tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19282269108923351352024-03-18T21:26:29.686-07:00 Confessions of a Type A Woman! ...a handy guide to get your lists under the control of a life-settling Savior! Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928226910892335135.post-2419778894096207742016-07-11T05:14:00.000-07:002016-07-11T05:14:41.061-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6Ubj8T3w2ajm7NITPO9ryOJBC8NTRTrcb6AzGt1ZEA1lOfs9OEslV5wmY6_2oy0mGV0WezIBhTU-K3ylo4vesO8cWqKn4JBRGNUg76U7MCh3D2T93E4fIDPURHZqfWImyuEO3CTIjmmw/s1600/beautiful-scenery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6Ubj8T3w2ajm7NITPO9ryOJBC8NTRTrcb6AzGt1ZEA1lOfs9OEslV5wmY6_2oy0mGV0WezIBhTU-K3ylo4vesO8cWqKn4JBRGNUg76U7MCh3D2T93E4fIDPURHZqfWImyuEO3CTIjmmw/s640/beautiful-scenery.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
Dear Readers,<br />
<br />
A soft light filters through the stand of trees behind my hilltop home. It is a gentle, early morning light. The light always comforts me. <br />
<br />
On sleepless nights and weary mornings, I look forward to this light. And so, this morning, The Type A Lady wakes up. <br />
<br />
I haven't written in such a long time and, for that, I have no excuse. I'm sorry.<br />
<br />
I'm easily distracted and, I must say, 2016 has distracted me in so many ways. I'll write more about this later.<br />
<br />
We've been perpetually moving since the new year hit and this has reeked havoc on my schedule and discipline. I've lost my place a bit, but I promise I'll get it back.<br />
<br />
With that, I make a list and a promise to be more consistent with my communication:<br />
<br />
____I'll write something at least once a week<br />
<br />
____I'll talk to God about this writing stuff and brainstorm ideas<br />
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____I'll think of you, fellow list makers, and try to fill a need<br />
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____I'll thank God for this privilege and keep it humble...keep it real<br />
<br />
____I'll settle down and look up...to the Light. <br />
<br />
Love, The Type A Lady<br />
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<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928226910892335135.post-28035383766365746672016-01-25T21:51:00.001-08:002016-01-26T11:51:22.445-08:00Checking in to 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<h2>
<b><i>Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. - Proverbs 19:21</i></b></h2>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Wow</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">!</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> It's already January 25 and I have not written you in a long, long time. </span><br />
Geesh! I am so sorry! This Type A Lady has lost control!<br />
<br />
Yikes! I better catch up in my communication. I think I'll start with a checklist from the year 2015. The very thought of a checklist calms me down and puts my year into perspective.<br />
<br />
Without further ado, here's my take on 2015. God helped me get through the past year.<br />
<br />
Here's how:<br />
<br />
<strong>2015... The Type A Lady Looks Back</strong><br />
<br />
Type A ladies like to organize and plan. There is a sense of satisfaction to see checkable lines and dates and goals to tick off .<br />
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The year 2015 wrecked my checklist. Here are some items which were not on my list for 2015:<br />
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<br />
___My husband undergoing four cancer surgeries. Nope...this did not fit in the schedule. God told me to "simmer down" however, and to wait. So I waited. I waited in hospital waiting rooms. I waited for doctors' meetings. I waited for test results...and through it all, I learned about patience, trust, hope, and prayer. I've never been very good with patience. The prayer has helped. Trust and hope were the gifts God gave me when I learned to wait. <br />
<br />
<br />
___Dashing to the emergency room during my daughter's wedding reception. What do chest pains and 50 people at an outdoor party at my farm have to do with each other? They both occurred on the same night. God taught me to "let go" and "get going" as I left my guests and my daughter and her groom to fend for themselves in order to drive my hubby to the ER.<br />
<br />
___Rejoicing in small victories. Thank you, God. Brad did not have a heart attack. Too bad he had to have his Gallbladder taken out. -You guessed it: surgery number five. I began to learn I should never plan on anything being normal in our lives. Expect the unexpected. God will get you through.<br />
<br />
___Learning to let go of worries. As the year progressed, my husband's cancer was coupled with heart problems. I learned what a cardiothoracic surgeon is. I also learned God can take our questions. Why does my poor husband have to go through all this?????<br />
<br />
___Leaving some blank space in my days. I have always over-booked. 2015 may have shattered my checklist, but God used it to slow me down and appreciate the ones I love, especially my poor "over-operated" husband.<br />
<br />
___Checking in with God before I check out my "to do". I need to take time to talk to God. No excuses here. 2015 stomped its foot and tore up my checklist. Lesson learned, God. I need you. <br />
<br />
Talk to you all later in 2016! <br />
<br />
<strong>--<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Love,</span> </strong><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><strong>Laurie</strong> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928226910892335135.post-65089107504827935132015-10-12T07:48:00.002-07:002015-10-12T07:49:33.563-07:00Type A Lady Takes a WALK...and discovers a secret <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLO96ADmo2l0GVPEgvb6QY8qNA7W6jH_Z5ZASZ5z181tNUNuyRGdRVdjS8zwuuaUYFO6NOxv7ElrS6tNx9idwcXI9aIMZiEwDm3DfUvc6-QecQVXztgTJ5AJarZcY61m9yiHy8WKRUWEdI/s1600/secret+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLO96ADmo2l0GVPEgvb6QY8qNA7W6jH_Z5ZASZ5z181tNUNuyRGdRVdjS8zwuuaUYFO6NOxv7ElrS6tNx9idwcXI9aIMZiEwDm3DfUvc6-QecQVXztgTJ5AJarZcY61m9yiHy8WKRUWEdI/s320/secret+garden.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. </i></span></b><span style="font-size: 14px;">--Philippians 4:11</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">Walking for a "Type A" woman could be considered a misnomer. When I take a "walk," I usually walk/race with a mission in mind. It could be physical fitness. I could be hammering out some angry energy. I seldom walk to just enjoy the moment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">I'm so grateful my father-in-law showed me how to walk. We took a little walk to the Secret Garden...and discovered the secret to contentment. Here's a little story of our journey. </span></div>
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"Well, well, well !" My 90 year-old father-in-law exclaimed when he got out of his car. He gazed around as if he was seing our hilltop farm for the first time, even though he's been here a hundred times.</div>
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"This is so nice!" he pronounced, gazing over the cornfields. "What a beautiful place!" He smiled and walked around with a "let me soak it in" satisfied look on his face.</div>
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Bert Watkins and his wife, Beth are the best in-laws a Type A girl can have. We lost Beth in 2013, and now I treasure my time with Bert, one of the most positive people I know.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">Brad & I ate dinner with him one crisp fall night in Illinois. He was going to be returning to Florida and we wanted a special evening before he left. When darkness came, I said to Bert, "Let's take a walk to the Secret Garden."</span></div>
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The Secret Garden is lit up by hundreds of sparkling white lights. This secluded little spot behind our old wooden smokehouse is sheltered by trees which simply glisten.</div>
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"This is just perfect," Bert said as he gazed at the lights. "Oh, oh, oh you are just so lucky. Be sure to count your blessings!" </div>
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We walked the Secret Garden with Bert Tuesday night. Wednesday morning, he stepped out of his back door and fell and broke his arm.</div>
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The break led to a trip to the emergency room. When he returned home, Bert winced in pain. Yet, as he sat on his own back porch in a crowded condo complex, arm in sling, he leaned his head back in the cool breeze and said, "Well, well, well this is just so perfect! Isn't this nice?" </div>
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I suddenly realized a secret as sparkling as the Secret Garden. For Bert Watkins, contentment is an inside job...a thankful attitude is important. That's a good lesson to learn. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928226910892335135.post-23878584497722468332015-09-17T06:38:00.000-07:002015-09-17T06:44:16.865-07:00Tear Down the Walls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLEAD1N2deYy2Z7sjejx-6adXIE9L9znBN01wlaIx8Mfh4czSUrDqib3pXHLx1vP1WqUc-nTfbFRq3scwysI9fkui35a8pvc-tad24EszaFvczRrKIZGg9f_mR2kJe6QfMfyal2gQKb9h/s1600/stone-wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLEAD1N2deYy2Z7sjejx-6adXIE9L9znBN01wlaIx8Mfh4czSUrDqib3pXHLx1vP1WqUc-nTfbFRq3scwysI9fkui35a8pvc-tad24EszaFvczRrKIZGg9f_mR2kJe6QfMfyal2gQKb9h/s320/stone-wall.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tear Down That Wall! </span></div>
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There are many ways we build walls in our families. A wall is anything that prevents us from connecting and enjoying each other.<br />
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A wall can destroy interaction between parent and child. It can eat away at a marriage. God offers the ultimate means of tearing down walls.<br />
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This Type A lady is excited to bring you a CHECKLIST of ways you can tear down walls (or prevent them from happening!) in your family. Special thanks to Gayla Fields, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, for her input into this handy list! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCaY0MJZc712d5-kkGtEtl7XX34OwNGRvyFkdcqywKNaGOy_6DWnt0kf3CzZ6BqWkwZkzic7eXnFpuVPScglenkmjThZ8FvLCIeDuBtI6fr8bosbA588Nisowwce6kDhbc97HkRv0Y-j3/s1600/check2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCaY0MJZc712d5-kkGtEtl7XX34OwNGRvyFkdcqywKNaGOy_6DWnt0kf3CzZ6BqWkwZkzic7eXnFpuVPScglenkmjThZ8FvLCIeDuBtI6fr8bosbA588Nisowwce6kDhbc97HkRv0Y-j3/s200/check2.gif" width="200" /></a><b><span style="font-size: large;">___1. The wall of “busy”ness.</span></b></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: white;">“Be still and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10</i></span></blockquote>
As families, many of us are overbooked and overscheduled. Society pressures parents to sign their children up for everything, from gymnastics to soccer, dance to t-ball. <br />
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God points out we don't have to follow society.<br />
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Counselor Gayla Fields says children need “down time,” as do parents. She recommends limiting the number of activities.<br />
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“If you find yourself running every night of the week, you are involved in too much.” She noted children need a routine and home time with a healthy dinner and regular bedtime.<br />
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If we're too busy, we don’t talk. We miss opportunities to sit together, eat dinner together or even have a family game night. Don’t build a wall of busyness in your life.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>___2. The wall of unforgiveness.</b></span><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span class="highl" style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">"</span><span class="highl" style="background-color: #fff4ec; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?"</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.… </span></span></i></blockquote>
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<i><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"> -- Matthew 18:21-22</span></span></i></blockquote>
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Unforgiveness may be common when one person hurts the other and forgiveness never comes. We must choose to forgive to avoid the wall. If Jesus can forgive, so can we…with His help.<br />
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The hurt party may not admit it, but he or she holds a silent grudge against her mate. It surfaces at different points and true one-ness as a couple cannot happen.<br />
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Forgiveness is giving up your right to hurt back. It is a very freeing thing. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">___3. The wall of disrespect</span></b>.</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><i>"Use helpful words...the kind that builds others up." </i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><i> -- Ephesians 4:29-32</i></span></blockquote>
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We live in a time where respect is seldom displayed. Watch any television program and you will hear snide, sarcastic communication between husbands and wives and children and their parents. Respect is hard to find these days.</div>
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Respect is a choice. Bad habits of disrespectful communication can be broken when we decide to make an effort to speak with a positive tone and message. </div>
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Praise your mate and children. Point out their good qualities and decisions. Don’t nag and don’t always point out their mistakes.</div>
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Don't let teasing control your communication. What may be harmless jokes to one person may be devastating degradation to another. </div>
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Know your mate and your children. Don’t hurt them with teasing.<br />
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Tear Down the Walls<br />
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Understanding how your child is uniquely wired will go along way to knowing how to lead, discipline and coach him.<br />
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Some kids love a crowd. Others what quiet and solitude. Some want to lead. Others want to follow. <br />
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Birth order may have something to do with this. Dr. Kevin Leman points out: First borns tend to outperform, be organized and have a tremendous sense of duty. <br />
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Middlers may be quiet and withdrawn, usually opposite their older siblings. <br />
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Youngest fight for their position and are often more challenging and questioning.<br />
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Observe how your child interacts with others. What’s important to your child? How does she spend her free time?<br />
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Remember that each child in your family is different, even close sisters or brothers. Treatment will have to vary with the personalities.<br />
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Remember to “Train a child up in the way he should go” (Prov 22:6) but that training depends upon her BENT.<br />
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Tear down the walls that separate us in our marriages and families....you'll be glad you did!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928226910892335135.post-84046776178575436202015-09-11T05:49:00.001-07:002015-09-11T05:49:29.114-07:00September 11th Remembered<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dU6qBho100ErPXy-xYRU5a59G9IF6jhIaHgz7BHkYFxvE84OgG86c6QdjdNHVOJNYCZ1Z52YFuZf6ufU85IvJiNkxi47KQEX08sG9TZhb1IsSFtmJjlz_zYtZA7aMmqVN3agkDcnK5a3/s1600/flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dU6qBho100ErPXy-xYRU5a59G9IF6jhIaHgz7BHkYFxvE84OgG86c6QdjdNHVOJNYCZ1Z52YFuZf6ufU85IvJiNkxi47KQEX08sG9TZhb1IsSFtmJjlz_zYtZA7aMmqVN3agkDcnK5a3/s320/flag.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Dearest Father in Heaven, </span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for giving us hope and a future. Help those who struggle with grief and brokeness. Help those who are first responders: police, firemen, soldiers and others who step into danger daily. Help us understand the direction you want us to go....Forgive our thoughtlessness and confusion.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Heal our land, my precious Father...and grant us peace and understanding. We love you. </span></i></b><br />
<br />
<br />
I was at the office. Brad came in with a shocked look.<br />
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He quickly turned on the radio and we held each other as we listened in horror.<br />
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I needed to do something. I rushed to my church where I encountered a friend. We sat in the darkened church and prayed.<br />
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I dashed to the grade school. The office staff let me sit and pray as they fielded questions. I calmed anxious children and intervened for traumatized parents.<br />
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I called my parents and let them know I loved them. In those riveting moments, four things stood out:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">God - love - family - others</span></b></div>
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Perhaps that focus would serve us well today.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928226910892335135.post-14179191711619688432015-08-30T14:03:00.001-07:002015-08-31T20:26:19.731-07:00Putting on my Armor and Running Back to my War Room <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHY_LQK6Z6s4RmGPRCvNx2h7DmXGD84bVFvc1ZyuC600dRI1w-f1_3zB7uLUhKi9Xxp6d407TFlA6GiqHmRL04vQ6yUP5ticw5BOykyJ2l0M12es3hwsaH-gLiePAqPH3PPMjXQM8jiozE/s1600/war+room+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHY_LQK6Z6s4RmGPRCvNx2h7DmXGD84bVFvc1ZyuC600dRI1w-f1_3zB7uLUhKi9Xxp6d407TFlA6GiqHmRL04vQ6yUP5ticw5BOykyJ2l0M12es3hwsaH-gLiePAqPH3PPMjXQM8jiozE/s320/war+room+001.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
Hey - if you can believe it, the Type A Lady actually sat still for a couple of hours to watch the latest Kendrick Bros Film: <a href="http://warroomthemovie.com/">War Room </a>.<br />
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The movie is charming and thought-provoking and, of course, convicting. You should check it out for yourself.<br />
<br />
The film inspired me to get back into my own little "War Room" yesterday. I headed to the closet.<br />
<br />
I pushed back the skirts and piles of dirty clothes (yes, I hide dirty clothes in my closet). I finally found the wall and the little drawings hanging there. <br />
<br />
I remembered the drawings from long ago when my daughters were little...and excited....and interested....and, welp, still my "little" girls.<br />
<br />
There they were, right above my flea-market shoes. My girls created our own little "War Room." 20 years ago. They decorated the walls of my closet with reminders of Jesus. I had left the pictures there, but, subsequently piled a lot of stuff in front of them. Typical.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLE2z3zLfCuBCaW9JgNxl4mahomTnfWLzbioCMEHT1yW66HnQre-Jnhq-QnSPWbnnDTCAmKLCZeSbsjxf1K43gmxG13lhtIdiWbWcVMQW1QS8IBh2lyt2PXz4hnO1jM5f8I6v8pEili3Z0/s1600/war+room+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLE2z3zLfCuBCaW9JgNxl4mahomTnfWLzbioCMEHT1yW66HnQre-Jnhq-QnSPWbnnDTCAmKLCZeSbsjxf1K43gmxG13lhtIdiWbWcVMQW1QS8IBh2lyt2PXz4hnO1jM5f8I6v8pEili3Z0/s320/war+room+004.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enid Ellyn: Loving Jesus makes you A+ Happy! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_IXcTaMZ3_vpuqg_yrNVE4ddwwGh0vB4WfWF2uj_wXs1D8NvgHD8cMKEGtOYWcpsZmLOpP5UbvGn4Kop9MoR8-bNnc_oXbmHCvsDNflUHMl4Y2YFih-jfia2rNXJX6r6lg5GfDDtm1GS/s1600/war+room+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a> I abandoned my "War Room" long ago in favor of clutter, distraction, life challenges and, yes, lengthy lists.<br />
<br />
Type A girls sometimes have short attention spans and, truth-be-told, I got distracted from this special Jesus<br />
place. There were too many battles and bossy times, practices and prom nights, grade schools and graduations.....Who has time to pray in a closet???<br />
<br />
The little drawings still cling to the scotch tape, however. Jesus never left me. I just left Him.<br />
<br />
The movie, War Room, reminded me I'd better be strategic about spending time with Jesus. I need to PLAN (Now that's something Type As do BEST!)<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxRQPkTHyltFTczVjidA4H2avjMiA_4E0gP46sHH53UL0hytGghyphenhyphenMAV3g8qFPefwT0SN7cnjCxjFwi3caPbpk2n5zcJtIvv4agajqlWhdLTDJvS1YqixKjAn5Uw5Bu3jeqxWXRh9xgyPF/s1600/war+room+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxRQPkTHyltFTczVjidA4H2avjMiA_4E0gP46sHH53UL0hytGghyphenhyphenMAV3g8qFPefwT0SN7cnjCxjFwi3caPbpk2n5zcJtIvv4agajqlWhdLTDJvS1YqixKjAn5Uw5Bu3jeqxWXRh9xgyPF/s320/war+room+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brynn Elliott: Jesus on the cross.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Oh, I'm not totally awful, but I am totally disjointed. My prayer can be haphazard and momentary. I often cry out, but seldom truly communicate.<br />
<br />
Today....I am coming out of the closet....literally. I'm taking those sweet drawings and taping them above my desk. They'll remind me to pray for the 26, 25 and 21 year-olds who created the artwork. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I'm planting my Bible on the desktop and I'm vowing to read it before I plunk one computer key or utter one cry for help. I'm sticking up some Bible Verses and photographs. I'm bringing my War Room into the spare bedroom and I'm not looking back!<br />
<br />
If I'm going to complain about it....I'd better pray about it. If I'm going to worry... I'd better go give it to God. If I'm going to yammer about making the right choices...I'd better listen to God.<br />
<br />
- Want to join me? <br />
<br />
Go see <a href="http://warroomthemovie.com/">War Room</a>. Grab your gear. Set up your spot. Let's go to battle! We start on our knees. <br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQGE3cjDKLOPPSSezt91QCyNFDby30yDIFTQqd5U_fPisHILCwBJar9UzPoCucC5P24vexMUvF2vBzacxMvffaXH3DSLKGwSMH_d08ptqTmq03ZpnBJMGdFrMDOjcqlRZeQKP5NdLE_3O/s1600/war+room+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQGE3cjDKLOPPSSezt91QCyNFDby30yDIFTQqd5U_fPisHILCwBJar9UzPoCucC5P24vexMUvF2vBzacxMvffaXH3DSLKGwSMH_d08ptqTmq03ZpnBJMGdFrMDOjcqlRZeQKP5NdLE_3O/s320/war+room+006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><b><i>For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.</i></b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">- Ephesians 6:12</span></blockquote>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928226910892335135.post-74201026719974104832015-08-13T06:17:00.001-07:002015-08-13T06:21:33.951-07:00What's the biggest problem facing your high school students today?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6x9_p-O1BAIST57v5IGtp09IG9ffZ1h1MWj6E_xO8cJGWBrNXEbwq-P8L_Cl2lg1l4ktKY_2H1PlEoA-HLevw0UyWmg45RixWeVVRb6BOjePyOGJDxqlIUujfGzpdTAyKnRnB-p0vQwU0/s1600/principal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6x9_p-O1BAIST57v5IGtp09IG9ffZ1h1MWj6E_xO8cJGWBrNXEbwq-P8L_Cl2lg1l4ktKY_2H1PlEoA-HLevw0UyWmg45RixWeVVRb6BOjePyOGJDxqlIUujfGzpdTAyKnRnB-p0vQwU0/s320/principal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I was working with the Faith Family Resource Center to create a series of parental programs to help children succeed in high school.<br />
<br />
Being a good little journalist, I decided to do a little investigative reporting to find out from school staff members exactly what topics they'd like to see covered in our education programs. <br />
<br />
I went to the principal of our local high school and asked him a question. He was a long-time teacher and administrator.<br />
<br />
"What's the biggest problem facing your high school students today?"<br />
<br />
His answer was quick and concise:<br />
<br />
"Divorce."<br />
<br />
Lesson learned, dear readers. We need to work on this problem. Divorce is affecting our families, our children, our students and society as a whole.<br />
<br />
As a Type A Lady, I want to give a "checklist" for all couples thinking they would like to get married. <br />
<br />
Here's a great checklist for you to share:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ngjnOUpQ6Wtb0g9zTB1wnhPgW41M5acI8vkAf3hyphenhyphen7GpbUrIV9Xy0qhsziWqyEAG5U8jxtt-QRy-0fDfeAb8Q4_OXJSHrQHUE7C0KgPreQtcKjFScmKd-VITUnvL3YdKYxDQFuwwiTKQP/s1600/check2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ngjnOUpQ6Wtb0g9zTB1wnhPgW41M5acI8vkAf3hyphenhyphen7GpbUrIV9Xy0qhsziWqyEAG5U8jxtt-QRy-0fDfeAb8Q4_OXJSHrQHUE7C0KgPreQtcKjFScmKd-VITUnvL3YdKYxDQFuwwiTKQP/s200/check2.gif" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Type A Checklist for Couples:</b></span></div>
<ol>
<li>Spend more time planning your <b>marriage</b> than planning your wedding</li>
<li>Get your spiritual house in order: Commit your life to Christ and draw closer to Him via Bible Study. He is the ONLY TRUE unconditional lover of your soul. Get to know God and His plan for your life.</li>
<li>Ask God: Is this man/woman part of Your PLAN?</li>
<li>Don't expect your mate to be God. </li>
<li>Ask yourself if your mate makes you a better person...or drags you down. </li>
<li>Get GOOD, Bible-based counseling BEFORE you get married</li>
<li>TAKE TIME -- Don't rush into marriage without knowing the values, beliefs, commitments and spending habits of your future mate</li>
<li>Understand: Love is a CHOICE, not a feeling. Choose to LOVE.</li>
<li>DON'T think you can somehow "change" your mate</li>
<li>Understand: Marriage is a life-long covenant which must worked on. </li>
</ol>
<div>
The high school principal made a major impression on me. His eyes were sad and his voice was firm.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Divorce plays a huge part in creating problems for children. We can't be fippant about it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Let's share my checklist with our children and anyone planning to marry. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Let's do our share to delete "Divorce".</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="text Prov-22-6" id="en-NKJV-17022" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; position: relative;">Train up a child in the way he should go,</span><span class="text Prov-22-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; position: relative;"><b style="font-style: italic;">And when he is old he will not depart from it. - </b>Proverbs 22:6</span></blockquote>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928226910892335135.post-48691778492038044952015-08-11T08:29:00.004-07:002015-08-12T15:18:14.859-07:00D is for....Delete Divorce <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 19.5px; line-height: 28px;"><b><i> </i></b></span><span class="verse-16" style="background-color: #fafafa; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 19.5px; line-height: 28px;"><b><i>"I hate divorce," says the LORD God of Israel, "and I hate a man's covering himself with violence as well as with his garment," says the LORD Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith."</i></b> - Malachi 2:16</span></blockquote>
<br />
My last post, I talked a lot about a litany of "D" words we can attribute to the devil. I'm beginning to think divorce is another one of those words.<br />
<br />
This culture has normalized that destructive word. Divorce has become an option, like something laying out on the table in case another choice gets wearisome. <br />
<br />
Hmmmmm... Whatever happened to "Til death do us part" ? <br />
<br />
Can this Type A Lady ask a favor of my readers? Can you please delete the word "divorce" from your vocabulary? I know many of you have been touched by divorce. Perhaps you have experienced it yourself. <br />
<br />
From today forward, however, let's delete the word "divorce". Let's train our soon-to-be-weds to understand marriage is a lifetime covenant and needs effort to sustain. Divorce is not an option.<br />
<br />
Can we dump the big "D" out of that quiver of weapons we bring out when we get disappointed or weary or mad or fed-up. Stop using the word "divorce" as a threat. <br />
<br />
If you're like me, your mouth lets loose before your brain engages. Think before you speak. Plan before you get into those touchy situations. <br />
<br />
Problems will come up in your marriage. Take on the attitude of a problem-solver, not a divorce threatener. (Hmmmm..... wondering if that is a word!)<br />
<br />
Work on success....not failure.<br />
<br />
In April 1970, the Apollo 13 spacecraft floundered in space with a myriad of problems. Its three crew members wondered if they would ever see home again. They desperately communicated with NASA as they tried to solve the Apollo 13 problems via long distance radio. <br />
<br />
During this tense time, Gene Kranz<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">, NASA's Flight Director on the ground, is said to have made this famous statement to his team: </span></span><br />
<br />
<b>"Failure is not an option."</b> <br />
(By the way...miracle of miracles - the flight crew of Apollo 13 returned safely.)<br />
<br />
Let's all agree...in order to provide stability for our children and, ultimately, for society, we need to resolve: <b>"divorce is not an option."</b><br />
<br />
Hang in there. Unless you are facing abuse, work on "working out" your marriage.<br />
<br />
-Make an agreement with your spouse. The word "divorce" should not creep into arguments. <br />
<br />
Oh...and...by the way....you WILL have arguments. <br />
<br />
Show your children your problem-solving skills and not your "bail out" skills.<br />
<br />
<b>Divorce is not an option.</b><br />
<br />
Get rid of that "D" word today. Delete Divorce.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928226910892335135.post-54109358948157050832015-08-10T07:14:00.003-07:002015-08-10T07:14:42.613-07:00Checking out some scary "D" words....<h2 style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">D </span><span style="font-size: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Coming Soon;">is for: Dangerous words! </span></span></h2>
<h2 style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 20px;"><i>...a look at John Chapter 19</i></span></h2>
<div class="post-header" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.6000003814697px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em;">
<div class="post-header-line-1">
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2487024656527457260" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 540px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes....I get discouraged. My computer pops up with all this bad news about our culture today. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I begin to doubt my ability to deal with all this depressing debauchery. I despair. I get distracted. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If I'm not careful, I get derailed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A derailed doubter is not of much use.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then I read my Bible in John Chapter 19 -- On the surface, one would think this is a downer description. John 19 describes the last moments of Jesus as He allows Himself to be tortured....for our redemption.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First....there comes the flogging:</span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="text John-19-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26827B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26827B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text John-19-2" id="en-NIV-26828" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">2 </span>The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text John-19-3" id="en-NIV-26829" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">3 </span><b style="font-style: italic;">and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!”<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26829C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26829C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> And they slapped him in the face. -- </b>John 19:1-3</span></blockquote>
<span class="text John-19-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span><span class="text John-19-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Remember Pilot? - In John Chapter 18, Pilot asked, "What is truth?" Like the culture which screams at me from my computer screen, Pilot has no compass...He has no Savior...yet the Savior is standing right before him. </span><br />
<span class="text John-19-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span><span class="text John-19-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Isn't that the way some respond to Christ today? They do not understand Jesus' message, so they wave their collective fists at Him. </span><br />
<span class="text John-19-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span><span class="text John-19-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Hmmm....but Pilot has a nagging sense of fear and, perhaps, yearning, within him. He tries to appease the crowds by creating a public display of beating, but he really does not want to kill the one he calls "The King of the Jews" :</span><br />
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<b><i><span class="text John-19-4" id="en-NIV-26830" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, “Look, I am bringing him out<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26830BC" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26830BC" title="See cross-reference BC">BC</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.”<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26830BD" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26830BD" title="See cross-reference BD">BD</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span> <span class="text John-19-5" id="en-NIV-26831" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">5 </span>When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26831BE" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26831BE" title="See cross-reference BE">BE</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!”</span></i></b><span class="text John-19-6" id="en-NIV-26832" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">6 </span>As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!”</i></b></span><span class="text John-19-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i>But Pilate answered, “You take him and crucify him.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26832BF" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26832BF" title="See cross-reference BF">BF</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.”</i></b></span><span class="text John-19-7" id="en-NIV-26833" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">7 </span>The Jewish leaders insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law he must die,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26833BH" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26833BH" title="See cross-reference BH">BH</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> because he claimed to be the Son of God.”</i></b></span><b><i><span class="text John-19-8" id="en-NIV-26834" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">8 </span>When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid,</span> <span class="text John-19-9" id="en-NIV-26835" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">9 </span>and he went back inside the palace.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26835BJ" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26835BJ" title="See cross-reference BJ">BJ</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26835BK" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26835BK" title="See cross-reference BK">BK</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span> <span class="text John-19-10" id="en-NIV-26836" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">10 </span>“Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” </span></i></b><span class="text John-19-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="font-style: italic;"> </b>-- John 19:4-16</span></blockquote>
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<span class="text John-19-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Pilot is desperate now. Pilot truly does not want to be the one who pronounces a death sentence. He wants to remain "neutral" when in the face of the Savior. Like a good politician, he wants to straddle both sides of the fence. </span></div>
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But, as Jesus has always said, " you are either for me or against me." </div>
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--Have you ever talked to someone about your faith only to have them react, "Well, that's OK for you....But I don't want to commit."? -- Case in point. </div>
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Let's see what happens next:</div>
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<span class="text John-19-11" id="en-NIV-26837" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">11 </span>Jesus answered, <span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">“You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26837BL" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26837BL" title="See cross-reference BL">BL</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>Therefore the one who handed me over to you<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26837BM" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26837BM" title="See cross-reference BM">BM</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> is guilty of a greater sin.”</span></i></b></span><span class="text John-19-12" id="en-NIV-26838" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">12 </span>From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26838BN" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26838BN" title="See cross-reference BN">BN</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> opposes Caesar.”</i></b></span><b><i><span class="text John-19-13" id="en-NIV-26839" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">13 </span>When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge’s seat<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26839BO" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26839BO" title="See cross-reference BO">BO</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26839BP" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26839BP" title="See cross-reference BP">BP</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> is Gabbatha).</span> <span class="text John-19-14" id="en-NIV-26840" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">14 </span>It was the day of Preparation<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26840BQ" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26840BQ" title="See cross-reference BQ">BQ</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> of the Passover; it was about noon.<br /><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26840BR" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26840BR" title="See cross-reference BR">BR</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></i></b><span class="text John-19-14" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i>“Here is your king,”<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26840BS" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26840BS" title="See cross-reference BS">BS</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> Pilate said to the Jews.</i></b></span><span class="text John-19-15" id="en-NIV-26841" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">15 </span>But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!”</i></b></span><span class="text John-19-15" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i>“Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked.</i></b></span><span class="text John-19-15" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i>“We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="text John-19-16" id="en-NIV-26842" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">16 </span><b style="font-style: italic;">Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. </b>-- John 19:11-16</span></blockquote>
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<span class="text John-19-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">The process of suffering and redemption has been set in place. </span></div>
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<span class="text John-19-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">The man who held on to no "truth" released the author and perfecter of all TRUTH to be crucified.</span></div>
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<span class="text John-19-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Please read the rest of the heart-wrenching description in John 19. I will not print it here. Read it and reflect, but do not despair.</span></div>
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"D" is for devil. I find it interesting that so many words which tend to distract us start with the letter "D". If I stopped reading John at the end of Chapter 19, I might end up depressed. </div>
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That's right where the devil would like me to be... mired in doubt and delusion. But I will not stop with John 19. I am a child of the victorious King who broke the chains of death as described in John 20 (read ahead!) and came to offer me....<b>delight</b>.</div>
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Sometimes...I get discouraged. But, because of the reality of John Chapter 19 and the hope and promise of John 20, I need not despair. When the world around me looks like its up for destruction, My Savior shines through and reminds me, <b>"I am the ultimate TRUTH. I will win in the end." </b> </div>
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Thanks for putting up with my alliteration. I'm personally going to try to avoid those "D" words in the future. I, of course, cannot do this in and of my own strength. </div>
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I will rely upon a Savior ... no doubt about it. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928226910892335135.post-86060983927503076612015-08-06T18:54:00.004-07:002015-08-06T18:57:21.406-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Wanna help your child do well in school? </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Love your husband or your wife.</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Statistics show children in homes whose parents have happy marriages do better in school. The Type A Lady reminds you love is a choice. Feelings follow actions. If you choose to love </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">over and over....</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">feelings will follow. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">C'mon...Choose to love! </span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928226910892335135.post-12459506589273993952015-07-31T06:26:00.001-07:002015-08-02T20:58:13.798-07:00Unplug! Turn off the TV & Electronics! Here's the second in my "Type A" series on parenting and going back to school! Type A's tend to be "wired." Today I suggest we all UNPLUG!<br />
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<b>Turn off the TV (and electonics!)</b><br />
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Parents! It’s time to unplug! Our electronic-obsessed world is creating people who cannot communicate beyond a button push.<br />
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Statistics show children and adolescents spend between 4 and 7 hours per day using electronics, TV, music, phones, video games and computers.<br />
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The same statistics show children under 6 years old who spend a lot of time with electronics are at increased risk for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder<br />
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It is time to unplug. The electronic culture is very encroaching and all-encompassing. There is no “down” time any more. Constant stimulation is always available. If a person can’t talk on the phone, he can text.<br />
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Even if a teen doesn’t e-mail, they can sit and face a constant flow of info at the open window of their computer. It’s getting harder and harder to close that window.<br />
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Help your children discern good from evil. Help them understand, via God's Word, that not all things are worthwhile or worthy of their time. <br />
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As always - YOU set the tone. As they say, values are better CAUGHT than TAUGHT.<br />
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Here's a good verse to "check" out:<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>“<span style="background-color: white; color: #6a6a6a; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">I will set</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"> no worthless </span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">thing </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #6a6a6a; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">before my eyes</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><span style="color: #545454;">" </span></span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><span style="color: #545454;"> -- Psalm 101:3</span></span></span><br />
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<b>Recommended Book:</b><br />
365 TV-Free Things you Can Do with Your Child<br />
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Use of electronics is usually sedentary. Obesity continues to grow in America as people clamor around TVs, video games, computers and i-pods.<br />
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Cyberbullying via computer or texting is on the rise. Studies show this bullying increases the risk of depression in teens <br />
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Parents need to discuss this with their children and encourage them not to post negative, threatening remarks on social network sites or texts. Parents should also open the door for communication about instances they’ve been a victim of or observed cyberbullying.<br />
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Parents – we have to get a handle on this situation and not become hooked ourselves! Electronics are robbing us of relationship and communication skills. The impact is subtle, but disturbing.<br />
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Not all electronic media is evil, but we must learn to limit our exposure. As the Bible says,<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">"All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things </span><i style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-28591B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-28591B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">edify." -- </i>1 Corin 10:23</span><br />
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Electronics often disrupt sleep. Those who get less than five hours of sleep are more likely to experience mental illness within the next year. Children should not go to sleep with TV or or computer. This is artificial and often too stimulating.<br />
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Parents may consider having an electronic bed-time, in which computers, phones, ipods are turned in to parents. Any items after 10 p.m. on a school night can be dangerous.<br />
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Parents should monitor tv, video games, and internet use. Video games are often violent, and those exposed to them are more likely to be aggressive and defiant. Parents must make sure the games are age appropriate, and parents should not be playing or viewing violent games or TV in presence of kids.<br />
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Parents may consider having their own facebook (or other social network) page in order to be able to see what types of messages /communication there is for their kids.<br />
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Parents: Be good role models! Don't sit in front of the TV or computer too much! Try to engage kids in outdoor activities, playing with toys or games together, and outings.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928226910892335135.post-16239938032048597352015-07-30T11:43:00.001-07:002015-07-31T06:30:39.361-07:00Helping your child excel in school<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8dvZMB6B0KST7GlRa-25Ltcy7lgRCp66vJqUgiPpeX1jyt7MXwm-6fjtZcuUcWxVrcJC5Ct1Nv6ap2kQkKuRA_YI8cUULLWc85bA3DEtoAto82elHLtpPxWr-2aTsF6njN9orMZ0e71F/s1600/children.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8dvZMB6B0KST7GlRa-25Ltcy7lgRCp66vJqUgiPpeX1jyt7MXwm-6fjtZcuUcWxVrcJC5Ct1Nv6ap2kQkKuRA_YI8cUULLWc85bA3DEtoAto82elHLtpPxWr-2aTsF6njN9orMZ0e71F/s320/children.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This Type A lady needs help in so many ways! I love that I have great friends and resources to give me good, practical advice!<br />
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Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Gayla Fields is a great friend. She's teamed with me today to give you a timely article on how to help your children succeed in school. <br />
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I'm so happy she let me put every tip into a handy checklist! "Check" it out below ;) <br />
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And, as always, base all your actions on the Word of God:<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”</span></i></b><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>– Proverbs 22:6</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">How to help your child excel in school: </span></b><br />
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<b>1. Maintain structure. </b> Children and teens may complain about your rules, but they need them. Maintain a routine after school: snack time – homework – play – dinner – cleanup. Children feel protected by structure and perform better with it.<br />
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<b>2. Create a study area .</b> Fill it with all the items needed to complete their work. Make sure this area is NOT in front of a TV!<br />
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<b>3. Form a positive relationship with your children’s teachers.</b> This allows parents to support the teacher and school experience. <br />
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<b>4. Give kids consequences for their choices/behaviors.</b> If a child does homework without complaining, praise the child and give a reward such as playing a game with them or spending time together (NOT in front of the TV!) If a child refuses to do homework or lies about homework, remove a privilege or make bedtime earlier. Allow you child to experience consequences!<br />
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<b>4. Love your husband or wife.</b> Statistics show that children in homes whose parents have happy marriages do better in school.<br />
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<i><b>Watch for more info in the future! </b></i><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928226910892335135.post-34422103654611804042015-07-28T07:40:00.005-07:002015-07-28T07:44:54.753-07:00Marriage Message in a Parking Lot Walk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><b>Type A folks tend to have a lot of pent-up energy. I really can't sit still for very long. As the song goes, "These boots are made for walking."</b></i></div>
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Walking can be a good time to talk to God. I may start out in my mad dash, but, if I'm talking to God, pretty soon, He sets the pace.If I listen to God, my walk becomes....well....peaceful.</div>
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Here's a little look at a marriage lesson God gave me in a quick parking lot walk. </div>
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-You never know when God has a message for us Type As. The message might come in a miserable time. That's when we need to listen very closely...or watch closely on our walk:</div>
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<b>Parking Lot Walk </b></div>
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I took a walk. The surgery waiting room was too tense for me. Brad had just gone into surgery. </div>
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I knew the drill. Things would take a while. I stepped outside for a quick breath and a few steps in the cool morning air. Time to talk to God.</div>
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That's when I saw the walkers. They made their way across the parking lot with a gentle rhythm. </div>
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They walked arm-in-arm and cane-in-cane. Step upon step, they matched each other's rhythm. </div>
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Cane upon cane - their hands placed the balancing canes in proper place. They moved toward me. </div>
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They would not fall because they leaned gently against each other. They moved in tandem. </div>
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God and I watched the married couple. There was a perfect grace to their movements, a grace perfected only from years of knowing each other.</div>
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One could anticipate the other's move. That was clear. I watched the husband and wife escort each other. They were on a mission to get to the door of the hospital.</div>
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For a moment, my cares slipped away. I was fascinated by the walking duo. The couple danced by me, oblivious to my watchful eye. </div>
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God showed me something on my parking lot walk. The husband and wife supported each other and moved forward. This was a great picture of marriage.</div>
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Man and wife, lifetime partners. Here was a perfect balance of two imperfect people. They walked as best they could through imperfect places, leaning on each other each step of the way. Here was an illustration of life-long marriage. </div>
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I walked back from the parking lot to the waiting room. I said another prayer for the man who would walk out of this place with me. </div>
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I also thanked God for the enlightening parking lot walk. </div>
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<strong style="line-height: 22.5279998779297px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).</span></em></strong></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928226910892335135.post-70373784283549259502015-07-20T07:08:00.005-07:002015-07-20T07:09:28.104-07:00Praise God! <div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
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Thank you, God, for answering my prayers! We received a positive report for my hubby! Only three more treatments to go before we get three months without (hopefully) a hospital visit.<br />
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I am tired tonight - but at peace. Whatever the report, it is so good to know Jesus walks with us. He understands pain, struggling and disappointment. We are never alone in our walk.</div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” -- John 16:33</span></i></b></h2>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928226910892335135.post-50585032007351134322015-07-20T06:40:00.000-07:002015-07-20T06:40:43.606-07:00Where to go when pain hits you in the face...A Type A Coping List<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
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It's been a nail-biting time. It's been a sleepless time. It's been an "Oh God, please....Oh God, please..." time.</div>
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I've been writing about relationships and life. -Giving you lists and lessons on marriage and family. </div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">My husband was diagnosed with cancer two weeks before my father died of it. I will not lie,the last nine months have been a gut-wrenching time for this Type A. My hair is now peppered with gray. My face has deeper lines.</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">When cancer comes into life, it causes you to pause. It takes relationships and rivets them in time. Suddenly, the myriad of issues fall by the wayside. </span></div>
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Don't get me wrong, new issues surface. Since my husband was diagnosed with cancer, I've made so many Type A flubs. </div>
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Type A's like to be in control. Cancer is a very out-of-control disease. This leads to major frustration. I just could not list or organize my way out of this one. </div>
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After a few hissy-fits and sleepless nights. God got my attention, once again. There IS one thing I can control: My response to my situation.</div>
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I have piled my desk with God's reminders. I want to share them with you now. </div>
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Yep - I'm about to give you my COPING LIST! </div>
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God has walked this imperfect person through this ordeal. He will walk you through yours:<br />
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<span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 19.5px; line-height: 28px;"><b><i>Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 19.5px; line-height: 28px;"><b><i>and my God.</i></b> - Psalm 42:11</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: helvetica, arial;"><span style="font-size: 19.5px; line-height: 28px;">Psalm 46:1 <b><i>“God is our refuge and strength, </i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: helvetica, arial;"><span style="font-size: 19.5px; line-height: 28px;"><b><i>a very present help in trouble.” </i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: helvetica, arial;"><span style="font-size: 19.5px; line-height: 28px;">Proverbs 3:5-6 <b><i>“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: helvetica, arial;"><span style="font-size: 19.5px; line-height: 28px;"><b><i>“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble But take heart! I have overcome the world.”</i></b>--John 16:33</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: helvetica, arial;"><span style="font-size: 19.5px; line-height: 28px;"><b><i>"Find rest, oh my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress</i></b>" - Psalm 62:5-7</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: helvetica, arial;"><span style="font-size: 19.5px; line-height: 28px;"><b><i>We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.</i></b> - 2 Corin 10:5</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><i>Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.</i></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"> - Psalm 23:4</span></b></h3>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928226910892335135.post-41258401888657431902015-07-11T10:09:00.002-07:002015-07-11T10:12:18.217-07:00Don't Get Caught in the Trap! <br />
We're back today to talk about the traps set by the devil to ensnare us and distract us. By way of review, (and because I LOVE lists!) here are four steps for dealing with the traps which frustrate us: <br />
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Your Very Own Trap Checklist</span></b><br />
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<b>1.______Understand who sets the trap.</b><br />
<b>2.______Recognize the bait.</b><br />
<b>3.______Realize Jesus can release you from the trap</b><br />
<b>4.______Stay close to Jesus so you can avoid traps in the future</b><br />
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Today, we are finishing up with items # 3 and #4. Hold on to your hat! Here we go!<br />
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<b>3.______Realize Jesus can release you from the trap</b><br />
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Once we've been trapped by some unwanted feeling or emotion, we do NOT have to stay there. As I've said before, take time to slow down and figure out what Jesus has to say.<br />
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Sometimes, we can crawl out of the trap by asking for forgiveness. Let's face it, if we're trapped, we might have let ourselves get there.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><span style="color: #545454; font-size: x-small;"> </span><b><i>If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to </i></b></span><b><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">forgive</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"> us our sins </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; text-align: center;"><b> 1 John 1:9 </b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We also need to remember we can't worship or share gifts effectively if we're trapped:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><span class="text Matt-5-23" id="en-NIV-23258" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you,</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text Matt-5-24" id="en-NIV-23259" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">leave your gift there in front of the altar. </span></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><span class="text Matt-5-24" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.</span></span></i></b></span></div>
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-Matt 5:23-24</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; text-align: center;">Sometimes, we need to forgive <u>others</u> to get out of our trap. Jesus had a lot to say about this. Just check out the following. </span>You probably remember the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant. We all know how THAT turned out. Here's Jesus' intro to the story (be sure to read the whole thing in the Bible) :<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><span class="text Matt-18-21" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me?</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23749A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23749A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="line-height: 24px;"> Up to seven times?”</span><span style="font-size: 10px; line-height: 22px;"> </span></span><span style="line-height: 24px;">Jesus answered, </span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">“I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.</span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">-Matt 18:21 - 35</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's another good thought from Jesus for all us beautiful little church-goers. We often let the devil trap us in foolish warring indignation inside, then have the gall to pray our "peaceful" prayers at church on Sunday. Hmmmm.... something does not compute here. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.</i></b></span></span></div>
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--Mark 11:25</div>
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Jesus demonstrated the most touching act of forgiveness when he hung upon the cross. I think of this so often when this Type A lady draws her sinful self into an indignant hissy. I picture my Savior hanging on the cross, facing his accusers:</div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Luke-23-33" id="en-NIV-25969" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.</span><span class="text Luke-23-34" id="en-NIV-25970" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Luke-23-34" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">Jesus said, <span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">“Father,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-25970B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-25970B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”</span></span></span></i></b></div>
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-Luke 23:32 -34</div>
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Thank you, Jesus, for showing me words of forgiveness will actually set me free. You release me from my trap with a peaceful flow of forgiving words:</div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">"I am sorry."</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">"I forgive you."</span></i></b></div>
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<b>4.______Stay close to Jesus so you can avoid traps in the future</b></div>
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Guess what? If you really draw close to Jesus in prayer and Bible study, He can help you avoid getting trapped in the first place! <br />
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Think about what do you get trapped by. You might even make a list. That's always fun!<br />
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Jesus basically guaranteed we'd be tempted and trapped by offenses. Just check out what He said:<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26760A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26760A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">In this world you will have trouble.</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26760B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26760B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">But take heart! I have overcome</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26760C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26760C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> the world.”</span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">-John 16:33</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Opportunities to take the bait of offense are all around us in this world. You may be unjustly wronged, but don't take satan's bait and get trapped there. Here's a list to remember:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1. Stay away from temptation. </b>Sometimes you have to avoid people or situations which continually dangle satan's bait in front of you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2. Focus !</b> Read Psalm 16:7.8:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>3. Put on your armor!</b> (Check out my article under the topic: Armor) - Ephesians 6:10-18</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>4. Let God bring judgement</b>. That's not your job.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>5. Learn from adversity.</b> For example, if your heart has been broken, you now have a tender heart. You can say,“Now I have a listening ear because I have a broken heart”</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. Forgive</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel so much better now that I've shared a lot of lists with you. I'm also remembering how much Jesus loves us. He's not surprised by our struggles. (To tell you the truth, sometimes I think He giggles and shakes His head at my petty ones!) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus waits with open arms for us to run away from our traps - directly into His arms.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm reminded of the good old hymn: "O How He Loves You and Me." I'm listening to it as I finish this. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ahhhh....sigh.....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WOW - It's so comforting to know I don't have to be trapped. I am set free by Jesus love. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><b><i>Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.</i></b></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-John 14:27 </span></i></b></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928226910892335135.post-14976887410378885502015-07-09T15:02:00.000-07:002015-08-03T11:57:28.840-07:00Don't Take The Bait<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Don’t Take the Bait! </span></b><br />
<b><i>- Dealing with the Frustrations of Life</i></b><br />
<br />
No one willingly walks into a trap. This Type A Lady finds herself doing it over and over again, however. The bait is just so ...tempting. I step in without thinking.<br />
<br />
Here's a little lesson on avoiding traps scattered about our life trails. Trust me. I've had to learn the hard way. I've got lots of bruises from struggling to get out from under that cage.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4EAe_grqB-RBa_X2qlrE7vlIk8gT7bdxnEqBfbmkRxMkPjrFhs50My-78dbGGfAhji54HHjZjQJ-6vXeXWQUC1qLuLkcdvkWTDTjMGo-qKQ4q4DECs5hn-lL98DL5gswr1S9KSbABwNee/s1600/check2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4EAe_grqB-RBa_X2qlrE7vlIk8gT7bdxnEqBfbmkRxMkPjrFhs50My-78dbGGfAhji54HHjZjQJ-6vXeXWQUC1qLuLkcdvkWTDTjMGo-qKQ4q4DECs5hn-lL98DL5gswr1S9KSbABwNee/s200/check2.gif" width="200" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Here is your "Trap Avoidance Checklist." </b><br />
<b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red;">(GOODY...A LIST!)</span></b><br />
<br />
<b>1.______Understand who sets the trap.</b><br />
<b>2.______Recognize the bait.</b><br />
<b>3.______Realize Jesus can release you from the trap</b><br />
<b>4.______Stay close to Jesus so you can avoid traps in the future</b><br />
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Let's take a closer look:<br />
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<b>1. __Understand who sets the trap</b><br />
<br />
Satan is the trap setter. He knows our weaknesses and he baits the trap to help us step in. Satan is the source of evil. Satan is our enemy and the source of the lies that tempt us to fall into the trap. Just read John 8:42-44 :<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.</b></i> </div>
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- John 8:42-44</div>
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Satan helps you believe lies which get you tied up with frustration. Once you are trapped, your actions and reactions get all out of whack. Like a domino run, things start collapsing, people start getting hurt, and the blame game starts. <br />
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If you understand who sets the trap, you can avoid playing the blame game. For example:<br />
<ul>
<li>Your husband didn't make you pout and complain about his lack of understanding. <b>Trapped!</b> </li>
<li>Your kids didn't force you to lose all cool and scream like a banshee in the grocery store. <b>Trapped!</b></li>
<li>That successful friend didn't cause your feelings of inadequacy or jealousy. <b>Trapped!</b></li>
<li>Those church folks didn't make you feel under-appreciated. <b>Trapped!</b></li>
</ul>
Satan is working overtime to mess up your relationships and scramble your brain. Remember that Satan is your enemy, not those humans who share your life.<br />
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<b>2. ___Recognize the bait</b><br />
<br />
Picture a mouse trap. If you've got a lot of those little critters invading your basement like me, you take a trusty trap and bait it with something mice are tempted by.<br />
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I've written to you before about the baggage we all carry around (Check it out under the topic: Baggage)<br />
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Old habits, preconceived notions, fears and phobias can emerge from our pasts and play into how we interpret situations and communication. The devil will bait your trap with morsels that draw you back to your baggage. <br />
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For example - I sometimes feel trapped by the following:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
--frustration --bitterness --pride</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
--fear --remorse --guilt --sadness</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
--anger --insecurity --jealousy --self doubt </div>
<br />
The devil knows these dandy little qualities are lurking in my life. They may stem from my childhood or hurtful experiences. Some can be harnessed for good, if they are under the direction of a life-settling Savior. <br />
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Under the control of the father of all lies, however, they trap me. Before I know it, I'm struggling to get loose.<br />
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The mice in my house take the bait. The poor little guys have no chance. They can never escape. We can.<br />
<br />
<b>3. ____ Jesus can release you from the trap</b><br />
<br />
Jesus has pulled me out of the best of traps. The first thing He's taught me is to stop panicking and pray. <br />
Step back from the situation you may feel trapped in. SLOW DOWN AND SHUT UP (Sorry, but that's the best way to express it!)<br />
<br />
Remember the words of Psalm 16:7-8. This will calm you down and help you think.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.</i></b></div>
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<b><i>I have set the LORD always before me.</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.</i></b></div>
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-- Psalm 16:7-8<br />
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<div style="text-align: start;">
I'll close with this Psalm. We'll tackle checklist #4 later! <b><i>Stay tuned and watch out for traps!</i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928226910892335135.post-91470661566896422742015-07-09T09:57:00.000-07:002015-07-09T09:57:39.694-07:00Type A Tidbits<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ScjuBst6gXI_1hrS0W3e-JUuKzSQh00h2wT4JyEYrjt3X4zWLmm2xU9-6J3eg0-GjoCLG6VATxJQ50GYTKC2rONwin-SEYv4u7c53jAEktKpxSdEQV2dSMBjoPPN-382AOHNWJuIePgA/s1600/Beautiful-Flowers-Images-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ScjuBst6gXI_1hrS0W3e-JUuKzSQh00h2wT4JyEYrjt3X4zWLmm2xU9-6J3eg0-GjoCLG6VATxJQ50GYTKC2rONwin-SEYv4u7c53jAEktKpxSdEQV2dSMBjoPPN-382AOHNWJuIePgA/s320/Beautiful-Flowers-Images-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We can't legislate fulfillment any more than we can force it. Fulfillment comes only when we look into the loving eyes of our creator and listen to His voice saying gently: "You are mine." </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">"I have loved you with an everlasting love; </span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">I have drawn you with unfailing kindness." - Jeremiah 31:3</span></i></b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928226910892335135.post-84615303356525071962015-07-01T07:02:00.000-07:002015-07-01T07:02:01.485-07:00Happy Birthday, America <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 19.999979019165px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></b></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1AKlAEz8nn8BwvOriNyWRfo1DaMfLS3Sn7OPt7tP7rPOMc5QxRzzWDFF1MvuzJEYoll9YM3MTQUwcOXFicH21LbKbp31W2E0zvann6HVwZYOMxrOJONk1f_tdWmNbz58k3aezMnHaKgGU/s1600/US-flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1AKlAEz8nn8BwvOriNyWRfo1DaMfLS3Sn7OPt7tP7rPOMc5QxRzzWDFF1MvuzJEYoll9YM3MTQUwcOXFicH21LbKbp31W2E0zvann6HVwZYOMxrOJONk1f_tdWmNbz58k3aezMnHaKgGU/s320/US-flag.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 19.999979019165px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></b></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 19.999979019165px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></b></span>
<b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 19.999979019165px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>"God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation </i></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 19.999979019165px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever."</i></span></span></span></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #464646; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 19.999979019165px; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #464646; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.999979019165px; text-align: center;">-- Thomas Jefferson, 1790</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928226910892335135.post-35742552081111253272015-06-29T05:53:00.001-07:002015-07-12T18:52:29.558-07:00M is for Mouth! Tame It! <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRyscfqaDX3tqnciFeXKuV-quS_Tq25C93Wec1wF9_i1iOm5mrqoDjrVdmPpMg3k_opDCWVPMgKR8o37fLUL9bgjZxlANszmvs3q74Gq1cmU9xtoapa4146af55R5utNkAxL0S-g0jN6E/s1600/mouth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRyscfqaDX3tqnciFeXKuV-quS_Tq25C93Wec1wF9_i1iOm5mrqoDjrVdmPpMg3k_opDCWVPMgKR8o37fLUL9bgjZxlANszmvs3q74Gq1cmU9xtoapa4146af55R5utNkAxL0S-g0jN6E/s1600/mouth.jpg" /></a></div>
I'm a pretty good talker. Ask my mom. She always says I came out of the womb talking and have never stopped since.</div>
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<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">
I accomplish a lot by moving my mouth. I've been a singer and dancer from an early age. Musical Comedy is my special forte. I've been a motivational speaker since the 1970s. I was also a public relations director and spokesperson for hospitals and universities for more than 20 years. </div>
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I've taught Bible Study for the past 20 years. Kids through adults....I've taught them all. </div>
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I'm not shy. My mouth has been a pretty good tool to help others. </div>
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My mouth has also been the single most powerful force of destruction for most of my life.</div>
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Flapping my jaws has been my triumph and downfall. I've accomplished some things with my mouth. I've also gotten into a world of trouble. -No wonder the Bible tells us we need to control our tongues.</div>
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<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">
With that in mind, I want to share my handy-dandy checklist of Mouth Bible Verses. <br />
<br />
Yup, this is a Bible Study. Nope, I don't need to tell you any more than the verses. </div>
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<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
<div style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">
You'll get the point. Pick the verses which apply to you. Memorize them. Tame your tongue. <br />
<br />
Or, if you are a flawed Type A gal like me - at least TRY to tame your tongue. Let's get started: </div>
<div style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">
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<i><b><span class="text Jas-3-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span class="text Jas-3-5" id="en-NIV-30325" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30325A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30325A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.</span> <span class="text Jas-3-6" id="en-NIV-30326" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">The tongue also is a fire,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30326B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30326B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30326C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30326C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.</span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span class="text Jas-3-7" id="en-NIV-30327" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind,</span> <span class="text Jas-3-8" id="en-NIV-30328" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30328E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30328E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span class="text Jas-3-9" id="en-NIV-30329" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30329F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30329F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span> </b></i><span class="text Jas-3-10" id="en-NIV-30330" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><i><b>Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.</b></i> - James 3:5-10</span></div>
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<span class="text Jas-3-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i>Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30293A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30293A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.</i></b> - James 1:26</span></div>
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<span class="text Jas-3-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><b><i>Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them.</i></b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> - Proverbs 29:20</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Jas-3-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16px;">Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29302A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29302A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"> but only what is helpful for building others up</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29302B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29302B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></i></b><span style="font-size: 16px;"><b><i> according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.</i></b> -- Ephesians 4:29</span></span></div>
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<b><i><span class="text Job-6-24" id="en-NIV-13003" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; position: relative;">Teach me, and I will be quiet;</span></i></b></div>
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<span class="text Jas-3-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"><b><i> </i></b></span><span class="text Job-6-24" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; position: relative;"><b><i>show me where I have been wrong.</i></b> -- Job 6:24</span></span></div>
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<span class="text Jas-3-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text Job-6-24" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; position: relative;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Job-6-24" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; position: relative;"><b><i><span class="text Prov-12-18" id="en-NIV-16738" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">The words of the reckless pierce like swords,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-16738A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16738A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></i></b><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"><b><i> </i></b></span><span class="text Prov-12-18" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><b><i>but the tongue of the wise brings healing.</i></b> -- Proverbs 12:18</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Job-6-24" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; position: relative;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text Prov-12-18" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Job-6-24" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; position: relative;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text Prov-12-18" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Prov-12-16" id="en-NIV-16736" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; position: relative; text-align: start;"><b><i>Fools<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-16736A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16736A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> show their annoyance at once</i></b>,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-16736B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16736B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Prov-12-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">but the prudent overlook an insult. </i><span style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">-- Proverbs 12:16</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;"><span class="text Prov-12-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;"><span class="text Prov-12-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><b><i><span class="text Prov-13-3" id="en-NIV-16751" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Those who guard their lips<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-16751A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16751A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> preserve their lives,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-16751B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16751B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></i></b><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"><b><i> </i></b></span><span class="text Prov-13-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><b><i>but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.</i></b><span style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px;"> - Proverbs 13:3</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;"><span class="text Prov-12-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text Prov-13-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;"><span class="text Prov-12-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text Prov-13-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><b><i><span class="chapter-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text Prov-15-1" id="en-NIV-16809" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">A gentle answer<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-16809A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16809A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> turns away wrath,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-16809B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16809B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span></i></b><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"><b><i> </i></b></span><span class="text Prov-15-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><b><i>but a harsh word stirs up anger.</i></b><span style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px;"> - Proverbs 15:1</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;"><span class="text Prov-12-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text Prov-13-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text Prov-15-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;"><span class="text Prov-12-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text Prov-13-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text Prov-15-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><b><i>But now you must also rid yourselves<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29526A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29526A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29526B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29526B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>and filthy language from your lips.</i></b> <span style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">- Col 3:8</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;"><span class="text Prov-12-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text Prov-13-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text Prov-15-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;"><span class="text Prov-12-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text Prov-13-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text Prov-15-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><b><i><span class="text Ps-141-3" id="en-NIV-16280" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Set a guard over my mouth,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-16280A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16280A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>;</span></i></b><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"><b><i> </i></b></span><span class="text Ps-141-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><b><i>keep watch over the door of my lips.</i></b><span style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px;"> - Psalm 141:3</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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I've collected these mouth Bible verses like I collect sea shells. Whenever I find a good one, I tuck it away. I am always in need of a good mouth Bible verse!<br />
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I hope you find some great checkpoints in my "Mouth List" <br />
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Truth be told, taming our mouths can take us a long way toward better relationships.</div>
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Let me know how you do. Zip me a line at <a href="mailto:watwelsh@gmail.com" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">watwelsh@gmail.com</a>.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928226910892335135.post-3460551008057125212015-06-25T06:39:00.001-07:002015-06-25T06:39:11.870-07:00The Type A Lady's List for a Long Marriage<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: red;">Oh....goody! -Another chance to check something off! </span></h2>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho93qrsqHUkufo95sV42T5axi218yx77kHlZjj4837M7mATNznckPN2cABexAS56NB1zS4cS_HtKTJPkS1J1Ovo5GbklI9aUdrkXcXkovr8jK4kbmCEAF-NwCeDYTOohv_tIqotmzpJWDe/s320/check2.gif" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Your husband needs you to let him know what he is doing RIGHT. </span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Respect = Love </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>to a man! </b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: lime; font-size: large;"><i>So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves </i></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: lime; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: lime; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>himself, and the <u>wife must respect her husband</u>.</i></span></b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"> -- Ephesians 5:33 </span></span></div>
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<b style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Green words to grow on!</b><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 20px;"> -Love ya! -- Type A Lady </span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928226910892335135.post-45001256513141779642015-06-24T06:39:00.000-07:002015-06-24T06:39:19.067-07:00A Type A Checklist Checkpoint<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi896UXwHMdOj_rk2znPhYcBp322Qxc1_P0XKTYXokpD5KEyhFQNXbURPFHYFQcR5VWU3L744jwo4QpBO8hoesgmz5kZVq46CDgMT3nG5qvgX8W_DWy9ssOiimySUnxhxvfXQU7j8bjBemQ/s1600/check2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi896UXwHMdOj_rk2znPhYcBp322Qxc1_P0XKTYXokpD5KEyhFQNXbURPFHYFQcR5VWU3L744jwo4QpBO8hoesgmz5kZVq46CDgMT3nG5qvgX8W_DWy9ssOiimySUnxhxvfXQU7j8bjBemQ/s200/check2.gif" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Who are YOU in Christ?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>___John 1:12 -- I am God's child!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>___John 15:15-17 -- I am God's friend!</b></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928226910892335135.post-38296898316810696982015-06-24T06:35:00.004-07:002015-06-24T06:35:56.969-07:00Your Husband Needs You To Encourage Him <div style="text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Do you want your husband to be a better person? </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Show him respect. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Encourage him in what he is doing RIGHT. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Respect = Love to a man</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OK - I saw it in his eyes. He was done with my lists.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Is there something else I'm doing wrong?" my husband asked as I stood patiently waiting for him to heed my checklist of suggestions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm a Type A list maker. -Doesn't that include making lists for my husband? -Couldn't he benefit from my "helpful" ideas? I only had five more points to make.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Back off, Laurie," I heard a small voice say. Suddenly, I remembered my own lesson plan. <b>Respect = Love to a man.</b> When I share my sincere encouragement with the wonderful man who shares my bathroom, I am telling him I love him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I retreated and regrouped. I remembered there was a Bible verse I needed to read. Even after 32 years of marriage, I'm still trying to get this straight. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As usual, God had something to say to me when I simmered down and started to engage my brain more than my mouth:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves </i></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>himself, and the wife must respect her husband.</i></span></b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"> -- Ephesians 5:33 </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Wow. God had a tall order for my husband and a direct order for me. RESPECT my man.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">OK, God. I'm pulling out my list. -- Nope, don't be scared. I'm making a list of everything my hubby does RIGHT. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I want to encourage him. I want to respect him and his decisions. I want to brag on him in front of others. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Showing respect is the best way for me to help him be a better man....and the best way for me to be a better wife. </span></span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928226910892335135.post-53003690987073670722015-06-23T06:46:00.003-07:002015-06-23T06:54:30.961-07:00Life Lesson: Suffering is Normal <h2 style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">"<b><i>I have told you these things, so that in me you may have </i></b></span></span><b style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><i>peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." -- </i>John 16:33</b></h2>
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Thursday morning was hectic. I was at church by 8a.m. to get ready for Bible Study with my precious mom's group. I got the call at 8:45 a.m. Reports were in . My husband needed surgery. </div>
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A wave of sadness swept over me. My class was starting. The girls were coming in. My heart was aching. How could my husband deal with yet another surgery? How could I deal with it? </div>
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I made several frantic calls to doctors and welcomed my moms. They noticed when I swept a few tears out of my eye, so I had to let them know what was going on.</div>
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We've been walking through my husband's cancer together...praying through it, e-mailing through it, blogging through it, really.</div>
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They offered to cancel class, but somehow I knew -- I knew this was where I needed to be. I call my mom's Bible Study "sitting at the feet of Jesus." I take off a morning from work to be there. I'm NEVER disappointed for taking the time.</div>
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--Why go back to work to face scheduling and calamity? I needed to sit at the feet of Jesus for an hour or so. The girls and I tucked children in the nursery and set about the day's lesson.</div>
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"Five Smooth Stones for Parenting" was our topic. Hmmmm... What could my aching heart learn from the pastor's video? A Bible verse flashed onto the TV screen.</div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in His steps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead He entrusted himself to Him who judges justly. </span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">- 1 Peter 2:21-23</span></i></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Smooth Stone Number One: </span></b></h3>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Help your child grow through suffering</span></b></h3>
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I gulped my coffee. I did not believe it. God knew what I needed. I was spellbound as the pastor explained the life message: </div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Suffering is normal. </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">We need to ask: </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">How can God help us work this suffering to Glorify Him?</span></i></b></div>
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WOW! God -- you are giving me a new perspective. The moms and I were taking notes. </div>
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<b>A Theology of Suffering:</b></div>
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--Life is hard, but God is good.</div>
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--Life is unjust, but God is just</div>
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--Genesis 37-50 tells the story of Joseph and his suffering - Check out how he glorified God.</div>
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--The New Testament gives us the words of Jesus: </div>
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<b><i>I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But Take heart! I have overcome the world. --</i> John 16:33</b></div>
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We all sat in the room spellbound... sniffling. The lesson was clear: our connection with Christ is intimate and vibrant. God, in essence, knows what we need. He gave us the right lesson that morning. </div>
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Truth be told, every woman in that room carried her own silent suffering. We needed to hear: God can use this ugly stuff...to His glory. Our children need to hear this, also.</div>
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Thank you, Jesus. I sat at your feet at my Mom's Bible Study and was richly rewarded. <br />
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The surgery is over and healing is coming. God gets us through. </div>
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Suffering is a part of life. God helps us find meaning, focus and ministry through the misery we may experience.</div>
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Life lesson learned. I am so very very grateful. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928226910892335135.post-81213672286064007682015-06-16T06:30:00.000-07:002015-06-16T06:30:44.989-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">I have been weeding, weeding and weeding. The result....Hello, Summer Garden. Good life lesson -- tackle those weeds in your life with God's help and who knows what pretty life lessons you will uncover. Thanks for the Summer Garden, God.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0