tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9422905762069880142024-03-14T04:51:58.386-07:00Devo's for the Monday GirlsArielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750600616551358760noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942290576206988014.post-68506117043498901992012-07-10T05:02:00.000-07:002012-07-10T05:02:07.394-07:00Strength For Today...<br />
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During my devotion time this morning, I glanced back at my journal during our mission trip to Guatemala. The following excerpt was taken from Thursday, June 7th. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<em>This has been a good trip so far. I keep thinking about the bible verse that says, “‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.i” How true that has been on this trip! Normally, I would need a coke for lunch and an afternoon nap and I would be complaining/whining about what I have to do and how sore I am.</em></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<em>Sure I’ve been sore and covered in dirt and worn out, but every day I have the strength and energy I need to contribute to the building of a house. Praise God!</em></blockquote>
The strength and energy I felt on that trip really was incredible. Perhaps it was a full day of hard work and a good night’s sleep. Perhaps it was not having to care for three small children while doing all of that hard work. Or perhaps it was having a quick and clear goal that we were working toward. But, I couldn’t help thinking that I should feel this way in Indiana while tackling the mission trip of my home. <br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<em>Psalm 37:23,24 If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.</em></blockquote>
I can claim the LORD’s strength and protection on a regular basis. Of course, it may not be so immediately gratifying to do another load of laundry, discipline my children or give some attention to my husband at the end of the day, but God promises that I don’t have to do His will in my own strength. As long as I set my heart on seeking God, he will take care of the rest…and I can find rest in that!<br />
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Dear LORD, Thank you for this morning. I praise you that you are the same God in the mundane as you are in the incredible of this life. Father God, this morning help me to seek you and follow your will. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and lead me in the way everlasting <em><span style="font-size: x-small;">ii</span></em> that I might do good for your kingdom and bless my neighbors along the way. Amen.<br />
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<em>i</em> Zechariah 4:6 <br />
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<em>ii</em> Psalm 139:23,24<br />
<br />Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04998657551390015773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942290576206988014.post-42114661410148757782012-02-25T18:24:00.001-08:002012-02-25T18:24:45.742-08:00Confessions of a Major "Risk" Taker - Two Fast, Two Furious<a href="http://mondaygirldevos.blogspot.com/2011/03/confessions-of-major-risk-taker.html">A year ago I was "brave"</a> and invited my friend 'B' to the <a href="http://www.spiritualspa.tv/AboutUs.aspx">Spiritual Spa</a>. She hasn't stopped talking about it since.
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"Is your church gonna do another of those Spa things?"<br>
"Remember when we went to that Spa? We should do that again sometime."<br>
"Hey, if your church does another Spa, make sure you let me know."
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In January I got the email: THE SPIRITUAL SPA RETURNS FEBRUARY 24th!
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This time, I grinned and forwarded the email without any hesitation, again with a single sentence: "It's baaaaack!" She replied right away - she'd love to come, and would it be alright if she brought a friend?
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When 'B' and I went to the 'mini-retreat' last year, it was intended to be a series of three 2-hour events spread over a couple of weeks. We attended the first one together. I went to the others alone. Things came up, life got in the way. My friend 'B' went through some tough life stuff in the months that followed. I kind of left her alone about 'church' stuff.
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But she still asked about the Spa from time to time.
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A couple of weeks after I sent the new invitation, she asked if she could come to church with me for real, like on a Sunday morning. "I just found out I've never been baptized," she told me. "Your church seems like a really cool place. They have baptism classes, and all of those sermon podcasts on the website. They baptize you in LAKE MICHIGAN!"
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Last Sunday she was there for the first time, sitting with me and my husband in the comfy balcony chairs. She didn't know the songs but didn't seem to mind. The pastor taught on stress and anxiety and I found myself rooting for him, hoping he'd really nail the talk for her sake - until I remembered that there was a 'B' in the crowd every week.
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I should remember that there might be a 'B' in the crowd every single week.
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This new Spa was a two day event, starting after work on Friday and then taking up about eight hours of Saturday. Lots of women, lots of deep, intense stuff. Lots of tears. It was like old-school Oprah - you weren't allowed to leave until they squeezed a few tears out of you.
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I tumbled my way to church after work Friday and waited for 'B' and her friend, ready to greet them at the door and make sure they felt comfortable and safe. Ready to protect them from anything scary, to answer questions, whatever they needed.
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But they didn't come.
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I found a space in the second row pew with a gal from my small group. Those couple of Friday hours were intense, but good. The kind of thing that reminds you how much hurt and pain and healing goes on in this world all around you without you noticing. The kind of thing that reminds you how easy a spirit is to neglect, and how fragile and strong it is at the same time.
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To be honest, it was kind of rough. Like a deeeeep tissue massage that leaves you a little bruised at the end, but the better for it.
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At the end of the night, the Spa leader said, "We need you to sit in the same seats tomorrow because you're going to stay in these small groups."
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Me: "NO! I have friends who might come tomorrow! I'm supposed to sit with them!"
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Okay, I didn't say it out loud, but my insides screamed a little. They couldn't do that, it was a bad idea. 'B' and her friend were coming, and they NEEDED me to act as hostess and caregiver. Anything else could have DISASTROUS consequences for their seeking endeavors! THEY NEED ME I'M NEEDED YOU CAN'T DO THIS!
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But I kept all that to myself.
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I arrived a little late for day two of the Spa - just in time to wave to 'B' and her friend, shout, "WE HAVE ASSIGNED SEATS!" They looked at me with both surprise and confusion, then shrugged and found seats a few rows away. I could see them if I really twisted, but I couldn't interact with them, couldn't gauge their reactions or tell how things were going.
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We spent half the day in the sanctuary listening to panels, speakers, and praise songs. We spent the other half in our smaller groups, going through the Spa's '<i>Reflect - Relax - Replenish</i>' rotation (which involves journaling, quiet prayer/meditation time, and eating). I got caught up in the events to the point that I kind of forgot about 'B' and her friend, out of sight and out of mind. I focused inward and had a meaningful time all my own.
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Then, as the Spa was winding down, the gal sitting next to me from my small group leaned over and whispered, "Your friend is making a break for it!"
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I turned around in time to see 'B' and her friend exit, seemingly in a hurry. I barely acknowledged their presence all day. But even still, I had a hard time feeling sad or guilty in that rich, thick atmosphere. I remembered my post from last year and just repeated to myself, "It has nothing to do with me."
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But this time it wasn't true. Today was a little about me. And about them. And about every lady who took more than 10 hours out of her weekend to Reflect-Relax-Replenish. If things had gone my way, it would have been a repeat of last year. This time, I was forced to let go. This time, I was forced to focus on God instead of 'B'.
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And you know what - it felt good.
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An hour after I got home, I got a text message from 'B' - "Sorry we had to bolt, had to rescue my friend's babysitter. Did you have a good time?"
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Me: Yeah, it was intense but good - how was it for you? Sorry I didn't talk to you at all today!"<br>
B: No worries!! It was great, intense on our end. Words don't do it justice. I'm thinking about doing the next mini-Spas. I think they're really helpful.<br>
Me: Glad it was a good experience. I'm going to 9am service tomorrow, if you want to go again.<br>
B: I'll see you in the morning! I think today was great for my friend. I really hoped it would be!!!
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Sometimes we watch friends struggle, and we pray and pray and our heart breaks. Sometimes it's easy and the pieces just come together in front of our eyes. And, sometimes a gal like me has to learn the same lesson over and over in different ways. 'B's' seeking still has nothing to do with me. I still need to tend to my soul instead of hers. I'm still here if she wants to talk, but I'm starting to think that she's actually tending to me.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09589928734405169231noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942290576206988014.post-45942976754890964932011-04-14T12:20:00.000-07:002011-04-14T12:22:40.178-07:00RequestI just posted a darkish blog post on my regular blog. I thought I'd share it here, too, as I know that this would be a good place for it.<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://thedill.xanga.com/745660977/request-a-legitimate-one-probably/">Request (A Legitimate One, Probably)</a><br /></div>JennyDillBrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15896677932975278070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942290576206988014.post-67685862503572770282011-03-06T13:48:00.000-08:002011-03-06T15:28:27.874-08:00Miracles Do Happen . . . Even for a Cat<span class="Apple-style-span"><div><span class="Apple-style-span">WARNING: This Devo may contain TMI with regard to a cat's, um, bathroom behavior.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div>Last Friday, I greeted our family cat in the basement while he was in his litter box. I, kindly, averted my eyes and went about my business (laundry). Then, after several minutes, I realized that my cat was <i>still</i> hanging out in his litter box. Being that I've known this cat for the latter five years of his life (and the near entirety of my married life), I knew this was a bad sign.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Thus, a day of total chaos began. I called the vet. I made an appointment. I struggled to shove that stinking cat into the cat taxi. I got cat hair in my lip gloss. I drug my kids with me to the vet. We waited. The kids went nuts. The vet said, "If your cat doesn't urinate by 5 p.m., he needs to come in for a surgery. This surgery would save his life, and it is very expensive. It could potentially run you over $1,000, so . . . just know that."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I paid the vet bill for that office visit (which was already a chunk of change). I took the kids and the cat back home, and I spent the afternoon praying (well, among other duties of mine throughout the course of a regular weekday afternoon) for my cat to pee.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">At 4 p.m., the vet called and asked if the cat had done the deed, and I was heartbroken to say that he hadn't. The vet then basically said I needed to act fast and get in there, or he could (and most likely would) die.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I asked God what I should do. I <i>knew</i> it was ridiculous to consider spending $1,000 on an 8-year-old cat, but, I <i>went there </i>in my thoughts. I don't even like the stupid cat most of the time, but I felt like I should do everything I could to help him (my husband and kids adore him, and oddly enough, there is actually place in my heart for him). I was a mess. I cried. I felt incredibly helpless. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Then, I remembered this little gem that friend Micah Leigh recently repeated during an email correspondence: </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><blockquote>"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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." (Phil. 4:6-7)</blockquote></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Once I remembered that passage, it was as if an autopilot switch came on. I slowed down. I continued with my day as if I would normally. I kept an eye on the cat, and I continued to pray, of course. In fact, I got my 3-year-old daughter in on the action. Together, we said a prayer for the cat. "Dear God, Please let our kitty pee. Amen."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Then, I made the difficult phone call to the vet to let them know we would not be coming in for the surgery. My husband and I knew quite well (and expected it, realistically) that we could be putting our cat to sleep on Monday, but we kept praying that maybe he would just get better. We cried (well, it may have just been me, but I know Willis at least wanted to). I was beginning to accept that he was going to be gone soon, and I was also prepping myself for his bleak few days ahead.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">In the morning, we were up early (always—our son is an alarm clock), and we were preparing to head to my parents' house for a long-planned visit. Just before we left, Willis ran up from the basement and told me to come look: the cat had peed! It wasn't much. It didn't necessarily mean at the time that the cat was going to be okay, but we at least knew there was hope (and reinforcing that, perhaps, not doing the surgery and dumping a load of cash was truly the right decision).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">This afternoon, I checked the cat's box again to find that he's finally urinating more. As embarrassing as it is to actually acknowledge the fact that I shouted, "Thank God!" while staring into a cat litter box in my basement, it is still a real miracle. He's going to be okay!</span></span></div>JennyDillBrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15896677932975278070noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942290576206988014.post-25049058309293295842011-03-05T17:03:00.000-08:002011-03-05T17:46:35.415-08:00Confessions of a Major "Risk" TakerWhen it comes to sharing my faith... well, I don't really do it. I consider my faith a pretty private matter (which is why I'm usually a lurker and not a contributor on this blog). Evangelism isn't my gift. I don't really talk about Jesus - not due to any shame, but more because I worry that, if I bring it up, I won't be knowledgeable enough to take it anywhere - especially in my workplace, where I get the impression I'm in the minority when it comes to my beliefs.<br /><br />When I was in college, I crossed paths with a girl who was seeking Jesus. She had a lot of questions. She wanted to talk, but I didn't really know what to say. She wanted to go to church, and I took her with me a couple of times, but I didn't follow up. As far as I know, the moment passed and her interest fizzled. She left school, we lost touch, and I don't know the rest of her story. That lost opportunity haunts me.<br /><br />Earlier this week, I got an email from the women's ministry leader at our church here in Illinois, inviting me to a "mini-retreat." I haven't been involved in the women's ministry here at this church, but I'd heard good things about this particular program, so I considered going. On a whim, I considered asking the girl who sits next to me at work (for our purposes, we'll call her "B").<br /><br />"B" is about my age. She's sweet tempered, considerate, kind, loyal - everything you'd want a friend to be. I don't know much about her life outside of work, but I haven't heard her talk about church or any other issues of faith, except to express a little curiosity about mine. I don't know if she grew up in the church. I don't know for sure whether she goes somewhere now. All I know is that, somewhere along the way, I got the impression she was a seeker - someone seeking to learn more about Jesus, whether she knows that's what she's doing or not.<br /><br />I've thought about inviting "B" to things before. I belong to a small group, and I've thought about asking her to come to cookouts, a Super Bowl party, things like that. I haven't done it. My excuse: I don't want to be responsible for doing something that might "turn her off" to a life of Christian faith. Better to not be an ambassador at all than to be a BAD one. I didn't know enough. I wasn't worthy of mediating a meeting between her and Jesus.<br /><br />But, on that particular day, with that particular email, I clicked "Forward." I typed one sentence: "I got this invitation and I thought of you; interested?"<br /><br />There. I'd done it. I'd broken the ice. She would say no, and then I could invite her to something else later. The second time it wouldn't seem so weird. And then, maybe, five-six-seven invitations down the road, maybe she'd say yes. That's the process for something like this, right?<br /><br />But.<br /><br />She said yes.<br />She said, "That sounds awesome. I'd love to go."<br />She said, "I've never done anything like this before."<br /><br />Yikes.<br /><br />I spent the next couple of days second guessing myself. What if I invited her to the wrong thing? What if this program wasn't what she was expecting? What if she goes to this, decides it's not for her, and then stops "seeking"... that is, assuming she was ever seeking in the first place?<br /><br />I arrived at the church 20 minutes before the program started, just to make sure I got there before she did. She got there 10 minutes early, ready to go and not sure what to expect. I didn't know what to expect either.<br /><br />The program started, and it was NOT seeker level. It was honestly kind of heavy. There was a lot of, "I feel the Holy Spirit has put this on my heart..." and "I feel God has been telling me..." There were a lot of scripture references being thrown around. I started sweating. I wondered if "B" was getting freaked out. I wondered if she was uncomfortable, if she regretted coming.<br /><br />Then, toward the end of the retreat, we had a half an hour of quiet time - lights off, soft music, prayer, laying on mats - rest. As part of this quiet time, the leaders of the retreat went around the room and prayed with each woman individually. I wanted to run over to "B" and tell her, "You don't have to do this if you don't want to!!" But I didn't.<br /><br />When quiet time was over, the leader of the retreat apologized profusely - our retreat was supposed to be two hours, but she'd lost track of time and gone WAY over. I knew "B" had somewhere else she was supposed to be, so again, I felt that sinking feeling that EVERYTHING had gone wrong.<br /><br />"B" sat up, looked at me, and said, "Seriously! We've been here THREE hours? That went SO fast!"<br /><br />She was smiling. She asked me to sign her up for the next installment in two weeks, and then she bolted out the door to go to her next appointment.<br /><br />And then I laughed. I was exhausted from worrying, and the truth is:<br /><strong>It NEVER had anything to do with me.</strong>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09589928734405169231noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942290576206988014.post-1849232166990429392011-02-23T19:51:00.000-08:002011-02-23T19:51:11.057-08:00StrugglingOk, ladies. I reach out to you all for advice and whatever else you may send my way.<br />
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Maybe it's pregnancy hormones. Maybe it's been a long week. Maybe it's been less and less time without my husband and just with my girls. Something has me thinking.<br />
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I've been going through this whole mental struggle lately about being pregnant and having more children. Don't get me wrong. I love my girls to death. You don't know love and what you will do for it until you become a parent. Lately, I've been thinking that three kids is just fine. Three is all we should have. And three is honestly all I can handle while being a single parent 4-5 days a week. (For those who don't know, my husband is a commercial airline pilot and is gone about three-quarters of the month for work.)<br />
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My pregnancies haven't been the easiest. With my first, I had a placenta previa, which means the placenta was covering my cervix, and if I had delivered naturally, I would have delivered the placenta first and could have risked my baby's life along with my own. So, we had a c-section. No problem. My second pregnancy, we were really trying for a VBAC, meaning a natural birth after undergoing a previous c-section. I held out until 41 weeks, only to find out that my next daughter was stuck with her hands up by her temples. The surgery went well, but the doctor said that it was a good thing I didn't undergo a natural labor because I, more than likely, would have ruptured. Now, with my third baby, we plan on another c-section. This pregnancy has been more painful with two incision scars to deal with (and running after two kids!). And we found out that the placenta for this baby is in the front, which means it may be too close to the scar tissue from the previous surgeries. We have to wait and see what happens, but there is a chance that the placenta will grow too deep until the wall of the uterus, resulting in a more involved surgical removal and possible hysterectomy.<br />
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Is anyone else reeling from my medical worries right now? I sure am. So I've been thinking that, in order to save myself from stressing out insanely again, we might use some sort of birth control after our third baby is born.<br />
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If you know me, you know that I've grown up Catholic. I went to Catholic schools my whole life. I love my church deeply. My moral system has been ingrained with belief that contraception should never be used in a married relationship. Birth control/IUDs/tubal ligations/vasectomies are a big no-no. They prevent the possibility of an egg and sperm from meeting up, so therefore, they prevent a pregnancy and a life from beginning. The only way to prevent pregnancy in Catholicism is to use NFP (Natural Family Planning). We've been using that method since day one. It's a method that can work 100%, but you have to really watch and chart everything happening with your body, and you can only have sex during your infertile time of the month. (Yeah...this is TMI, right? I'm going to keep going anyway.) By my charting and the NFP method rules, we conceived all three girls on infertile days. Yeah...so I was shocked three times when my pee stick came out positive. Since I've been pregnant a lot lately, my hormone levels fluctuate so much that it's really hard to chart a certain way from month to month. It's frustrating thinking that what you are doing is right only to find out later that, since A and B were happening with your body, you actually fall in to group alpha and NOT group beta. UGH! According to all the books we were doing everything right, but in the fine print, we fell under the exceptions every single time we made a baby. Anyway...The only time that the Catholic church doesn't frown upon a hormonal contraceptive is if a doctor deems it medically necessary. Pretty much, if you would die if you got pregnant again, go ahead and take the pill. If you just need to prevent pregnancy, get really good at NFP.<br />
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So I'm having this whole mental, spiritual, moral battle within myself on what we should do after we have our third child. I've had three c-sections in three and a half years. My body is tired. I fear what would happen if I get pregnant again. Honestly, I've never been truly happy when we found out we were pregnant. It always been "what did we do wrong." There was no planning to our family at all. So...I fear the idea of possibly being that "single parent" to a huge brood of children. It's hard to be both mother and father the majority of the year. It's REALLY hard to be battered with the "I could get pregnant" voice in my head every single time my husband and I have sex! And he isn't home that much, so you all know the opportunities are few and far between over here! I also fear what my family and Catholic friends would think if they found out we were using a contraceptive. At the same time, I would feel terrible if I knew I prevented a life from being born. I love my kids. I would hate knowing that there was a little soul out there that was supposed to rely on me for life, and I decided not to love them in return.<br />
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So it's a real moral dilemma, people. I'd love to hear your feedback.Sara Musickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04691997051326358233noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942290576206988014.post-75622244701236304292010-11-26T22:35:00.000-08:002010-11-27T04:52:03.368-08:00Dunk Tanks & Giving Thanks :)<div><br /></div><div>Hi, sweet friends!</div><div><br /></div><div>'Tis the season for gratitude and reflection, and God's grace in my life is overwhelming!</div><div><br /></div><div>To say that it's been a tough year for our family would be a gross understatement, but the Lord has remained steadfast in each trial, sovereign in uncertainty, and great in His faithfulness.</div><div><br /></div><div>Truly, His love never fails, and I was so excited to publicly acknowledge His mercies in my life at my baptism on 21 November. </div><div><br /></div><div>My parents had me dedicated as an infant, and I accepted Christ as my savior when I was a little girl. But my faith really became my own in college - largely because of the fellowship, accountability, and support of the Monday Girls! Baptism by immersion was - for me - an act of obedience to Christ (Matt. 28:19-20) and a symbolic, external sign of the internal change God began in me when I first came to know Him personally.</div><div><br /></div><div>As I stood in the (freezing!) water last weekend, I thought of our devotional times at Purdue. How grateful I am that the LORD saw fit to bring us together all those years ago...and that we're still connected thru Him today!</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for your friendship and encouragement across the years and miles. Mondays - and YOU - will always have a special place in my heart :).</div><div><br /></div><div>Love y'all,</div><div><br /></div><div>MLH</div><div><br /></div><div>~</div><div><br /></div><div>*PTL - we had 19 believers baptized! I'm in the middle, around 7:50...</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/17065003" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/17065003">Baptisms at Frontline Tysons - 11/21/10</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/frontlinedc">Frontline</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p></div>MicahLeighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06984339521796259532noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942290576206988014.post-51201165400433137682010-11-01T01:52:00.000-07:002010-10-31T22:52:21.916-07:00Delights & Desires<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IfqHu30IL1QbN_TTRPYyV3XflybZmHdJsiLRSbnRB_bY77Fryqa70LpK9bJ2U_EhvSgFgDefF-JngzREFFF0NMFPxkDC2KBTz9v3y6DSGsscLr_RuqKFERGpenke1zG6NkEFzBZrlxuy/s1600/photo.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IfqHu30IL1QbN_TTRPYyV3XflybZmHdJsiLRSbnRB_bY77Fryqa70LpK9bJ2U_EhvSgFgDefF-JngzREFFF0NMFPxkDC2KBTz9v3y6DSGsscLr_RuqKFERGpenke1zG6NkEFzBZrlxuy/s200/photo.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534454608179818674" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div>Happy Monday, girls!</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">My church, McLean Bible, has been praying through October, and our last devotional was on my favorite Bible verse (Psalm 37:4 - it's hanging on my wall!). I couldn't have written it better and thought I'd share it with you - hope it encourages you today!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">~</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. ~ </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Psalm 37:4-6</span></span><i> </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:14px;"><b>Day 31: Delights and Desires</b></span></div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">by Denny Harris, Executive Pastor of McLean Bible Church</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana">In those fifteen words, the Psalmist has captured an essential element of prayer. The effectiveness of our prayer has far less to do with the words of our mouth than it does with the attitude and condition of our heart. At first glance, this may sound like one of those "too good to be true" offers. But it is true, not because it's about a great deal (you do this for me and I'll do this for you), but because it's about a great transformation of the heart. When we delight ourselves, first and foremost, in the Lord, when our focus is on His glory and His grace, He begins to transform the desires of our heart to mirror His own. And in that way, we experience the truth that prayer does not change things so much as it changes us at the deepest heart level.</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana">It is a transformation that offers a rich reward. The writer is not talking about receiving normal, mundane things. Rather than our everyday needs, it's the infinitely higher level of our heart desires he has in mind -- the most precious concerns we might have.</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana"><i>Father, we realize that much of our prayer has to do with things that may only remotely reflect Your heart. Help us as we prepare for prayer to meditate on Your glory, Your grace and mercy. Help us to praise You not so much for what you do, but for who You are. We delight in You. In Jesus' name, Amen.</i></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana">Take Action: Commit to God that you will continue praying daily and ask Him to help you with that goal. He will!</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana">~</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana">Love y'all,</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana">MLH</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana">P.S. Anyone else have a favorite verse? Share it with us in the comments!</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana"><br /></p>MicahLeighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06984339521796259532noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942290576206988014.post-38425529799334200782010-07-29T20:14:00.001-07:002010-07-29T20:43:04.500-07:00Anticipation...I haven't posted a devotion before... let's see how this goes.<br /><br />Sometimes I feel like things are stagnant, like every day is the same. On days like that, I feel frustrated and impatient. I have a very good life, a good job, a great family - but sometimes I feel as though I need a change. I hope and I pray and I wait - and nothing seems to happen. Through several attempts at describing this phenomenon to my husband, here is what I've come up with.<br /><br />A few years ago, every night at some point during his show, David Letterman would pull out a spiral bound notebook and write something to the effect of, "July 30th, 2010. Dear Diary: Today I did not hear from Oprah." And then he would close the notebook and put it away without another word.<br /><br />Now, I live in Chicagoland. I've never been an Oprah watcher, but I have heard of her power. Second City says that Oprah can part the expressways the way Moses parted the Red Sea. My afternoon radio guy refers to her as "The Pope-rah." And Oprah was giving Mr. Letterman the silent treatment. Sometimes I feel that frustration, and on days like that, when my husband asks me how my day went, I reply, "I didn't hear from Oprah." He knows what I mean: Nothing bad happened, but I had been hoping for something better. Blah.<br /><br />Well, eventually, David did hear from Oprah, and I'm sure they lived happily ever after. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm building the habit of reminding myself, "Today could be the day." And since I've started doing that, I start my day excited. Maybe I end my day saying, "I still didn't hear from Oprah"... but that doesn't mean that I won't tomorrow.<br /><br />We begin each day with no idea what might happen - and I've forgotten how exciting that can be. Today could be the day someone finally gets a call about that job; or, it could be the day someone's kid finally gets out of diapers; or, it could be the day someone finally gets an offer on the house they've been trying to sell; or, something completely unexpected might happen. You could get a big win today - isn't that worth getting out of bed for?<br /><br />When I started writing this, I intended this "devotion" to be about patience - I've been struggling, waiting for "Oprah's call" lately. But I remembered one of my college pastors once said, "Unwrap each day with the veracity of a six-year-old on Christmas morning." How many of us do that? So, I guess this message is really about anticipation and joy in waiting for God's perfect timing - and appreciating the little victories in between.<br /><br />I never quite found the right verse for this message (open for suggestions) - but for now, let's try this one - it's the one my college pastor used in his sermon on living life to the fullest:<br /><br />'But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.' --Malachi 4:2<br /><br />And please, if you get a win, share with the rest of us in the comments! It could be contagious...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09589928734405169231noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942290576206988014.post-65773068729666530692010-07-07T09:25:00.000-07:002010-07-07T09:28:09.368-07:00What I BelieveThis post can be found on my regular blog. I thought it prudent to post a link to it here, too.<br /><br /><a href="http://thedill.xanga.com/729781223/what-i-believe/">What do <span style="font-style: italic;">you</span> believe?</a>JennyDillBrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15896677932975278070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942290576206988014.post-22553217539145918912010-07-05T09:46:00.000-07:002010-07-09T12:48:26.607-07:00Celebrating Freedom!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQD0Uv948yaN2WhQSCk6ZOLOUiRe3HavCVX4VadaLrjw99NrcQpmxVvr5AxsJ14eKXuQomzrt_QcT11a8OlOZYauwgw55Vrl4pwt7im5t3P8mQDD382kDYGAsfQD-3xI-zho5beEhm0mVC/s1600/4July_1.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQD0Uv948yaN2WhQSCk6ZOLOUiRe3HavCVX4VadaLrjw99NrcQpmxVvr5AxsJ14eKXuQomzrt_QcT11a8OlOZYauwgw55Vrl4pwt7im5t3P8mQDD382kDYGAsfQD-3xI-zho5beEhm0mVC/s320/4July_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490465237711699810" border="0" /></a><br />Greetings from your favorite District Dweller! And happy 234th birthday, USA!<br /><br />Hope y'all had a great Fourth of July. My gal pals I and made a last-minute dash to the National Mall and arrived just in time to watch the fireworks from a picture-perfect spot under a tree, right next to the Washington Monument. You must join us next time!!<br /><br />Not surprisingly, there's lots of talk about independence and freedom in the capital this time of year, and it got me thinking about a verse that I came across a few weeks ago:<br /><br />"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." ~ Galatians 5:1<br /><br />I love this Truth. We are <span style="font-style: italic;">free</span> by His mercy, <span style="font-style: italic;">free</span> in His grace. <span style="font-style: italic;">Free</span> from the bonding slavery of sin, from the burden to work out our own salvation.<br /><br />In Galatians 3, Paul explains the law and the promise:<br /><br />"19 What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come... 22 the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. 23 Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law."<br /><br />John MacArthur puts it this way in his Bible commentary:<br /><br />"...deliverance from the curse that the law pronounces on the sinner who has been striving unsuccessfully to achieve his own righteousness, but who has now embraced Christ and the salvation granted to him by grace."<br /><br />Paul again:<br /><br />"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: 'cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.' He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit" (Galatians 3:13-14)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Jesus Christ hung on a tree so that YOU would be FREE from the penalty of death...the eternal slavery of sin...the work of carrying this world's burdens on your own...</span><br /><br />Have you embraced Christ and accepted His free gift of <span style="font-style: italic;">freedom</span>?<br /><br />It's something to celebrate!<br /><br />~<br /><br />Thinking on these things this week:<br /><br />"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love." ~ Galatians 5:13<br /><br />"As a prisoner of the LORD, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." ~ Ephesians 4:1<br /><br />~<br /><br />Love y'all,<br /><br />MLHMicahLeighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06984339521796259532noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942290576206988014.post-42114932026968639072010-06-21T17:54:00.000-07:002010-06-21T19:03:17.950-07:00Quick & Slow<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5ngC3N9m4RneGAq8vzDbZ0FcnPpt9fJubVDX_BDVpfgdD-djtpqxgTDjySw8e1K6kNH0aR0bKQHf1spa6iIvec5IM1MOoz3LtA-BrNOgELIDhYHu2WTk6gG8jB2sdEQy0bDki4ji8vIF/s1600/angry.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5ngC3N9m4RneGAq8vzDbZ0FcnPpt9fJubVDX_BDVpfgdD-djtpqxgTDjySw8e1K6kNH0aR0bKQHf1spa6iIvec5IM1MOoz3LtA-BrNOgELIDhYHu2WTk6gG8jB2sdEQy0bDki4ji8vIF/s200/angry.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485410209707345154" /></a><br />Something happened the other day, and it made me ANGRY. It takes a lot to ruffle my feathers, but the stars aligned last week, and I was furious. Couldn't see straight. Had to physically remove myself from the room and walk around the building a couple of times, just to calm down. Pretty sure my eyes were flashing red flames.<br /><br />T.I.C.K.E.D.<br /><br />As I steamed around in circles outside, I felt - even more than outrage - a strong sense that the Lord was trying to teach me something amid the rush of emotions I was experiencing: this, MLH, was an opportunity to practice what you preach.<br /><br />And then James 1:19-20 came to mind...<br /><br />"My dear brothers, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires."<br /><br />God's word weighed heavily on my heart, but I kept fuming. To keep myself from climbing the walls, I focused on the "quick and slow" parts. Over and over, I repeated verse 19. I even wrote it down on a post-it and hung it in my line of sight.<br /><br />Quick and slow. Quick and slow.<br /><br />And then it hit me. The <span style="font-style:italic;">reason</span> we are to be quick and slow. Right there in verse 20: anger does not bring about the <span style="font-style:italic;">righteousness</span> that GOD desires.<br /><br />So then I thought, "well, what does?"<br /><br />Hebrews 12:11 tells us that <span style="font-style:italic;">discipline</span> produces a harvest of righteousness, but that discipline isn't fun; in fact, it is PAINful. Then James tells us in 3:18 that peacemakers who sow peace raise a harvest of righteousness.<br /><br />So being a "peacemaker" means fighting off my inclination to flip the table and make some (justified, I think) accusations...to wail until I feel like I'm heard...to be angry with those who have wronged me.<br /><br />I do not want to do that. <br /><br />I want to get in someone's face and "be right."<br /><br />But being right doesn't necessarily = being <span style="font-style:italic;">righteous</span>.<br /><br />If I apply my life to these Biblical principles, then my reaction must be the opposite of what I want to do. Being quick to listen and slow to anger requires practice!! Discipline!! These things do not come to me naturally!!<br /><br />If I am to pursue the righteousness He has called me into, I must <br />CHOOSE to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.<br /><br />Ouch. This discipline thing is hard.<br /><br />~<br /><br />Thinking on these things this week:<br /><br />Proverbs 29:11 - A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.<br /><br />Ephesians 4:1 - As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.<br /><br />~<br /><br />Love y'all,<br /><br />MLH<br /><br />*photo found @ http://thesituationist.wordpress.com/MicahLeighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06984339521796259532noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942290576206988014.post-51979851871490708922010-06-08T10:44:00.001-07:002010-06-08T11:17:43.552-07:00Letting go and letting love<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ln0FX6zuhaj4gwr0G9N7QkqnGGBOowytzUuLqdxx-utJkhp_Z65KgR3mwfQBOcTWgf0zUYXiQ6vaGtJc20fBjoGG6HV7mrpgk66r_fhINQ-rmLDFatLuLjJ9rw8k3EFqxiYlE3mOdZHJ/s1600/forgiveness.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ln0FX6zuhaj4gwr0G9N7QkqnGGBOowytzUuLqdxx-utJkhp_Z65KgR3mwfQBOcTWgf0zUYXiQ6vaGtJc20fBjoGG6HV7mrpgk66r_fhINQ-rmLDFatLuLjJ9rw8k3EFqxiYlE3mOdZHJ/s400/forgiveness.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480467718084774562" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So this week has had its ups and downs, as all weeks have in our household.<br /><br />My girls and I just finished enjoying a glorious 2 weeks of vacation time with my husband. My oldest kept waking up in the morning and was positively gleeful when she came in to our room and, quote, "Daddy STILL home!" So many times she wakes up, only to find that Brett has left for his work week. It's not like he can say goodbye at 4 am, kiddo. We had a glorious vacation, even if we didn't really go anywhere. Just the fact that we were home as a family was vacation enough for me. Ah...warm fuzzies.<br /><br />Brett took off for work last Sunday, and I packed up the girls and headed to my parents for the day. I was still living in post-vacation bliss, when I hopped on to Facebook before heading out the door. I saw on a former boyfriend's status that he and his wife were headed to Costa Rica on their honeymoon. Whoah...wife? Wedding? Married? I took a deep breathe, allowed my blood pressure and adrenaline to calm, and then thought to myself, "Sara, just grow up."<br /><br />Have any of you ladies experienced this? It's a time when that long-lost ex, who for lack of a better term, completely "ruined" a good chunk of your life, suddenly pops back up, and your gut instinct kicks in. You first become upset because, darn it, he's HAPPY. Then you are filled with pitty for his poor new wife. Then your mind starts reflecting back on the past. It's takes a bit to explain, but it all happens in a millisecond.<br /><br />These thoughts stayed in my head on the whole drive from Noblesville to Lafayette. All the time, I was reflecting on how I thought I had forgiven all the wrongs and just let go of that part of my life, but apparently I hadn't. On the drive, the sky was blue, the girls were sleeping, and I was pleasantly sipping a diet Coke and listening to music. Then I thought of all the things that happened in my life that were a result of that relationship. There's no conceivable way I would be living the life I had now without going through those bumps on the past. No way. And what would I do without my husband and my girls? I felt like a total shmuck. A child. A foolish little girl that held grudges. A person who doesn't forgive.<br /><br />So my reflections came full circle on that short drive in the car. I realized that it's hard to say that you forgive someone. It's even harder to actually MEAN it. I have truly let go and forgiven, and now, as I thumb through the pages on Facebook and see pictures of his wedding, I am truly and honestly filled with JOY, which is a sentiment I thought I would never project toward him. I hope that his life is filled with as many, if not more, blessings than I have been given.<br /><br />...and I hope he has wildly rambunctious children...<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-size:130%;" ><strong style="font-weight: bold;">Mark 11:25</strong><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.</span></span>Sara Musickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04691997051326358233noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942290576206988014.post-4515770030478185952010-04-04T21:05:00.000-07:002010-04-04T21:09:51.358-07:00He is RISEN, indeed!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtxnprGMGCRxuR0Fhh5mI8fCLsO0s6xIwEDDI8dbvRUyV1t3IZxx7Eb8LCbiwDIEwM63CQ2v9Xv2Bsq99B1UfrYcOSOVypdiAaQeHb3gOVCZCvmotpOpVHrvPKss3C-bxz1OhNIFzOFTsD/s1600/easter+%40+memorial.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtxnprGMGCRxuR0Fhh5mI8fCLsO0s6xIwEDDI8dbvRUyV1t3IZxx7Eb8LCbiwDIEwM63CQ2v9Xv2Bsq99B1UfrYcOSOVypdiAaQeHb3gOVCZCvmotpOpVHrvPKss3C-bxz1OhNIFzOFTsD/s320/easter+%40+memorial.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456500380831633474" /></a><br /><br />Happy Easter, friends!<br /><br />I spent Sunday morning at the Lincoln Memorial - I am always amazed at the beauty of His creation, and the colors were especially breathtaking at 0630. Wish you could have been there!<br /><br />I watched the sunrise over our nation's Capitol and thanked God for the freedom to worship Him out loud and in public. But more than that, I was grateful for the miraculous, selfless sacrifice my Jesus offered so many years ago:<br /><br />To love me enough to die for me. <br /><br />To willingly lay His spotless life on the cross and exchange His perfection for my imperfections - past, present, and future.<br /><br />To raise again on the third day in victory over death and sin.<br /><br />To reconcile my heart to our Heavenly Father, never to be separated again.<br /><br />He did that for me. And He did that for YOU.<br /><br />Hope you're swimming in the JOY that is Resurrection Sunday and basking in the truth of this miracle: He is RISEN, indeed.<br /><br />Love,<br /><br />MLHMicahLeighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06984339521796259532noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942290576206988014.post-57484126706395044332010-03-10T19:39:00.000-08:002010-03-10T20:10:54.586-08:00Walking Through (and On) the Impossible<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjk9wsyMRmP64CgGIaNyN7BOohNh_8LaDTzw70GSYETi1XOeRcbT1kqmJBKFzqlC7KqDYocBJRj_cEJ2B8q03rM7HaUaXG62KGnJQoH38rK46UDWOtVCrnZiDUNdgYhTYrIGiBkr4p-34/s1600-h/dangerous-sea_5568.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 613px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 328px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447217452872234354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjk9wsyMRmP64CgGIaNyN7BOohNh_8LaDTzw70GSYETi1XOeRcbT1kqmJBKFzqlC7KqDYocBJRj_cEJ2B8q03rM7HaUaXG62KGnJQoH38rK46UDWOtVCrnZiDUNdgYhTYrIGiBkr4p-34/s320/dangerous-sea_5568.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#000099;">*Before reading this devotional, please read</span> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2014:22-36&version=NIV">Matthew 14:22-36</a></div><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000000;">Most days I can barely keep my head above water. As laundry, dishes, social commitments and work responsibilities pile up, the sensation of drowning increases. How can I be a godly wife, mother, daughter, friend, employee and neighbor when I can't even remember to eat lunch? Yet here we read that Jesus (and Peter) not only kept their heads above water, but their entire bodies!! How?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000000;">The quick -- and accurate -- answer is Faith (vs. 31). But I am drawn to the verses earlier in the chapter that discuss all the stresses Jesus had experienced that same day. Jesus learned that John the Baptist had been beheaded and instead of getting to grieve for his cousin, he is followed by a crowd of at least 5,000 people. Matthew says, "He had compassion on them and healed their sick," (vs. 14) and then provides them with a plentiful supper out of 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread. His experiences of the day should have left him physically exhausted, spiritually drained and emotionally grieved. How then could he walk on water? </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000000;">How can <em>I</em> walk on water?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000000;">I think verse 23 has my answer. Jesus "went up on a mountainside by himself to pray." He found a place, free of distractions, where he could talk to his Father. What better way to get faith strong enough to walk on water than to spend time with God? After all, as we learned as children, God made the water He helps us walk on (Genesis 1:9,10)!</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000099;"><em>I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:12,13</em></span>Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04998657551390015773noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942290576206988014.post-1183502513094709312010-02-14T13:45:00.000-08:002010-02-14T14:20:22.672-08:00God is love!<span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Happy Valentines Day! <br /><br />Today we did not make it to church and so we had our own Sunday school together as a family. We studied...you guessed it...love. We talked about loving our neighbors and family, animals, and most importantly God. It is very easy to get wrapped up in the concept of love and forgetting the most important thing of all..."that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son" </span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >John 3:16<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I feel it is so important to impart to my kids how much God loves us, and how much we need to love others in return and yet I get still side tracked by silly holidays myself. That is why I am so grateful that Valentines Day fell on "church day" as Leah calls it, so we could have yet another reminder of Gods love!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Today we went to Dollar General to let the kids pick out one treat. After deliberating and picking up numerous things, only to find something else and pick it instead, they finally decided on their treats. We went to stand in the very long line to checkout and both kids were commenting on the balloons. The lady behind us had struck up a conversation with us and out of no where she whips out 2 dollars and gives one to each kid so they could pick out a balloon! What a perfect real world example of loving our neighbors as we love ourselves. Holding back tears I thanked the stranger and Leah looked at her and said "Love God with all your might" her attempt at our memory verse for the week!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">This week we should strive to remember all of the ways God loves us and show those to our neighbors!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >"</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him." </span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >1 John 4:16</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >"Love is patient, love is kind and it is not jealous...Love never fails...the greatest of these is love." </span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >1 Cor 13 4-13</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >"</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself..." Lev 19:18</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17724609187923493006noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942290576206988014.post-61493901430420806922010-01-31T19:10:00.000-08:002010-01-31T20:00:08.352-08:00Love is waiting...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1ycVTwoLRAbVDImuPT96_NZ_xZ4mMbAWLLMr0pKrPTiNWnkaFB65QSAOtuCPzTDtFm6_87_QOradpynl1p80Qm8RQZKadyEVYe2VWPZ8ZBICs44Gn0f8yHtcVGT5GokXYlGx3ximgN3c/s1600-h/love+is+waiting+pic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1ycVTwoLRAbVDImuPT96_NZ_xZ4mMbAWLLMr0pKrPTiNWnkaFB65QSAOtuCPzTDtFm6_87_QOradpynl1p80Qm8RQZKadyEVYe2VWPZ8ZBICs44Gn0f8yHtcVGT5GokXYlGx3ximgN3c/s320/love+is+waiting+pic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433118381325372642" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:85%;" >
<br /></span><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CMLH%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Lucida Console"; panose-1:2 11 6 9 4 5 4 2 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:modern; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:-2147482993 6144 0 0 31 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I had a brief “God moment” in the car a few days ago.<span style=""> </span>Brooke Fraser, one of my favorite Christian artists, was singing about love, and I was lamenting my lack of it (in the romantic sense).<span style=""> </span>I sang along with the lyrics, allowing a selfish sadness to creep into my voice and my spirit as I harmonized with Brooke:</span></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><i style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I’ll be waiting for you, baby<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><i style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I’ll be holding back the darkest night<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><i style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Love is waiting ‘til we’re ready<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><i style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">‘Til it’s right<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><i style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Love is waiting</span></i></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /><i style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><i style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">“Love is waiting…”<span style=""> </span>Well, Brooke, waiting is hard. Frustrating, even.<span style=""> </span>Full of distractions.<span style=""> </span>Burdensome.<span style=""> </span>Confusing.<span style=""> </span>Painful.<span style=""> </span>And, in my humanness, especially now, waiting is all of those things x 10.<span style=""> </span>And I don’t feel like it.<span style=""> </span>So there.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">But I kept singing, as I’m wont to do when things hurt, and suddenly, it occurred to me what was coming out of my mouth: LOVE is waiting.<span style=""> </span>Not “like,” or “good enough” or “right now.”<span style=""> </span>LOVE.<span style=""> </span>God’s best.<span style=""> </span>Ordained, in His timing, meant-to-be, full of blessings, moving toward holiness – not happiness, two-shall-become-one LOVE is WAITING.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">And you know what that makes love?<span style=""> </span>Patient.<span style=""> </span>And kind.<span style=""> </span>Not envious or boastful.<span style=""> </span>Not proud.<span style=""> </span>Not rude or self-seeking or easily angered.<span style=""> </span>It keeps no record of wrongs.<span style=""> </span>Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.<span style=""> </span>It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always PERSEVERES.<span style=""> </span>(1 Corinthians 13:4-8)</span></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Love is WAITING.<span style=""> </span>And if love - that which God <i style="">is</i> and exudes - is patient, then surely He in His perfection is worth waiting FOR, whatever our hearts’ desire.<span style=""> </span>We, as Christ-followers, wait not for a husband, or a job, or a house, or anything tangible but for the LORD…for His confidence, His assurance, and His perfect peace.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">That God would be so sweet to remind me what true love looks like – and that the wait is worth it – did much to soothe my tender spirit that night and in the days since then.<span style=""> </span>What started out as a self-induced pity party on my drive home became a supernatural revelation through the Holy Spirit that God has already defined love.<span style=""> </span>Indeed, He has demonstrated real love in its purest, truest form (John 3:16).<span style=""> </span>So I need not worry about earthly companionship or the fulfillment of my selfish wants, however justified.<span style=""> </span>My Creator in Heaven knows what I need before I even ask Him (Matthew 6:8) and has promised a hope and a future in Him (Jeremiah 29:11).</span></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">LOVE is patient.<span style=""> </span>Always hopes.<span style=""> </span>Always perseveres.<span style=""> </span>Love never fails.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">~<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Romans 8:24-25 ~ Who hopes for what he already has?<span style=""> </span>But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Romans 5:3-4 ~ Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character, and character, hope.<span style=""> </span>And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Sprit, whom He has given us.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Romans 12:12 ~ Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">2 Peter 3:9 ~ The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness.<span style=""> </span>He is patient with you…</span></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Psalm 130:5-6 ~ I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope.<span style=""> </span>My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">~</span></p><p style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana;">MLH</span></span>
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<br />MicahLeighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06984339521796259532noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942290576206988014.post-44852229032240970002009-12-30T13:09:00.000-08:002009-12-30T13:21:26.431-08:00Follow-Up on Rejoice, I Say!So, Christmas came and went, and believe it or not, things went better than I ever dreamed they could. It went so well, in fact, that I'd actually deem it a miracle. No joke.<br /><br />God's love flowed through me this Christmas—and I could feel it <span style="font-style: italic;">especially</span> when I knew that without Him, I'd have felt angry, upset, or bothered. I could not have done it without Him, and if anyone could have been in my shoes throughout the entirety of this struggle, there's no way that they would not believe in Him and the power of His love.<br /><br />Unfortunately, those who still seek the truth can't fit in my shoes to see the proof. However, maybe those who saw me (and, perhaps, those who put me) in my "shoes" could still see enough of it to light the spark for them. (One can hope.)<br /><br />Clear as mud? I'm purposely not getting horribly specific here, but I wanted to share that things went quite well.JennyDillBrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15896677932975278070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942290576206988014.post-88767710368508019712009-12-23T22:52:00.000-08:002009-12-23T19:52:11.384-08:00God is love! -- Merry Christmas!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2uQETwqoRtHGN2zUt63-UvcE3GWM8GGiLHWsfrCmNmBng1uj6l5XixDrXUr5Utc9DAr2INpuSmUNj5kWTHsroE7Qv8jspmzv2p2ivZAhbZdJ5zj8nDu_KPwfXtAiCWQa2rIzCxEgLz9w/s1600-h/HPIM5293.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418644352392364514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2uQETwqoRtHGN2zUt63-UvcE3GWM8GGiLHWsfrCmNmBng1uj6l5XixDrXUr5Utc9DAr2INpuSmUNj5kWTHsroE7Qv8jspmzv2p2ivZAhbZdJ5zj8nDu_KPwfXtAiCWQa2rIzCxEgLz9w/s320/HPIM5293.JPG" /></a><br /><div><br />This is the rough draft for a talk I gave at my church's women's Christmas brunch....</div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Merry Christmas!</strong></span><br />We are coming together today to celebrate one of the most important holidays in the year.<br /><br />I brought a prop. This is my son, Logan. He is 1 month and 1 day old. I love him. I am so pleased with him. He is so cute, you should pay attention to him. Or should I say, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" Matthew 17:5. God loved his son so much more than I love my own.<br /><br />I am not one taken to an overpowering, immediate love for my children when they are born. It may be different for other women, but I begin loving my child the minute it becomes a part of me and this love grows over time. The Bible says "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. (John 1:1-2) God is love. 1 John 4:16 Any inkling of love that I feel for my children, pales in comparison to the love God has for his son. Yet, as much as God loved Jesus, he gave him up for us. Because he loved us. (For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[<a title="See footnote a" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%203:16&version=NIV#fen-NIV-26127a">a</a>] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16)<br />God could have sent Jesus as an adult with a flaming sword and a host of heavenly warriors behind him. He could have sent him as a child to the most well-to-do family in the world. Arrayed him in splendor and given him worldly wealth. But The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. (John 1:14) God came to live among us, not above us. He came for me, a sinner. And how do you reach a sinner? You love them.</div><div><br /></div><div>How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent,[<a title="See footnote c" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%201&version=NIV#fen-NIV-26048c">c</a>] nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. John 1:12-13<br /><br />I love that every year I read the Christmas story, I find some new detail that evidences God's love....and divinity. This year it had to do with Mary. Mary and Joseph were betrothed -- It's in between engaged and married. Even though they weren't married, yet, the only way they could break off their relationship once they were engaged was to get divorced. Let's see if I can explain how perfectly God provided for this little family. Mary became pregnant while she was still a virgin. God could have sent Jesus before Joseph had ever even heard of Mary. Sure, she would have been a single mom, but maybe she would just raise Jesus in the home of her parents. Or what if she and Joseph were already married with three children? Then the prophecy would not have been fulfilled (Therefore the Lord himself will give you [<a title="See footnote a" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+7:13-15&version=NIV#fen-NIV-17797a">a</a>] a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and [<a title="See footnote b" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+7:13-15&version=NIV#fen-NIV-17797b">b</a>] will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14)<br /><br />Now what do we do with this?? God is love. He loves His children. and any of us who believe that Jesus is God's son, that he came to save us, we get to be called children of God as well.<br />We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19. God calls his children to walk in love. A pharisee asked Jesus what the greatest commandment is and Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[<a title="See footnote b" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+22&version=NIV#fen-NIV-23908b">b</a>] 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[<a title="See footnote c" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+22&version=NIV#fen-NIV-23910c">c</a>] 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:37-40<br />This Christmas season, walk in love (2 John 1:6) for this is the true reason we have Christmas. It was God's greatest gift to us and it can be the greatest gift we give to others. </div>Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04998657551390015773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942290576206988014.post-20464597302146699522009-12-14T06:49:00.000-08:002009-12-14T10:30:43.072-08:00Rejoice, I Say!<div style="text-align: center;">"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"<br />– Philippians 4:4<br /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.sxc.hu/pic/l/j/ju/juancho17/1155677_82313612.jpg" /><br />"Praise God!"<br /><br /></div>Recently, I have been reminded that in this life, I cannot "roll with the punches" on my own. Things have been <span style="font-style: italic;">interesting</span> for me lately, in regard to family (in more places than just one, but I'm more focused on one particular relationship in this post). I won't go into detail about that, but I will say that a good friend of mine (<a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/04998657551390015773">Brenda</a>) once said to me, "there's a reason you can't choose your family: some people just wouldn't get picked."<br /><br />Yesterday, I had one of those amazing experiences (which happens quite often, actually) where I was in church, and the sermon satiated my thirst for an answer to many, many prayers that I've spoken over the last year (and mostly in the last week).<br /><br />I was reminded that I am <span style="font-style: italic;">blessed</span> to be able to have conflict with my family. Before you go and write me off as being nutty, let me attempt to explain myself.<br /><br />Not all conflict is black and white and easy to resolve. In fact, sometimes, it is impossible to fix whatever the issue is that may have caused the conflict in the first place (sometimes, you may run into someone who believes that the events that occurred are a completely different reality to them than to what actually occurred). But, how we choose to look at it, and how we choose to handle it (with the help of God) can bring peace, civility, and even forgiveness to a seemingly impossible relationship. And, heck, even over time, maybe that relationship can grow into something beautiful again. (Who knows?)<br /><br />In the meantime, though, we can be reminded that it is beautiful that we can feel this hurt. Pain, sorrow, and all of the absolutely dreadful things of the like are part of what makes this life worth living. If we didn't have horrible, nasty junk to deal with now and then, it would not be so special when things are going so well.<br /><br />This Christmas, while part of me is nervous to have to work so hard on myself for some relationships, I am more thrilled than ever to be alive and to be working this hard to do God's will. I have the <span style="font-style: italic;">opportunity</span> to do it. I also feel completely thrilled (we're talking giddy, schoolgirl status) to have the opportunity to share it all with my budding, little family.<br /><br />One might look at this post and think, "Oh. Okay. So, Jenny thrives on drama, then."<br /><br />That couldn't be further from the truth. I am the most anti-dramalicious person you'll ever meet. Part of me thinks that God allows it into my life because he knows that it's a serious challenge for me. Sometimes, though, I think it's from the stinkin' devil, and if I'm not careful, it could really suck me over into the dark side. Now, for once, I have armed myself appropriately, and I can now look at it with a smirk on my face and say, "Bring it on. Bring. It. On."<br /><br />I'm ready. Let's do this.<br /><br />Merry Christmas!JennyDillBrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15896677932975278070noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942290576206988014.post-81340127594640862592009-10-29T20:03:00.000-07:002009-10-29T20:42:19.598-07:00Learning about Loneliness...<div style="text-align: center;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:110%;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><br />I think God leaves me alone to let me find my own strength</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">because no one else can give it to me.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">Sometimes it is very lonely.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">But I know the lonely times teach me the most.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">I must let go in order to let anything in.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">No one can love me, for me.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">~ Sabrina Ward Harrison</span><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GJPwBvYYTvyYoL8hLIZTlW9RtmWAOVX5aDMi4PMdRrB90X_5AJ6ME9bqK1sajpFe2HPSgJ-Hud7ny0MJQwzAEk4Sdrpl0pa74uc5O1NnkLoBdKds1G74C3XNob5LGOvTIK7jV0iMnO1K/s1600-h/Picture+1.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GJPwBvYYTvyYoL8hLIZTlW9RtmWAOVX5aDMi4PMdRrB90X_5AJ6ME9bqK1sajpFe2HPSgJ-Hud7ny0MJQwzAEk4Sdrpl0pa74uc5O1NnkLoBdKds1G74C3XNob5LGOvTIK7jV0iMnO1K/s400/Picture+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398223815795673602" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />I am learning. I think we are all learning as we go through life - learning about ourselves, learning about our spouses, learning about life and how to live it honestly and fully in each and every moment.<br /><br />All you stay-at-home moms can relate with this - you just get lonely when your husband is gone. Whether it be a normal 8-hour work day or a week-long business trip, it's tough to get through the day without your partner. And yes, there are little ones at home to keep you company, yet it's times when you are alone with them when it's hard to look past parenthood as a chore and see it as a gift. And in those times, I can honestly say I yearn for the days when it was just me...just me and my work without anyone to answer to, without any responsibilities beyond myself.<br /><br />Now how selfish does that sound???? REALLY?! As much as I didn't really see myself as that typical stay-at-home mom, I have assumed that role. And I do try to make time for my creative side and have a successful side business that is going extremely well. Yet WHY do I always desire more? Even when I was just by myself, I was STILL lonely and desired, what else...companionship and the sound of cooing babies and pattering feet.<br /><br />Lonely moments do teach me the most. Sometimes it is simply a moment in reflection. Sometimes it is a quick tearful release. One thing that loneliness has taught me is that sometimes we need to just let go. By giving up control and by loosening the tight grip we have around our lives, our blessings are revealed in the most unusual ways. It is the little grins from my 3-month-old at 2 am that get me through the night. It is the hugs around my legs from my 2-year-old that get me through the mornings. It is the text messages that my husband sends me before his planes take off that get me through the afternoons.<br /><br />And though I feel lonely, I know that I am never really by myself. There is more that lives within me than just myself, and it is the moments of chaos and the moments of quiet where I can touch the One that is beyond me and bigger than me. And I realize that lonely times really do teach me the most.Sara Musickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04691997051326358233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942290576206988014.post-6414540793844093162009-09-28T06:31:00.000-07:002009-09-28T06:55:04.680-07:00What's In A Name?When my first child was born, we did not have a specific name chosen for him ahead of time. However, at his birth, I felt his name was revealed to me. When I went home and looked it up, I found that his name means "Gift of God" -- which he was. Names have importance in the Bible as well. From Abram being renamed Abraham to Saul becoming Paul and Simon called Peter.<br /><br /><br /><br />The many names of God are important, too. I have started a list of characteristics and names of God. As I come along a description or name of our Heavenly Father, I write it (along with the scripture reference) in the front of my Bible. As Priscilla Shirer says, "The more you know and believe to be true about who God is and what He can do, the more willing you become to obey what He commands." I will share just a few of the characteristics I have found. Please add on.<br /><br /><br /><br /><u>God is....</u><br /><br /><ul><br /><li>my strength (Psalm 18:1)</li><br /><li>the blessed and only ruler (1 Timothy 6:15)</li><br /><li>sovereign (Micah 1:2)</li><br /><li>the King of glory (Psalm 24:8)</li><br /><li>you who judge righteously and test the heart and mind (Jeremiah 11:20)</li><br /><li>a God who knows (1 Samuel 2:3)</li><br /><li>the Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)</li><br /><li>the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were (Romans 4:17)</li><br /><li>reliable (John 8:26)</li><br /><li>the LORD our Righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6)</li><br /><li>compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished (Exodus 34:6-7)</li><br /><li>worthy of praise (Psalm 18:3)</li><br /><li>a refuge in times of trouble (Nahum 1:7)</li></ul><br />And don't forget, as Christians we have a new name as well.<br /><br />"To all who received him, to those who <em>believed in his name</em>, he gave the right to become <strong>children of God</strong>." John 1:12 <span style="font-size:78%;">(emphasis mine)</span>Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04998657551390015773noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942290576206988014.post-66707720541741872322009-09-15T13:58:00.001-07:002009-09-15T14:18:50.903-07:00Listening?!?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5esSBc4SeRvmb_PhA9Uq0S2wjPZchVQLpuGQpEPQsSgkdcvaXTKG6m88Zx3o6sPHpG9iQAllDvBrE7Q8tBON3bJX_LuCeBbllfEiOMlrOeJMgHEr8ixne38_FIutClfRv_wA_BYikcLo/s1600-h/IMG_7644.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5esSBc4SeRvmb_PhA9Uq0S2wjPZchVQLpuGQpEPQsSgkdcvaXTKG6m88Zx3o6sPHpG9iQAllDvBrE7Q8tBON3bJX_LuCeBbllfEiOMlrOeJMgHEr8ixne38_FIutClfRv_wA_BYikcLo/s320/IMG_7644.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381806140366386722" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Has anyone wondered if the some of the urgings that they are feeling are from God or from their own imaginations and thoughts?</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">I have been struggling the last few weeks with hearing God, and finding His voice to guide my life.<br /><br />I have an amazing friend who shared with me several months ago, that she felt like God was preparing her for something big;. Long story short, she and her husband have three little girls and were not planning on having anymore. My dear friend ached for another baby, but honored her husband and their decision not to have any more biological children.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />They had been praying and thinking about adoption for the last several months. Last week this little miracle was literally dropped into their lives. They are now planning on adopting a little boy. I am not at liberty to go into details, short of saying that this story has God written all over it!! </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Because she stopped and listened, God spoke to her and was preparing her and her family for their new addition long before they had any idea what was going to happen.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />This made me realize...a little quiet time with the Lord and some time spent in His word will go a long way towards "hearing" Him. Isn't it truly amazing that we have a God that knows what is in our hearts and that He has given us this amazing manual to find the answers and truths to better hear Him!!</span> <div style="text-align: center;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br />Deuteronomy 30:20</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">..."that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him...</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I hope we can all take time out of our busy lives to stop and listen to the plans our Lord has for us!!<br /></div></div>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17724609187923493006noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942290576206988014.post-23631124047375745832009-09-11T11:12:00.000-07:002009-09-11T11:41:13.755-07:00What are your "Talents"?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcPhVqMfbyPuSoo-HdmKdXBtFUHVkpEyYBoFw1-eJ5g0AhgLMh5XjetXm1hBroHh3iXIoCMVqVWqpfqeI276lD1vjEPT14bqTd5PG2JRs45zUV6A8iodD-SPIu4FAaF6ssHDDoKTnSj0e/s1600-h/EAC7C50761BD4600A0D11DE7C9996746.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380281584515669874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcPhVqMfbyPuSoo-HdmKdXBtFUHVkpEyYBoFw1-eJ5g0AhgLMh5XjetXm1hBroHh3iXIoCMVqVWqpfqeI276lD1vjEPT14bqTd5PG2JRs45zUV6A8iodD-SPIu4FAaF6ssHDDoKTnSj0e/s400/EAC7C50761BD4600A0D11DE7C9996746.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>God's timing is always correct. Sometimes I don't notice and it schlaps me in the face, leaving me thinking, "....ooooh yeah! Now that makes sense!". This last weekend, our message at church was about the parable of the talents (<strong>see Matthew 25:14-30, Luke 19:12-28</strong>). </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I always viewed that story as a good way to talk about finances and tithing... How God wants us to be good stewards with the funds he blesses us with. But this weekend shone a new light on the subject and I thought of the word "talent" not as $$$, but <em><strong>talent. </strong></em></div><br /><div><strong><em></em></strong></div><br /><div>I've spent quite a few years "hoarding" some talent that I was feeling too stingy to use. I thought of singing and how I've always thought of it as mine....NO WAY! I realized it's God's voice and he entrusted me with it for a reason. WOW. What am I doing sitting on it? <strong>And his perfect timing?</strong>: I had just prayed during worship before the sermon, asking God to give me a sign if he wanted me to serve on the worship arts team and sing again. So I'm gonna do it.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So, what's the talent that God has entrusted you? Have you been sittin' on it too? </div><br /><div></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><em>Matthew 25:13</em></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><em>"Therefore, stay alert, for you know not the day or the hour..."</em></strong></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">So when we finally get to see our Savior face to face, I want to tell him that I used every bit he gave me...</div>Arielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750600616551358760noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942290576206988014.post-46141663229911249302009-09-02T05:13:00.000-07:002009-09-02T05:33:47.516-07:00Lesson in envy<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Envy is the art of counting the other fellow's blessings<br />instead of your own.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">- Harold Coffin</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGyaxQpE0IyhpBeLE2r1KmkIwLSfTrZjrxQl-6xZ-qt2ulvQp5QRuFfi7Iau21mDrRVBh0gHz4HFJM7RG_GLId5Fnk226UOXujJzQxkWjbm61qhlrER8kk8am4Z0iL94e-LiTV6ZvVTVAl/s1600-h/ways_t11.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 317px; height: 351px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGyaxQpE0IyhpBeLE2r1KmkIwLSfTrZjrxQl-6xZ-qt2ulvQp5QRuFfi7Iau21mDrRVBh0gHz4HFJM7RG_GLId5Fnk226UOXujJzQxkWjbm61qhlrER8kk8am4Z0iL94e-LiTV6ZvVTVAl/s400/ways_t11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376842351383245170" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Today, I spoke with a good friend of mine who told me that they just bought a new house. I was so happy for them but couldn't help thinking why they bought a new house when their current one was really nice anyway. They are expecting their first baby, and they are checking off the list of things that they need before the baby comes. I'm so glad that they are having a baby. They are truly wonderful people, and their children will be extremely blessed to have such good parents. But why upgrade when the house you live in is REALLY nice already? Their new neighborhood is just down the street from us, so I decided to drive through. The more I drove through the neighborhood, the more envious I got. I'm not the main financial provider in my family, and my husband has a job where people think he earns about three times as much as he really does. We struggle to pay bills sometimes, and it's really frustrating. I guess I found myself feeling jealous that my good friends get to start out their family in such luxury while we are scraping the bottom on the barrel at times.<br /><br />Then I realized, why be envious of my friends when I have everything in life that I need right now? I have a wonderful husband, two happy and healthy kids that make me smile everyday, a roof over my head, and food on the table. We can laugh, cry, eat meals, welcome friends and family, and love in a house of any size. Besides, if we had every physical desire that we want NOW, it doesn't make us appreciate what we acquire in the future. So today I wake up, give my girls morning hugs and kisses, make breakfast in my fully-stocked kitchen, shower in hot water, and put on clothes from our almost-too-small closet. And I'm thankful for every last bit.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;" class="poet1rn">Take delight in the L<span class="ord">ord</span>,</div><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"> </div><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;" class="poet2">and he will give you your heart’s desires.</div><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"> </div><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;" class="poet1rn-space">Commit everything you do to the L<span class="ord">ord</span>.</div><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="poet2"><span style="font-style: italic;">Trust him, and he will help you.</span><br />- Psalm 37: 4-5<br /></div><br /></div></div>Sara Musickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04691997051326358233noreply@blogger.com1