tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28440154864699943042024-03-15T20:09:12.691-05:00Mother of Seven + 2Learning to Live in His PresenceUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger364125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844015486469994304.post-23034057435544497262023-12-02T07:01:00.000-06:002023-12-02T07:01:03.286-06:00Oh Look!<p> When I was in Bible college I was told that when God called you to ministry he would provide. Specifically one of the things he would provide was the family we might have to leave behind. There would be someone that would be that Mom or Grandma that we needed wherever God called us to serve. Family has always been the hardest for me to be away from in our years of ministry. The funny part is God didn't call us too far away, but he did take my parents to China for several years. God helped fill the gap with the most beautiful and special lady, LaVada Smoot.</p><p>We moved to Fredonia in 1997. LaVada was the first to show up on our doorstep with her famous potato soup whenever one of us was a bit under the weather. I soon found she was a good source of advice for anything from potty training to cooking. She taught me how to make bread in the bread machine and how to make sand plum jelly. I found excuses to call or go visit her, and I kinda think she found excuses to have the kiddos over to her house or just drop in too. The kids loved it when she showed up with a big bag filled with popcorn. Before we knew it, Kayt started calling her Grandma Vada, and she unofficially became part of our family.</p><p>Our family grew, but that never stopped Grandma Vada. She remembered their birthdays...every single one. She would show up at the house with cookies for them and "a little something" special. She also gave them each a special gift when they were baptized. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZLebO44B37MR_xlPt35tf23AI_dfTJjY9qFoqFof1ZeJ1atqm8Fc5Vw4DP6jbcdRGJlS7jpjVPkw8spCypTf45ldjRH6V-iufEeNBI7gs7bcJx7u9_U88k6GegY9RdLsWjYBv7TT1rFmDugMJOSN_TnCgm0kJG1NYOn808-YKc1CEZRRq-l4dL5fgqeY/s3264/DSC02364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZLebO44B37MR_xlPt35tf23AI_dfTJjY9qFoqFof1ZeJ1atqm8Fc5Vw4DP6jbcdRGJlS7jpjVPkw8spCypTf45ldjRH6V-iufEeNBI7gs7bcJx7u9_U88k6GegY9RdLsWjYBv7TT1rFmDugMJOSN_TnCgm0kJG1NYOn808-YKc1CEZRRq-l4dL5fgqeY/s320/DSC02364.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Grandma Vada started the tradition of having the Miller's over for Christmas. She always bought the kids a "little" something. For dinner we had lasagna and the works with as much chocolate milk as the kids wanted to drink. They thought they were in heaven! When it got harder for her to do the big fancy dinner Grandma Vada went to ordering pizza for Christmas dinner. This was a rare treat for our family which had grown to 7 and then 9 children. </p><p>What made all this so special? It was the love and excitement LaVada always showed. She exclaimed over the kids giving them big hugs. She would answer the door and clasp her hands together and say, "Oh Look, the troops are here!" and her eyes were just sparkling. The kids would do "performances" for her and make her things, and everything was wonderful and perfect in LaVada's eyes. When we left she would stand at the door and wave to the kids until she couldn't see our big van any longer. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpaLOPz7JOT769tmeapoNQtTzmuq9h0h3z-lTIxqPPriz5rcwyJzQEnvdglUzV19zkxGpK7ZBg02XU9wnFKFF3xzx8_MdPrtcxcfFMTuyp8CEr_7A_iX6SRiMsd0j8IMLfP1zjzFoejOi7oves8O4PLaZrECPnikU5wvzXcYexiqUjgsOxitjAFsrvBR59/s3264/DSC02438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpaLOPz7JOT769tmeapoNQtTzmuq9h0h3z-lTIxqPPriz5rcwyJzQEnvdglUzV19zkxGpK7ZBg02XU9wnFKFF3xzx8_MdPrtcxcfFMTuyp8CEr_7A_iX6SRiMsd0j8IMLfP1zjzFoejOi7oves8O4PLaZrECPnikU5wvzXcYexiqUjgsOxitjAFsrvBR59/s320/DSC02438.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p>As I reflect back I realize the most beautiful thing LaVada did for us was she loved our children. I look at our children today, and they are rich because of her. They have a wealth of memories they will never forget. It is why as teenagers they still remembered her and would pay to have singing Valentines delivered to her house. It is why as young adults they took time to stop by her care home to visit, to play piano and sing, to play the saxophone, to play the ukulele, and to laugh and get another hug. She gave them so much. She loved big!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_Jt_siNYUvwizszCR0aj2en5KmWeU3A7HgNY5Yv7_k8a9CYuT_O1lK0PEnsIHNNVctqkQJeg68B1Y27KNAhEaZr9eNBcbDORbfCgU4qwkOliIH9OtHb1CyOn3-Awdi0ThMd6K0q57FvNFdKZZsF4k43xcSvPZ6e_2dCIYRXdaoSeKtAC9XfCxDQ7bXuc/s3456/IMG_1359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3456" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_Jt_siNYUvwizszCR0aj2en5KmWeU3A7HgNY5Yv7_k8a9CYuT_O1lK0PEnsIHNNVctqkQJeg68B1Y27KNAhEaZr9eNBcbDORbfCgU4qwkOliIH9OtHb1CyOn3-Awdi0ThMd6K0q57FvNFdKZZsF4k43xcSvPZ6e_2dCIYRXdaoSeKtAC9XfCxDQ7bXuc/s320/IMG_1359.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>The last visit I had with LaVada she asked me about all our children and what they were doing. She was so proud of them. She told me about her boys, her Danny and Tim. How she loved them! Family was everything to LaVada. She told me how Tim was such a good boy and came to see her and would hug her and hold her even when she was grumpy. She told me how Danny called her every night and read the Bible to her. She told me about Dena and each of the grandkids. Then she talked about heaven and seeing Jamey and Carl again. Most of all she imagined what it would be like to see Jesus. Then we read some Bible verses together about heaven from Revelation 21:1-5.</p><p></p><blockquote><i>Then I saw "a new heaven and a new earth," for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying. "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and He himself will be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." </i></blockquote><p>LaVada sat there with a gentle smile and a soft dreamy look on her face as I finished reading. She said, "Won't that be wonderful!" </p><p>Somehow I can just picture her now.... LaVada in her new resurrected body with her hands clasped together and her eyes sparkling and that big beautiful smile on her face, "Oh, Look! Jesus is Here!!!" </p><p>No more imagining. Face to face. A day long awaited for. </p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844015486469994304.post-68124681354366805482023-04-12T07:12:00.002-05:002023-04-14T11:17:49.477-05:00Sweet Surrender<div>I was glancing back through my journal that I am about to close and stash away with many others when I found these words that I wrote in June of 2019. I vividly remember penning these words through tears as I tried to come to terms with my husband's plans to change ministries. This was a very personal and lonely struggle for me. I share now only to say there are hard changes in life sometimes, but they become opportunities for growth. I needed to struggle in the shadow of the cross. There were things in my life that needed fully submitted to Him. </div><div><br /></div><div>I learned that <i>it is in complete surrender that peace is found</i>. It is hard to describe that peace and why it is there. Perhaps that is why we find these words penned by the apostle Paul in Philippians 4: 6-7, <blockquote style="font-style: italic;">"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."</blockquote><p>The peace of God transcends all understanding.<i> </i>It has become a prayer of mine that I will continue to find that peace in sweet surrender. (But that surrender sure isn't easy!)</p></div>
The battle wages<br />My way or His?<br />Show me how<br />
I implore Him to reveal<br />
<br />"My life is good" I shout<br />
fearing all that would be lost<div>Terrified of the unknown I beg</div><div>"Don't make me count the cost"</div><div><br /></div><div>Sitting on that bench</div><div>in the shadow of the cross</div><div>I argue, I wrestle</div><div>until completely spent</div><div><br />Then words cried out in pain<br />whisper to my heart<br />"Not my will, but thine be done,"<br />my Jesus as He faced the cross<br />
<br />
Conviction twists my soul within<br />
My eyes sting with the tears<br />Ah, but Lord, "if it be possible remove this cup"<div>I do not wish the price to pay<br />
<br /></div><div>But there in the garden all alone</div><div>
He chose the plan divine</div><div>His sacrifice...a life...His life<br />that He could rescue mine</div><div>
<br />
Why do I wrestle so within<br />
an offering of my will to make<br />When Christ poured out his very life<br />
to save a world that's lost</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Now tears run freely<br />I struggle to let go</div><div>To yield completely</div><div>Conform my will to His</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Beneath that cross</div><div>my face bowed low</div><div>I breathe at last<br />"Not my will, but yours" </div></div><div>
<br />
A love like HIS draws from my heart<br />
sweet surrender<br />
peace at last<br />
as I wrestled at the cross<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhR43KPwvLUgTrqYmdQ8Kjvt3e1cH41M9DL_JyqHVswoOHcXlf2xyBQOSF7w_k3wpY2UTuruiKQ1O9-U2hcS5fjAHkpN7reoqANQ7MBiOAgiLixEUJcugarLZUVcjtYlQCJNeYZYEeWDK_/s1600/IMG_20190606_085822171_HDR.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhR43KPwvLUgTrqYmdQ8Kjvt3e1cH41M9DL_JyqHVswoOHcXlf2xyBQOSF7w_k3wpY2UTuruiKQ1O9-U2hcS5fjAHkpN7reoqANQ7MBiOAgiLixEUJcugarLZUVcjtYlQCJNeYZYEeWDK_/s320/IMG_20190606_085822171_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844015486469994304.post-58875154581342672282022-11-15T12:33:00.002-06:002022-11-15T12:33:44.762-06:00Until Then<p> Dear Linda,</p><p>I do not weep for you. My tears are for the empty spot inside of me. I rejoice for you. You are with the One you loved more than this life. No more pain. No more suffering. If you can get this message in heaven, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for all the memories. My heart is full of gratitude to God for the blessing of you. Thirty-eight beautiful years I knew you, and I treasure every one.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissR7fBlLz6P7d3yvlXWsuhGdOyVISa0AXKzTF0XXIU8UVo69-qOC_kixIcjYnY2HhQ8vkiZTRqq2jem8MFqzGAX8Eek6ZFgsRhajO3dcONyuBTuqE_HTyKqmbqN-a_oIA-wpEa6fBlZnFap8q78OkCs7WGa4KGUo3WK4ayWaezTT9eVbQAYSC2vYDbw/s497/Linda%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="396" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissR7fBlLz6P7d3yvlXWsuhGdOyVISa0AXKzTF0XXIU8UVo69-qOC_kixIcjYnY2HhQ8vkiZTRqq2jem8MFqzGAX8Eek6ZFgsRhajO3dcONyuBTuqE_HTyKqmbqN-a_oIA-wpEa6fBlZnFap8q78OkCs7WGa4KGUo3WK4ayWaezTT9eVbQAYSC2vYDbw/s320/Linda%20(2).jpg" width="255" /></a></div><br /><p>God brought you into my life when I was in 8th grade. You taught our girl's Sunday School class at church. We were a silly bunch of giggling middle school and high school girls. I remember you shaking your head and laughing along with us. You would invite all of us crazy girls to your house for fun and taffy pulls. You even braved loading us up in your car for shopping trips to Bartlesville each year. You knew our secret crushes, our dreams, and our struggles. We were all your girls, and I think you kept up with each of us over the years.</p><p><br /></p><p>As I walk through the years of memories, I am filled with gratefulness to God for the gift of You.</p><p>I am thankful for...</p><p>-Guidance and love in my formative teen years.</p><p>-Sunday School class.</p><p>-Taffy pulls.</p><p>-Shopping trips.</p><p>-Phone conversations.</p><p>-Honesty and wisdom when I needed it as a minister's wife.</p><p>-Your listening ear. You were the best listener!</p><p>-Lunch dates in Independence when I needed a break from all my kids.</p><p>-Your love for every single one of my children.</p><p>-Your faithfulness to God and your church family. (Remember when we called the cops to do a well check when you didn't show to church one week. That became a favorite story of yours. "Don't miss a service at the Church of Christ or they call the cops.")</p><p>-The trips you made to Rose Hill just to see us after we moved.</p><p>-How you made me feel important, special, and loved.</p><p>-The last time I saw you at Family camp. The last hug. The last goodbye. (Oh, Linda, if I had known I would have made it all last longer.)</p><p><br /></p><p>As I have been grieving, yet giving thanks and rejoicing in your home going, I've realized that I've not just lost a dear friend and mentor on this earth. I've lost a mother. That is what you have been in my life. God knew it would take more than one mother to raise and guide me. :) Thank you for being you and taking me and so many others you knew under your wing. You mothered many. I am honored and blessed to have been one of them. </p><p><br /></p><p>Scripture says that, "Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning." It is forever morning for you! One day I will join you and lay my crown beside yours at the feet of our Jesus.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ASP2kcDgE0A" width="320" youtube-src-id="ASP2kcDgE0A"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Until then,</p><p>Natasha</p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844015486469994304.post-52902073348043946402022-06-15T06:00:00.001-05:002022-06-15T17:32:59.851-05:00To Love Their HusbandsThere are several women who have been role models and teachers to me. Esther Friend was one of those people in my life. Titus 2:3-5 says,<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.</blockquote><br />Esther taught me much about how to love my husband. I remember meeting Esther when I was twelve years old. To me she was beautiful. She often had a smile as she cheerfully worked serving those around her. She was in her element when she had a kitchen at her disposal with lots of people to feed. Over the years what stood out to me about Esther was the way she worked alongside her husband. They farmed together, raised dogs together, and drove a mail truck together. Whatever her husband was doing, she was there helping him and supporting him.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8rf3fMlDJUXH7pqDq0C7FcnMFMIfLpl3AFshckTYXUgP12-3nt3IERkRYtY3wJZfJQgEfxjnmPOSePwE5JpVDsh71gM3gTABxn8xhnkOD_LPqFVbVPvpmA8KH820VW8c8QE_i2I2i4D8/s1600/Picture_006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8rf3fMlDJUXH7pqDq0C7FcnMFMIfLpl3AFshckTYXUgP12-3nt3IERkRYtY3wJZfJQgEfxjnmPOSePwE5JpVDsh71gM3gTABxn8xhnkOD_LPqFVbVPvpmA8KH820VW8c8QE_i2I2i4D8/s320/Picture_006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
At Bible study one day Esther told the younger ladies that each day she got up and did her hair and put on her make-up because she wanted to look good for her husband. That made an impact on me because I realized that often I only "did myself up" when I was going out. I rarely did my hair nice or put on make-up for my husband at home. She was one of my "older women." I needed her wisdom. <br />
<br />There were tears when I learned God had called Esther home. She was a formative part of my life teaching me what it meant to love my husband. Yet my mind quickly turned to praise of God. I praise God with the psalmist who says, <i>"Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts." </i>(Psalm 145:3-4) <div><br /></div><div>Esther loved to tell about what God had done in her life, about prayers he had answered, and the way God had led their family. She commended the works of God to me and pointed me to him always by the way she lived. <div><br /></div><div>I know Esther missed her Billie these past four years, yet I saw her face the days with courage and in the love of her Lord. She lived for Jesus. She pointed us to Jesus whether it was through her love for her husband or her love for her family. It wasn't about her. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So it is with tears for this night, but with joy in the morning that I can say..."Great is the Lord and worthy of praise!" </div><div><br /></div><div>When I remember Esther I think "Jesus," and that's exactly what she would have wanted. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VXIBP2BdYR8" width="320" youtube-src-id="VXIBP2BdYR8"></iframe></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844015486469994304.post-22003767717589300782021-11-15T09:06:00.001-06:002021-11-15T09:16:46.608-06:00To Obey or Disobey<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>An Overview of the Book of Deuteronomy</b></span></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>It is hard to remember something when we just hear it once or even
twice.</i> <i>We all need reminded over and over about what is important. I
believe that is what the book of Deuteronomy is all about. It is a
retelling of Israel’s history, the Law, and God’s keeping of his
covenant promise to them. They needed reminded of what was
important.</i></p>
<p style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMhmDPWeftw">The Book of Deuteronomy - YouTube</a></p><p style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="font-size: 15pt;"><br /></b></p><p style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="font-size: 15pt;">Lesson:</b></p><p style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">Deuteronomy
is a 2</span><span style="color: black;"><sup>nd</sup></span><span style="color: black;">
telling of </span><span style="color: black;">Israel’s
history, a 2</span><span style="color: black;"><sup>nd</sup></span><span style="color: black;">
telling of </span><span style="color: black;">the
law, a</span><span style="color: black;">nd
another</span><span style="color: black;">
reminder of God’s faithfulness. </span><span style="color: black;">He
is a God who keeps His Word.</span></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;">Read Deuteronomy 6:4-8. </span><span style="background: rgb(223, 204, 228);">What are the
Israelites asked to do in 6:4?</span> </p>
<p style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #ce181e;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">They were asked to hear in a manner that required more then just an auditory intake of sound
into the ear. This hearing was something that required action. </span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #ce181e;"><b><span style="color: black;">
</span><span style="color: black;">Listen and Do.</span></b></span></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: rgb(223, 204, 228);">What
actions are required that you find in verses 5-8?</span></span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: rgb(223, 204, 228);">How were they to do this?</span></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></p><p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">They were to keep the commandments on their hearts, impress them on their children, talk about them wherever they were, write them down around their
houses and tie them as symbols on their hands and bind them on their
foreheads.</span></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">These instructions were important...so
important that they are repeated in 11:18-21.</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: #fff200;">Listen and
Love is central to the book of of Deuteronomy.</span></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="background: rgb(255, 242, 0);">God wanted them to Listen and Do. It was an active hearing. </span></span>
</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="background: rgb(255, 242, 0);">God wanted them to Love and Obey. It was a love shown through obedience.</span></span></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">A
large part of the book of Deuteronomy then is a recounting of the
laws God wants them to obey. The
10 commandments are reviewed...some of them in much more detail then
found
in Exodus 20.</p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">By the
time we get to chapters 27-29, the Israelite people are faced with a
choice.</p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;"><b>To
Obey or to Disobey??</b>?</span></span></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">God tells
them if they obey they will be blessed. If they disobey, they will
be cursed.</span></span></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">So the
questions became…</p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;"><b>Do
</b><b>they</b><b> want blessings or curses?</b> </span></span>
</p>
<p style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="background: transparent;">Do
they want life or death?</span></b></span></p><p style="font-style: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Read
chapter 28:1-14. Find 10
blessings that the Lord will give if they obey him.</p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Read
chapter 28:15-68. Name at
least 10 curses God will put on them if they disobey.</p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Read Deut
30: 19. The Israelite people had to make choices.</p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">Blessings
or curses? </span></span>
</p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">Life or
death?</span></span></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Application:</b></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Today we still face
this same choices. However, we have hope. We have the hope that
though we are much like Israel...a disobedient people, God has made a
better way for us.
</p>
<p style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Read Deut. 30:6. Moses tells them that after they have rebelled and are scattered, if
they repent he will gather them back together and still keep his
promise to them.
</p>
<p style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>We still have to
choose to obey or disobey. </b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Read
John 14:15.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">He still says in
John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commands.”
</p>
<p style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">However, here is the
difference between the Old and the New Testament. Read John 14:16-17. God hasn’t left us alone. He has sent us an advocate (an
intercessor), to live in us and to help us. This advocate is the
Holy Spirit.</p>
<p style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">The Holy Spirit also
reminds us of something important. Read Hebrews 10:15-18. God has
made a new covenant with us. His laws are no longer on stone
tablets, but they are written in our hearts. Then this important
reminder is added, “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no
more.” Why? Because Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for sin, so
no more sacrifice for sin is needed. We have been forgiven of our
sins.</p>
<p style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>We still have to
choose life or death.</b> Read Romans 8:13</p>
<p style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">The gift of the Holy
Spirit is so important. The Israelites failed time and time again.
They could only strive in the flesh to obey. The flesh lets us down.
As Christians who receive the Spirit, we get the choice of living by
the Spirit. By it we can put to death the misdeeds of the body. We
can choose life.</p>
<p style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>We still have to
choose blessings over curses?</b>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Read Revelation 1:3.</p>
<p style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">How do we choose
blessings over curses?
</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">What is the ultimate
blessing we receive if we choose blessings?</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Read Hebrews
3:16-4:1-2, 4:9-11.</p>
<p style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">To obey or disobey?
To choose life or death? To choose blessings or curses? The choice
is ours just as it was for the Israelites.</p>
<p style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfHlvrAKMoU&t=27s">The Bible Explained: Deuteronomy - YouTube</a>
</p><p style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844015486469994304.post-30711449606603985232021-05-29T18:00:00.000-05:002021-05-29T18:00:52.197-05:00His Words to Guide Them<p><span> </span>Parenting is tough. We have seven grown children and two still at home. The longer I've parented, the more I realize I'm pretty much a mess. I don't have the answers. I can't claim all seven children as wonderful success stories. Parenting our last two isn't easier after already raising seven. That's probably not what you wanted to hear, but it is reality. </p><p> It is scary for me to attempt to offer advice. The best thing I can offer is the Holy Scripture. I love Isaiah 55:8-11 which says, <i>"For my thoughts are not your thoughts; neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." </i> God's Word will not return void or empty. That is a promise I've hung onto in parenting. I strive to teach His Word and trust Him to do His work. <br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmJpnJSyF21l3yAFMseMQIml_b5rda1VKC26MzUW_GjhG00NbTVMe_kcBQXgLlIR5NKCAz-zI9hJBctL9uoxHmLzMk1uQJZBtESB3plQTr78KVRaIQwidnfaVl_SqIA53jzkAZ-_kD4-9/s400/ID-10015142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="265" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmJpnJSyF21l3yAFMseMQIml_b5rda1VKC26MzUW_GjhG00NbTVMe_kcBQXgLlIR5NKCAz-zI9hJBctL9uoxHmLzMk1uQJZBtESB3plQTr78KVRaIQwidnfaVl_SqIA53jzkAZ-_kD4-9/s320/ID-10015142.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><b>Teaching through God's Words</b></p><p><span> Psalm 78:1-8 says, "O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old--what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children; the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. They would be like their forefathers--a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to Him." </span><br /></p><p><span> <i>Use teachable moments.</i> In Psalm 78:1 there is a plea for God's people to "hear my teaching" and to "listen to the words of my mouth." My prayer as a parent is that my children will truly listen to God's instruction. I've found that my children are most teachable when they are engaged in activity with me. One relaxing summer evening our family was out at the lake. The sun had gone down and the sky was bright with stars. We lay back on the grassy bank gazing into the heavens and tried to remember all the Bible stories or verses that mentioned stars. It led to the overwhelming realization that despite the vastness of the universe, God loved and cared for us though we were smaller then specks in this vast universe.<br /></span></p><p><span><span> Every parent has probably experienced the wasted toothpaste swirls in the bathroom sink. One day as some hurtful words were slung at each other, I challenged the kids to see if they could put the toothpaste back into the tube. Then we discussed how when we say words, we are unable to put them back in our mouths. Teachable moments aren't often planned moments. They are moments that I pray God will help me be in tune with, so I can illustrate the truth of His Word to my children.</span><br /></span></p><p><span><span> <i>Read books with moral value.</i> Psalm 78:2 says, "I will open my mouth in parables." Even Jesus used stories to illustrate a point. There are many wonderful children's books available that teach valuable life lessons. One time I was reading about a boy who had bent his mother's good paring knife and the lied about it. The boy had a dream about a giant bent paring knife hooking to his suspender's and pulling him under water. The lie was tormenting him. One of my boys piped up, "Mom, that's just how I felt when I stole the Easter candy." Often when I'm reading a story, my children will start discussions about their feelings or about what is right or wrong in a situation. Children beg for another chapter in a book, but they won't beg me for another lecture.<br /></span></span></p><p><span><span> <i>Tell stories of God's faithfulness.</i> Psalm 78:4 states, "We will not hide them from their children; the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done." The supper table or car rides are natural places for sharing stories. Children love to hear stories about those close to them. I often tell my children about how God was faithful to my Great Grandma when she was a widow with five children during the Great Depression. She had a wonderful testimony about learning to tithe when it seemed there was nothing to give.<br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span> Five of our children were adopted out of foster care. When they were younger they begged to hear the story about how God answered prayers and moved to bring about their adoptions. It would be a shame if they did not know the stories about God's faithfulness to them and to those who prayed. </span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-0bpVSmq58Y5REGruEme3jw7q5Hjj5b-rfvVqAvEw5oLEH6ExsxuISVJSTujwJ-41kpUUHoL2LelYXRQikuki_LCME9exDecbX8SyPJhCEWULH6kVteL-GTEUdMN5BLK1N2AwaQv61h9/s400/572801mhsu0534u.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-0bpVSmq58Y5REGruEme3jw7q5Hjj5b-rfvVqAvEw5oLEH6ExsxuISVJSTujwJ-41kpUUHoL2LelYXRQikuki_LCME9exDecbX8SyPJhCEWULH6kVteL-GTEUdMN5BLK1N2AwaQv61h9/s320/572801mhsu0534u.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span><br /></span><p></p><p><span><span><span><span> <i>Spend time together in family Bible reading.</i> In Psalm 78:5 it reminds me that, "He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children." When I was growing up my dad always made it non-negotiable to have family devotions. There were many times my brother, sister, and I complained and grumbled, but today we all are grateful to our mom and dad for showing us what was important through their example of establishing God's Word as a priority in our home. My husband and I strive to do the same thing, but it can get discouraging when the children are less the cooperative. I have to take a step back and remember my children won't always appreciate what is good for them at the time.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span> <i> Encourage personal Bible reading.</i> Going over to Psalm 119:9-10 I read, "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands." It is important that "our faith" becomes "their faith." I have to teach my children to seek the Lord. With some of my older children who were book lovers we made a deal. "No books until we read the Bible." They caught me more than one time reading something before reading my Bible. We kept each other accountable. We started this as soon as they started reading. Currently with my two children left at home, we have a 30 minute "quiet time" in place each morning where they are to do personal Bible reading, prayer, journaling, and listening to Christian music. I can't necessarily force them to do it, but I can create opportunity for them and encourage them.<br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXtm1r-1IS5Pymt1ZfNPeQdxeE3p90VX-ETjbDlBBr_RQ2siZzEORyBtZPPg3F-2AofA3E3f6tJgwKI1KHiVubXglnFvmDUy1JxJWGUJHfMS5e_cPzjDiybsN9OV-eewVsV33tiUJrZGe/s400/8713n959b6pdw5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXtm1r-1IS5Pymt1ZfNPeQdxeE3p90VX-ETjbDlBBr_RQ2siZzEORyBtZPPg3F-2AofA3E3f6tJgwKI1KHiVubXglnFvmDUy1JxJWGUJHfMS5e_cPzjDiybsN9OV-eewVsV33tiUJrZGe/s320/8713n959b6pdw5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span><br /></span><p></p><p><span><span><span><span> <i>Memorize Scripture.</i> Reading on in Psalm 119:11 it says, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Children have remarkable memories. My husband has helped the children learn Scripture by making up songs. During our devotional time, he will have them repeat the same verse each day until they learn it. Three of our children memorized whole chapters of the Bible. It is important to teach them to hide the Word in their hearts because it will help keep them from sin.<br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span> Why spend so much time in the Word? Psalm 78:6,7 gives the answer, "...so the next generation would know them (referring back to the law and statutes of God), even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands." Future generations depend on parents passing the Word on to their children. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vJM-P1SSe__fla4ZUI6N5bS9VZpJtzuJBTJCr7FNhhGnhLBW5shR43TkIQnKByTD07vl6ymU7LPhPDQHPl2pnu8r28TEN3uIbXLb-lESn-V6iF6ZoDKEEO-LEDkO9YknntRPkZwjGOcJ/s1600/IMG_6273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vJM-P1SSe__fla4ZUI6N5bS9VZpJtzuJBTJCr7FNhhGnhLBW5shR43TkIQnKByTD07vl6ymU7LPhPDQHPl2pnu8r28TEN3uIbXLb-lESn-V6iF6ZoDKEEO-LEDkO9YknntRPkZwjGOcJ/s320/IMG_6273.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span><br /></span><p></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Hebrews 4:12 says His Word is "living and active." It works when I have nothing left to give. It works when there is nothing more I can do. God's Word is my hope in parenting. It is their hope for life. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844015486469994304.post-29834334102679325422021-04-12T21:17:00.002-05:002021-04-13T09:09:28.805-05:00Letting Our Angel Fly<p><span> </span> It has hit me hard. Our Angel Girl is graduating from high school in just a month. In addition, she's moving out of the nest. I thought I was ready, but suddenly the tears are flowing.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXyPf6bGt7bRifRrJGKFB9Jd95qqGv0TTzgEWQmtsEc11ekyn11LetexEMa1M3-6OcS7T7DW9hh02QHCycqzsq-XQ7-te0MPH-RxIn-QG-_qpV0vFZLplE0cQtJ1nywC8lQ4HAIns-2DyE/s960/118085461_731589997698897_5137302361742555955_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXyPf6bGt7bRifRrJGKFB9Jd95qqGv0TTzgEWQmtsEc11ekyn11LetexEMa1M3-6OcS7T7DW9hh02QHCycqzsq-XQ7-te0MPH-RxIn-QG-_qpV0vFZLplE0cQtJ1nywC8lQ4HAIns-2DyE/w213-h320/118085461_731589997698897_5137302361742555955_n.jpg" title="Shelli Ford Photography" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: Shelli Ford Photography<br /><a href="https://shelliford.smugmug.com/">shelliford (smugmug.com)</a></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><span> <span> </span> Sweet Girl, my first thought of you, a gift from God, came in the most unexpected way. I could never erase that picture. The little girl with the sad eyes...I knew I would know them if I ever saw them. (</span><a href="http://tashales.blogspot.com/2009/07/beginning.html" target="_blank">The Beginning</a>)</p><p><span> </span>When you stepped out of the van into my arms, I knew you were home. You did too. You called me "mama." I called you mine. (<a href="http://tashales.blogspot.com/2010/03/our-angel-girl.html" target="_blank">Our Angel Girl</a>)</p><p><span><span> </span>You asked me to "pway to Jesus that I can tay here porever and ever." I fell on my knees beside my bed and begged Jesus to answer your prayer. With tears I poured my heart out on your behalf. Jesus heard us. (<a href="http://tashales.blogspot.com/2010/09/ambers-story.html" target="_blank">Amber's Story</a>)</span></p><p><span> From the start you were a blessing. You were the answer to Kayt's prayers for a sister. The two of you were inseparable. Nothing made my "mama" heart more happy then the hours you all spent together...playing dress up, reading stories, acting out dramas, taking pictures, and making movies. (<a href="http://tashales.blogspot.com/2011/12/when-child-prayed.html" target="_blank">When a Child Prayed</a>)</span></p><p><span><span> Those sad eyes were transformed into happy blue eyes. They took on a sparkle as your laughter often filled the room. Your ability to have fun, be silly, and laugh at yourself brought joy to our home.</span><br /></span></p><p><span> The early childhood days passed in a blur. You grew up. You began to assert yourself and have your own opinion. We were thankful to see you begin to be "ok" with stirring the water and making waves. The fear began to leave, and you grew into a strong young lady who knew what she wanted in life.</span></p><p><span> Challenges never caused you to back down. Instead you worked harder. School wasn't that easy for you, but you are graduating near the top of your class. Weight lifting became your passion, and you persevered and became the 2A Heavy Weight Girl's State Champion for 3 years. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8Qc0Fq88eR_8QtzKAbswseRGqYBUuZuCYfzXBzqyEFGNrE_DF3uTFFg-6ajF3bVzsavMDE4beqILx5HyN1xS9BuyjN2CyRlR_s_fLRzmgpheANNxxLaaOhN-ZVIrOvbWbMihIkjh1PU4/s2048/698A8119+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8Qc0Fq88eR_8QtzKAbswseRGqYBUuZuCYfzXBzqyEFGNrE_DF3uTFFg-6ajF3bVzsavMDE4beqILx5HyN1xS9BuyjN2CyRlR_s_fLRzmgpheANNxxLaaOhN-ZVIrOvbWbMihIkjh1PU4/s320/698A8119+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: Shelli Ford Photography<br /><a href="https://shelliford.smugmug.com/">shelliford (smugmug.com)</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span><br /></span><p></p><p><span><span> Life didn't deal you a good hand. You didn't start with many advantages. There have been hurts and heartaches that I long to erase from your life and memory. However, the very things that could have defeated you, you are seeking to let God use for His good. I'm proud of you for that. (<a href="http://tashales.blogspot.com/2016/03/my-chains-are-gone.html" target="_blank">My Chains are Gone</a>)</span></span></p><p><span><span><span> I'm going to miss your daily presence in our home, but I know you are ready to fly. I'll always treasure your days of childhood growing to adulthood that we have shared. I know God chose you for us for a season, and it is time to let you go. I'm good with that. It's the way it is supposed to be.</span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span> You have taken what you have learned, and you use it in life. I'm not sure I was ready for you to be so independent, but it is a blessing. And, Wow! You secured a job at a title company before you even graduated. You know what you want and where you are going, and I'm cheering you on! </span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span> <span> </span>I anticipate the days ahead as I watch you become all that God wants you to be. We have many memories to continue to build and share together as you will always be "our girl." I'm so grateful God made us family. Keep loving Jesus! Always and Forever, your Mom.</span><br /></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQt4rYt5_Dj4C4qUxqAxjXf4OEoRlj4Ww1CAAvE_IM-Iv5MQzfbKBZTxVpkednKaU3NRq6LYCuM-D8aKRuVpLAheWZyxWrmPhg9btoxFZs_SFnWKF96psXrud65FSiRwUre5_F_cquswJa/s2048/IMG_0883.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQt4rYt5_Dj4C4qUxqAxjXf4OEoRlj4Ww1CAAvE_IM-Iv5MQzfbKBZTxVpkednKaU3NRq6LYCuM-D8aKRuVpLAheWZyxWrmPhg9btoxFZs_SFnWKF96psXrud65FSiRwUre5_F_cquswJa/s320/IMG_0883.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: Shelli Ford Photography<br /><a href="https://shelliford.smugmug.com/">shelliford (smugmug.com)</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><span><span> </span> </span></p><p><span><br /></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844015486469994304.post-9348075241367837222021-02-13T17:25:00.003-06:002021-02-13T19:30:13.037-06:00For My Love<p style="text-align: center;"><br />Walking together, holding hands. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Laughing, talking, enjoying the idea of love. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Our simple beginning.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Someone to dream with. </p><p style="text-align: center;">To start a family with. </p><p style="text-align: center;">To serve God with. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UlFOqbUUUFta6I-S0_scK9HXhuiTxADTYb5vT3zxBNnlwadp7UPRiS7P15XzeNWydPsZmJbqO0H8yY11kiJJcTQ1GoeZXqVaE2ZvBNs9Ib8ALDm1OMbkmGocCiBPaV9umVel1xPd3rKb/s1006/scan0006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1006" data-original-width="814" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UlFOqbUUUFta6I-S0_scK9HXhuiTxADTYb5vT3zxBNnlwadp7UPRiS7P15XzeNWydPsZmJbqO0H8yY11kiJJcTQ1GoeZXqVaE2ZvBNs9Ib8ALDm1OMbkmGocCiBPaV9umVel1xPd3rKb/s320/scan0006.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">You were the answer to my prayers. </p><p style="text-align: center;">The answer to my parent's prayers. </p><p style="text-align: center;">God's gift to me, immeasurably more than I could ever ask or imagine.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">We've held our babies.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Watched them grow.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Given them to God, given them to another to love.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgyKp7dNxxxE0tYMHm6RCXcvM2JHZyFhjung8V5UVgrubXgXJ8v29D0fbhEJyP7XP0jOmW8jVNYtVYOR_HRCx-OytxvzCnFRNJApBE1H8d8o-LOwAeMo7tF-EpWES-jyoo0-quaptZKK0/s770/Scan0001.tif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="509" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgyKp7dNxxxE0tYMHm6RCXcvM2JHZyFhjung8V5UVgrubXgXJ8v29D0fbhEJyP7XP0jOmW8jVNYtVYOR_HRCx-OytxvzCnFRNJApBE1H8d8o-LOwAeMo7tF-EpWES-jyoo0-quaptZKK0/s320/Scan0001.tif" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">You have wept with me and wiped my tears.</p><p style="text-align: center;">You have been my rock when the world around me crumbled.</p><p style="text-align: center;">You have held me tight when sorrow threatened all I knew.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">You have encouraged me to reach for my dreams.</p><p style="text-align: center;">You made me a wife and mother.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Made those without family our own. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">You believe in me though you know my weaknesses.</p><p style="text-align: center;">You want me to still dream, still pursue my passions.</p><p style="text-align: center;">You desire for me to be all God wants me to be.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6_EtsQyWf5kokNe7hP8JMI0hnI9NhWX8xlcsx_CT018-gEG6ZMGy54TKBMfLBy9jfovQ80KiQOD4e4OIy2OQ_Kd_FBpYgkE2Y91S823qVb-dLRIqOMrtMhDbW0BFkzEzxa4O00BkOuNe/s1600/IMG_7239.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6_EtsQyWf5kokNe7hP8JMI0hnI9NhWX8xlcsx_CT018-gEG6ZMGy54TKBMfLBy9jfovQ80KiQOD4e4OIy2OQ_Kd_FBpYgkE2Y91S823qVb-dLRIqOMrtMhDbW0BFkzEzxa4O00BkOuNe/s320/IMG_7239.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I don't deserve all that you have given me.</p><p style="text-align: center;">All that God has given me in you.</p><p style="text-align: center;">But I'm grateful for the beautiful gift of you.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">God gave me a man after His own heart.</p><p style="text-align: center;">God gave me a tall, smiling, gentle, and selfless friend.</p><p style="text-align: center;">God gave me You, the love of my life.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3vmCyFfSTG4" width="320" youtube-src-id="3vmCyFfSTG4"></iframe></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844015486469994304.post-74047238017674460862021-02-09T10:46:00.000-06:002021-02-09T10:46:14.742-06:00Favoritism (Lesson Worksheet)<p><b>Read James 2:1-4.</b></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What command are we
given in verse 1?</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Define partiality or
favoritism.</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What was happening
when the Christians were gathering together? (2-4)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What are some ways
this same thing happens today in the church?</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">How does showing
favor to one over another make one a judge with evil thoughts or
motives? (v. 4)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">In Luke 6:20 and Mt.
5:3 we learn that God chose the poor to be rich in faith, and also
that the poor will receive the kingdom of God. Does this mean all
poor will be in heaven or that there won’t be any rich in heaven?
Why or why not?</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">For further
clarification...</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Read Mt.
19:23-26.</b></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What is easier for a
camel then for a rich man?</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Can a rich man be
saved?</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Read James
1:9-11.</b></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What do poor
believers have to be able to take pride in?</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What should the rich
believers boast about?</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Why should the rich
boast only in what they have in Christ?</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Read James 2:5-7.</b></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Who did God honor?
(v. 5)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Yet who is it that
these Christians were dishonoring? (v. 6)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Why is this
situation ironic? (v. 6-7)
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Read James 5:1-6.</b></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The rich here does not refer to rich Christians necessarily. It is
referring to their rich oppressors. These verses give us a clearer
picture of the culture in which James’s readers were living.</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What type of life were the rich living? (v. 5)</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Who was crying out against the rich oppressors? (v. 4)</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Whose ears have heard these cries? (v. 4)</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What is going to happen to the wealth of the rich oppressors? (v.
2-3)</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What have the rich oppressors fattened themselves for? (v. 5)</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Read James
2:8-13.</b></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the O.T. love for his neighbor meant love for his fellow
Israelite. How did Jesus expand this command?</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Matthew 5:43-44 -</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Luke 10:25-37 -
</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What is the royal law? (v. 8)</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What are those who show favoritism doing? (v. 9)</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What are we guilty of if we break one point of the law? (v. 10-11)</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Why is it important not to view the law as a series of individual
rules rather than as a whole?</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What do verses 12-13 about showing mercy have to do with the sin of
favoritism? (See Zechariah 7:9-10)</p><p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
How does mercy triumph over judgment?</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2jxHPBB56fB7PU1VMHjA3KCGRkMGd6PSebEmjwlyRTyVxTkb1swY1_RN_GNOx-XT-1eM6Da5XoZITPqksqEJr2kViAwti8dy3jONM6ByNZaPTu8bIQsoonGnZjnIHwhOH2lYR4EVHK3-/s1280/Gal+3+28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2jxHPBB56fB7PU1VMHjA3KCGRkMGd6PSebEmjwlyRTyVxTkb1swY1_RN_GNOx-XT-1eM6Da5XoZITPqksqEJr2kViAwti8dy3jONM6ByNZaPTu8bIQsoonGnZjnIHwhOH2lYR4EVHK3-/s320/Gal+3+28.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p align="center" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844015486469994304.post-11145332803838681252021-02-03T08:53:00.000-06:002021-02-03T08:53:00.778-06:00Fire Prevention (Lesson Worksheet)<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>A
Lesson on the Tongue from James</b></span></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-OccoLtJYf86RkCghbgTrL9D5-xqHiDJuOfkpM4pRJ6sKukYb-YRp8WH6Y71JiSOrgR_v4OOq2Ty_ytafQUrT5IR6WMVqdC3l5-rOXOaMN4cIVAgVB44cZv2HanjgATMI380uckrRA92/s1280/James+3+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-OccoLtJYf86RkCghbgTrL9D5-xqHiDJuOfkpM4pRJ6sKukYb-YRp8WH6Y71JiSOrgR_v4OOq2Ty_ytafQUrT5IR6WMVqdC3l5-rOXOaMN4cIVAgVB44cZv2HanjgATMI380uckrRA92/s320/James+3+5.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p align="center" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The tongue is often the
tool we use to give vent to our anger.</i></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Read James 1:19-21.</b>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What are we to be
quick to do? (v. 19)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What are we to be
slow to do? (v. 19)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Why are we to be
slow to become angry? (v. 20)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What kinds of words
are we to use when we do speak? (See Prov. 15:1)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">How many words
should we use when we are angry or any other time? (See Prov. 10:19)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"></p><blockquote>“<i><span style="font-weight: normal;">When
there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who
restrains his lips is wise.” </span></i>Proverbs 10:19 (NASB)</blockquote><p></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Is anger a sin? Why
or why not? (See Ephesians 4:26-27)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What are some
examples of righteous anger? (For a Biblical example see John
2:13-16)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What are we to get
rid of in our lives? (v. 21)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What are we to
humbly accept? (v. 21)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Think about a
garden. In order for the plants to grow and thrive, we have to get
out the rocks, we have to pull the weeds, we have to loosen the soil,
and we have to water the ground. How can we use this as a picture of
our Christian lives?</p>
<p align="center" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial;">“<span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">A
good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart,
and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his
heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Luke 6:45</span></i></span></span></blockquote><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></i></span><p></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Read James 1:26.</b></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Sandwiched between
the verses on anger and this verse is the exhortation from James to
not just “listen to the Word but to do what it says.” (v. 22-25)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></p>
<p align="center" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Just as true faith requires
action, true obedience requires the tongue to be kept under control.</span></i></p></blockquote><p align="center" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></i></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What happens if I do
not keep a tight rein on my tongue? (v. 26)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Read James
3:1-12.</b></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Why is there a
warning to teachers here in this section about the tongue? (v. 1-2)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">It states that
teachers will be judged more strictly. Do you think this is man’s
judgment or God’s judgment?
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Finish this
statement from v. 2: If I was able to control my tongue, I would be…</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What two examples
does James use to illustrate the power of the tongue? (v. 3-4)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Though
it be small, it be powerful.</i></span></blockquote><p></p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What are some modern
day examples of whole “forest fires” that have been started by a
few words? (v. 5-6)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What can be tamed?
(v. 7)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What cannot be
tamed? (v. 8)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What two things
should not come out of the same mouth? (v. 9-10)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">When we curse man,
who are we actually cursing? Why is that? (v. 9)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What is the
connection between Matthew 15:11, 18-20 and James 3:6-12?</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><blockquote><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<h3 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Output
will be equal to the Input.</i></span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></h3></blockquote>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></b></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="font-size: 12pt;">Read James 4:11-16.</b>
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">When I
slander or judge one of God’s creation, I am ultimately slandering
or judging
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">___________________, the Creator. (v. 11-12)</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What
type of judgment is James referring to here? (v. 11-12)</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Why should I not
boast about tomorrow? (v. 13-16)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">How should I live
each day? (v. 15)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Read James 5:12.</b></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Why should we not
swear by anything?</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Who does the
condemnation come from when our word is not good?</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Application:</b></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><br /></b></p>
<h2 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">Just
as words are powerful with a negative impact, </i></span></h2><h2 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">they are just as
powerful with a positive impact. </i></span></h2>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What
words have encouraged you?</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Brainstorm
Challenge: Positive Ways I can use my Tongue this Week...</b></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844015486469994304.post-71775997263846605382021-01-25T09:46:00.000-06:002021-01-25T09:46:58.376-06:00Wisdom: Help, I need it!<p><b style="font-size: 18pt;">HOW
TO GAIN WISDOM</b></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Read James 1:5-8</b></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What is God’s attitude in giving wisdom? (v. 5)</p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In what manner should we go about asking for wisdom? (v. 6)</p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Why are we told to ask for wisdom believing he will give it? (v. 6-8)</p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What is the anchor for our souls that keeps us from being tossed like
the sea? (See Hebrews 6:17-20)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkl7CaMuRDLSszJ1E3ezrzV5oJkKIuF-NfZp9yLi2J2VsggRU8Xm1KypkKb8uoIoL2eqw0K7sTNiU_NSopuuyU2aDmzbL8jIVjz3fOOXRJeguezDn7pA-MdJbpJWSDI6hk_S5pIixAr1gX/s1280/James+1+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkl7CaMuRDLSszJ1E3ezrzV5oJkKIuF-NfZp9yLi2J2VsggRU8Xm1KypkKb8uoIoL2eqw0K7sTNiU_NSopuuyU2aDmzbL8jIVjz3fOOXRJeguezDn7pA-MdJbpJWSDI6hk_S5pIixAr1gX/s320/James+1+5.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>HOW
THE WISE WALK...IN HUMILITY</b></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Read James
3:13-18.</b></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If one is wise and understanding of God’s ways, how does he live?
(v. 13)</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Who in the Bible is described as humble and gentle? (See Matthew
11:29)</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Why does wisdom require humility?
</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
How does bitter envy and selfish ambition contrast with humility?
(v. 14-17)</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What is boasting? What does boasting tend to cover up? (v. 14)</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Contrast earthly wisdom with heavenly wisdom.</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What do the attributes listed under Heavenly Wisdom remind you of?
(See Gal. 5:22-23; Mt. 5:3-12)</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>HOW
LIFE LOOKS WITHOUT WISDOM</b></span></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Read James 4:1-3.</b></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="font-size: 15pt;">These verses follow
directly on the heals of 3:17-18 which tell us that wisdom from above
is peace-loving. Peacemakers reap a harvest of righteousness. Now
James is showing us the opposite of peace.</i></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Where do quarrels come from? (v. 1)</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Why do I not have what I want? (v. 2)</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When I ask God, why do I not receive? (v. 3)</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What specific things in verse 3 might they be asking for? (v. 3)</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>HOW
HUMILITY AND WISDOM GO TOGETHER</b></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Read James
4:4-10.</b></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">I cannot be friends with both ___________________ and the
__________________________.</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What do I become if I choose to be a friend of the world? (v. 4)
</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What kind of God do I serve? (v. 5)</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Why does James bring up grace right after telling me that I cannot be
friends with both God and the world? (v. 6)</p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Why does God give grace to the humble? (v. 6)</p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Why does James spend so much time discussing sin and how we should
deal with it? (Think back to Genesis and the first sin.) (v. 7-10)</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="font-size: 15pt;">Sin should grieve us.</i></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When was the last time I truly grieved over my sin? (v. 8-10)</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Share some examples of times God has lifted you up.</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i><br />
</i></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: 18pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">Ask for wisdom without
doubt and with humility. God desires to give </span></i><i style="font-size: 18pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">it to us generously.
He will not find fault with us because we have to </span></i><i style="font-size: 18pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">come to him. This
is the relationship he desires to have with us.</span></i></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844015486469994304.post-9736577354193818422021-01-17T20:11:00.000-06:002021-01-17T20:11:42.341-06:00Faith and Works - Do They Save?<p> </p><p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Do
Faith and Works Go Together?</b></span></p>
<p align="center" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The grace of God and the
grateful response of man are both important.”</i></span></p>
<p align="center" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAtpKT6wXR9UfsAZUpUMKbyDYjMM5MfhSNUxZmwF_BaTlvKZxtO-IvxcJv0qrUzRe-jLUA9AZInOxehXqMOcvx75BM6P1M3gUwu2N2Lcad8Y4X40ofYky0U8Yi0UeJis_XQTDnWjDfdt2/s1280/James+1+22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAtpKT6wXR9UfsAZUpUMKbyDYjMM5MfhSNUxZmwF_BaTlvKZxtO-IvxcJv0qrUzRe-jLUA9AZInOxehXqMOcvx75BM6P1M3gUwu2N2Lcad8Y4X40ofYky0U8Yi0UeJis_XQTDnWjDfdt2/s320/James+1+22.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<p></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Read James 1:22-25.</b></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">vs. 22 – KEY VERSE
IN JAMES</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">See also Luke 11:28</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">How might we deceive
ourselves is we only “listen” to the Word? (v. 22)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Who is the person
like that only hears the Word but does not do what it says? (vs. 23,
24)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Thought question:
How might the church today be characterized? As “hearers only”
or as “hearers who do it?”</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">How are we to look
into the “perfect law?” (v. 25)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">“<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The
Word should make a lasting impression on our lives – so much so
that we act on it.”</i></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">How does the
“perfect law” give freedom or set us free? It almost seems a
contradiction. Freedom is gained by doing what the law says??? It
sounds like we have to do it. How can that be tied to freedom? (See
John 8:31-36)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What is the positive
outcome for those who “hear and do” the Word? (v. 25)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Read James
2:14-26.</b></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">List all your
observations about faith.</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Read Romans 3:28;
4:1-5; 10:9-10.</b></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">List all your
observations about faith.</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Some say these
passages contradict each other. Martin Luther would have thrown
James out of the Bible if he could have. But then Martin Luther also
wanted to say you are saved by faith “alone.”
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">It is vital to pay
attention to context.</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">*In Romans, Paul is
writing about how one gets “into” God’s kingdom.
Pre-conversion!</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">*James is addressing
Christians. James insists that works are required by those who are
“in.” Post-conversion!</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">*In Romans, Paul is
saying that works have no value in bringing us into relationship with
God. Faith is the conduit through which God’s grace is applied to
our lives.
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">*James is saying
that once the relationship is established, works are essential. A
living faith is essential in sustaining our Christian life.</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Read Ephesians
2:8-10. </b>
</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
How might these verses show the agreement of Paul and James?</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Important point:
James is saying that faith must be accompanied by works in order for
it to be a “living faith.”
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">“<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Genuine
faith must go beyond intellect and the will; it must affect our
attitudes and actions as well as our beliefs.” <span style="font-size: small;">(Moo,
pg. 107)</span></i></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">W</span><span style="font-size: small;">hat
two Old Testament examples does James give of people who showed their
faith through their actions? (v. 20-26) How did they show their
faith?</span></span></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Interestingly,
in Roman</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">s 4:3, 12 it is
Abraham that Paul uses to point out that Abraham was found righteous
by his faith not by his deeds.</span></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Read James 4:17.</b></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Finish the statement.</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Sin is not only
something bad I’m told not to do, it is also ...</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">How does this verse
relate back to James 1:22-25?
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b>Challenge
Statement: This week as I read the Word of God, I will try to
identify one thing I need to do as a result of my faith and write out
the steps I need to take to do that. </b></i></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844015486469994304.post-53325002365731891392021-01-11T05:49:00.003-06:002021-01-11T05:52:32.031-06:00Sending Satan Packing (Lesson Worksheet)<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 28pt;"><b>Sending
Satan Packing</b></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">A Lesson On Temptation</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRT1HTcWx7dwmAdPtxjasThE54yVFviREI7w3owpJOkzeCx5lCGc4uVSNWaKPLBFl2CwzudXRjbzwwygvkqt5clab33YmueHJ7SxdVPaIBz11osJyqz6si3feEQfR9YNC4GUZ-GbYnGnHw/s1280/James+5+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRT1HTcWx7dwmAdPtxjasThE54yVFviREI7w3owpJOkzeCx5lCGc4uVSNWaKPLBFl2CwzudXRjbzwwygvkqt5clab33YmueHJ7SxdVPaIBz11osJyqz6si3feEQfR9YNC4GUZ-GbYnGnHw/s320/James+5+16.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Read
James 1:13-15.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Verse 13</b></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Why should I not say
I am being tempted by God? See also I Cor. 10:13.</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">People God tested:</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">1. Genesis
22:1__________________________________</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">2. Judges
2:21-22________________________________</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">3. II Chronicles
32:30-31__________________________</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Does God testing
these people contradict what James is saying here? Why or Why not?</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What is the
difference between tempting and testing?</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Verse 14</b></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Where does
temptation come from?</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Who is the tempter?
(See James 4:7; Mark 1:13; Matthew 6:13)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What two things go
hand in hand in causing temptation?</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Who is responsible
for my sin?
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Is it accurate to
say, “The devil made me do it”??? Or is it right to blame God?
(See Gen. 3:8-13)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">How might I be like
a hungry fish looking at a fat juicy worm on a hook?</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Verse 15</b></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Is desire sin? Why
or why not?</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">When does sin occur?</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What is the result
of sin?</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Thought Question:
Have you ever felt guilty because you were tempted even though you
didn’t give in to the sin? If you said “yes”, why do you think
this happens?</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Read
James 1:16-18.</span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Verse
17</b></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What is
my God the source of? (v. 16)</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What
does lights refer to?</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">How
does our Heavenly Father contrast with “shifting shadows?” (See
Heb. 13:8; I John 1:5)</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Verse
18</b></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Who are
the “first fruits?” (See also I Cor. 15:20-23)</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What is
the “word of truth?” (See also Eph. 1:13-14; Col. 1:4-6)</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What is
the greatest “good gift” God has given us?</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>There
will be temptations in my life. However, they do not come from God.
My Heavenly Father is the giver of every “good gift.”</i></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Read
James 5:13-18.</span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="font-size: 12pt;">Verse
13</b></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Who
should pray?</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Who
should sing songs of praise?</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Verse
14</b></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What
should the sick do?</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">(I
Peter 2:24)</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Why is
confession key to healing from above? (See also I Peter 2:24)</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<br /><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Is this
spiritual healing or is it physical too?</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">(Look
at context here in James. See also I Cor. 11:30)</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Read
James 5:19-20</span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b>Sin
is serious! </b> If we give in to
temptation and get caught in
a repeating pattern of sin,
we are headed to destruction.</i></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What
should motivate us to care for our brother who wanders from the
truth? (See also I
Peter 4:8)
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="font-size: 24pt;">Application:</b></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So the question is “How can
I send Satan packing? (See II Cor. 10-3-5; Rom. 12:1-2; Eph.
6:10-18)</span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What are some examples of
answered prayers in regards to temptation and sin in your life?</span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">List some of the Good
Things/Perfect Gifts in your life.</span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">1.</span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">2.</span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">3.</span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">4.</span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">5.</span></p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>We need to think back also
to last week’s lesson on Trials. There is a common principle
shared with facing trials. Think Hebrews 12:1-</i><i>3. Throw off
what hinders us, the sin. And FIX our eyes on Jesus. If we fix our
eyes on the sin we want to be rid of, we set ourselves up for defeat.
Think of the juicy worm. The more I think about it, the more I am
apt to go after it despite the hook that I know is there. I have to
take my focus off the temptation and focus on God, the one who gives
all good things...the one who is not capable of tempting me...the one
who wants me to Overcome.</i></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844015486469994304.post-49631807584366170792021-01-05T06:11:00.002-06:002021-01-05T06:11:58.032-06:00When Trials Come My Way (Worksheet)<p> <b style="font-size: 18pt;">Introduction
to the Book of James</b></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What type of book is
it?</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Who was the author
of the book?</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Who was the book
written to?</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">The book of James
has been said to be the Proverbs of the New Testament. It is filled
with a wealth of wisdom. It covers a variety of themes pertaining to
the Christian life. These themes are scattered throughout the book
as James keeps coming back to them.</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">If you read through
the book of James, what are some of the themes you noticed?</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>WHEN
TRIALS COME MY WAY...</b></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Observe
the Text</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What is a trial?
(examples from James....Js. 2:6; 5:1-6, 14)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Read James 1:2-4, 12.</b></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What is the attitude
Christians should have during trials? (v. 2)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What is the reason
we can have this attitude? (v. 3) (I Pet. 1:6-7; Rom. 5:3-4)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What is the end
result? (v. 4)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Think of a mature
Christian you know or have known. What
kinds of trials have they faced in their lives?</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What is the reward
for the one who perseveres under trial? (v. 12)
</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcEy47aKfCTN214qUHBNdU6d5yrwxvpmlHIBIIxP1-UwHr_0OHV1yX36-yPSwSCR0wFw1aUDFd4IygCldw9cDSTHVQdHlOIESJRKKQ_NoUZ1guZKmnJtmKhlaY7Pz17I9ymm-CUdILdmq/s1280/72637406_2452177218355666_4020164550983680000_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcEy47aKfCTN214qUHBNdU6d5yrwxvpmlHIBIIxP1-UwHr_0OHV1yX36-yPSwSCR0wFw1aUDFd4IygCldw9cDSTHVQdHlOIESJRKKQ_NoUZ1guZKmnJtmKhlaY7Pz17I9ymm-CUdILdmq/s320/72637406_2452177218355666_4020164550983680000_n.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Perseverance is a
key word here. Read the following texts that stress the importance
of perseverance in the Christian walk: 2 Tim. 4:7-8; I Cor. 9:24-27</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What are some of the
similarities between an athlete and a Christian?
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Read James 5:7-11.</b></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">When facing trials,
what should our response be? (v. 7)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What is patience?</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">James gives three
examples of patience in this text. What are they? (v. 7-11)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Where is the Lord in
this time of waiting? (v. 8-9)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What is the attitude
of the Lord towards man as he waits for deliverance from trials? (v.
11)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Read James 5:13.</b></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">We will study this
text more in depth in another lesson, but I want us to pull one thing
from this. </p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">What
should we do when we are in trouble? </span>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Write a summary
based on these Scriptures of what you will do when you face trials.</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>When trials come
my way I will…</b></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844015486469994304.post-92169896127955891082021-01-04T14:33:00.000-06:002021-01-04T14:33:10.926-06:00Introduction to James<p>The book of James has always been one of my favorite New Testament letters. I was surprised the first time I taught a class on this book when a few of the women expressed that it was one of their least favorite because they came away from it feeling like failures. Since that time though, I've found that people either love this book or they struggle with it. </p><p>I am a practical person. I'm the nerd that loves getting the practical gift for Christmas. In fact, our very first Christmas we were married, my husband bought me a new toilet seat. I was thrilled. We were still in college and had little money, so we had been unable to replace it. It was broken, and I never knew which way it would slip and slide when I would sit on it. Don't bother with the flowers, jewelry and mushy cards (although occasionally is fine 😃). Give me something I can use. James does exactly that in his letter to the churches. He gives chunks of wisdom that help us live the Christian life fully. He also gets right to the point and doesn't beat around the bush. I like that. </p><p>With that said though, James is hard. He is blunt. It is easy to read it and use it as a measuring rod. How do I handle hardship? With joy??? Failed there. How am I doing with my tongue? It only gets away from me every ten minutes. Sigh. There is lots of good I know I should do...that I don't do. Another black mark for me. We begin to beat ourselves up. If you are one who struggles with this book, you are not alone. </p><p>I would contend though that James did not write the book to be used as a checklist that ends up highlighting all our shortcomings. He wrote it as a challenge to the Jewish Christians who had been scattered abroad during the persecution in Jerusalem. It was a challenge for them to live with an active faith as they awaited the imminent return of Jesus. James loved the church, and he knew that faith had to be lived out or it was soon to be a dead faith. He was concerned for them as he knew they faced oppression from the rich. They were undergoing trials, and he wanted them to see the trials in light of how they would prepare them for their crown of life. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvyY5nve-FUWQgA4BLEMpu9XmYj5_p9JPj9qT-33wP5EiqDQeWjhdO35N946i1TgjIoLVur__cYCAWn_n3iBEwsKwJScwvFNgeCczINmt3lZ704epZzLR7J9ItsUCtYx9AKjRuslwxWkl/s1280/James.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvyY5nve-FUWQgA4BLEMpu9XmYj5_p9JPj9qT-33wP5EiqDQeWjhdO35N946i1TgjIoLVur__cYCAWn_n3iBEwsKwJScwvFNgeCczINmt3lZ704epZzLR7J9ItsUCtYx9AKjRuslwxWkl/s320/James.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>I think of the role of a parent here. We teach our children how they should live. They can know what we teach them. They can even believe what we teach them is the right way. However, if they continue to choose over and over to ignore those things and not put them into practice, we become concerned for them. Why? Because we know it will lead them away from the "good" life we want them to have. It is not enough for them to just believe what we teach them is right. They need to live it out in order for it to bear the fruit we desire for their lives. </p><p>This is the point of James. He desires for the church a faith that produces fruit because God wants what is best for us. He desires the perseverance that will lead us to receive the crown of life God has for each one who endures and finishes the race. He knows it is hard. I believe that is why the book opens and closes with dealing with trials and temptations. He exhorts us to be patient in the trials remembering that our God is a full of compassion and mercy. As he closes the book he points us to the power of God working through prayer. It is by Him and through Him.</p><p>I pray as we study through this book we will be encouraged in our Christian walk. I pray we will be challenged to a living and active faith that proclaims Christ in this dark world. I pray that we would not let discouragement set in as we see areas that we need to improve. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844015486469994304.post-22427141123135923022020-11-22T19:16:00.001-06:002020-11-22T19:16:08.032-06:00Set free<p>There once was a land</p><p>where tall tales were oft told</p><p>the more outrageous the news</p><p>the better it sold</p><p><br /></p><p>From virus and vaccines</p><p>To elections and fraud</p><p>Who knew what to believe</p><p>Of truth they'd been robbed</p><p><br /></p><p>The mad rush was on</p><p>Empty shelves glaring bold</p><p>Frantic runs on the market</p><p>Toilet paper the new gold</p><p><br /></p><p>They lived frantic</p><p>They lived stressed</p><p>Isolated at home</p><p>their lives were a mess</p><p><br /></p><p>Amidst all the chaos</p><p>A voice strong and bold</p><p>was being suppressed</p><p>as fear took ahold</p><p><br /></p><p>The peace in the storm</p><p>was offered with love</p><p>The light in the darkness</p><p>still shone from above</p><p><br /></p><p>The question remained</p><p>if man would see</p><p>If light would be found</p><p>and people set free</p><p><br /></p><p><i></i></p><blockquote><i>Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."</i></blockquote><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk3BxX8aWpREalNo6TWGaDLjhyNAU_j0KkKiw4Hw8QS5BNySaCPljejNJ5OQUbOM5m3Mf0kQaCAHWxKwr-ahrNFUHFbjJIZLrD5q9PYZ7SYKzIUHPx1qkPMyeHN11G9HBADY25fvtljNiZ/s2048/IMG_20200202_065706131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk3BxX8aWpREalNo6TWGaDLjhyNAU_j0KkKiw4Hw8QS5BNySaCPljejNJ5OQUbOM5m3Mf0kQaCAHWxKwr-ahrNFUHFbjJIZLrD5q9PYZ7SYKzIUHPx1qkPMyeHN11G9HBADY25fvtljNiZ/s320/IMG_20200202_065706131.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844015486469994304.post-28611321241872562602020-10-26T11:30:00.001-05:002020-10-26T11:30:31.792-05:00And I give thanks<p><span> In the early morning dark I sit with coffee cradled warm within my hands. My gratitude journal lays open beside me. I've been on a journey. A journey to a life more filled with joy and gratitude. Each day I start by trying to give thanks...especially for the little things, the overlooked things. Some days I do better then others. Lists long. Lists short fill the entries. I realize how much easier it has become to count, to praise, to thank. God is opening my eyes to his ever present presence. Gratefulness for His goodness just this past weekend overwhelms me. </span><br /></p><p>All the gifts...</p><p><span> Children eager in the backseat asking every 10 minutes, "How much longer?" Looking forward to an overnight stay with big sister, Kayt, and her husband, Sam. Staying up past bedtime, playing games, cooking, and visiting the pumpkin patch all the things they look forward to. Anticipation builds during this longest ride ever. And I give thanks. Thank you for family that loves each other. Thank you for a daughter who gives of her time so Dad and Mom can have a night out.</span><br /></p><p><span><span> Walking hand in hand through downtown Lawrence. Freezing wind cutting right through our coats. Trying out an ice cream shop. Then gratefully soaking up the heat from the seat warmers in the car. Looking at the bold beautiful fall colors clothing the trees and admiring the huge majestic homes as we drive around town. Listening to my husband telling me what types of trees are the best for the hundredth time. Eating dinner late at night in a small Italian cafe'. Falling asleep at the hotel before the movie was over. Sleeping in. Waking to the quiet of no children, no hurry, no schedule with my husband warm beside me. And I give thanks. Thank you for my husband who wants to spend time with me, cherishes me, and loves me.</span><br /></span></p><p><span><span><span> Time in Salina, crowded in Dad and Mom's living room. Dad dealing with a serious illness. He is optimistic. Tells his stories. Sits and falls asleep amidst the chatter. Always ready to offer dessert when he wakens. Mom's concern in her voice, in the tears that gather in her eyes, and in her choked voice. Determined we soak in every moment. And I give thanks. Thank you for parents who passionately love you and love each other. Thank you for every moment, a gift.</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span> My son, Alex, beside me. He leans on my shoulder and grabs my hand. His love, always so passionate. This young man, who has endured dark days, but is walking out on the other side. One for whom I prayed from the time he was in my womb. One we thought we had lost, but God saved even before he was born. We go to church together, him eager for us to be with him. And I give thanks. Thank you for answered prayers. Thank you for this one who sees life differently and has taught me things I would never know without him. </span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span> And as the morning lightens, I see the beautiful snow. God covering his earth with pure whiteness. Reminds me of his love. It covers me. It is beautiful. It is pure. </span><br /></p><p><span>His presence. His warmth. It surrounds me blanketing me in love.</span></p><p><span>And I give thanks.</span></p><p><span><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4I6wuA5CIJQLzc9BgI27NquUg9WNzSY_lnS-6r0AYeQiIdc_mqZeg35WqVCGGkdOYUQIaHZGNBHt87k8jzoIaYZTy-WeP67bDL8Z_pA3mG-tcXWtIKdGgCZiMF-9k1LpqK6dLw78Lawjr/s1246/winter+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1246" data-original-width="1236" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4I6wuA5CIJQLzc9BgI27NquUg9WNzSY_lnS-6r0AYeQiIdc_mqZeg35WqVCGGkdOYUQIaHZGNBHt87k8jzoIaYZTy-WeP67bDL8Z_pA3mG-tcXWtIKdGgCZiMF-9k1LpqK6dLw78Lawjr/s320/winter+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span><br /></span><p></p><p><span><br /></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844015486469994304.post-9802083629876446262020-09-03T10:57:00.003-05:002020-10-21T11:21:08.026-05:00The Craving of My Soul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZvhDWpOPz_UKEJi-dy_NptZilO-zH7l5sAfqCb9o0e3M0xfyOrYDIxbHDKdnnM6q-wSMVExmdj3NQNJEwvmUcldlkXKN-m_TQznbH_fsHgaA6TxBNF7ooRH8UrTekdZybg0eqT68Eur8H/s400/white+heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZvhDWpOPz_UKEJi-dy_NptZilO-zH7l5sAfqCb9o0e3M0xfyOrYDIxbHDKdnnM6q-wSMVExmdj3NQNJEwvmUcldlkXKN-m_TQznbH_fsHgaA6TxBNF7ooRH8UrTekdZybg0eqT68Eur8H/s320/white+heart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>I want to be sought after.<div><i>Pursue me</i><br />
I want to be loved. <br /><i>Spend time with me</i></div><div>I want to be heard.<br /><i>
Listen to me</i><br />
<br /><b>
RELATIONSHIP</b><br />
I want relationship, fellowship, communion.<br />
It is the craving of my soul.<br />
<br />
It was there. In the Garden long ago.<br />
God loved his creation.<br />
He desired to spend time with them.<br />
He sought them out.</div><div>He talked with them in the cool of the day.<br />
<br />
It was a time of holy communion.<br />
It was sweet fellowship.<br />
It was the relationship that God desired.<br />
<br /><b>
RELATIONSHIP</b><br />
It was the intent of their God.</div><div>It was the reason man was created.<br />
<br />
But it was broken.<br />The relationship.</div><div>The fellowship.<br />The sweet communion.<br />
<br /><b>
SIN</b><br />
It severed.<br />
It destroyed.<br />
It killed.<br />
<br />And this is the struggle of life. <div><br /></div><div>A craving for relationship.</div><div>And sin that separates.</div><div>Sin that tells me lies.</div><div>Sin that whispers, "You will not surely die."</div><div><br /></div><div>Instead of chasing my Maker.</div><div>Instead of filling up on Him.</div><div>I fill my belly with forbidden fruit...</div><div>Relationships</div><div>Possessions</div><div>Entertainment</div><div>Money </div><div>Food</div><div>I fill up.</div><div>I gorge myself.</div><div>My appetite has no bounds.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yet I walk away.</div><div><br /></div><div>Empty.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sin</div><div><b>THE CURSE</b></div><div><br /></div><div>But in the curse</div><div>I was not forgotten.</div><div>Though separated from my God</div><div>He offered hope.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>HOPE</b></div><div>Hope of One who would crush Satan.</div><div>Hope of One who would empower me to break Satan's grip.</div><div>Hope in the resurrection of Christ.</div><div><br /></div><div>Death conquered</div><div>Sin overcome</div><div>Darkness dispelled</div><div>Victory won</div><div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><i>
"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Cor. 15:55-57)</i></blockquote>
The Hope. <br />
The Promise in the curse kept. <br /><br /></div><div>"He will crush your head."</div><div>
The Curse on Satan comes full circle.</div><div>Crushed through Jesus.<br />
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet." (Rom. 16:20)</i></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Power to break free.</div><div>Power to renew relationship.</div><div>Power to live new life.</div><div>It is mine!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>RELATIONSHIP</b></div><div>It is the craving of my soul.</div><div>It is the craving of my God.</div><div><br /></div><div>He whispers...</div><div>I have pursued you with a steadfast love.</div><div>I love you with an everlasting love.</div><div>I hear you with my faithful heart of love.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>RELATIONSHIP</b></div><div>It is mine.</div><div>Fill me up, Lord</div><div><br /></div><div>You are the craving of my soul.</div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgraKtTAVytesliu_f60y945P2ISg1_X-rom3I37PEQ2PLlFl8tmzqRfZ3eSxOt0bnSOEuYVzsS4YdvuEmgVjSOYNzu_cATltIlHimQYp69YAGPtDVeiHfeTW0wKKrg0j5ubU3Y0l24va5/s1280/pursue+God.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgraKtTAVytesliu_f60y945P2ISg1_X-rom3I37PEQ2PLlFl8tmzqRfZ3eSxOt0bnSOEuYVzsS4YdvuEmgVjSOYNzu_cATltIlHimQYp69YAGPtDVeiHfeTW0wKKrg0j5ubU3Y0l24va5/s320/pursue+God.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><br />
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<br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844015486469994304.post-3567901349837239572020-06-16T17:15:00.003-05:002020-10-21T11:18:40.513-05:00Fresh Black Bean Salsa<div style="text-align: left;">
3 (15 oz) cans black beans, rinsed and drained</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfWlNVyevj3j0uvqHXkd-UQhChvRFX3s5yF78J8CE1nXT2hbu1IUlJdgvi9EgR7o3nKwZXBP2JMqDyy8XiC5AdVcE8Qsyw74c3F6zJMAIpi70ObhjAGOluIXsEGXapkPGQn3imzm4e8cz/s1600/fresh+black+bean+salsa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfWlNVyevj3j0uvqHXkd-UQhChvRFX3s5yF78J8CE1nXT2hbu1IUlJdgvi9EgR7o3nKwZXBP2JMqDyy8XiC5AdVcE8Qsyw74c3F6zJMAIpi70ObhjAGOluIXsEGXapkPGQn3imzm4e8cz/s320/fresh+black+bean+salsa.jpg" width="240" /></a>1 can of corn, drained</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1 orange, red, or yellow pepper, chopped</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1 cup chopped red onion</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1/2 c. finally chopped fresh cilantro</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1 medium jalapeno, finally chopped</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1/2 t. lime zest</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
juice from one lime or 2 T.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1/4 c. olive oil</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1/4 c. white wine vinegar</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1/2 t. chili powder</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1/2 t. Cumin</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1/2 t. salt</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Garnish: 1 avocado sliced</div>
<br />
In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients and toss to combine. Place sliced avocado on top right before serving. Serve with tortilla chips. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844015486469994304.post-73361126209853689432020-06-10T15:30:00.000-05:002020-10-21T11:21:43.333-05:00Steel Cut Oats in a Jar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVE3feldUOJU9q5hv6ytuU-csSwQiAx_EOb9dmkoBXmaatWk5T8LUpuUhpZGvznYABoU7UlQLhulVm7AzhtlRqyCMU1e07k7KhT5l8iLNGm7r5IyaFNRM8_PdJLtqqFEFwiXIc2ukoXgVX/s1600/Oats+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1600" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVE3feldUOJU9q5hv6ytuU-csSwQiAx_EOb9dmkoBXmaatWk5T8LUpuUhpZGvznYABoU7UlQLhulVm7AzhtlRqyCMU1e07k7KhT5l8iLNGm7r5IyaFNRM8_PdJLtqqFEFwiXIc2ukoXgVX/s400/Oats+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Ingredients</span></b><br />
1 2/3 c steel cut oats<br />
4 c water<br />
1/4 t salt<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Additional ingredients</span></b> (your choice)<br />
milk (I use almond)<br />
cinnamon<br />
nutmeg<br />
cardamom<br />
raisins<br />
apples (chopped)<br />
other dried fruit<br />
nuts or seeds<br />
unsweetened applesauce<br />
honey<br />
<br />
5 pint sized jars<br />
<br />
1. Place the oats, water, and salt in a medium-sized saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer for about 3 minutes, stirring a few times to prevent sticking. Turn off the heat.<br />
<br />
2. Using a ladle, evenly distribute oats and water mixture into pint jars. Cover jars tightly with caps and rings, and leave on the counter overnight.<br />
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3. The next morning the oats will be soft and ready to eat. You can add spices, nuts, and dried fruit to each of your jars according to your taste. Replace the lids and put the jars in the refrigerator.<br />
<br />
4. When you're ready to eat your oatmeal, remove the lid and ring and microwave right in the jar for 2-3 minutes. Add milk and enjoy! <i>Sometimes rather than milk, I like to add the unsweetened applesauce. My children like to add a drizzle of honey to their oats.</i><br />
<i></i><br />
5. Use all jars within 5 days.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844015486469994304.post-90045821292535138142020-05-22T09:22:00.001-05:002020-10-21T11:22:20.218-05:00A Forgiving Heart in the ImpossibleI have struggled the past six years. The struggle has been with forgiveness. I want to think I have forgiven, but it comes back to haunt me over and over. <br />
<br />
Deep hurt and pain do not go away overnight. Betrayal changed me. The "open armed" love that I had embraced life with was replaced with fear of being hurt again. Depression and anxiety became my companions.<br />
<br />
How to forgive became the question? Or was it how to keep forgiving when new wounds were exposed? How to keep forgiving when the old wounds festered and broke open? How to forgive when the one who has wronged me does not seek forgiveness?<br />
<br />
Loving broken children is never easy. However, I still truly believe every child deserves love and a chance at a better life.<br />
<br />
Our on-going struggle with Troy who was nearly eight when he came to us was no secret. He was severely wounded. We prayed. We enlisted many to pray with us. We loved with all we had. We often failed in understanding, but we would get up and try again. Our hope was in God...God who is the Great Physician. Nothing is too big for him.<br />
<br />
We thought a lot of progress had been made, but midway through Troy's sophomore year in high school things began unraveling rapidly. This fun-loving, seemingly happy young man changed almost overnight. We faced explosive anger. There were so many lies, we couldn't find the truth. There was a fascination with knives and weapons. Some nights he didn't come home. He went to the police and reported us for abuse. He came home clearly intoxicated. We tried to love. However, being in a place where we had to use tough love, he never perceived it as love. He was determined to leave. If possible, he planned to take Mike and Amber with him. He clearly told us what our lives would be like until we let him go. He kept his word. It felt like a living hell.<br />
<br />
We sought godly counsel for him and our family. I begged God for his repentance and restoration to the family. I lay weeping on the floor asking God to hear my prayers. However, it wasn't his plan. Our family counselor told us we had to let him go. As if the pain of his rebellion and betrayal wasn't enough, after he moved out we discovered the wreckage he had left behind for members of our family. He had hurt them in ways I wasn't sure I could forgive.<br />
<br />
I had no idea how to love and forgive the one who has caused so much pain or how to continue loving those who were bleeding and left behind at the same time. I know now that God knew this difficulty, and that is why he let Troy leave us. <br />
<br />
Forgiveness has been hard. There is pain in this story that reaches further then the words on this page. It is a pain that haunts. It is not fair. It is not right.<br />
<br />
As I've grappled with forgiveness, the only peace I find is in focusing on my Savior. He came and died for me and all the sins I've committed. It wasn't fair. It wasn't right. I think of him on the cross alone with the weight of my sin on him. He didn't deserve my punishment. Yet, he took it. He made my forgiveness possible. <br />
<br />
Christ's forgiveness granted me freedom from sin. It also made it so I could offer forgiveness to others and turn their offenses over to Christ who took it all upon himself. I don't have to keep carrying that burden. I extend the forgiveness of Christ, and then I let Him carry the burden.<br />
<br />
<b>How to forgive? </b> The only way possible is to keep in perspective what Christ did for me. I am also undeserving of that forgiveness. <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 (NIV)</i></blockquote>
<br />
<i></i><br />
<b>How to keep forgiving when new wounds are exposed?</b> I have to remember that God's forgiveness is on-going for me. His righteousness continues to expose my sin, but his forgiveness continues to cover my wrongs.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9</i></blockquote>
<br />
<i></i><br />
<b>How to keep forgiving when old wounds fester and break open?</b> I keep in mind that Satan wants to defeat me with this. He wants nothing more than to feed anger and bitterness in my soul. When the hurt breaks through, I take it back to the feet of Jesus. I offer it to him, the one who forgives me each day. I give it to him, the one who understands far more about forgiveness then I do.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior." Ephesians 4:31</i></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." Hebrews 12:15</i></blockquote>
<br />
<b>How to forgive when the one who has wronged me does not seek forgiveness?</b> That is hard. I've heard it argued that you can't really forgive someone if they don't ask you for forgiveness. I have wrestled with that over and over. I have prayed and sought the Lord. I was only able to find peace in my heart after saying, "Lord, I forgive." Otherwise, angst grew within me. I wasn't at rest. Bitterness and anger threatened to take over. <br />
<br />
In my wrestling, I realized God forgives me of many sins I probably never have acknowledged. Perhaps I didn't realize it was a sin at the time. Maybe I forgot about the incident. Sometimes I just haven't been to the point of being ready to grow in that area of my life. God in his goodness extends his love and forgiveness, anyway. So, I seek to have a heart of forgiveness though I may never be asked. <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><br />
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I'd like to think that I've arrived and finally have a grasp of this subject, but I don't. When I started writing this I had no idea that a couple days later I would be holding one of my children as they wept for the pain caused our family. The pain surfaces again. I weep anew. I beg God to help me to continue to forgive, and I lay it all at the feet of the One I know I can trust. I hold tight to the One who has the <i>Forgiving Heart</i> that has no limits or boundaries.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far as the east is from the west." Psalm 103:10-12</i></blockquote>
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<i></i><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844015486469994304.post-39842383990172536962020-04-25T06:00:00.000-05:002020-04-25T21:02:40.412-05:00A Forgiving Heart (study guide)<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." </i> Ephesians 4:32</div>
</blockquote>
One of the first verses I memorized as a child was Ephesians 4:32. I remember my dad telling me how he often had to quote the same verse when he fought with his brother. Following the family tradition, my children all knew this verse as the "B verse" in our alphabet memory verses. A fight would break out, and I was ask them to quote the "B verse." When the fighting didn't stop, they earned the privilege of writing it on paper ten times. <br />
<br />
One particular child wrote Ephesians 4:32 so many times that at the age of 6, he proudly proclaimed to his grandparents that he could spell the word "compassionate." Yes. Yes, he could. He had much practice. Being kind was hard for this child, but I often found it much harder as a parent to teach the second portion of this verse. We had many a "face off." Two angry children. Arms crossed. Glaring at each other. One finally apologizes. Then I'd ask the other to tell them, "I forgive you." They would try to walk off. They would look at the floor and mumble. They would say, "It's fine" or "It's ok." I always insisted on the words "I forgive you." Finally, the words would be choked out. <br />
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Why is it we tend to choke up on the words "I forgive you?" As you go through this study guide on forgiveness, keep that question in mind.<br />
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<b><span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: large;">Who</span><span style="font-size: large;"> do I forgive?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
Mark 11:25 -<br />
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Luke 11:4 -<br />
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Luke 17:3-4 -<br />
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<b><span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: large;">How</span><span style="font-size: large;"> do I forgive?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
Col. 3:13 -<br />
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So then the question becomes, "How did Christ forgive?"<br />
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Luke 23:32-34 -<br />
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<b><span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: large;">When</span><span style="font-size: large;"> do I forgive?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
Mt. 18:21-22 -<br />
<br />
Lk. 17:3-4 -<br />
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These verses have been used to say that we only have to forgive the person who asks for forgiveness. Do you agree or disagree?<br />
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I Pet. 4:7-8 -<br />
<br />
<b><span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: large;">Why</span><span style="font-size: large;"> do I forgive?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
Mt. 6:9-15 -<br />
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Mt. 18:23-35 -<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Forgiveness is a choice, but it is also an attitude of the heart. </span></i><br />
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Read Psalm 103. <br />
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This chapter names numerous things God does for us. List some of them.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">There are times it is difficult to forgive. Sometimes it seems virtually impossible. When faced with those times, mankind must remember what the Lord has done for him. Then forgiveness can be offered as an overflow of the heart and not as a duty that must be performed.</span></i><br />
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Why is it hard to say "I forgive you." For me I get focused on the wrong inflicted on me. I have a sense of justice that says they don't deserve to be forgiven. There is truth to that. Many times they don't deserve it. They are flat out dirty rotten sinners. BUT I have to remember who I am. I, too, am a dirty rotten sinner. I am undeserving of forgiveness as well. It is hard to say "I forgive you" because we focus only on the wrong and the person who committed the wrong. We have to put our focus on the "just as in Christ God forgave you." With that focus...the hard becomes a bit easier. In fact forgiveness becomes a natural overflow of gratefulness to God for what he has done for me.<br />
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To Exercise My Heart this Week:<br />
1. List the ways Jesus was wronged while he was on this earth.<br />
2. List the ways I have wronged Jesus.<br />
3. Write down what Jesus did for me.<br />
4. He has removed my sins as far as the east is from the west, so now how many sins do I have left to list here?<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">With a heart overflowing with gratefulness for what Christ did for me and for this world, I will forgive others.</span></i><br />
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Spend some time praying about any unforgiven offenses that I may be harboring in my heart. Decide whether to deal with them or let them go.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844015486469994304.post-32158541021088440432020-04-22T06:00:00.000-05:002020-04-22T16:59:54.057-05:00A Forgiving HeartThis lesson was a challenge for me. I didn't know how to go about
writing it. During my morning walk a couple mornings, I prayed for God
to give me guidance. Often times something will come to mind while I am
in prayer, but nothing did. I continued to wrestle with this lesson
even as I sat down to write it. Then it came to me how appropriate it
was that I was struggling with this topic. Forgiveness is something we
struggle with. It doesn't come easy. It feels like a battle of tug-of-war.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."</i> Eph. 4:32 KJV</span></blockquote>
<br />
This is one of the first Bible verses I remember memorizing. My sister called me "dumb or stupid," and I was reminded of Ephesians 4:32. My brother broke my china teapot, and I was reminded of Ephesians 4:32. My best friend played with someone besides me one day and left me out. In tears I poured out my hurt to my mom, and she reminded me of Ephesians 4:32.<br />
<br />
I can be sensitive. At times I've absolutely been crushed by the tone of voice someone used or the way in which they said something. I remember my mom telling me as a teenager, "You can't go around wearing your feelings on your shirt sleeves." She was trying to help me deal with my hurt feelings, but her remark hurt my feelings too. Then it hit me--She was right. I had just done what she was talking about. She was only trying to help, but I was choosing to dwell on my feelings rather then on the needed correction.<br />
<br />
Sometimes I have been guilty of making an issue out of every small offense. These are the things I need to let go. Many times people mean nothing by what they say or do. Sometimes humans just don't stop to think. Their tone and actions can be influenced by something that happened previously in their day. I have found myself in these situations, and I've had to apologize to others for my words or actions. If I stumble in this area, then I have to be gracious enough to allow others some tolerance and love in times like this as well. I must forgive the little things. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins."</i> I Peter 4:8 </span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The little things can eat away at me. It's the little things that I deal with on a daily basis. I am learning to "let them go" and "let God" have them. Join me! As my Grandma used to say let's not spend time "making a mountain out of a mole hill."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Next week I will continue this post, and I'll be talking about forgiving the big things. That's a hard one. I've been through some rough stuff in the past six years. It's one of the reasons, I haven't written on my blog as much. There has been a lot to sort out...a lot to forgive. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">How to forgive what seems to be unforgiveable? Let's talk about it next time.</span></span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844015486469994304.post-67448084324123928332020-04-17T07:00:00.000-05:002020-04-17T09:29:34.715-05:00An Undivided Heart - Study Guide<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Connection between Prayer and
our Hearts.</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
David was called a man after God's own heart. Many of the
Psalms are a record of the prayers and praises of David. He spent much time
communicating with God. In order to have hearts modeled after God's,
we need to follow David's example of communicating with the one who
made us. After all only God can mold our hearts to look like his. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Prayer
is essential in an undivided heart.</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In Psalm 86 we find one of David's
prayers.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Teach
me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an
undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” Psalm 86:11</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
What kind of heart did David ask God
for?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Make a list of things that can divide our hearts.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
What indicates to us where our hearts
are? Mt. 6:19-21</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“For where your
______________________ is, there your _______________________ will be
also.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Looking back at our list of things that
divide our hearts, are these things earthly treasure or heavenly
treasure?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
What is the greatest commandment? Mt.
22:34-37</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
How much of our heart are we to love
God with?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Connection between the Word and
our Hearts.</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lk. 8:4-15</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
4 types of soil:
</div>
<ol>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hard packed (the path)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
What happened to the seed?
</div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="2">
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rocky</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
What happened to the seed?
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="3">
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thorn-filled</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
What happened to the seed?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="4">
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Good</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
What happened to the seed?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Notice that in this passage “the
word” is tied to the heart.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The
Word of God is essential in an undivided heart.</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Connection between the Spirit
and our Hearts.</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Who
dwells in an undivided heart?</span> Eph. 3:14-19</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Gal. 2:20</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I have been crucified with Christ
and I no longer live, but ______________________ lives in
______________________.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I Peter 3:15</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Christ has to be set apart as
______________________ in our hearts.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Col. 3:1</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
What steps can we take to ensure Christ
is Lord?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
What are things above?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What helper do we
have within us to help ensure that we have an undivided heart?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
II Cor. 1:21-22</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“He anointed us, set his seal of
ownership on us, and put his _________________________ in our
____________________________ as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to
come.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
II Cor. 4:6-12</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“For God, … , made his
_______________________ shine in our __________________________.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
…. “But we have this treasure in
jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and
not from us.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Gal. 4:6,7</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Because you are sons, God sent the
__________________________ of his Son into our
________________________.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The
Spirit is essential in an undivided heart.</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Warning: Rev. 3:15-16</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
What did the angel warn the church in
Laodicea would happen if they were divided in heart or lukewarm?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844015486469994304.post-68125833073485719352020-04-13T08:00:00.000-05:002020-04-13T13:06:05.083-05:00An Undivided Heart “<span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Teach
me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an
undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” Psalm 86:11</i></span><br />
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When we marry someone, we want their full heart. We want their devotion. We don't want to share it with someone or something else. When Les and I were first married, we didn't have a computer. I worked for a full year babysitting to save enough money to buy our first computer. When we at last bought it, my husband was quiet enamored with it. He spent hours learning it. He would stay up late arranging his files, setting up the desktop, and researching information. I started to get jealous. I lay in bed night after night by myself. I threatened to buy a wig for the computer monitor and name it Fanny. He didn't think that was too funny. Why was I so upset? I felt like something was interfering with his devotion to me. <br />
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The newness of the computer did wear off eventually and we laugh about those days now, but maybe I experienced some of what God feels in his relationship with us. When he sees me constantly distracted by things in this life, when I'm spending more time on earthly pursuits, and when I have little time left for him, he will question where my devotion lies. He sees my loyalties are divided. He knows the truth. The truth is Only God and God alone is sufficient for me. Without recognizing that truth, my heart's loyalty will become divided.<br />
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This is why God is a jealous God. Remember the story in I Kings 18. The people of Israel were torn between Jehovah, the one true God, and Baal, a false god. God was sick of their divided loyalties. He had Elijah call the people together on Mt. Carmel for a contest. The prophets of Baal built an altar and called upon Baal to consume their sacrifice. From morning until after midday they implored him to answer. No answer came. Then Elijah built an altar. He dug a trench around it. He had water dumped on the altar three times until the water filled the trench. Then he prayed, "Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again." (I Kings 18:37) Fire fell from heaven and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, the soil, and the water. And the people fell on the ground crying out, "The Lord--he is God! The Lord--he is God!" <br />
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I've been thinking a lot about how God can use the Corona virus. It could be a bit like the famine Israel was suffering through at the time the story on Mt. Carmel took place. It was a desperate time then as well. Still in the midst of the famine, people were striving after their idols. God was trying to wake them up, but it finally came down to a choosing. Were they going to choose the one true God or Baal?<br />
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I know for me I have to make choices each day right now. Will I get up and give thanks to God? Will I give him a sacrifice of praise even when things seem dark, or will I complain? Will I choose to live in fear over what might happen, or will I live in trust and peace knowing God is in control? Will I choose to focus on the earthly value of things, or will I focus far more on the eternal value that God has planned with all this? Will I continue to serve my idols of selfish wants or will I willingly give for the sake of my God?<br />
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God does not tolerate divided loyalties. He cries out for my heart to be wholly his. He is jealous for me. He is passionate about me. He is saying, "Choose! Choose who you will serve." </div>
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May my life declare each day, "The Lord, He is God. The Lord, He is God."</div>
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