wandered in a valley broken heart on sharp edged path,<br />
I knew that He was somewhere.<br />
Yet my vale, it was so vast.<br />
<br />
Where was joy and young heart laughter?<br />
Where was faith and hope gone now?<br />
Surely God must be gone playing with a child that pleased Him more.. <br />
<br />
Looking up and searching for Him<br />
I recalled how it had been<br />
when my song had brought Him pleasure.<br />
Dare I sing to Him again?<br />
<br />
Do you hear me, Lord my Savior? Do you see your wayward child?<br />
Have I hope in Your forgiveness? May I talk with You a while?<br />
<br />
Yes! He answered! Yes! He cried! Yes! I love you! He replied!<br />
Long you wandered brokenhearted when I yearned to give you peace.<br />
Come to Me now my Beloved...Lay your pain upon my breast.<br />
With arms open wide as Heaven, with a heart that knows no bounds<br />
My Lord wrapped His love around me, <br />
This wandering sheep had now been found.<br />
<br />
Lord! I thank You and I praise You! Forevermore I will proclaim! <br />
Your love is lasting and eternal! God of Love is Your wonderful Name!<br />
Now I sing again with new joy<br />
for He has touched my broken parts.<br />
Made me new and everlasting.<br />
Wrote His Name upon my heart! <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Kathy Thompson Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10327157330654855339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415079158109117172.post-15587784378075726022013-03-17T17:27:00.000-07:002013-03-17T20:58:41.833-07:00Say What? <img alt="" border="0" class="thumb inl" id="t62798182" src="http://sr.photos2.fotosearch.com/bthumb/CSP/CSP990/k11345614.jpg" style="height: 170px; width: 170px;" /> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You</span> can go to any hospital... any city... and find people in desperate physical need. Need for healing. Need for faith in something bigger than themselves.<br />
<br />
Each of us probably knows someone in our circle of friends and family that have suffered from cancer, heart problems, disability, disease and on and on. They are seeking for a cure. Looking for answers to their pain.<br />
<br />
Most likely we find even more in our circle that are crippled or diseased spiritually. They are walking and talking, but they are lost.<br />
<br />
<i>"Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. Some men brought to him a paralytic lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, 'Take heart, son, your sins are forgiven.' At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, 'This fellow is blaspheming!' Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, 'Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say: "your sins are forgiven." or to say, " Get up and walk"? But.. so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins... Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home". And the man got up and went home. When the crowd saw this they were filled with awe, and they praised God, who had given such authority to men." (Matthew 9: 1-8)</i><br />
<br />
Because of the faith of this man's friends and because of his obvious need, Jesus reached out to him. He offered forgiveness which was also the most immediate need of this man. Without forgiveness, physical healing would not mean a thing.<br />
<br />
Without Jesus and His forgiveness, we are dead and our bodies and brains just haven’t noticed yet.<br />
<br />
Jesus realized that the "religious" would attack him for such audacity. These teachers of the law that were looking on with judging and critical attitudes were Jewish. The Jewish people's life was ruled by the Old Testament Law handed down by Moses. Ritual sacrifice was made to God for the forgiveness of sin at the proper place and time. Only God could forgive sin. No one on earth .. no mortal man had the power to forgive sin.<br />
<br />
These learned men did not recognize Jesus for who He is, and accused Him of blaspheming God. They thought He had no authority to forgive sin. They looked at each other and said "Say what? This guy is either insane or he is deliberately profaning the LAW. We gotta do something about that." <br />
<br />
To prove otherwise to them, Jesus told them that he could read their minds and then He provided the physical healing. Only then were these guys impressed. They were finally in awe and praised God.<br />
<br />
A healing miracle was okay with them, but the power to forgive sin went beyond their ability to believe. <br />
<br />
He asked the question "Which is easier?" Jesus had every intention of healing this man physically, but He was attempting to show the authority and reality of God at work in a way that was new and probably a bit frightening to those in ‘power’.<br />
<br />
Jesus had “authority” which means power. “To exercise power” “to act on your own authority.. To have dominion”<br /><br />
To the One that spoke all of creation into being, healing a man's crippling disability was as easy as breathing. Forgiving the same man of the sin inherent in his nature took the torture and death and resurrection of the only Son of God. Which was easier? <br />
<br />
The Pharisees had no idea that their promised Messiah stood before them.<br />
<br />
<br />
The paralytic's life was completely changed.<br />
<br />
Just as we ‘know that we know’ that something has happened within us when we are saved, this man “knew that he knew” something inside of him was different. He had just been washed clean and pure by the God of all creation. He probably wanted to jump up and shout Hallelujah!<br />
<br />
However, just like so many of us that are saved, even though he had been forgiven he was still bound up in the physical crippling of this world. It kept him nailed to the ground until Jesus spoke.<br />
<br />
A new Christian, without instruction and help to grow, will easily become entangled in the ‘world’ that he was just saved from.<br />
<br />
<br />
What the teachers of the Law could not see was that without the forgiveness of sin, even though the man was physically healed, he would still be spiritually paralyzed. <br />
<br />
<br />
When Jesus forgave this man, he was saved at that instant. His life would never be the same. What happened in his spirit was far more important than the physical healing that came next. He was blessed over and above the teachers of the Law who simply witnessed a miracle and still did not understand what was going on before their very eyes.<br />
<br />
Healing was simple for Jesus. No problem for him. But the order in which these things took place is important. This is about His authority. <br />
<br />
<br />
Do we acknowledge His authority in our lives? His authority to forgive us? If we don't forgive ourselves for things that the Lord has forgiven us already, then we are putting doubt on His authority and ability.<br />
<br />
If God forgives, it is over and done with. He wants us to live in His forgiveness, uncrippled any longer by our sin.<br />
<br />
Living in His forgiveness also empowers us to walk in His grace and power in His kingdom. We are no longer crippled by the sin that held us to this world.<br />
<br />
How many times do we go to prayer asking for material or physical things? Lord.. please send a miracle... Lord please help me with my finances... Lord I really need for my kids to do right... Lord, please help me with this problem... These are physical needs and they are important to us and to God.<br />
<br />
Unless we have met Jesus spiritually and have asked for and received His forgiveness.. asked Him to be our Savior, these physical things that we think we need are irrelevant. We are like the Pharisees, accepting the physical miracles but rejecting the spiritual victory.<br />
<br />
We beg Jesus for things. Please meet my physical need... My earthly need. We are so determined to provide for our physical body which will rot and die, and not too concerned at all about asking Him for spiritual things. Forgiveness, restoration, joy, peace, spiritual maturity, growth. <br />
<br />
These are spiritual gifts that come from a relationship with God himself. These are the things that will be with us for eternity.<br />
<br />
Without these spiritual blessings, we are the paralytic. Our bodies and our spirits dying and dead.<br /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Kathy Thompson Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10327157330654855339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415079158109117172.post-29267413497327994382013-03-14T08:00:00.002-07:002013-03-14T08:00:59.660-07:00Duh? That's Radical<em> In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. (John 1:1-5)</em><br />
<br />
Do we even begin to understand or comprehend who Jesus is. Who is this Word that is God? Who is this being that set everything in motion and holds it all in place?<br />
<br />
He is right there in front of us speaking to us, shedding His light on us.. on our lives... our thinking.. and we can't seem to grasp the simplicity of His message.<br />
<br />
In everything He says 'I love you. My heart longs for you. Please turn away from the darkness. Choose Me. Live in my light.' It is the age old truth and message of Jesus Christ: Believe, Repent, Be Saved from Eternal Damnation in Hell.<br />
<br />
What don't we 'get' about that? <br />
<br />
He created us with the ability to comprehend simple things, complicated things, imaginary genius concepts and more.<br />
<br />
He put in us the longing for something more than the ordinary.. more than the darkness.<br />
<br />
He is that 'more'.<br />
<br />
It is that simple. That 'big thing' that you have longed for all your life. That 'thing' you can't quite put your finger on that seems to be missing. That 'more' that you want for yourself and your family? Jesus Christ is just that.<br />
<br />
Let the light bulb over your head shine. That genius idea that swirls around inside your mind. Duh!? He is it.<br />
<br />
That aching inside of you that won't go away? He can fill it with the light of His joy.<br />
<br />
Don't hide in the darkness of incomprehension any more.<br />
<br />
He is life. He is the life that you have always longed for.<br />
<br />
Don't shield yourself from it. Don't spread some more sun screen to prevent it from affecting you.<br />
<br />
Let Him shine brightly on you. Believe in Jesus Christ and be saved from darkness.<br />
<br />
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Kathy Thompson Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10327157330654855339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415079158109117172.post-69838137927295287722013-03-01T07:00:00.002-08:002013-03-01T07:02:34.078-08:00What Do You??<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRo9XudHmIjyAXgNuJKi5sywnoxTgIEctbDo43-Q2ClcL2svySoYNN5SQNQEscoU4j3SQmTdN7u9mR5eyAC6d2v1Yz_H80ebUhjSq0zWhPRlF3nyFqUgHZrZkYxqGm4OhCugB-raLQ7rX3/s1600/make+a+choice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRo9XudHmIjyAXgNuJKi5sywnoxTgIEctbDo43-Q2ClcL2svySoYNN5SQNQEscoU4j3SQmTdN7u9mR5eyAC6d2v1Yz_H80ebUhjSq0zWhPRlF3nyFqUgHZrZkYxqGm4OhCugB-raLQ7rX3/s1600/make+a+choice.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
"Let's go do something." <br />
"Where do you wanna go?"<br />
"I don't care. Where do YOU wanna go?"<br />
"It doesn't matter to me... whatever you want.."<br />
<br />
Does this sound familiar? It seems that we have this round robin conversation on a daily basis with family, friends, co-workers. Nobody seems capable of just making a simple decision: Let's do THIS.<br />
<br />
You have a preference but don't voice it. Frustration sets in. Aggravation follows. Stagnation. All those 'ations' ....All because we don't make a decision. We don't voice our true preference.<br />
<br />
It's time to decide to decide. What is important? What do you want? What do you want to do? Who do you want to be? Where do you want to go?<br />
<br />
Shakespeare wrote "To be or not to be... that is the question." I agree. To be. But not just to be.<br />
<br />
We have preferences. We must make a decision. To be what we believe. To do what we believe. To live without compromise. To choose.<br />
<br />
"Choose this day whom you will serve. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."<br />
<br />
That's a real choice. A sound decision. In choosing to serve the LORD, we choose love and life.<br />
<br />
Okay, we choose love. That means we actively and intentionally love. We love God. We love people. We love the life God has given to us. We choose to love and to be content in whatever circumstance He places us and we choose to trust Him in it.<br />
<br />
Making that choice and living by it curtails a lot of frustration, aggravation and stagnation in our lives. In fact, making that decision enhances our entire life. It is the only decision that gives us abundant life. It gives us Kingdom of God life. <br />
<br />
Wow! That's a lot of choices! Now if I could just decide what's for dinner.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Kathy Thompson Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10327157330654855339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415079158109117172.post-71538194342616339642013-02-25T21:07:00.001-08:002013-02-25T21:18:12.983-08:00Hammer and Rock<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">One of my all time favorite comic book super heroes is Thor, the "god of Thunder". The myths about him are just that... Myths. He's the Son of Zeus (the top god). Brother of Loki (a half god turned to evil). None of these mythical gods are real, although some Norsemen might disagree. However, they do ring true in their tales of good versus evil. A son of a god battling against an evil fallen foe.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">Thor uses his hammer, Mjolnir, as a weapon against his enemy. Mjolnir is capable of controlling the weather, gives Thor the ability to fly and can cast objects into outer space. These are a few of the hammer's abilities when wielded by Thor. He flies into the conflict, swings his hammer, defeats the enemy and saves the day. All in all, he has a pretty fearsome hammer and a lot of superhero swag. Plus, for the ladies, he is a super 'hunk'.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">In reality, there are all types of hammers besides Mjolnir: carpenter hammers drive nails and
break objects, sledgehammers are large and can apply a lot of force
because of their size and weight. They are used a lot in demolition.
There are rock picks used by geologists to split rocks open. Who knows
what might be inside? Fossils, gemstones? A judge uses a gavel to
call his court to order and to enforce the power & authority of the
court. Splitting mauls are used to split wood. These were also called
"Godevil" at one time. Then there is the stonemason's hammer which is
used to chip off edges and small pieces of stone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">Whew! That's a lot of hammers and it doesn't even begin to list all the different kinds. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">Several years ago I drove to Galveston to spend some time on the beach with God. It was a painful time in my life. I needed a retreat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">My beach was deserted on this New Year's Eve sunrise and I was alone with the sand and ocean and the wind. Alone with God. I walked at the edge of the world and talked with the God who reigns over all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">My beach was wet and the sand was packed. It was bare of anything except for a few small pebbly seashells and one lonely rock. I noticed the rock because it was the only one on the entire beach for as far as I could see. It was a little larger than my fist. As I picked it up, I noticed that it was black and shaped like a human heart.. not the fluffy cupid valentine hearts but like a real human heart. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">I held it in my hands for a while thinking about my life, my relationship with God, and the emotional condition of my own heart, which had become as black and as hard as that rock. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">What does all this have to do with Thor and his war hammer? Nothing really.. except this verse in Jeremiah made me think of him and then of that day on the beach when God began to apply His hammer of love to my hardened heart.... my heart that already felt as though it had been cleaved in half by a "Godevil" splitting maul. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><i>Does not my word burn like fire?" says the LORD. "Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces? (Jeremiah 23:29)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">No, my Father did not send a super hero like Thor to save the day and destroy the evil in my life. He sent His word. His Word in the flesh. His Son. Jesus.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">Again, LISTEN to what the One and only God says.. "my WORD is like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">His Word alone can burn up the world and smash mountains and rocks into slivers of dust. With a word He creates, and with a word He can destroy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">Mythical Thor and his war hammer pale in comparison to the God of all creation and the world making... knee buckling... heart rending... terrifying hammer of His Word.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">With the same word that He speaks creation or destruction, He speaks love for his children. That mighty hammer of His burns like a fire in our spirit and is like a sledgehammer that crushes the stone that our hardened hearts have become.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">He will use any circumstance or any part of His creation to mold us and make us into the person that He intends for us to be. He will allow pain, heartache, sickness, death, and destruction in our lives in order to bring us to the place where we acknowledge Him and His authority over us.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">He will plead with you to turn away from sin and run to Him. That is the best option.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">But..If our hearts are hardened against Him, He will bring His hammer down. If He was willing to almost completely crush His chosen people of Israel for turning from Him, do you think that He will be any more lenient to His blood bought children?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">Maybe you haven't turned from Him, but your heart has become like stone due to grief, bitterness, pain. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">It doesn't matter. He does not want His children to be held captive by either emotion or disobedience. He is a jealous and vengeful guard over His children and He will do whatever it takes (no matter how difficult and painful for Him and for us). Would you not do the same for your own child? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">He knows all about tough love.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">He rights the wrongs in our lives and does battle against evil. He doesn't need a super hero to do it for Him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">The initial crushing hammer blow is not the end. Once the rock is cracked and broken, He begins to chisel away at the details, shaping and forming what was once hard, harsh and craggy into something smooth and pliable. Something that can receive His design and be made useful. He not so gently sculpts it into beauty.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">If you feel like you are being hammered, maybe God is trying to get your attention. Talk with Him, turn to Him. Be glad that He loves you so much that He can not leave you in your broken condition. Let Him do His work. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">It can be a painful process. The end result is worth every blow. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">I am glad that God has a well stocked arsenal. It lets me know that He loves me and that He will do what it takes to change my heart and spirit and bring me close to Him... even if it takes some hammering away at my heart. It also lets me know that He is willing and ready to go to battle for me or for any of His children.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">He is the only super hero I need.</span><br />
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Kathy Thompson Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10327157330654855339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415079158109117172.post-34710680969317772042013-02-25T09:00:00.001-08:002013-02-25T09:00:04.287-08:00Post It Quote<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_512b96dae367b8416948382">
<span class="userContent">Here's a quote from my friend, <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100001273972674&extragetparams=%7B%22group_id%22%3A0%7D" href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001273972674&group_id=0">Ruben Raptor Lopez</a> : "everything takes time, work, effort and TENACIOUS PERSEVERANCE."</span></div>
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<span class="userContent">Tenacious Perseverance.... I like that. Tenacious means "holding fast". Perseverance means " steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. OR 2. Theology.. continuance in a state <span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show">of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation.</span></span></div>
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<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">How many of us exhibit tenacious perseverance in life? We set goals and give up on them. We make plans and get distracted or off track and don't accomplish what we plan.</span></span></div>
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<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">We need to take a look at our selves. (I am preaching to myself here too...obviously) Look at our goals and plans and make a commitment to hold fast to them.</span></span></div>
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<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">Where our relationship with God is concerned, we most definitely should persevere. It is what we are instructed to do. Hebrews 10:36 tells us "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." </span></span></div>
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<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">I believe we could say that the disciples tenaciously persevered in their mission and in their relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We should do no less. I don't want to miss out on the promise of God because I took my eyes off the goal and digressed from the plan He has for me.</span></span></div>
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<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">Remember!!!!! TENACIOUS PERSEVERANCE!!! I should write that one down in great big block letters and post it on my forehead. :-)</span></span></div>
Kathy Thompson Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10327157330654855339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415079158109117172.post-84948285629320339932013-02-19T08:01:00.000-08:002013-02-19T08:02:22.819-08:00What A Predicament!<span class="line line-s" jquery171034619362484844856="56" style="mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">The lyrics below are from the soundtrack of "Les Miserables". As this classic story goes, Jean Valjean has been hiding in the open for years. His life is perfect until a man is found that is mistaken for Valjean. This innocent man is hauled to court to be dealt out the justice (or injustice) that was due Valjean. And although Valjean has avoided the reckoning for years, and this is his opportunity to close the door on his past, he is tormented by the thought of an innocent stranger bearing his own punishment.</span></span><br />
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<div style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: medium; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span class="line line-s" jquery171034619362484844856="56" style="mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">"He thinks that man is me.</span> <span class="line line-s" id="line_2" jquery171034619362484844856="57" style="mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">He knew him at a glance!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: medium; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span class="line line-s" id="line_3" jquery171034619362484844856="58" style="mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">That stranger he has found</span> <span class="line line-s" id="line_4" jquery171034619362484844856="59" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">This man could be my chance!</span> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span class="line line-s" id="line_5" jquery171034619362484844856="60" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">Why should I save his hide?</span> <span class="line line-s" id="line_6" jquery171034619362484844856="61" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">Why should I right this wrong?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: medium; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span class="line line-s" id="line_7" jquery171034619362484844856="62" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">When I have come so far</span> <span class="line line-s" id="line_8" jquery171034619362484844856="63" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">And struggled for so long?</span> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span class="line line-s" id="line_9" jquery171034619362484844856="64" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">If I speak, I am condemned.</span> <span class="line line-s" id="line_10" jquery171034619362484844856="65" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">If I stay silent, I am damned!</span> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span class="line line-s" id="line_11" jquery171034619362484844856="66" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">I am the master of hundreds of workers.</span> <span class="line line-s" id="line_12" jquery171034619362484844856="67" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">They all look to me.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span class="line line-s" id="line_13" jquery171034619362484844856="68" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">How can I abandon them?</span> <span class="line line-s" id="line_14" jquery171034619362484844856="69" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">How would they live</span> <span class="line line-s" id="line_15" jquery171034619362484844856="70" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">If I am not free?</span> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span class="line line-s" id="line_16" jquery171034619362484844856="71" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">If I speak, I am condemned.</span> <span class="line line-s" id="line_17" jquery171034619362484844856="72" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">If I stay silent, I am damned!</span></span></span></div>
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<div style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: medium; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="line line-s" jquery171034619362484844856="72" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"><span class="line line-s" id="line_18" jquery171034619362484844856="73" style="color: white; mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">Who am I?</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span class="line line-s" jquery171034619362484844856="72" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"></span><br /></span></span>
<div style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: medium; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="line line-s" jquery171034619362484844856="72" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span class="line line-s" id="line_19" jquery171034619362484844856="74" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">Can I condemn this man to slavery?</span> <span class="line line-s" id="line_20" jquery171034619362484844856="75" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">Pretend I do not feel his agony?</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span class="line line-s" jquery171034619362484844856="72" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"></span><br /></span></span>
<div style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: medium; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="line line-s" jquery171034619362484844856="72" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span class="line line-s" id="line_22" jquery171034619362484844856="77" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">This innocent who bears my face?</span> <span class="line line-s" id="line_23" jquery171034619362484844856="78" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">Who goes to judgement in my place.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span class="line line-s" jquery171034619362484844856="72" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"></span><br /></span></span>
<div style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: medium; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="line line-s" jquery171034619362484844856="72" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"><span class="line line-s" id="line_24" jquery171034619362484844856="79" style="color: white; mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">Who am I?</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span class="line line-s" jquery171034619362484844856="72" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"></span><br /></span></span>
<div style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: medium; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="line line-s" jquery171034619362484844856="72" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span class="line line-s" id="line_25" jquery171034619362484844856="80" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">Can I conceal myself for evermore?</span> <span class="line line-s" id="line_26" jquery171034619362484844856="81" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">Pretend I'm not the man I was before?</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span class="line line-s" jquery171034619362484844856="72" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"></span><br /></span></span>
<div style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: medium; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="line line-s" jquery171034619362484844856="72" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"><span class="line line-s" id="line_27" jquery171034619362484844856="82" style="color: white; mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">And must my name until I die</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span class="line line-s" jquery171034619362484844856="72" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"></span><br /></span></span>
<div style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: medium; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="line line-s" jquery171034619362484844856="72" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"><span class="line line-s" id="line_28" jquery171034619362484844856="83" style="color: white; mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">Be no more than an alibi?</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span class="line line-s" jquery171034619362484844856="72" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"></span><br /></span></span>
<div style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: medium; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="line line-s" jquery171034619362484844856="72" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"><span class="line line-s" id="line_29" jquery171034619362484844856="84" style="color: white; mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">Must I lie?</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span class="line line-s" jquery171034619362484844856="72" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"></span><br /></span></span>
<div style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: medium; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="line line-s" jquery171034619362484844856="72" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span class="line line-s" id="line_30" jquery171034619362484844856="85" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">How can I ever face my fellow men?</span> <span class="line line-s" id="line_31" jquery171034619362484844856="86" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">How can I ever face myself again?</span> </span></span></span></div>
<span class="line line-s" jquery171034619362484844856="72" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"></span><div style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: medium; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span class="line line-s" id="line_32" jquery171034619362484844856="87" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">My soul belongs to God, I know</span> <span class="line line-s" id="line_33" jquery171034619362484844856="88" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">I made that bargain long ago</span></span></span></div>
<div style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: medium; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="line line-s" id="line_34" jquery171034619362484844856="89" style="color: white; mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">He gave me hope when hope was gone</span></div>
<div style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: medium; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span class="line line-s" id="line_35" jquery171034619362484844856="90" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">He gave me strength to journey on</span> </span></span><br />
<span class="line line-s" id="line_36" jquery171034619362484844856="91" style="color: white; mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">Who am I? Who am I?</span></div>
<div style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: medium; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="line line-s hover" id="line_37" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="color: white; mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">I am Jean Valjean!</span></div>
<div style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: medium; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<br /><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"></span>
<div style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: medium; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"><span class="line line-s" id="line_38" jquery171034619362484844856="93" style="color: white; mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">And so Javert, you see it's true</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"></span><br /></span></span>
<div style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: medium; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"><span class="line line-s" id="line_39" jquery171034619362484844856="94" style="color: white; mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">That man bears no more guilt than you!</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"></span><br /></span></span>
<div style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: medium; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"><span class="line line-s" id="line_40" jquery171034619362484844856="95" style="color: white; mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">Who am I?</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"></span><br /></span></span>
<div style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: medium; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"><span class="line line-s hover" id="line_41" jquery171034619362484844856="96" style="color: white; mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">24601!"</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"></span><br /></span></span>
<div style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: medium; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"><br /></span><span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="color: white; mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">Valjean's predicament is our own. Hiding from our own personal death sentence, we struggle with an innocent man's punishment. Only this innocent man is the Son of God.</span><br />
<span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"><br /><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"></span></span>
<div style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: medium; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"><span class="line line-s" jquery171034619362484844856="56" style="color: white; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">Would that I should be so tormented and shamed by the thought of the innocent Jesus taking my place, bearing my death, my punishment, my justice. Who Am I? Why would He do such a thing? It is done. I can not undo it. He was tortured, ridiculed, slain. For me? Who Am I that He would do such a thing? </span></span><br />
<span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"><br /></span><span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="color: white; mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">He voluntarily did all this for me. It wasn't a mistake in identity. It was purposeful, planned and carried out. His death gives me freedom. His death gives me life. </span><br />
<span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"><br /></span><span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="color: white; mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">Who Am I? He says I am the redeemed, blood bought, child of God. </span><br />
<span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"><br /></span><span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="color: white; mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">Who Am I? How can I live with what He has done? Why did He do it? I'm unworthy of salvation. My sin is with no justification.</span><br />
<span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"><br /></span><span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="color: white; mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">He says "He who believes on Me will be saved." He says "Your sin is forgiven. Go and sin no more."</span><br />
<span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"><br /></span><span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="color: white; mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">Who Am I? I am forgiven, redeemed, adopted into the family of the one and only gracious omnipotent God that is "I AM". I am created for the purpose of relationship with the Lord of all creation. I am a mouthpiece that shouts the name of JESUS!</span><br />
<span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"><br /></span><span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="color: white; mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">He doesn't imprison me and give me a number for identification. He sets me free and names me with a name known only to Him and to me. </span><br />
<span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"><br /></span><span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="color: white; mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;">Who am I? I am the one that is asking "Are you living in condemnation? Do you know Jesus or are you hiding from Him? Who are YOU?"</span><br />
<span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"><br /><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"></span></span><span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"><br /></span><span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"><br /></span><span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"><br /></span><span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"><br /></span><span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="line line-s hover" jquery171034619362484844856="92" style="color: white; mozborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; mozborderradiusbottomright: 8px; mozborderradiustopleft: 8px; mozborderradiustopright: 8px; mwebkitborderradiusbottomright: 8px; webkitborderradiusbottomleft: 8px; webkitborderradiustopleft: 8px;"></span></div>
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Kathy Thompson Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10327157330654855339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415079158109117172.post-13578312739328964632012-11-21T22:05:00.000-08:002012-11-21T23:44:55.429-08:00On the Hook<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">S</span>udden death.<br />
<br />
He didn't linger for weeks or months or years with an illness that fated him to die. His family and friends didn't have time to say their goodbyes, give him one last hug or kiss. One last "I love you".<br />
<br />
He was just gone.<br />
<br />
I got the phone call. My good friend since high school had passed away suddenly. The guy that was part of my life and my family's life. He came in and out of our lives intermittently. He was never one that you could depend on to show up on time or even show up at all. He popped in occasionally, shared a tale or two, reminisced about the old days, belly laughed a bit. Then he would be gone again and we might not see him for a year or two. But we loved each other and he was part of our family. A part of our hearts. Always welcome.<br />
<br />
Who would think he would be gone so fast? Like a frightened gasp of breath, or the blink of an eye. It's still so difficult to get my mind around it. My friend is gone. In my mind, I see him sitting in my living room and us catching each other up on things. Sharing our lives once again. But....he'll never knock on my door again. Never call unexpectedly just to talk. I'll never hear his voice or his laugh again.<br />
<br />
He left me with a hurting heart and sorrowful spirit. <br />
<br />
After I heard the terrible news, I tried to recall if we had ever talked about Jesus. I could not remember. I remembered snippets of conversations when he mentioned "the man upstairs" or 'the big guy". But I didn't know for sure if he had ever asked Jesus to be his savior. <br />
<br />
How could I not know that?<br />
<br />
I couldn't get the thought out of my mind. Over and over again, I berated myself for never talking with him openly about the matter. Then I began to pray and ask the Lord to somehow please let me know if my friend was in heaven with Him.<br />
<br />
They held a memorial service for him and although I wanted to be there, I didn't go for various reasons.<br />
<br />
My daughter was able to attend the services and called me afterwards to tell me about it. She said that several people shared memories, but that two people stood up and shared about the time that our friend had asked Jesus into his life. <br />
<br />
Praise God! There were two witnesses! Relief flooded over me and I began to thank God for answering my request for this priceless news! My friend is with the Lord and one day I will see him again and we will worship together. Now my heart and soul are at peace about him.<br />
<br />
But now I am on the hook. I didn't share Jesus with him? Thank God that someone else did. But not me?<br />
<br />
Why not?<br />
<br />
There is no excuse.<br />
<br />
It is our mission... our purpose... our responsibility as Christians to share Jesus with others, especially those close to us. <br />
<br />
The death of my loved friend brought this home to me so sharply and personally. He was here one moment and then gone. <br />
<br />
How can I not reach out and share Jesus with others? No one knows when their life will end. You never know when it will be the last time you hug that friend or family member. Death is certain yet unexpected. It is sudden. I know this. WE know this. We all have or will at some time experience the loss of a loved one. <br />
<br />
Yes. I am on the hook now. I never want to wonder about someone again. I don't want to have that kind of regret. I want to KNOW that I shared Jesus with them. I want them to know Him.<br />
<br />
It is urgent. It is imperative. It is my purpose, my mission, my responsibility.<br />
<br />
<i>For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son; that
whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. For
God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that
the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not
judged; he who does not believe has been judged already because he has
not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3: 16-18)</i><br />
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<br />Kathy Thompson Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10327157330654855339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415079158109117172.post-85142848466114239892012-11-18T18:10:00.000-08:002012-11-18T18:10:45.822-08:00Bugs Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was out walking the other day and a little green bug kept buzzing by me... flying up around my head and buzzing... buzzing... buzzing.. I kept swatting it away and it finally flew off. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A few minutes later it was back again.. this time taking a different tack. It just kept buzzing in front of me and I swatted at it again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Poor little bug... it was just buzzing. But I was walking and I didn't want to be bothered by a bug.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Funny how God can use something so inconsequential to get our attention. This little buzzy bug made me wonder how many times I have swatted away when the Holy Spirit was rising up inside me... bugging me about something, reminding me of something, trying to empower me to do something. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">How many times have I written Him off as unimportant or inconvenient? How many times have I ignored His promptings because I was just walking through life focused on something else?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">That really bugs me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>LORD, please keep me aware of Your presence. Holy Spirit, please keep speaking to my spirit. Help me to always hear and respond rightly. In Jesus Name, Amen.</i></span>Kathy Thompson Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10327157330654855339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415079158109117172.post-11721697081225567742012-10-11T17:20:00.001-07:002012-10-11T17:20:07.946-07:00A Fairy Princess Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Two</span> years old. What an amazing age. Innocence. Trust. Imagination. <br /><br />My youngest grandbaby is Sydnie. The entire world revolves around her... as it should. <br /><br />She is a princess. I mean really. A princess.<br /><br />I had the most wonderful pleasure of spending a few hours one on one with her recently. Mommy had shopping to do and Sydnie has to be picked up from her "mother's day out". <br /><br />When Sydnie saw me, her face broke into a huge grin. She yelled "Grandmama!" and ran to me with arms open wide for a big hug! Those are the best! It makes my heart smile just thinking of it.<br /><br />We gathered up her lunch bag and backpack with all of her priceless possessions in them and headed out the door. <br /><br />Immediately upon being seated in her car seat, she asked for her wipstick. So we dug through her bag and found her little tube of wipstick. Wipstick is a necessary item for Sydnie. She goes no where without having first made sure that she has her wipstick in place. She opens that little tube and rubs it on her lips a thousand times a day just to make sure that she is pretty all the time.<br /><br />We stopped to get something to drink and within minutes the drink was spilled all over the backseat of my truck along with the bag of goldfish crackers that she opened upside down. Smile.<br /><br />"It's okay Sydnie... Grandmama will clean it up."<br /><br />She managed to salvage a few of the goldfish from the seat and then wanted strawberries. Once again, I browsed through her lunch bag and sure enough I found a baggie full of sliced strawberries! I gave her the bag and she managed to eat everyone of them without dropping or spilling. But her little face was covered in strawberry juice!<br /><br />This was all within about 5 minutes of leaving the church.<br /><br />Finally home! It begins. "Where's my wipstick? Grandmama, I need my wipstick." Well, the wipstick was no where to be found. I searched my truck. I searched her bags. I searched my purse. We looked all over the house wherever Sydnie had been since we got home. Couldn't find it anywhere. She asked and asked for it continually. <br /><br />Eventually distracted from the wipstick, she decided it was time to play dress up. After pulling out several outfits, she changed two or three times and finally decided on a shimmering fairy costume with wings accessorized by her little pink high heel slippers.<br /><br />About that time, I discovered that her Gaggie was missing. My heart skipped a beat! Her Gaggie is all important to Sydnie. She goes no where without Gaggie. Gaggie is her treasured and bedraggled baby blanket. <br /><br />She has not thought about Gaggie. Yet.<br /><br />Not wanting to alarm her and cause my little fairy princess granddaughter any distress, I loaded her back up into the car seat in my truck, and headed back to the church hoping and praying that someone was there so that we could rescue Gaggie and return it to Sydnie before she ever knew it was missing. There would be no peace in the house if Gaggie was not found. I was in a state of panic just thinking about it!<br /><br />We arrived at the church lickety split! I unbuckled the fairy princess from the car seat, helped her out of the truck and started up the steps into the church building. <br /><br />She automatically reached for my hand as we started up the steps. She had on her pretty little pink heels and took tiny little steps in the most graceful way as she held my hand and almost floated up those steps, with her fairy princess wings fluttering behind.<br />
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In the meantime, while she is floating in slow motion, I am trying to contain my anxiety and whispering frantic prayers that the building has not been locked up for the day. Woe is me if Sydnie has to spend a night without Gaggie! Woe is me if this Grandmama gets arrested for breaking into the church building in a well meaning attempt to reclaim Gaggie. Surely the judge would understand my plight. After all, the emotional well-being of a princess is at stake!<br />
<br />Thank goodness! The church doors were open! I am spared handcuffs and a sleepless night. Though I could not see or hear anyone, like a trespasser with my fairy princess in tow, I headed down the hallway to her classroom. We opened the door and there lay Gaggie! <br /><br />I breathed a long sigh of relief, accompanied by a heart felt "Thank You Jesus!" <br />
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The fairy princess nonchalantly picks up her treasured friend and gracefully flutters out the door.<br /><br />Back at home. Fairy Princess and Gaggie in place. Grandmama exhausted in a heap! <br />
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Then it begins. "Grandmama?"<br /><br />"Yes, Sydnie?"<br /><br />"Where's my wipstick?" Smile.<br /><br />Can you imagine possessing the innocence and trust and imagination of a small child? To know that when you reach out, someone with loving hands will take your hand and help you walk the hard places. To have no worries because someone is looking out for you and providing for you even when you don't know you need it. To trust someone so completely that you allow them to lift you up and carry you. To float along without a care because you are loved. To know you are loved even when you make a mess of things.<br /><br />God wants us to live in His kingdom with that childlike attitude.<br /><br /><i>Jesus said "Let the little children come to Me and do not forbid them; for of such is the Kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them. (Mark 10: 14-16)</i><br />
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<br />Kathy Thompson Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10327157330654855339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415079158109117172.post-55473463207904009962012-09-29T12:05:00.000-07:002012-11-23T21:02:47.537-08:00Tattered Patches<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">W</span>hen I was a much younger woman, my Mamaw (that's southern for Grandmother, in case you are not from around here) anyway... Mamaw decided to make quilts for her grandchildren.<br />
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She asked each of us what type of quilt we would like. I thought about it for a while. She had made 'dutch doll' quilts and "wedding ring" quilts and all kinds of beautiful quilts in her lifetime. I had a 'dutch doll' quilt when I was a small child and I loved it. I could have asked for any design.<br />
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But, I decided I wanted a simple patchwork quilt. No specific design. No fancy stitchwork. Just a plain jane patchwork quilt.<br />
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She was a bit surprised, but said "okay". <br />
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I gathered up fabric that was left over from dresses and outfits that my mother had sewn for my sisters and myself. I had even more fabric from my grandmother's left overs. I cut them all into 4 inch squares and delivered them to her. All of the squares were from double knit fabric. If you don't know what double knit is, you obviously are much younger than me. I am NOT going to reveal the top secret information that is my current age. You figure it out. If you do remember double knit, then you already know that this stuff is indestructible. <br />
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Mamaw and my mother and my aunts worked on these quilts for every one. They worked on my quilt. The squares were stitched together. My patchwork quilt was created for me with love.<br />
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I absolutely loved my new quilt! Not only because it was beautiful to me, but because it came from my Mamaw's own hands along with those of my Mom and Aunts. Also, each patch reminded me of a dress that one of us had worn and I could even remember some of the occasions on which they were worn. <br />
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It was a gift. One I specifically asked for.<br />
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Over the years, my patchwork quilt got a work out. It was used all the time. Cover up on the couch, spread on the bed, picnic blanket, football games, you name it. It was my 'go to' quilt for all occasions. My Mamaw is in Heaven with Jesus now, but she is remembered with much love; especially every time I wrapped up in my quilt.<br />
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Washed and dried over and over and over, my wonderful quilt eventually began to wear. The patches didn't rot or grow thin like most fabric would. Remember... it's double knit? But the stitches began to loosen and the fabric backing on the quilt grew thin and worn.<br />
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Eventually my lovely quilt was in tatters. It had come apart at the seams and patches were hanging by old and worn threads.<br />
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Sadly, I folded it for the last time and put it in my linen closet to be used no more.<br />
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That was several years ago.<br />
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Last year (2011), my Mom and I were talking about the coming Christmas. It was only January, but I was going to be gone out of the country for a while and we were discussing whether or not I would be home for Christmas. She asked me what I would like for Christmas that year. <br />
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For some reason, my quilt came to mind. I showed her the tattered rags of the quilt and asked her if she thought it could be repaired? She said she would try and I told her that all I wanted for Christmas was for my quilt to be repaired and restored. So she took it home with her.<br />
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Over the next few months, I totally forgot about that conversation and Christmas wish.<br />
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But while I was gone, my Mother and her wonderful sisters went to work. They put my quilt back together and found yet another piece of double knit fabric that was large enough to become the new backing for it.<br />
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At Christmas that year, after all the presents were unwrapped and all the oooohhhsss and aaaahhhhhs over gifts were done... After all the torn gift wrap and bows were bagged up and the house became a little more quiet, Mom said.. "hold on a minute. I have one more thing here." And she brought out a gift bag and gave it to me. <br />
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I was puzzled. Why was there a special gift for me? My Christmas request earlier that year was completely forgotten. (That's one perk of getting older, I guess. If you want to call it a perk.)<br />
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In that Christmas gift bag, all wrapped in colorful tissue paper, lay my quilt. My wonderful and amazing patch work quilt made from my Mamaw's loving hands and my Mom's and Aunts' also!<br />
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I was blown away! Tears came to my eyes as I examined my restored and remade quilt! It was so beautiful and so absolutely incredible to me that it was made like new and useable again. I wrapped up in it immediately and stayed wrapped up in it for the remainder of the day!<br />
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Once again, my patchwork quilt is used almost daily. Snuggled up on the couch, thrown on the bed, as a pallet in the floor for the grandkids. <br />
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It is so amazing to me that something that was once so useful and treasured could be restored and made useful and beautiful again.<br />
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Having my quilt back in tip top condition made me think of how sometimes, as Christians, we feel like we have been used up. Life has thrown us some curves. Death.. divorce... financial problems... whatever. All our resources and energy and 'want to' seem to have vanished into thin air and we feel like we are put on a shelf. Unuseable.<br />
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But just like my quilt was restored and made new, God has a way for us to be restored and made new in Him. He wraps Himself around us and comforts us and stitches back the broken places and mends our torn and tattered hearts and spirits. He patches us up and makes us new and beautiful and useable once again. <br />
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Thank you Mom for restoring my beautiful patchwork quilt. I will treasure it forever.<br />
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Thank You LORD for saving me and restoring my heart and my life. <br />
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<br />Kathy Thompson Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10327157330654855339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415079158109117172.post-35379411710948763732012-09-28T09:07:00.000-07:002012-09-28T09:07:18.648-07:00Jail Break!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">A</span> friend posted on the mesmerizing and hypnotizing scandal that is Facebook that when God asks us to do something outside our 'comfort zone' we say 'NO!' even though we have prayed and asked Him to increase our faith.<br />
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That started me thinking about comfort zones. One definition of comfort is: "a state of ease and satisfaction of bodily wants with freedom from pain and anxiety."<br />
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A definition of zone is: "to divide into areas subject to special restriction." (This definition is of the word zone used as a verb.)<br />
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So! Given these definitions of two seemingly disparate words, I come up with this observation: We have zoned ourselves into a state of ease and satisfaction with freedom from pain or anxiety.<br />
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We are zoned out.<br />
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We are restricted.<br />
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In other words, we are in a prison of our own making. <br />
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It's a cushy prison with all we could ever want or need in the way of fluffy mattresses to sleep on and overstuffed cushions to sit on, all the high tech electronics we could ever imagine, a well stocked pantry to supply even the tiniest twinge of hunger and our own hand picked set of friends and family. Oh! and don't forget our very own reserved seating at our church of choice. Dontcha just love this place?! Wow! Every person's dream! Thank You Jesus!<br />
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Although it is everything described above, it is nevertheless still a prison. A self imposed prison. In God's eyes, it holds us securely just as well as the prison cell in the photo above. Bazinga! The joke's on us. <br />
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God did not call us to live in a comfort zone. He did not call us to be in a restricted area away from the world. In fact, some of His very last words to us were:<br />
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<i> "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)</i><br /><br />
I don't know about you, but that does not sound like instructions to sit in my plush prison cell. It sounds more like a Commandment from the One that gives me life.<br />
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He says "You have the power I have given to you. You have the key to the prison door. You have the testimony of what I have done for you. Now go and tell others. Go and be the instrument I use to reach the world so that people will be saved." <br />
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This is not "show and tell". He didn't say from the comfort of your living room, "I want you to invite others over and show them what a wonderful prison you have made for yourself." He didn't say "I want you to go to church and sit and listen to your preacher on Sundays and then go lock yourself back into prison so that you will be safe from the world." <br />
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He told us to "get out there, get our hands and feet dirty in the leper colonies and in the modern up to date offices, the construction sites, the grocery stores, the hair salons, the mechanic shops, the schools, the prison cells, the hospitals, the nursing homes and retirement centers, the restaurants, the malls, the homeless shelters, foreign countries, foreign cultures and the highways and byways of the world. Go places where others will not go. Go places where people show up every day."<br />
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No, this is not 'show and tell'. It is "GO AND TELL!" <br />
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I think I am preaching to myself and to the choir. I hope they are listening and ready to break out of jail!<br />
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<br />Kathy Thompson Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10327157330654855339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415079158109117172.post-38992406768986592022012-09-10T09:21:00.001-07:002012-09-10T09:55:37.358-07:00Beach Life<br />
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<i> </i><br />
<i>He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. (John 21:17) </i> <br />
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I love this particular scripture. I can just picture in my mind Jesus on the sandy beach preparing a breakfast of fish for the disciples... and Peter jumping into the water when he recognizes His master, anxious to be near Him again. Excited... breathing hard... his heart racing... hair and clothes wet and dripping as he falls at the Lord's feet. <br />
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Can you see Jesus on the shore? Feet in the warm sand... wind blowing His hair and robe... eyes squinting in the sun. His hands reaching toward Peter to greet him and lift him up. All of creation feeling His touch where His feet meet the ground and His breath mingles with our air? It seems that the very sand beneath His feet would leap up to support Him and the blades of grass would lean towards Him as toward the sunlight, anticipating His next movement. <br />
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It intrigues me that Jesus was preparing a meal for them... breakfast. They had not seen Him since the resurrection and had gone back to fishing. Spiritually they were defeated and on a forced spiritual fast without their Master. He was inviting them to break their fast and come fellowship with Him again. Peter is broken and brokenhearted because Jesus keeps asking him, "do you love me?" and he says "Lord! You know all things! You know I love you!" <br />
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Still hurting because of his trio of betrayals and ashamed of his own 'speak first, think later' personality. He had learned one thing, if nothing else. He had learned that he could never betray his master by denying Him again. The penalty of separation from Him was too hard. The self condemnation too much to bear.<br />
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Peter was transformed by Jesus' love and forgiveness. Jesus commanded him to "feed my sheep" He used the Greek word 'boskos' for feed which means "the duty of a Christian teacher to promote in every way the spiritual welfare of the members of the church." The duty. Work. Responsibility. This is your job Peter. <br />
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Peter was given his life's mission and a vision of his future. He could have backed out of it and rejected the life Jesus was planning for him. But he had already experienced the emptiness and pain of what it is like to reject Christ. Never again. Not Peter. <br />
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Just as we all are changed by Jesus, I believe on that day that Peter was truly made whole in Christ.<br />
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Jesus is present with us spiritually as He was physically with His friends on the beach. He meets with us at some "beach point" in our lives and asks each of His children the same question He put to Peter... "Do you love me?" and with our 'yes' answer, He fills us with His purpose and vision for our lives and then give us the ability to carry it out. <br />
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Can we betray or reject Him? Yes. But the penalty is a life of unfulfilled dreams and a lack of vision. The penalty is spiritual emptiness and a longing for what might have been. By our obedience to His plan we are fulfilled and He is glorified. <br />
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Say Yes and begin your life on a beach with Jesus. <br />
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<br />Kathy Thompson Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10327157330654855339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415079158109117172.post-53686793534542950712012-08-04T16:37:00.001-07:002012-08-04T16:37:50.459-07:00Ur of Chaldees<em>(Written Easter of 2009, Tallil AFB, Cob Adder, Iraq)</em><br />
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I really am having a difficult time expressing myself about this. So I will just explain the only way I know how. <br />
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<br />I am living on Tallil Air Force Base, Iraq. It's Easter Sunday and we had a sunrise service.<br />
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<br />The service was held at the archaeological digs where they have excavated the home of Abraham in Ur of the Chaldees. <br />
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<br />To tell you the truth, I was skeptical at first about the authenticity of the claim that it is actually the home of Abraham. <br />
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<br />When I had visited the site a couple of weeks ago, I questioned our tour guide about the validity of that claim. He reassured me that tablets and other artifacts had been found to verify their findings. When I got back to my room I was reading in Genesis about Abraham, and there in my Bible's study notes were remarks about this very site and the archaeologists who discovered it in the 1930's. <br />
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<br />Anyway, when the chaplain posted the schedule for this holy week of Easter, a sunrise service was planned at Abraham's home. About half of our shop signed up to go including me. <br />
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<br />In a few weeks, the U.S. government is going to hand this piece of property back to the Iraqi government. The opportunity to tour the site will be gone. (at least for the time being) Possibly the opportunity to worship the LORD at this site will not occur again this side of Jesus' return. <br />
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<br />I don't have the words to express how honored and humble I feel that out of all the people in the world and out of all the people in time, I was able to participate in what could be a once in a lifetime (once in history) event. <br />
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<br />I know I haven't done anything to deserve such a thing. But I am so grateful that God included me. <br />
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<br />There were maybe 200 people attending. A praise team was playing acoustic guitars and leading us in worship and then one of the chaplains stepped up to a podium and opened his Bible and read Holy Scripture there on those grounds. We sang more songs which are listed in the program and I could not keep from crying as I sang along with the others praising God. And then I thought that you could possibly be praising with some of these same songs in your service today and how all of us are joined in praise. <br />
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<br />Then one of the chaplains stood on the reconstructed wall of Abraham's home and presented the Word of God. He took us from Adam and Eve to Noah to Abraham all the way down to Jesus. He explained the covenant God made with Abraham and how we are a part of that covenant. And He shared about the resurrection of Jesus. <br />
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<br />The chaplain asked us to respond to him when he proclaimed "He is risen!" and the congregation would respond "HE IS RISEN INDEED!" It became the theme for his message. <br />
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<br />All day long the Holy Spirit has been pounding inside of me so strongly. I can't explain how filled I am right now. What words could I use? <br />
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<br />I just wanted to share this with you and with my church family. I love you and miss you all so much and I know that you pray for me. I can feel the prayer covering me at times. Thank you so much. Please continue to be in prayer for me and my family while I'm here. <br />
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<br />In Christ alone, <br />
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<br />Kathy <br />
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<br />I sent the above message through Kelly to my church... there was no way I could share everything, but I had to put it down in words as best I could. <br />
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<br />When I got back to the shop after the service, I was talking with one of the young women that works there for another company. She was asking questions about the Christian faith. I had given her a tract and she was curious. She is not quite sure what she believes, but she thinks that believing in God is a cop out in some ways. <br />
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<br />Anyway, I had the opportunity to share with her that the Christian faith is not about religion, but about a relationship with God. <br />
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<br />I stood on a spiritual mountain today and God touched my heart. I haven't felt this in so long. I am glad I could feel His touch again. <br />
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<br />He is the healer of broken hearts.Kathy Thompson Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10327157330654855339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415079158109117172.post-36222456867859918392012-08-04T16:32:00.001-07:002012-08-04T16:32:34.646-07:00Friendship and Faith<em>Be anxious for nothing , but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God . And the peace of God , which surpasses all comprehension , will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus . <br />(Philippians 4:6-7)</em><br />
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<br />Stop worrying! Quit thinking about it. You can’t do anything to change it. Worrying never gets you anywhere. Worry and anxiety keeps us up at night. It distracts us from family and friends and work. It sends us to the doctor for a pill or even to the emergency room with a heart attack. Worry and Anxiety are not our friends. They may even change our personalities so much that we drive away our friends.<br />
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<br />But there is a friend. A friend that wants to help when we can’t cope with life’s problems on our own. <br />
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<br />What more can we ask? We have a God that wants to get so personal with us that He tells us to not worry or fret or be upset, but to just ask Him for what we want or need. He says to be specific… to make our desires known to Him. Just like we would with a close friend. When we are worried about anything; whether it is money or relationships, a broken life or a fractured heart, we should lift it up to Him in prayer and let Him know about our situation. It is not as though He does not already know our circumstance or our need. But He asks us to speak it directly to Him and to be specific about it; tell Him the smallest detail. He wants us to interact with Him; to be in a real relationship with Him. To show Him that we believe He is Who He says He is. The Great I AM. Our Friend. Speaking our heart’s needs to Him is a demonstration of our faith in Him and His ability to deliver on His promise. That we will ask… that we will actually EXPECT and trust Him to respond in some manner is like stepping off a cliff and expecting to fly. And then… amazing as it may seem, He provides us with peace. We can’t explain it. We don’t understand it. But we experience peace. Peace in our turmoil. Peace in our pain. Peace in knowing that our incomprehensible and amazing God will act on our behalf and in our best interest. <br />
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<br /><em>Prayer: Amazing God, please remind me to trust You and truly believe that You always answer the prayers and requests of Your children. Lord, bless me with Your peace today. Thank You for being a faithful Friend. Amen.</em><br />Kathy Thompson Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10327157330654855339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415079158109117172.post-72056142508254898222012-08-04T16:28:00.000-07:002012-08-04T16:28:42.771-07:00Just Do ItHave you ever been to a wedding or a celebration? Of course! We all have been to parties and celebrations and special events. <br />
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<br />We love to, love to, LOVE to celebrate! And celebration always includes good food and good things to drink. Whether your favorite is iced tea, a mocha latte, a refreshing punch or a glass of wine, it seems that there is an unending supply of some kind of beverage for all the guests.<br />
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<br />Except for a particular wedding at Cana. This wedding was different. I don't know if the host just didn't plan well. Or if every invited guest brought an extra guest. Maybe the party goers were having such a good time that they all overstayed their welcome and the supplies ran low. But regardless of the circumstance, at this famous wedding, the drink ran dry. The wine was gone. Consumed by all the bride and groom's well wishers.<br />
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<br />What a dilemma! What a disgrace! How would the bridegroom face his family and friends? He would lose face with them all. The bride and her family would be so embarrassed and the celebration marred by this turn of events. In those days, this would have been a devastating social faux pas.<br />
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<br />Fortunately for the bridegroom, Mary, the mother of Jesus, was in attendance at this wedding. And she had brought her son along. Jesus, the man that people were already whispering about and telling tales that there was just something different about Him. Jesus, who had already created a bit of a stir at His baptism. Jesus, who had already developed somewhat of a following. He was almost famous!<br />
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<br />Apparently, Mary must have been close to someone in charge of this celebration. She found out about the situation with the wine and her mind started working out a solution. You know how us women are. We have to fix things. Her way of fixing this thing was to let her son know that she expected some assistance from Him.<br />
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<br />She had birthed Him and raised Him to be a man. She knew Him as no other human being on earth knew Him. Mary knew exactly who Jesus was and she knew exactly what He was capable of doing. Shoot! She may have even secretly been hoping to show Him off. You know how you are when you are just bursting with pride in your kid. You want other people to know how special and wonderful he is.<br />
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<br />So like any mother would have done, she said to her son "They have no wine." Just a simple statement of the situation. She could have only been commenting about it or feeling some compassion for the bride and groom. But, of course, Jesus knew that in 'motherspeak' this meant she expected Him to be the One to do something about it. Kind of like telling your kid "The garbage can is full." He knows you expect him to bag it up and take it out. No questions asked. <br />
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<br />Mary knew that He would do what she wanted. So, like any mother, she disregarded His quiet protest. She told the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”<br />
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<br />What an incredible statement! “Whatever He says to you, do it.”<br />
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<br />Whatever.<br />
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<br />Do it. <br />
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<br />I mean, really! What did she expect Him to do about it anyway?<br />
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<br />This is a statement that can only be made when you KNOW without a doubt that something is going to happen. <br />
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<br />If He says “pat your head and rub your belly”, then DO IT. If He says “do 15 jumping jacks”, then DO IT. If He says “fill those empty water pots to the brim“, then DO IT. Don’t ask questions. Don’t make excuses. Don’t wait. Don’t try to rationalize the situation. To borrow from the Nike commercials, Just Do It. <br />
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<br />Her command to the servants showed extreme faith. Faith that grew from living day in and day out with this once baby, once child, and now a man. This Jesus. Faith that came from knowing Jesus intimately inside and out.<br />
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<br />Faith from seeing Him in action. <br />
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<br />Faith from knowing His heart.<br />
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<br />Jesus tells the servants “Fill the water pots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. (John 2: 7-8 NKJV)<br />
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<br />They did what He told them to do. They were servants. They did as they were told. They may have had some doubts. They may have laughed. They might have thought this lady and her son were half a bubble off. But they did what they were told.<br />
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<br />Then the impossible happened. A dramatic and impossible transformation took place in those water pots. <br />
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<br />The water became wine. <br />
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<br />But not just any wine. The master of the feast proclaimed that this was the “good” wine. (John 2: 10 NKJV)<br />
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<br />The word “good” used in the Bible is from the Greek word “Kalos”. Kalos is defined as: excellent, precious, magnificent, praiseworthy, noble, beautiful by reason of purity of heart and life, and hence praiseworthy; morally good, noble, honourable, conferring honour, affecting the mind agreeably, comforting and confirming.<br />
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<br />All this to praise a bit of water turned to wine. <br />
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<br />All this to describe an impossible transformation of nature’s elements. <br />
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<br />“Whatever He says to you, do it.” Such a simple request. Such a simple command from a mother’s heart of love and pride in her son. <br />
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<br />Just do it. Then wait and see what kind of impossible and miraculous transformation takes place. <br />
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<br />Your water may not turn to wine. But your heart of stone might become soft and pliable. <br />
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<br />Your circumstance might not change, but your attitude could be altered.<br />
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<br />Your favorite drink may run dry, but your dry and thirsty spirit could be quenched with Living Water.<br />
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<br />“Whatever He says to you, do it.” <br />
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<br />Then EXPECT a miracle! Expect a ‘kalos’ miracle.Kathy Thompson Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10327157330654855339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415079158109117172.post-91461290555369687002012-08-04T16:24:00.001-07:002012-08-04T16:24:05.692-07:00Don't Panic<em>All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life and the life was the light of men.</em><br />
<em>John 1:3-4</em><br />
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<br />It's comforting to know that there is a plan.<br />
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<br />Jesus the Creator.<br />
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<br />Jesus the Light of the World.<br />
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<br />He stepped into His own creation and became more than a creator. He became part of the Creation. He is the axis of all of creation. Not only that, Jesus shed light on the Ultimate Question of why we exist. Contrary to Douglas Adam's answer to the Ultimate Question in the sci-fi comedy "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", the answer is NOT '42'.<br />
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<br />The answer is Jesus.<br />
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<br />We are here because of Jesus. We are here for Jesus. We were created and exist to live lives that implement and carry out His plan.<br />
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<br />We are living, breathing, thinking entities and were created to ask the big questions of Who am I? Why am I here?<br />
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<br />There is something inside each of us that seeks those answers.<br />
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<br />We were MADE through Jesus. He is the Ultimate Answer to our big questions.<br />
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<br />In Acts 17, Paul makes the statement that " we are here in this time and in this place so that we will seek the Lord and in seeking Him find Him.... For in Him we live and move and have our being."<br />
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<br />Our express purpose in life is to find Him. He's not far... so you don't have to search too long or too hard. He's not playing "Hide and Seek" with us. He wants us to find Him. He longs for us to reach out to Him. He's waiting with open arms.<br />
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<br />Douglas Adams did have one good piece of advice: "DON'T PANIC!"<br />
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<br />My advice is "Don't panic, but trust in the Lord with all your heart". The road might be a little bumpy and difficult, but the Light is always on.<br />
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<em>Father, help me to always remember that I am here because of You and to always look to you for answers to my questions. Thank you for sending Jesus into my life. Amen.</em><br />
<br />Kathy Thompson Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10327157330654855339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415079158109117172.post-61900287715660055662012-08-04T16:20:00.002-07:002012-08-04T16:20:45.430-07:00True StoryThis really is a true story. <br />
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<br />In the last few years, I have gone through several stages and changes in my life. God changed my life drastically! For 2 years it was like a honeymoon with Jesus and then...My church family fell apart, My children had consequential situations to deal with and my prayers for them went up continuously. My marriage of 34 years fell apart and I am now divorced. I've been single for almost 3 years now. <br />
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<br />These are not unusual circumstances. It happens to everyone in every walk of life. It's life. Jesus said "In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world." <br />
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<br />But it is my life. Personal. Intimate. Affecting me. Tearing me apart. Breaking my heart and mind and spirit.<br />
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<br />Through all of it, I have believed God's promises and trusted Him. Asked Him to intervene. Asked Him to change things. Asked and begged Him to restore things. Asked Him to use the tribulations in my life in some manner.<br />
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<br />Right now, I am at peace. I am at a place where there is nothing drastic or traumatic or earth shattering going on. And I am glad of it. Hopefully, it is a place where God will help me to learn and understand the things I have been through. A friend recently told me that I was on the Injured Reserve list. A place of healing where God can call me up from at any moment.<br />
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<br />And I think He is doing that.<br />
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<br />God blessed me so tremendously last week by allowing me to share with someone who is going through similar life shattering circumstances. I won't disclose details or names, but someone that I would never have dreamed that I could have ministered to in any way. When asked, "is there hope?" I was able to say YES. When asked "what did you do? how did you deal with it?" I was able to share how I trusted God and how God has come through over and over again.<br />
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<br />I am not super christian. I have had my days of doubt and my days of unbelief. But through it all, I have never once questioned if God was working in it. I have just questioned the reason, the method, the seemingly undeserved pain. The delay of the vision God gave to me of a ministry. <br />
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<br />God is always at work. And He is more interested in helping us discover who He is in us than who we are in Him. When we start trying to figure out who "I am in Christ" we put ourselves first and make ourselves the I AM and we lose out.. God is the great I AM. We are not. We need to figure out who HE IS in us. The power that He can work in us. The fruits of the spirit that only HE plants and grows and harvests. In His time. His season.Kathy Thompson Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10327157330654855339noreply@blogger.com0