tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72268575723086574472024-02-23T01:50:27.659-05:00I AM HEADING TOWARDS MY DESTINY!Beth in NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17492590083823556624noreply@blogger.comBlogger848125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226857572308657447.post-68978564879148432842011-07-20T06:31:00.002-04:002011-07-20T06:31:26.989-04:00I have moved<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Hi Everyone! Great news! This blog has officially moved. Just waiting to have this link forward everyone over to my new site. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">To find my Word-Filled Wednesday post -- please <a href="http://mydestinysharinghope.com/">click HERE</a>. </span>Beth in NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17492590083823556624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226857572308657447.post-8942388202807170792011-07-15T08:09:00.001-04:002011-07-15T16:49:58.555-04:00Placing something into nothing? Huh?<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><center><a href="http://s88.photobucket.com/albums/k161/Rdeemed1/?action=view&current=IMG_2406-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k161/Rdeemed1/IMG_2406-1.jpg" /></a></center></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It takes a place of NOTHING to have SOMETHING placed in it.</span></b></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Does that comment make any sense to you? Well, it is odd, I must admit, but it came into my thoughts this morning -- inspired by the <a href="http://www.faithbarista.com/2011/07/what-you-fear-most-is-where-faith-grows/">Faith Barista's</a> post today.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Are you feeling empty? Dry? Alone?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You're in good company!</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
Just off the top of my head I can think of many examples in the Bible of people who must have felt alone and empty.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Abraham and Sarah:</b> They were in their old age and childless. I can speak as someone who was married for 16 years before becoming a Mom ... people can be cruel with their comments and questions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Moses:</b> He was sent to take a stand against Pharoah. A man who was insecure about his own abilities to speak. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Noah:</b> Creating a huge ark when there was no rain. Can you imagine the comments and sneers he received?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Tamar:</b> Given as a wife to two wicked brothers. Both husbands were killed by God due to their wickedness. Her father-in-law, Judah, withheld his last son fearing he would die as well. Tamar was left to grow old without a child. She came up with a plan to trick Judah to become pregnant by him. She came close to being killed -- burned alive. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Mary and Elizabeth:</b> Both had empty wombs. Both wombs were filled miraculously. Mary must have felt alone, terrified of what people would think. What would happen to her? What would Joseph think? Elizabeth couldn't bare a child in her old age. She was empty. Dry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Peter:</b> He denied Christ THREE times. He was ashamed and at the end of his rope.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Paul:</b> Blinded at first by the one he persecuted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Jesus:</b> Abandoned, rejected, persecuted ... yet was innocent.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I could go on and on with examples of Old Testament and New Testament patriarchs (and of course our Savior). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Each</b> experienced places of emptiness, but GOD had a plan. God created something in those empty places! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">God sees the past, present, and future. He prepares those beautiful empty spaces. Think of a nest. The birds prepare a place for those precious little eggs to rest. The nest had to be there BEFORE the gift of the eggs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Sometimes we have to be empty as well. Empty of our own agendas. Empty of our own striving. </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It is a place of preparation.</span></b></div><br />
<blockquote><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Psalm 31:4</b></div><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who </span></b><b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">hope</b><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> in the LORD.</span></b></blockquote><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Believe that there is HOPE in your situation. God will fill those empty spaces with His Spirit and with His Purposes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Are you empty? Do you feel dry? REJOICE, because NOW you are PREPARED!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">(Sorry to post twice today, but after reading Faith Barista's post, I had to write again. If you missed my other post about POWER WORDS, <a href="http://bethinnc.blogspot.com/2011/07/power-words.html">click here</a>.) </span>Beth in NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17492590083823556624noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226857572308657447.post-33145323786161659492011-07-14T23:48:00.002-04:002011-07-14T23:50:44.224-04:00POWER words!<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There is something POWERFUL about the blessing of a parent over a child. </span><br />
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This beautiful gift has been lost in this culture.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3P1t2rwB8MjlvJ5FD9W5Squd8Qce5dbpj-8iRwWrHhTEO8TwyoZ6SalJ-7u-hJv0IP9U67aXeS55CI_NPb8xipex0J9fAzrB-xUqW8jPOnqtAvTa3Z3i0w0Zge69M1zJldiwgKKZdPQE/s1600/IMG_2364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3P1t2rwB8MjlvJ5FD9W5Squd8Qce5dbpj-8iRwWrHhTEO8TwyoZ6SalJ-7u-hJv0IP9U67aXeS55CI_NPb8xipex0J9fAzrB-xUqW8jPOnqtAvTa3Z3i0w0Zge69M1zJldiwgKKZdPQE/s400/IMG_2364.jpg" width="298" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Today, I heard words from my Mother that I may have "heard" before (though I don't remember my Mom ever saying this), but TODAY I <i><b>HEARD</b></i> with my heart. <i>Do you know what I mean?</i> We were driving down the road and I was telling her how sorry I was that she was having to stay in a rehab for now. I told her I understood that she wanted to come home, but I didn't know what else to do. I HAD to make sure she was cared for and protected. She looked at me and said, "You are the sweetest person I know and I love you." Just typing those words brings tears to my eyes. I told her I didn't think I was the "sweetest" but that I did love her. (Thank You Father for that sweet blessing today.) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I am part of Generation-X. I don't know about you, but I never heard "I'm sorry" from my parents -- even if they overreacted in a situation. Did you? Kids were to be <i>seen</i> and not <i>heard</i> back in those days. I really didn't have a voice, if you know what I mean. Trust me, my parents definitely did they best they knew to do, but there is something much different about my relationship with my daughter. I talk openly about how imperfect WE ALL ARE because we are human. I apologize to her on a regular basis for misunderstandings or times I just completely overreact. When she messes up I remind her that Mommy and Daddy mess up and do things that grieve the Holy Spirit sometimes too. I don't want her to think I've got it all together because I don't.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The reason I'm even sharing this is because I was just watching Sid Roth's show, "<a href="http://www.sidroth.org/site/PageServer">It's Supernatural</a>," and saw his interview with John Waller. John has done research concerning the importance of the Jewish blessings that were passed down to children in the Old Testament. I heard John sing this song and it washed over me. I immediately went to YouTube to find it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If you never received a "blessing" from your parents, receive the words of this short, anointed song and agree with the words for your own children as well:</span><br />
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<center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VXJPwYnmnWo" width="560"></iframe></center><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I pray God helps us to humble ourselves as parents and build up our children.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If you are a parent, place your hands on your precious children and bless them.</span><br />
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<blockquote><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Genesis 27:1-4</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Now it came to pass, when Isaac was old and his eyes were so dim that he could not see, that he called Esau his older son and said to him, “My son.”</span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And he answered him, “Here I am.” </span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Then he said, “Behold now, I am old. I do not know the day of my death. Now therefore, please take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me. And make me savory food, such as I love, and bring </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">it</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> to me that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die.”</span></b></blockquote><br />
<blockquote><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Genesis 48:20-21</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So he blessed them that day, saying, “By you Israel will bless, saying, ‘May God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh!’” And thus he set Ephraim before Manasseh. </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Then Israel said to Joseph, “Behold, I am dying, but God will be with you and bring you back to the land of your fathers."</span></b></blockquote><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span>Beth in NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17492590083823556624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226857572308657447.post-17097353447481899972011-07-14T07:31:00.001-04:002011-07-14T09:38:59.828-04:00Confused about INCREASING your blog traffic?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5gJ9WRzrw6nyNXFYwFy7ou4b0kIHYGVMST3eLrpCdPEvoZIoWERvnrceFG6Th-m_USVUAZs-jRKZMKHKl96sM3REAiG2XY5kwvyAbvyZECSW5VUxCtXpXrhw92ozbXZuR5NAzH95NB65/s1600/kreativ_award%255B2%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5gJ9WRzrw6nyNXFYwFy7ou4b0kIHYGVMST3eLrpCdPEvoZIoWERvnrceFG6Th-m_USVUAZs-jRKZMKHKl96sM3REAiG2XY5kwvyAbvyZECSW5VUxCtXpXrhw92ozbXZuR5NAzH95NB65/s320/kreativ_award%255B2%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Now that I'm switching over to Wordpress (any day now) I thought I would "Google" some information on increasing by blog traffic. For someone who has been an active blogger for almost 5 years, I don't know the inner workings -- you know, the TECHNICAL side like I should! (<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Hanging head now ...</i></span>) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For instance: <b>RSS feeds</b>. I finally figured out that it meant receiving someone's post via email. Isn't that correct? Do all of you bloggers just know this stuff instinctively? I remember the first time I wanted to "link" something -- I didn't even know what a "link" was, nor did I understand that on Blogspot a picture of a link of chains on a button was something I needed to use. LOL I guess to make it more idiot proof, Blogspot now uses the word "LINK." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I DON'T understand Feedburners and AdSense. Stuff that some of you pro-bloggers eat for breakfast around here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I DON'T know how to MAKE MONEY with my blog. Though some of my buddies out here know and haven't shared their wisdom with me yet -- ahem! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Now that I have floundered around on Blogspot for a few years I am merging over to Wordpress. That has a new set of challenges for me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1. I don't know how to use it -- YET. I'm sure there will be a little learning curve.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2. Now I'm hearing about PLUG-INS. What in the world?!?!? I'm assuming they are like a handy-dandy WIDGET. Right? I also heard that to increase blog traffic I need to utilize the <a href="http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/google-sitemap-generator/">SiteMap plugin</a>. <i>Scratching head</i>. Oh, and don't forget I need the <a href="http://rmarsh.com/plugins/similar-posts/">Related Post plugin</a>. Now, will someone tell me how to PLUG IN?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So, what are some other suggestions to increase your blog traffic? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1. I have learned over the years that visual appeal is HUGE. Personally, I don't stay long on sites that are difficult to read. Cutesy fonts are fun and nobody loves to celebrate all of the colors of the rainbow more than me, but not while I'M READING. Light color backgrounds are much friendlier on the eyes. If you're creating a new blog -- remember this.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2. When I first started, I loved all of the WIDGETS Blogspot provided. I still think many of them are great, but sometimes too many widgets on a blog are ANNOYING to your readers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">3. SEARCH ENGINE SPIDERS! I HATE spiders, but in this case I think they might be something I want on my site! What in the world is a search engine spider anyway? Apparently they visit more frequently when you blog more often. Hmmm. Would regular blog posts be search engine spider bait?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">4. One thing I did realize over the years is this: CATCHY TITLES GET ATTENTION. I have noticed I get more hits when I use a strange or shocking TITLE for my post! We should keep our creative juices flowing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">5. Music on a blog. I never thought much about it in the beginning. I actually had a friend who would visit my blog just so she could enjoy my Playlist all day at work. Other people are disturbed by music while reading. The choice is yours, but I have heard more people complain ABOUT music than complain that a site doesn't have it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So are you STILL confused about INCREASING your blog traffic? Well, I am too, but I'm going to get to the bottom of this! I'm an intelligent woman. Surely, I will figure out this cyber world and conquer it. :o)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Soon, you will visit and see a different look ... don't leave, it is still me. </span>Beth in NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17492590083823556624noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226857572308657447.post-67338833103504388072011-07-13T07:14:00.001-04:002011-07-13T07:45:12.436-04:00Word-Filled Wednesday<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiABEUmlluLyqdEb_k7x-E3_grUJ7ryRSibg1JsU4Yl14Ll8vteAKD6Ts1snUmwRN5RkD2PgcfdkCVwlPyTIrGFgzfnsOp-KgutQ7qgQe0N0yW4kLurs2Dydypf8VSqvppyF4JwnuoeAw/s1600/WFWlogo.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500928595684024354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiABEUmlluLyqdEb_k7x-E3_grUJ7ryRSibg1JsU4Yl14Ll8vteAKD6Ts1snUmwRN5RkD2PgcfdkCVwlPyTIrGFgzfnsOp-KgutQ7qgQe0N0yW4kLurs2Dydypf8VSqvppyF4JwnuoeAw/s400/WFWlogo.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 221px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">Today I'm linking with the Internet Cafe to share God's Word.</span></div><br />
<center><a href="http://s88.photobucket.com/albums/k161/Rdeemed1/?action=view&current=IMG_2366-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k161/Rdeemed1/IMG_2366-1.jpg" /></a></center><br />
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If you would like to sip on more of God's Word, visit the <a href="http://internetcafedevotions.com/">Internet Cafe</a>.<br />
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Have a blessed Wednesday Everyone!Beth in NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17492590083823556624noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226857572308657447.post-53748004199277969742011-07-12T21:01:00.004-04:002011-07-13T06:22:06.239-04:00May I vent just a tiny bit?<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This morning I was listening to one of Jennifer Kostyal's teaching CD's. Her ministry is Transformed by the Word and you can find here web site <a href="http://www.transformedbytheword.org/">HERE</a>. <i>(Picture below is of Jennifer's CD.)</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">She was talking about how our home is our sanctuary! That is ONE place we can have some control over what/who enters.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVS7wh6reJK7_kWNT3SqVq56VLxsD0CsZGVAn49dbsWEk8MFodYAQXTvsfJs6MyIq-fm6LehO6D7GRk_ZeW1b6Hw_UNVvJbt0mbca82l0xZFQzWlrCPxVp_VmsKPp42N00oLNfHgwIpCyS/s1600/IMG_2368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVS7wh6reJK7_kWNT3SqVq56VLxsD0CsZGVAn49dbsWEk8MFodYAQXTvsfJs6MyIq-fm6LehO6D7GRk_ZeW1b6Hw_UNVvJbt0mbca82l0xZFQzWlrCPxVp_VmsKPp42N00oLNfHgwIpCyS/s320/IMG_2368.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">She gave the example of allowing adultery into our homes through lustful shows. Or how we compromise and allow horrible language to enter through TV shows -- you get the picture. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It is OUR responsibility to make our homes a sanctuary. We don't have to allow anyone in our homes who speak discouragement and death into areas where we are standing in faith. It is our choice and responsibility!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This afternoon my daughter had a play date with a Christian family. I would even consider the Mom to be a strong Christian. When I picked up my daughter she shared how the little girl was telling her ghost stories and how their closet was haunted. Argh! That really made me angry because I know how a spirit of fear tries to enter a child. <i>HE WILL NOT HAVE MY DAUGHTER in the Name of Jesus! </i> I don't think this Mom would have liked this game that the kids were playing upstairs, but I'm not sure. I can't assume anything.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">When we arrived home, I left my daughter to watch an innocent cartoon when Harry Potter movie advertisements kept coming on every 10 minutes! Seriously, you can barely find one cartoon where "witchcraft" isn't glorified. It is DISGUSTING. When the movie trailer kept showing I turned the commercial. </span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">THAT spurred another conversation!</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I found out that when we were at another friend's house a few weeks ago, my daughter was upstairs watching an innocent movie with other kids while we were downstairs. A Harry Potter movie advertisement came on in the beginning and my daughter put her head down so that she didn't have to see it. She was trying to honor our wishes because she knows she isn't allowed to watch stuff like that. My daughter said the little girl (who is larger because my daughter is so petite) held her head up to force her to watch it. You have no idea how my flesh wanted to react to this. I said, "Why didn't you come down and tell Mommy?" and she said, "She blocked the door so that I couldn't." This again was at another Christian home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I'm just SO frustrated about what I heard this afternoon. Honestly, it makes me want to have all of her play dates here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You can imagine the conversation I had with her again about "there are no such things as ghosts" ... there are demons and there are angels. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">No demons are welcome HERE!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We went to ANOTHER Christian home last year and when we got in the vehicle to come home we found out that the little girl was telling our daughter that dead people were buried in her back yard and that her bathroom was haunted. Demonic mess. I do know that this particular family celebrates the evil side of Halloween, so this was just part of what this child thought was "ok" -- even to the point of telling my daughter that her friend died after touching a special ball. Ok, so you get the idea and see why I'm a bit frustrated. </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This house is our sanctuary.</span></b></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I think I am going to have to make even more changes around here to protect what type of doors are opened in our home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Do things like this bother you? How do you handle stuff like this when children who share different beliefs interact with your child? <b> I know she can't live in a bubble</b>, but as someone who was set free from fear, I KNOW how things that seem like innocent childhood-fun can actually open doors and desensitize children to darkness.</span><br />
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</span>Beth in NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17492590083823556624noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226857572308657447.post-5611561189629366382011-07-12T15:03:00.000-04:002011-07-12T15:03:00.328-04:00I'm MOVING ...<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The time is getting close my friends. Jen with <a href="http://www.blueyonderdesign.com/">Blue Yonder Design</a> is creating my new web site as I type! I can't imagine anything happening where I would lose my friends on here, but JUST IN CASE -- <i><b>please</b></i> remember my new url (not active yet): <span style="font-size: large;"><b>mydestinysharinghope.com</b></span> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As I said before, my new blog name is: My Destiny ... Sharing the Hope of Christ.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I am really excited and a bit nervous too. I don't know what this will mean for my blogfrog community OR my facebook page. So much is unknown for me right now. So don't lose me please. I would miss you terribly!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">On another "change" note ... I shared a few weeks ago that I was looking for some new glasses. Well, I FINALLY found the pair that is just right for me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You can't tell in this picture, but the rims are a lovely shade of blue!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BSJ_oYHHPQNKQp8LCigCZcLoz2MeECJEh0I_PTv-iwL4WwrJtR8OgwJ7hCvtfkqFbMjghSTOq0IHXPwJYSROVbIYc7i1gWfdDGKCOi_womuRsZdbEdri9eRyxMuF432PNpRmbcBPQswj/s1600/IMG_2383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BSJ_oYHHPQNKQp8LCigCZcLoz2MeECJEh0I_PTv-iwL4WwrJtR8OgwJ7hCvtfkqFbMjghSTOq0IHXPwJYSROVbIYc7i1gWfdDGKCOi_womuRsZdbEdri9eRyxMuF432PNpRmbcBPQswj/s400/IMG_2383.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> One of my dear friends met me there to confirm if I had made a good choice. Are we 18 years old? What in the world? Ha. Good thing she doesn't read my blog!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5kPeF3cSzDWpxRBCb5k5wQLMgjwJNXg18MHAlR3iQBmCbv-ZCDTjzF7vly518AHMsRNh1W2aI3P_dQBUj6t5Df2A-o-FMwQhTGfPwP-4V_0eTYApOweqOh5Qq0JsOlYxqsHDHeq_QiOuQ/s1600/IMG_2382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5kPeF3cSzDWpxRBCb5k5wQLMgjwJNXg18MHAlR3iQBmCbv-ZCDTjzF7vly518AHMsRNh1W2aI3P_dQBUj6t5Df2A-o-FMwQhTGfPwP-4V_0eTYApOweqOh5Qq0JsOlYxqsHDHeq_QiOuQ/s640/IMG_2382.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkzohtnEYZTYgE10_SwdincZdJ-rAkT6uqgPSMrGd06xEuuJVezIUuXpHXRQrDcK6GYYuR6Xjj0D4lBGRl8vCE4EGkKSDA1UBvMTeiym0M2l7M8BS7USwKyi0TbdY-5SvYdS7iIM4HEpOs/s1600/IMG_2384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkzohtnEYZTYgE10_SwdincZdJ-rAkT6uqgPSMrGd06xEuuJVezIUuXpHXRQrDcK6GYYuR6Xjj0D4lBGRl8vCE4EGkKSDA1UBvMTeiym0M2l7M8BS7USwKyi0TbdY-5SvYdS7iIM4HEpOs/s640/IMG_2384.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I'm telling you, there is something about the BLUE. I just changed my hot pink phone case to a blue jewel-tone. Now my glasses are that color ... </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Oh, and I got some CUTE new shoes at Target too! I LOVE Target! <i>(Oops, you can still see where that blister is healing from those shoes I wore to church a MONTH ago.)</i> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsudG0I4iflodzxvKwzx1ij02bo_H8xeAqcw4K6bkqwgsKJmFMz90wTHXUY0LKxt419Fihqnjz5K__ZRwsn861BsrkeaRQn2roFHEOdqEF_YmkX5PY1XTe28_qBGx14Jsv3fCWHDTQ1gB/s1600/IMG_2367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsudG0I4iflodzxvKwzx1ij02bo_H8xeAqcw4K6bkqwgsKJmFMz90wTHXUY0LKxt419Fihqnjz5K__ZRwsn861BsrkeaRQn2roFHEOdqEF_YmkX5PY1XTe28_qBGx14Jsv3fCWHDTQ1gB/s400/IMG_2367.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I do pray my transition to my new site goes smoothly. I am clueless about doing this type of thing, but I am trusting Jen's expertise. :o)<br />
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Have a great evening everyone! </span>Beth in NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17492590083823556624noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226857572308657447.post-86984436055452945482011-07-11T23:40:00.000-04:002011-07-11T23:40:49.555-04:00Place it on ME. I'll take it willingly!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLaq_INFZittWJHPW6GJd3IOj5uvEorCVCrsReHNKkgTYbGWVBLBGzhgFYqsjtN1I_FRqbdR-D0EuOr9hbc22nF1IZoDlURodlQtvdRE5mjKJleV5J-XU6wbVED1FgWfiZUia1j0dzutq/s1600/IMG_2354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLaq_INFZittWJHPW6GJd3IOj5uvEorCVCrsReHNKkgTYbGWVBLBGzhgFYqsjtN1I_FRqbdR-D0EuOr9hbc22nF1IZoDlURodlQtvdRE5mjKJleV5J-XU6wbVED1FgWfiZUia1j0dzutq/s320/IMG_2354.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Oh friends. I love the Word of God SO much! Ahhhhh. I was invited to join a few women tonight who had been in the middle of studying scripture -- breaking down the scriptures into the original context (Hebrew and Greek). Now, you want to talk about a passion of mine!!! That is one group I'd love to join! Thumbs up to my Sister Jan for leading women deeper into the Word of God! Woo hoo!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This morning I read in the books of 1st and 2nd Kings. After a message preached by Andres Bisonni on Friday night, I decided to read about Elijah and Elisha again. May I just share a few points with you?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">God instructed the Prophet Elijah to anoint Elisha as a prophet. </span><br />
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<blockquote><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 Kings 19:19-21</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So he departed from there, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">was</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> plowing </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">with</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> twelve yoke </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">of oxen</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> before him, and he was with the twelfth. Then Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him. </span></b><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, and </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">then</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> I will follow you.” </span></b><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” </span></b><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></b><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Elisha</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> turned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen and slaughtered them and boiled their flesh, using the oxen’s equipment, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah, and became his servant.</span></b></blockquote><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Now think about this scene. Elijah placed his mantle over Elisha. What did Elisha <i><b>FEEL</b></i> that made him leave everything he knew to be Elijah's servant? It must have been a powerful experience!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Elisha was hungry for God! Elijah even told him to stay behind several times, but Elisha wouldn't take "NO" for an answer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In 2 Kings 2, Elijah followed the leading of the Lord to go from Gilgal to Bethel. From Bethel to Jericho. Then from Jericho to the Jordan river. Each time, Elijah asked Elisha to stay and not follow him, but Elisha refused and said he WOULD NOT leave him.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Do we have that type of determination to press through? </span></b></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">When Elijah and Elisha reached the Jordan river, this is what happened:</span><br />
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<blockquote><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2 Kings 2:8-14</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Now Elijah took his mantle, rolled </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">it</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> up, and struck the water; and it was divided this way and that, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. </span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” </span></b> <b><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” </span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So he said, “You have asked a hard thing. </span></b> <b><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Nevertheless,</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> if you see me </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">when I am</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">so.</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">” Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">appeared</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. </span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And Elisha saw </span></b> <b><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">it,</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> and he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, and said, “Where </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">is</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> the LORD God of Elijah?” And when he also had struck the water, it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over. </span></b></blockquote><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There are so many different lessons in this portion of scripture! We should hunger for the things of the Spirit like this! Elisha was determined. He was changed from the moment he experienced the anointing from Elijah's mantle! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Elijah and Elisha MOVED. They followed the Lord's voice. We are to follow His voice and leading as well. Are <i>we</i> willing to leave all things familiar to follow His voice? We should never stay in the same place. We should always be moving and growing in the our walk with the Lord.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ok, so Elisha received a DOUBLE portion of the anointing that was on Elijah! If you aren't familiar with what Elijah did for the Lord -- read 1 Kings. For whatever reason, God chose to take Elijah out of this world without him tasting death. The entire story makes me sit back and say, "Wow." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Here is something Andres Bisonni pointed out to us that I have never noticed before. </span><br />
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No person followed Elisha desiring his mantle. So what happened? The mantle was buried with Elisha. The anointing was still with him even in the grave. </span><br />
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<blockquote><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2 Kings 13:21</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So it was, as they were burying a man, that suddenly they spied a band of raiders; and they put the man in the tomb of </span></b><b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Elisha</b><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">; and when the man was let down and touched the </span></b><b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">bones</b><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> of </span></b><b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Elisha</b><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">, he revived and stood on his feet.</span></b></blockquote><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I knew that this had happened with the dead man and Elisha's bones, but I never thought about it as his mantle resting in the tomb with him. It wasn't passed along to another hungry lover of God!</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I'm hungry! I want any mantles that weren't picked up in my family line! How about you? </span></b></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I could go on and on with this, but I hope it is enough to wet your appetite and spur you to read 1st and 2nd Kings. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I pray your hunger for God and His Word will increase each day! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span>Beth in NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17492590083823556624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226857572308657447.post-87177653363410131642011-07-11T07:47:00.000-04:002011-07-11T07:47:53.841-04:00You don't need Caller ID for this Call.<h3 class="post-title entry-title"> </h3><div class="post-body entry-content"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZepEAsvyaGNaLRmQEMtgNO57rE95NLIHSETNe8SJNVjYT2COKnGVXodzXrFCcCuWpL7Xbwfvf7HBhAWrlHw_nR9NHsVF2K7tta2BmCmxolgJ2nOM3-EKKCHfzemRw56XKIYS1fz9Ucrc/s1600/godiscallingbig.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503499372622430146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZepEAsvyaGNaLRmQEMtgNO57rE95NLIHSETNe8SJNVjYT2COKnGVXodzXrFCcCuWpL7Xbwfvf7HBhAWrlHw_nR9NHsVF2K7tta2BmCmxolgJ2nOM3-EKKCHfzemRw56XKIYS1fz9Ucrc/s320/godiscallingbig.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 184px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana;">(This is a post I shared last year, but thought it was worthy of sharing again.) </span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: verdana;">One of our pastors, Taylor Stewart, gave us some great meat to chew on yesterday. I know I can't do his message justice, but here are a few points that stood out to me.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">EACH CHRISTIAN IS CALLED BY GOD.</span></b><br />
<blockquote> <div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">2 Timothy 1:6-9</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;"><span>For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;"> </span> </div><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and </span><span style="font-style: italic;">called us with a holy calling</span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity ...</span></div></blockquote><div face="verdana" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;">Have you ever noticed this in verse 9? God has CALLED US with a HOLY calling -- according to His own purpose and grace.</div><div face="verdana" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div face="verdana" style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">Pastor Taylor pointed out: IF YOU ARE SAVED -- YOU ARE CALLED!</div><div face="verdana" style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;">Think about it! Your calling is holy unto the Lord!</div><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;">God calls us to intimacy/communion with Him, but also with others. This is key for those who call themselves Christians.</div><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;">I have a dear friend who was so wounded by a church split that she and her family have refused to find a new church home. "Christians are hypocrites," so she isn't going back. Well, non-Christians are hypocrites too (<i>we are all human</i>). It makes me so sad for her because SHE IS SO GIFTED. The Body needs her!</div><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;">Pastor Taylor said we can't just walk around with Jesus and not the Body (the Church). Can you imagine someone just walking around with a head under his arm? "I'll just walk with the Head" (Jesus), some may say. But God created us to have relationship with each other as well.</div><div style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><blockquote>Mark 1:17<br />
And Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men."</blockquote></div><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Follow Me</span> shows the VERTICAL relationship with the Father. <span style="font-style: italic;">Fishers of men</span> shows the HORIZONTAL relationship with others.</div><div style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;"><blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mark 3:13-15</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">And He went up on the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him. And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach, and to have authority to cast out the demons. </span></blockquote></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jesus appointed them to </span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-style: italic;">BE WITH HIM</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> (vertical) so that HE COULD </span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-style: italic;">SEND THEM</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> (horizontal).</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;">We are called BY God. We are called TO God. We are called to minister to PEOPLE.</div><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Have you ever noticed that in the story of Lazarus that Jesus involved the people?</b></div><blockquote><div style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">John 11:42-44<br />
I knew that You always hear Me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that You sent Me." </div><div style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">When He had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."</div></blockquote><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;">Jesus did the miracle, but he asked the people to TAKE OFF THE GRAVE CLOTHES.</div><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;">Are you involved?</div><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;">Are you like my friend who has given up on people and church because of wounds?</div><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;">Maybe you're like me. You were once heavily involved in ministry, but now are hesitant in stepping off of the sidelines.</div><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;">This message really convicted me.</div><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;">WE ARE CALLED.</div><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;">Don't wait for some<i>one </i>to commission you. God has commissioned you!</div></div></div>Beth in NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17492590083823556624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226857572308657447.post-37720673505205438512011-07-09T15:11:00.000-04:002011-07-09T15:11:26.778-04:00Healing is the bread of the Saints & Corn~<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I am so blessed to have attended a conference last night with Andres Bisonni. What a sweet-spirited, gentle, anointed man of God! If you ever get a chance to attend one of his conferences, you will not be disappointed! A lot of people left his meeting HEALED! Some people came from New York, Tennessee, and Virginia. God really honored those people who traveled so far for healing. It was wonderful! Check out his ministry web site <a href="http://www.abm.cc/">HERE</a>. I will be attending tonight as well and I can't wait! Please watch the videos on his web site and build up your faith. He does speak English. :o)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I hope to share his message with you soon! Last night he opened my eyes about some scriptures in 2 Kings! Stay tuned!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">On the home front, this past week I FINALLY got around to freezing some corn. I don't know about the rest of you "<i>country</i>" ladies, but I have never had success freezing corn while still on the cob. However, this time I decided to use a Food Saver with the vacuum sealed bags so they should be nice and tasty this winter!</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Here is just one basket. I froze 3 of them.</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZjgheqnVsn_JqeJ66BRrNF13fWybwKwOKDGWO2q1xdbTupTvb9VcO3B72tYtPDqvd9xSQCzeIqR0ZT_u9uHePcDqB44KKyHfuQbpMShnze66sKZNoSJsHKG2agPRzeWFtWVsJpxTzuhF/s1600/IMG_2309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZjgheqnVsn_JqeJ66BRrNF13fWybwKwOKDGWO2q1xdbTupTvb9VcO3B72tYtPDqvd9xSQCzeIqR0ZT_u9uHePcDqB44KKyHfuQbpMShnze66sKZNoSJsHKG2agPRzeWFtWVsJpxTzuhF/s640/IMG_2309.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I blanched them. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In case you have never blanched corn, this is how you do it ...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Boil water and place corn in for 8 to 11 minutes.</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbb5cBvKb2Goep0vZIVuH-gbBIaEnjSSBm3qj3EBsmMQ-UHOWcPKpbJYxoecKpgsTMTfK2RSIu4vayVejEzseMv16ac66F7dv38k9B8KylFrLJlql2tG8NPYthEBpfFETC3DJW-_RicIa/s1600/IMG_2312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbb5cBvKb2Goep0vZIVuH-gbBIaEnjSSBm3qj3EBsmMQ-UHOWcPKpbJYxoecKpgsTMTfK2RSIu4vayVejEzseMv16ac66F7dv38k9B8KylFrLJlql2tG8NPYthEBpfFETC3DJW-_RicIa/s640/IMG_2312.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">After the corn boils, place it in COLD water for the same amount of time.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9E5SG6yAtYsaUEeGHuRuWDtOYFhQlWMfRbx3XjFqc2Do04JQrnmr5w0tfjfPUuk5V6ef2pmeb5O_boP77Dx7eNECz52yLOfSJc8x67NsVTBG-kr6kSKPfRG_sScEupkduaHH-dVW8LrWU/s1600/IMG_2311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9E5SG6yAtYsaUEeGHuRuWDtOYFhQlWMfRbx3XjFqc2Do04JQrnmr5w0tfjfPUuk5V6ef2pmeb5O_boP77Dx7eNECz52yLOfSJc8x67NsVTBG-kr6kSKPfRG_sScEupkduaHH-dVW8LrWU/s640/IMG_2311.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Drain the corn really well and then put in freezer bags.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Here are just a few of the cobs I froze.</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQpEeYuqNVjyqfZSJX_ALE9Y7_8qnhPpEmPZ1tjDzrmPFJBXxepBMAIeuDTwq7lOSVJ4BWG-TGSkNkLisOEnWsHeWKKzEbt-LidI5B6uzQM4NptG5lB5Yq4CI9xbw5MamEh4LHM9ce30g/s1600/IMG_2310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQpEeYuqNVjyqfZSJX_ALE9Y7_8qnhPpEmPZ1tjDzrmPFJBXxepBMAIeuDTwq7lOSVJ4BWG-TGSkNkLisOEnWsHeWKKzEbt-LidI5B6uzQM4NptG5lB5Yq4CI9xbw5MamEh4LHM9ce30g/s640/IMG_2310.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If you live in NC and want to join us for the miracle crusade -- shoot me an email and I'll give you the details. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Happy Saturday~</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span>Beth in NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17492590083823556624noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226857572308657447.post-1570878908462656692011-07-08T06:57:00.000-04:002011-07-08T06:57:01.465-04:00So, what are your thoughts?<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I had something happen in my life a few years ago that was shocking to my system. It shook my entire foundation and I found myself trying to balance -- arms stretched out to the side -- teetering back and forth in the wind. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1njX46kH-7v9QyhzbqRTBuqDCicGdK1dHN7wGi5GdXveVlK4w8xRp17mgV8PxPzfizR3v2ULTDV7gRdWas_5Ni7GEpjd_93hhjofE8WvvlcFffyjrTzLB0orDMqSBFtaWSFEZtsW_oQ/s1600/NoNegativity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1njX46kH-7v9QyhzbqRTBuqDCicGdK1dHN7wGi5GdXveVlK4w8xRp17mgV8PxPzfizR3v2ULTDV7gRdWas_5Ni7GEpjd_93hhjofE8WvvlcFffyjrTzLB0orDMqSBFtaWSFEZtsW_oQ/s200/NoNegativity.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">After seeking the Lord (and I MEAN REALLY SEEKING) I received a lot of healing concerning that event, HOWEVER ... (<i>you knew that was coming</i>) I found that when I would mow our grass my mind would race along with the blades spinning around. Perhaps it was a time when my mind didn't have to be fruitful (just zooming around in familiar patterns on the mower), so like clockwork I would hear, "She said _____. Do you remember how he said _______. And now they ______." Several minutes would have passed before I even realized what I was thinking and what was happening!</span><br />
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<blockquote><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2 Corinthians 10:4-5</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we <u><i>take captive every thought</i></u> to make it obedient to Christ. (Emphasis mine.)</span></b></blockquote><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Do you feel the struggle in the scripture? When you take something CAPTIVE, implies that the thing being captured isn't going easily, right? The scriptures ahead of "take captive every thought" explains that we are to use weapons that are NOT of the world. You only need weapons in a battle. </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>It is A </b><b>BATTLE OF THE MIND. </b> </span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Seriously y'all. EVERY TIME (and probably to this day) when I started mowing grass (even though I'd start off in prayer) my mind would eventually float over to that area. I'm not so thick-headed that I didn't <i>finally</i> figure out what was going on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If that happens now, I begin to pray blessings over those people and I speak out loud, "I forgive ____. I release _____ and bless ____." </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I capture those thoughts and reverse them! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It totally puts a wet blanket on satan's plans!</span><br />
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<blockquote><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Philippians 4:8</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.</span></b></blockquote><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Sometimes it must be a conscious decision to think on GOOD things. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If we entertain unhealthy thoughts that don't line up with the Word of God, before we know it our thoughts will grow into something worse. If it can, it will be become an ACTION! An obvious example of that would be lust. If you allow yourself to entertain lustful thoughts about someone, it is only a matter of time before you take the next step -- no matter how wrong it may be. You become desensitized over time in your thought life. At first the thoughts were shocking to your senses and offensive to you (you felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit). As the thoughts were entertained more, they didn't seem so shocking (because you made the decision to ignore the promptings from the Lord). Eventually the thoughts were just the "norm" -- no longer "wrong" in your mind -- so why not act on them? That is how affairs and any perverted act starts. <i><b>With a thought.</b></i> Do thoughts seem so innocent now? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Doesn't the bible say that if a man (or woman) looks with lust in his heart he has already committed adultery? (Matthew 5:28.) <b>THOUGHTS are powerful.</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I believe stinkin' thinkin' can also create demonic strongholds in our lives.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, a STRONGHOLD is a fortified place. I believe we build those strongholds (or allow them) in our minds by <b>believing</b> the negative thoughts that we entertain. Even about OURSELVES. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Come on women. How many of us verbally tear our images apart? Even you we don't verbalize -- are our thoughts positive when we look in the mirror?</span><br />
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<blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Proverbs 23:7a </span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For as he thinks in his heart, so </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">is</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> he.</span></b></div></blockquote><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">THOUGHTS. Thoughts can become ...</span><br />
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<blockquote><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Romans 1:28</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And even as they did not like to retain God in </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">their</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;</span></b></blockquote><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Again ... the results of not thinking correctly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>So, what are your thoughts today? </b></span> </span></div>Beth in NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17492590083823556624noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226857572308657447.post-50799330758449486072011-07-07T07:09:00.000-04:002011-07-07T07:09:52.920-04:00A New Name and Another BIG Change!<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I'm taking a huge step for me folks! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I'm going to do it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My Mac is shaking at the thought of it ...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Do you remember MONTHS ago (if not a year) I asked all of your opinions concerning the name of my blog? I was at a NC blogger event and I was so embarrassed when someone asked me the name of my blog. It is a sentence (ha). Well I thought I'd make it shorter.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEg6PrsiRynz56PRzTJaJypwnf7jxUW7IaTYalsrRv9Jgh4C-tSeEnoLLr6LtyMpGbYEOAWT2MwiR__qZhwc3pVTEUnVR1olZNM55xw-a3ZWXcreR1lgBiOWxYtU-ztzSAjbQkX851-RD/s1600/IMG_1902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEg6PrsiRynz56PRzTJaJypwnf7jxUW7IaTYalsrRv9Jgh4C-tSeEnoLLr6LtyMpGbYEOAWT2MwiR__qZhwc3pVTEUnVR1olZNM55xw-a3ZWXcreR1lgBiOWxYtU-ztzSAjbQkX851-RD/s320/IMG_1902.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In a sense it will be a little shorter as far as the blog name, but ... well you'll see.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Not only am I changing my name, but (ok, are you sitting?) ... I am going to have my own domain and a new look. Not just a new layout, but (deep breath in ... exhaleeeeee) I'm going to have a Wordpress format (<i>shhhhh, I don't want blogger to hear that</i>). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I pray I know what I'm doing. I don't have a CLUE how to use Wordpress! Y'all pray me through!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The new blog name isn't 100% decided on <i>YET</i>, but I feel like I need to keep <span style="font-size: large;"><b>My Destiny</b></span> since that is the "meat" of my blog title here. I'm thinking, "My Destiny" then the tag line "<b>Sharing the hope of Christ</b>" since that is what I do. What do you think?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So, one of these days in the near future you are going to come visit me and think you're at the wrong place. <b>DON'T LEAVE</b>. It will be ME. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Oh my! I'm so uneasy about leaving this little comfort zone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I know some of you have made the jump over to Wordpress. What did <i>you</i> think? Any hiccups I should know about. And what was your learning curve?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>What do you all think of my potential new name?</b></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<i>(Picture is one of my MANY cloud photos I have taken. It has NOTHING to do with this post - ha.)</i><br />
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<i> </i>Beth in NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17492590083823556624noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226857572308657447.post-6783513718397225062011-07-06T09:38:00.002-04:002011-07-06T09:47:48.642-04:00Shiny Eyes in the Darkness!<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There is just something different about people who love Jesus!<br />
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Have you ever noticed?<br />
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For those who keep up with me, you know that the "care" for my parents has been ramped up this past month due to my Mom being in rehab. During this time I have spent hours in medical facilities -- first the hospital, then rehab. Trust me, I have looked into the eyes of the staff for reassurance and comfort. I look for that same Spirit of God who lives inside of me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The believers are like a breath of fresh air and HOPE in those places.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<blockquote><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Matthew 5:12-16</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. <br />
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You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all <i>who are</i> in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.</b></div></blockquote><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Christians are like cities of lights on a hill. Our light cannot be hidden!<br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I have been grateful to see the LIGHT of Christ in the eyes of others in these places!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My friend Angela at Free Spirit Haven made a comment today on <a href="http://www.freespirithaven.com/2011/07/rednesday.html">her post</a> about someone calling her spiritual. Ha. I had the very same comment made to me at my Mom's Rehab. After the physical therapist discovered who I was in Christ he said, "I KNEW SOMETHING WAS DIFFERENT ABOUT YOU! IT WAS SOMETHING SPIRITUAL!" I knew what he meant. His discernment picked up on something about me.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0k8YV4-1M6wTZlDwpmP_Bh7QOy2tK4Fn_s-nEsQ1AINK3nhvwyOvT-8ko3GCeKqy-XHj1gXgQuddg55q4_NMQ7xQlxV_sPft37d8ykEyIOyVAzRyUhEyUtUG0uWHr8bkHb9OUR0yIphCM/s1600/IMG_2198_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0k8YV4-1M6wTZlDwpmP_Bh7QOy2tK4Fn_s-nEsQ1AINK3nhvwyOvT-8ko3GCeKqy-XHj1gXgQuddg55q4_NMQ7xQlxV_sPft37d8ykEyIOyVAzRyUhEyUtUG0uWHr8bkHb9OUR0yIphCM/s400/IMG_2198_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><br />
<blockquote><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Luke 11:34-36</b></div><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">your eye</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> is bad, your body also </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">is</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> full of darkness. Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. If then your whole body </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">is</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> full of light, having no part dark, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">the</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> whole </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">body</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light.</span></b></blockquote><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Do you ever look deep into someone's eyes? I always do. I want to see what (or Who/who) is within them.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As Christians, we are to let our LIGHT shine so that others are drawn to the Lord. <br />
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Strangers should be drawn to us and notice something "different" about our lives. Not because we are striving to appear a certain way, but because they get a sense of the One we spend time with -- our Lord.<br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Do you remember Israel Houghton and The New Breed's song: Let the Redeemed of the Lord Say So?<br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Here are some of the lyrics:<br />
</span><br />
<i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Oh that the church would arise. <br />
So that we would see with Jesus' eyes. <br />
We could show the world heaven. <br />
Show what it means to be His. <br />
To be formed in his likeness. <br />
Show them they have a purpose. <br />
<br />
To be salt and light in the world, in the world.<br />
To be salt and light in the world. <br />
To be salt and light in the world, in the world, <br />
To be salt and light in the world. </i> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Enjoy the song and go share your saltiness~</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/McmUHclV9do" width="560"></iframe></div>Beth in NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17492590083823556624noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226857572308657447.post-31507073838545476462011-07-05T02:33:00.000-04:002011-07-05T02:33:00.328-04:00You HAD to blog about it!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">I saw this cartoon in my Dad's Reader's Digest and I HAD to share it with you!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_gr7r9nD0iu_o_w-Ji4FAnjU352Zaeb4XWcY0QgusAF8GbC7aP4ToPBjQAkP-SHerOCAyM6FfwEiOYhdwpY0HxmQPAXuAvUij7ZFggsgSq0omFCZt65_QIBEsrM5VxawUGzIXzJTkPkH/s1600/IMG_2295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_gr7r9nD0iu_o_w-Ji4FAnjU352Zaeb4XWcY0QgusAF8GbC7aP4ToPBjQAkP-SHerOCAyM6FfwEiOYhdwpY0HxmQPAXuAvUij7ZFggsgSq0omFCZt65_QIBEsrM5VxawUGzIXzJTkPkH/s640/IMG_2295.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Only a blogger would appreciate this joke. My Dad was laughing at the luggage, but he didn't even "get" the blog comment.</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Illustrated by Mary Nadler.</span>Beth in NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17492590083823556624noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226857572308657447.post-76000548682730312062011-07-04T08:04:00.001-04:002011-07-04T08:23:30.572-04:00Suffer from Panic Attacks?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBtkh5mIgJy7N3QMM2ZGj1j_Ck5vUptYw_OwnEO0D2ewcG3GzZndaXodWt03vxGIWuKK4DKzKezM2Nh4lz6RbAoGF2VkmO0eIu9nkwrubZBvNs7PdmjCNgPz050q-ROU-GYotd5sYB8E1/s1600/IMG_2203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBtkh5mIgJy7N3QMM2ZGj1j_Ck5vUptYw_OwnEO0D2ewcG3GzZndaXodWt03vxGIWuKK4DKzKezM2Nh4lz6RbAoGF2VkmO0eIu9nkwrubZBvNs7PdmjCNgPz050q-ROU-GYotd5sYB8E1/s640/IMG_2203.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I am amazed, but never surprised in the amount of people God brings into my path who suffer from panic attacks. I know the solution and how to overcome, but it isn't an easy process. If you haven't read part of my testimony and are interested, click <a href="http://bethinnc.blogspot.com/2008/11/bit-of-my-testimony.html">HERE</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Once upon a time my life was FULL of FEAR. I think A LOT of the fear was handed down to me from past generations (thanks a lot ancestors!), but I opened doors as well. Eventually, all of the little fears grew and manifested in full blown agoraphobia at the tender age of 18.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">According to Wikipedia:</span> <b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Agoraphobia</b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> is an </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anxiety_disorder" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Anxiety disorder">anxiety disorder</a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> defined as a morbid fear or having a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panic_attack" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Panic attack">panic attack</a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> or panic-like symptoms in a situation that is perceived to be difficult (or embarrassing) from which to escape. These situations can include, but are not limited to, wide-open spaces, crowds, or uncontrolled social conditions. (If interested, you can read more </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agoraphobia" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">HERE</a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It truly hit me out of nowhere. Sure, I experienced great pressure when I was in high school and had band performances or marched in parades. I never liked the idea of someone watching me. For instance, I remember the first time our middle school band performed in the gym. I remember feeling flush and RED all at the same time. <i>I felt like all eyes were on me.</i> When I graduated from high school -- the actual moment of my graduation I thought I was going to faint. I actually had people fanning me before I got on the stage. <b>But a panic attack?</b> I didn't have a clue what they were until the first one at at 18 that changed the course of my life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Out of the many people I have encountered struggling with panic disorders, they normally fall into two categories. One: They want freedom and are willing to do whatever it takes to find it. Two: They want the panic attacks to stop, but aren't willing to fight for what is theirs. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I can relate with group number TWO because I would have loved to have had a happy switch to flip to make the nightmare end. But it was through the "fight" to reclaim what was already mine that I learned SO MUCH about God's Word and about spiritual warfare.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I often tell people that Kenneth and Gloria Copeland taught me so much during that time. It is true! I remember the first time I heard Kenneth speak about demons tormenting us here -- yes, here on earth! That was such a strange concept to me. I thought satan (I never capitalize his name on purpose ...) was in hell and all of his demons were with him. I was WRONG and misinformed for sure! The panic attacks were caused by demonic torment, but because I didn't know God's Word, I didn't know about the TOOLS/WEAPONS I had as a Christian.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It all goes hand in hand friends. No matter what battle you are facing, you MUST know God's Word. It holds the keys and the answers you need. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I had been walking around allowing a bully to push me around when my Father -- the King of Kings, the Alpha and Omega, the I AM, had sent His Son, JESUS -- to take care of this battle 2000+ years ago!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Friends, if YOU are battling fear and torment, let me assure you that IF you are a Christian, YOU HAVE AUTHORITY OVER IT in Jesus' Name. And yes, it is a spiritual battle. </span><br />
<blockquote><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Luke 10:19</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Behold, I give you the </span>authority</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> to </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">trample</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.</span></b></blockquote><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">He has given you authority over ALL the power of the enemy. Does God lie? NO.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You must do your part and BELIEVE that God's Word is true. It is your weapon.</span><br />
<blockquote><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2 Corinthians 10:3-5</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For the weapons of our warfare </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">are</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ ...</span></b></blockquote><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The battle often takes place in your mind. It begins with a thought. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I remember when I started having panic attacks on a regular basis back in those days. I would hear in my mind "<i>I'm going to have a panic attack. Oh no, here it comes. I can't breath, my heart is racing ... blah blah blah.</i>" Tormenting demons! Those weren't even my own thoughts! The devil doesn't speak to you in 3rd person because he doesn't want to be discovered. If he said, "You are going to have a panic attack" you would realize someone (someTHING) else was speaking to you. But instead, you receive the thoughts as YOUR OWN and entertain them until the thoughts have manifested into a full blown attack. THAT is why we should capture our thoughts.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Your will is totally involved in everything that takes place in your life.</span></b></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">IF you struggle with fear and panic, I pray that you will begin to dive into God's Word and find the TRUTH about WHO YOU ARE in Christ and WHO HE IS in YOU. I promise you, there is FREEDOM! And what God did for me, He will do for you! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It may be asking you to step out of the "traditions" taught by man at your current church, but the Word of God is a higher authority than any silly doctrinal rules MAN has created. </span><br />
<blockquote><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Colossians 2:8</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the <i><u>tradition of men</u></i>, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. </span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">(Emphasis mine.)</span></blockquote><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Please don't let doctrine steal what God has for you ... I could have fallen victim to it. I was raised under a traditional doctrine that didn't teach ANY of the tools I needed to find freedom. But God's Word does and it is available to you. Even if you don't own a bible, you can always go to <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/">www.biblegateway.com</a> and have the Word of God at your fingertips.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Are you ready to walk in freedom?</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The choice is yours ...</span> </span></b></span></div><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>(Photo taken at our mountain house. It reflects the peace of God to me.)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span>Beth in NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17492590083823556624noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226857572308657447.post-50869490416490782372011-07-03T18:27:00.000-04:002011-07-03T18:27:29.297-04:00Two tires BLEW in ONE trip!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0pNmiXsH7ypmTEbYZ3hWTONBaKp-_OwsFpuX3VSCOIrMsctPVYcoLJebCyxtwPxru8cd7xV5pSPeMfYtm4BD4A_4vVZDhxG5JCBM9eKOhgpjvLjOxHY539fKWVli2x-ZdQwkrvmWotAO/s1600/IMG_2261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0pNmiXsH7ypmTEbYZ3hWTONBaKp-_OwsFpuX3VSCOIrMsctPVYcoLJebCyxtwPxru8cd7xV5pSPeMfYtm4BD4A_4vVZDhxG5JCBM9eKOhgpjvLjOxHY539fKWVli2x-ZdQwkrvmWotAO/s640/IMG_2261.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This morning you heard <i>(read)</i> me whining about having to leave the mountains and come home. I was typing my post in the house pictured above. Would you want to leave?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Little did we know when we left what an adventure it would become! We made it a couple of hours from the mountains when we heard "KA-POW!" We blew a tire on our cattle trailer. Sigh ...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">It was HOT outside folks.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
I'm amazed at how God protects us and provides. The tire blew to shreds right at an exit, so my husband drove off to a <b>shady spot</b> at a convenient store. Thankfully our spare tire had air and we were quickly on our way.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UOAARqnPNB3-Be1BYzJnPTvbWia9KZU4uQkx9tllmmrEXQim1mmJC8cp1Qvt_80Q-rs_1PjYJHV7SSX4yaJ5hbMd9Q-wHAVN_CdcXaONt1AX8mLF87ULss5RZErb6kyhhQ3YN2lEf8YH/s1600/IMG_2281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UOAARqnPNB3-Be1BYzJnPTvbWia9KZU4uQkx9tllmmrEXQim1mmJC8cp1Qvt_80Q-rs_1PjYJHV7SSX4yaJ5hbMd9Q-wHAVN_CdcXaONt1AX8mLF87ULss5RZErb6kyhhQ3YN2lEf8YH/s640/IMG_2281.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">That is a picture of our old tire after the change ... </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We were on the road again, headed to pick up something in another town and POW! ANOTHER tire blew! I'm not kidding. Can you believe it?!?!? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Again, God made a way.</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We were at an exit close to where some of our friends live.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We called them and they were literally across the road from us. They took a tire off of their horse trailer and loaned it to us.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarYcRW5dNOgB_GJ2zkZcAnUiwU6-nUNCk2WPG2sZuhqF-Z5gOeRdcDpPFrECEChyF2ZBL45olkZ-G-Nt0PlzrATvBNyLCfi0O_Y1lD1cBHqRbN6sWh09vLVlCOZF8abgqzRxDJTsCuSQc/s1600/IMG_2283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarYcRW5dNOgB_GJ2zkZcAnUiwU6-nUNCk2WPG2sZuhqF-Z5gOeRdcDpPFrECEChyF2ZBL45olkZ-G-Nt0PlzrATvBNyLCfi0O_Y1lD1cBHqRbN6sWh09vLVlCOZF8abgqzRxDJTsCuSQc/s640/IMG_2283.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Here is my sweet friend Cyndi who kept me company while our men went to get the trailer tire.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09-yQPPPMv1Wp8u1E_gLpWB10FPdWSa_TczOr_A6i75O3vDd8SIBgIj8nO79zVoMhnT9Bev27ff66Tm4NZENgr96kYbVodBtbG4p00bigxWJA72WomQ8gMWuVeW2kwf50HcHdUg82_Le6/s1600/IMG_2285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09-yQPPPMv1Wp8u1E_gLpWB10FPdWSa_TczOr_A6i75O3vDd8SIBgIj8nO79zVoMhnT9Bev27ff66Tm4NZENgr96kYbVodBtbG4p00bigxWJA72WomQ8gMWuVeW2kwf50HcHdUg82_Le6/s320/IMG_2285.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Our daughters were perfectly happy to kill time in the 90+ heat!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdslzYYGr3IDVGqfN-HpFyKiXt7kEMMydxCBb2Z14u4FVbeL5lvki-KGycRpg-TMCUpysnXXM3FstRWjkaEMhi2loM5wZNgZOBOK39IYy6GXAl8U_i2yrBNPPEK6JJ9Hr-kAQybyC5POEj/s1600/IMG_2284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdslzYYGr3IDVGqfN-HpFyKiXt7kEMMydxCBb2Z14u4FVbeL5lvki-KGycRpg-TMCUpysnXXM3FstRWjkaEMhi2loM5wZNgZOBOK39IYy6GXAl8U_i2yrBNPPEK6JJ9Hr-kAQybyC5POEj/s640/IMG_2284.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We got on the road again and just about the time we arrived to our destination the <span style="font-size: large;">air conditioning</span> stopped working on my husband's side of the truck. Nice cold air blew on me, but his side was hot. Mercy, what an adventure!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We picked up what we needed in the cattle trailer and headed home! The air decided to come back on and we made it back with no more drama (at least not the mechanical kind).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I am grateful that I pray the protection of Psalm 91 over us each morning and loose angels to surround us. God definitely protected us and made a way. I am so thankful for His love and protection.</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Psalm 91:9-11</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Because you have made the LORD, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">who is</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> my refuge,</span></b><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Even</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> the Most High, your dwelling place,</span></b><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> No evil shall befall you,</span></b><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;</span></b><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> For He shall give His angels charge over you,</span></b><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> To keep you in all your ways.</span></b></div>Beth in NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17492590083823556624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226857572308657447.post-29635046100305514472011-07-02T10:10:00.000-04:002011-07-02T10:10:28.211-04:00Holy? That's how I ROLL.<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">May I stand on my soapbox just a few minutes? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">(Ok, where did that saying come from? If I stood on the soap box in my house it would collapse -- Tide w/ Bleach - ha.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Earlier today I posted about our <a href="http://bethinnc.blogspot.com/2011/07/rodeo-fun-and-pics-to-prove-it.html">Rodeo adventure</a> which was a lot of fun. But the comment the rodeo announcer used a few times "holy roller" (though HE confessed to be a Christian) really disturbed me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I looked up Holy Roller on Wikipedia and this is what I found:</span><br />
<blockquote><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Holy Roller</b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> is a term in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_English" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" title="American English">American English</a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> used to describe </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentecostalism" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Pentecostalism">Pentecostal</a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Christian">Christian</a> churchgoers.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-mw_0-0" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Roller#cite_note-mw-0">[1]</a></sup><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> The term is commonly used derisively, as if to describe people literally rolling on the floor or </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossolalia" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Glossolalia">speaking in tongues</a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> in an uncontrolled manner. </span><br />
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It is generally considered pejorative, but some have reclaimed it as a badge of honor, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_M._Branham" title="William M. Branham">William Branham</a> wrote: "And what the world calls today holy-roller, that's the way I worship <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus" title="Jesus">Jesus</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ" title="Christ">Christ</a>." <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Roller#cite_note-1">[2]</a></sup> Gospel singer <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrae_Crouch" title="Andrae Crouch">Andrae Crouch</a> stated, "They call us holy rollers, and what they say is true. But if they knew what we were rollin' about, they'd be rollin' too."<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merriam-Webster" title="Merriam-Webster"><br />
<br />
Merriam-Webster</a> traces the word to 1841.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-mw_0-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Roller#cite_note-mw-0">[1]</a></sup> The <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxford_English_Dictionary" title="Oxford English Dictionary">Oxford English Dictionary</a></i> cites an 1893 memoir by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Godfrey_Leland" title="Charles Godfrey Leland">Charles Godfrey Leland</a>, in which he says "When the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Spirit" title="Holy Spirit">Holy Spirit</a> seized them ... the Holy Rollers ... rolled over and over on the floor."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-2"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Roller#cite_note-2">[3]</a></sup><br />
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Similar disparaging terms directed at outspoken Christians but later embraced by them include <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_freak" title="Jesus freak">Jesus freaks</a> or, from former centuries, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakers" title="Shakers">Shakers</a> and <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quakers" title="Quakers">Quakers</a>.</div></blockquote><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Does this bother anyone other than me? I don't know about you, but I have never had the Holy Spirit take over my mouth and pray in tongues without my will being involved. Sounds to me like someone who was fearful and didn't understand what was happening "coined" this term. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I had a discussion with a pastor years ago about the term CHARISMATIC. When you think of Charismatics, you probably think of people raising their hands ...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<blockquote><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Psalm 28:2</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You, When I </span>lift</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> up my </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">hands</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> toward Your holy sanctuary.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Psalm 63:4</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Thus I will bless You while I live; I will </span>lift</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> up my </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">hands</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> in Your name.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Psalm 134:2</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Lift</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> up your </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">hands</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> in the sanctuary, And bless the LORD.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Lamentations 3:41</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Let us </span>lift</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> our hearts and </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">hands</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> To God in heaven.</span></b></blockquote><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You get the idea. I could go on and on with these ...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Maybe the word "Charismatic" means people who pray in tongues.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<blockquote><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Mark 16:17</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new </span>tongues</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">;</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Acts 2:4</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other </span>tongues</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">, as the Spirit gave them utterance.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Acts 10:46</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For they heard them speak with </span>tongues</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> and magnify God.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Acts 19:6</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 Corinthians 14:5</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I wish you all spoke with </span>tongues</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">tongues</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 Corinthians 14:18</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I thank my God I speak with </span>tongues</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> more than you all;</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 Corinthians 14:39</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with </span></b><b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">tongues</b><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">.</span></b></blockquote><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I guess that covers what people consider Charismatics and probably what people consider Holy Rollers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IZBD6gIBPPr0ckHUkwjbAJ2VtevATHGb8BbGVbOuEmyozVI-kkjQ7NvHQ4BJws-zFn4Dwd0jZ5XzkMxkKMehaPoV_tOKR6NP4ePOzHcfcr_Ws860W-2RVEwxOFfTbgApwDCHXAUnWgg_/s1600/IMG_2198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IZBD6gIBPPr0ckHUkwjbAJ2VtevATHGb8BbGVbOuEmyozVI-kkjQ7NvHQ4BJws-zFn4Dwd0jZ5XzkMxkKMehaPoV_tOKR6NP4ePOzHcfcr_Ws860W-2RVEwxOFfTbgApwDCHXAUnWgg_/s400/IMG_2198.jpg" width="300" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Here is my opinion (if you are still reading). Is there a word for those who aren't passionate for Jesus? For people who never mention His Name? Is there a name for those who confess to be Christian when filling out a form, but never show the fruit? <br />
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I think <i>derogatory terms</i> towards those who love Jesus, such as a "JESUS FREAK" simply means the person doing the name-calling is uncomfortable with someone's passion and love for Jesus. Perhaps it convicts THEM. <i>What do YOU think? </i>I would really like to hear from you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ok, off of my proverbial soap box now. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
Signed the NC Holy Roller, Charismatic, Jesus Freak. :o) </span>Beth in NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17492590083823556624noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226857572308657447.post-63500809940595606702011-07-02T08:01:00.001-04:002011-07-02T08:07:09.372-04:00Rodeo fun and pics to prove it.<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We decided to take our Princess to the RODEO last night. She had a lot of fun! I wish I had a really nice camera like some of you bloggers, instead I just used my iPhone -- so excuse some of the shots.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsejYOylPxCKl2DVemC8oD0dK0N1bQmy_1FMtBume3h5cL-hceSHI6Z26mlvnEcurIVwpaPlYAbBnZSLli38NCifGf3-m29tBc5dzBPQurZIkYMW_7x09NE1KH45ZbCzvpYxuRsAKvf9KI/s1600/IMG_2208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsejYOylPxCKl2DVemC8oD0dK0N1bQmy_1FMtBume3h5cL-hceSHI6Z26mlvnEcurIVwpaPlYAbBnZSLli38NCifGf3-m29tBc5dzBPQurZIkYMW_7x09NE1KH45ZbCzvpYxuRsAKvf9KI/s640/IMG_2208.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Before we even found our seats, our daughter spotted the mechanical bull and wanted to give it a whirl.</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjY5W1dHS1DKsrJrRUqXiZLNCHBEbqqQtaRMk-6D7h0gWe6fScqc8j3f7UUC3bvR_DUoL7iKq3MYE4HkvquP3i42gvuA_cP5TtlO-fwRBZGBX1ZyKFx0Cr6tj0HakIZ95rKz4mR7e0CF_/s1600/IMG_2206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjY5W1dHS1DKsrJrRUqXiZLNCHBEbqqQtaRMk-6D7h0gWe6fScqc8j3f7UUC3bvR_DUoL7iKq3MYE4HkvquP3i42gvuA_cP5TtlO-fwRBZGBX1ZyKFx0Cr6tj0HakIZ95rKz4mR7e0CF_/s640/IMG_2206.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We arrived 2 hours early (when they opened the gates) so we had plenty of time to look around and enjoy the views. This is NOT one that we enjoyed! Now you must join in our suffering ... sorry.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMB57USidGM8vg5PPG1aJfyETuk3x0W9zYRFtsfLLwZZE52ebd855ptYmS-zYdqkg4nMxbovpFlXbmvqxLkrME_GRt4tSdudlUBS3gkzTkLJ9SMvDIpIXl9HwKvLbZWyDIkevzC7Fu06H/s1600/IMG_2211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMB57USidGM8vg5PPG1aJfyETuk3x0W9zYRFtsfLLwZZE52ebd855ptYmS-zYdqkg4nMxbovpFlXbmvqxLkrME_GRt4tSdudlUBS3gkzTkLJ9SMvDIpIXl9HwKvLbZWyDIkevzC7Fu06H/s640/IMG_2211.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> This rodeo company really put on a good show. The announcer (not sure what his title really is) did an awesome job keeping the crowd involved. I could tell this wasn't his first rodeo (ha, ok - pardon the bad pun).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">How many of you get emotional when the Star Spangled Banner is played at public events? This group had a rider and flag for each arm of our military and for the USA and the Christian Flag. My husband and I were choking back the tears the best we could. My thoughts went to those in Afghanistan -- the lives that have been lost in the Vietnam War, Korean War, WWII, and WW I. I looked at the older folks wiping their eyes -- some of the men most likely fought and served. It just messes me up. I am so grateful to live in the USA. I am thankful for those who sacrificed (and those who continue to sacrifice) their lives for my freedom. I just pray America will turn to the Lord. I am concerned for her future.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">On a side note, the announcer guy kept talking about prayer in school and Christianity, but then said, "I'm not a holy roller." What exactly IS a holy roller? Someone who is on FIRE for Jesus? So what does that make the rest of the people who AREN'T holy rollers? Luke warm? </span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6UXM8eAmuuHARXrTiJKxuoV42sbXDWls2KRUUBK4Fee0yC2PtMB5SOZBnPU_CS-FqwR5Jw9a7FxvH1mvyshJcjZ8mZzYtTQ3LgvHw9-xvO6fpQjHOwh7_shyphenhyphenCgwoS4Ma-WGJBuynDfw6f/s1600/IMG_2236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6UXM8eAmuuHARXrTiJKxuoV42sbXDWls2KRUUBK4Fee0yC2PtMB5SOZBnPU_CS-FqwR5Jw9a7FxvH1mvyshJcjZ8mZzYtTQ3LgvHw9-xvO6fpQjHOwh7_shyphenhyphenCgwoS4Ma-WGJBuynDfw6f/s640/IMG_2236.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></div><blockquote><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b> 2 Chronicles 7:14</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.</span></b></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Our daughter had a great time! Before the crowd arrived, she enjoyed dancing to the country music. Such a ham!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayjiF8j33B8i1oGuebCeq0KyQOxAIj52xRnjRAPXLDdQhlmPE0IlDGKlEkiaT85i9Kolkq91R9AkQPGjBGNjPEWjpaPDcz1u7Hbw2ITml8F_d-rpnSobxtPmD3blPx8wIcOCMQQdvr47a/s1600/IMG_2220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayjiF8j33B8i1oGuebCeq0KyQOxAIj52xRnjRAPXLDdQhlmPE0IlDGKlEkiaT85i9Kolkq91R9AkQPGjBGNjPEWjpaPDcz1u7Hbw2ITml8F_d-rpnSobxtPmD3blPx8wIcOCMQQdvr47a/s640/IMG_2220.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And yes, my child is almost 6 and she JUST ate her FIRST hot dog! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2nYUI137bKUveBGPMj3SVITGMbHNYzJUnzpxVvQUxFPNRy_Ab1nTQMI2zoY8snWRcxfHeFq7A1caH86uywdlwcRwtl8tUVlBprJ9lpVwnqeXQb8bx1M5cR8KoHGOsOVHBQcMnfeeaYO7/s1600/IMG_2237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2nYUI137bKUveBGPMj3SVITGMbHNYzJUnzpxVvQUxFPNRy_Ab1nTQMI2zoY8snWRcxfHeFq7A1caH86uywdlwcRwtl8tUVlBprJ9lpVwnqeXQb8bx1M5cR8KoHGOsOVHBQcMnfeeaYO7/s640/IMG_2237.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The most exciting part of the rodeo was when the "announcer" called all children to the ring! I think he called it the "Calf tail roundup" though my husband and I don't agree on that. Ha. I thought he said, "Cat tail" and I pictured the kids chasing some cats. <br />
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There were probably about 50 kids in the ring with 3 young calves. There were a couple of ribbons on the backside of those calves and the kids had to chase, corner, and grab a ribbon. This is when I REALLY wished for a nice camera with a zoom. Anyway, it was hilarious to watch those kids running. And even though our daughter was in flip flops (ever tried to run in those?) she was hanging in the middle of the pack! You go girl!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyJl5eb06_QHoBFOzQ8iTe_WyECikKrsgzOjykhryyy7ahM6Xi-wSWohAuzH5xpz8J-XEACUaMDqOwLDy9I29DxDqFeuv2L8B0qOzbNDVXuR1nzSrbjtQwW7XZ_f6zR1GF0MBnwrNiLbE/s1600/IMG_2238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyJl5eb06_QHoBFOzQ8iTe_WyECikKrsgzOjykhryyy7ahM6Xi-wSWohAuzH5xpz8J-XEACUaMDqOwLDy9I29DxDqFeuv2L8B0qOzbNDVXuR1nzSrbjtQwW7XZ_f6zR1GF0MBnwrNiLbE/s640/IMG_2238.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">All in all, we were roped into a good time! (And just so you know, the trick rope wrapped around my husband was $5!)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwOOVH1mKwdrafZxIyGkwPXqsXiwgJGlFRpPxUHx2cRAY_3l0t8xgn0mMBeu-NjcjY07R3VyYYExPZ64TrB9bCyGQRinsWAygQeJboqC_Q1Nrsw0jG4i5ZyfTd0rkqD16Q9mlR5iKy7Vs/s1600/IMG_2249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwOOVH1mKwdrafZxIyGkwPXqsXiwgJGlFRpPxUHx2cRAY_3l0t8xgn0mMBeu-NjcjY07R3VyYYExPZ64TrB9bCyGQRinsWAygQeJboqC_Q1Nrsw0jG4i5ZyfTd0rkqD16Q9mlR5iKy7Vs/s320/IMG_2249.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy 4th of July to you all! </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">God bless America and may she turn to Him.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>Beth in NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17492590083823556624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226857572308657447.post-58235485808054986292011-07-01T08:47:00.001-04:002011-07-01T15:21:51.179-04:00Use your mouth~<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Yesterday I had a little bit of time to pick up <span id="goog_608373536"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/">Robin Bertram<span id="goog_608373537"></span></a>'s book entitled <i>Shadows Among Us</i>. This is a 500 page book and I'm only at page 171 because it is so meaty! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Robin discussed PROCLAMATIONS. A proclamation, according to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, is an official formal public announcement. </span><br />
<blockquote><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Jeremiah 34:15</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Then you recently turned and did what was right in My sight—every man proclaiming liberty to his neighbor; and you made a covenant before Me in the house which is called by My name.</span></b></blockquote><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Robin used this scripture as an example of PROCLAIMING liberty over one another (especially in prayer), however I wanted to share more. She shared how proclamations, under the leading of the Holy Spirit could bring about miracles, healing, deliverance, and restoration. </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD, IF YOU ONLY BELIEVE. NOW PROCLAIM YOUR FREEDOM. HE WHOM THE SON SETS FREE, IS FREE INDEED! (p 158) ~ Robin Bertram</span></b></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I love it! Proclamations! </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhE2hQ5J1whfSzSpZ_BR_93HhKX-c1ZMvijUyUZVOMCds7mc_QaycvnNPlyvDKqBSnz3G2DEXPAdJ60987UNvUgZHBimrkgjbxUsTg0H6TzasfSgYdYIXF69lakgitCaYPzASSAFl1Cc/s1600/mountains1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhE2hQ5J1whfSzSpZ_BR_93HhKX-c1ZMvijUyUZVOMCds7mc_QaycvnNPlyvDKqBSnz3G2DEXPAdJ60987UNvUgZHBimrkgjbxUsTg0H6TzasfSgYdYIXF69lakgitCaYPzASSAFl1Cc/s400/mountains1.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Here we go using our mouths again -- this time PROCLAIMING freedom. Our confession is SO important! If you ever learn anything from me, please learn the lesson concerning the power of your tongue! Please don't claim sickness and death as YOURS. Don't loose curses over yourself and others. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My daughter loves to sing the lyrics of a song we sing at our church, "I WILL LIVE AND NOT DIE, I WILL LIVE AND NOT DIE -- TO DECLARE YOUR WORKS, TO DECLARE YOUR WORKS!" Use your mouth to DECLARE God's Works and His Truth. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ok, back to Robin's book ...</span><br />
<blockquote><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Mark 23-24</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and <u>does not doubt in his heart, but believes</u> that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">them,</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> and you will have </span></b><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>them.</b> (Underline mine.)</i></blockquote><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">According to Robin, Jesus gave us guidelines on proclamations. FIRST, we must identify the mountain. <i><b>What is YOUR mountain?</b></i> It could be anything that stands in the way of you walking in freedom -- physically or spiritually. Anything that blocks the abundant life that God's Word says is ours: Addiction, sickness, poverty, failing relationships, bitterness, unforgiveness, demonic spirit ... the list could go on and on. Once you have identified your mountain - <b>SPEAK TO IT</b>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Alright Friends, this is what stood out to me: The SECOND lesson from this scripture was we MUST NOT <b>DOUBT</b> IN OUR HEARTS. <i><b>Ouch.</b></i> </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">DOUBT</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Doubt</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Doubt</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Doubt</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Doubt</span></b></span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Robin pointed out that <b>DOUBT</b> itself <i><b>IS</b></i> a mountain or hindrance that must be removed! I immediately put down the book and pondered that for a moment. Before I read any further I began to think about being double-minded. What does God say about a double-minded man/woman in James 1:7-9? It states that he may not expect to receive ANYTHING from the Lord because he is UNSTABLE IN ALL HIS WAYS. Father, I don't want to be double minded. I don't want to doubt or be unstable!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I picked up the book again and to my surprise Robin was sharing the same scripture! <i>She went on to say that DOUBT stops the flow of the Holy Spirit</i>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Isn't doubt really just taking our eyes off of Jesus and putting them on our situation? We place our eyes on FEAR instead of JESUS. Most of you reading this know what happened to Peter when he stepped out of the boat. When his eyes were on Jesus, he walked on water. When he looked at his circumstances, DOUBT that he could actually do it made him (Matthew 14:27-30).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The THIRD step to a proclamation (an official formal public announcement) is to ASK IN FAITH. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ok, how do we receive faith? </span><br />
<blockquote><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Romans 10:17</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So then </span>faith</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> comes by </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">hearing</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">, and </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">hearing</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> by the word of God.</span></b></blockquote><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Do you want faith? You must be spending time in His word and HEARING His word. There is something key to HEARING those God-breathed scriptures that are living, active, and sharper than a double-edged sword. I'm sure hearing the word of God CUTS THROUGH the spiritual cobwebs formed in our minds. Sorry ... rabbit trail again ... back to FAITH. Don't despair, you do have a measure of faith, but GROW your faith by delving into the scriptures.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You must have faith, knowing that you will receive the thing you have asked for. A <i>believing</i> must take place before <i>receiving</i>. (p.159) ~ Robin Bertram</span></b></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<blockquote><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 Corinthians 2:4-5</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My speech and my <u>proclamation</u> were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom of men but on the power of God. </span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>(Underline mine.)</i></span></blockquote><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Here is another quote from Robin: All proclamations that are efficacious <i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">(</span></i></span><span class="ssens"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">having the power to produce a desired effect</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">)</span></i> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">are those issued under the power of the Holy Spirit. Such proclamations will be manifested in the natural realm, with a demonstration of power (p.159). <i>Definition of efficacious added by me. </i></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>We can also make proclamations of faith based on the word of God -- proclaiming blessings and His promises. This is something we should do daily. I cover my family daily with the full armor of God and the protection of Psalm 91.</b></span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Use your will and your mouth to PROCLAIM the TRUTH of God's Word into your life today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I pray something I shared has made you stop and ponder. Bless you on this Friday morning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>(The enemy did not want someone out there to read this post. I have had more problems posting this than I care to share. Even the pictures won't upload -- so enjoy a picture I have shared before from the mountains. To GOD be the glory!)</i> </span>Beth in NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17492590083823556624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226857572308657447.post-7521644721422283872011-06-29T21:31:00.001-04:002011-06-30T07:07:06.940-04:00Plenty of Pictures while I ramble ...<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Just some rambling tonight.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1. I have learned that you can't force someone to eat! Before my daughter was born I judged all of my other Mom-friends who didn't make their kids eat certain foods. Well, well, well ... as judgment finds its way back to us -- my child is PICKY! Even when I tried to force her she would begin to gag. Sigh. <br />
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Now the extremely picky eater is my Mom. Same principle -- nobody can make her eat. None of the tricks work and you just can't reason with her OR my daughter when it comes to food.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2. After all of these years of living I don't think I have ever gotten the exact same haircut twice. I don't think it is possible. I just went today and now I have gone even darker. What do you think?</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEclNTs0Bar7zTRm2IHvHoInlRY6EMOsDsIpsOCsp3UEqWZvChyphenhyphenwaCYYyUsj0wOlT8pU3FmF3-Yp5ojVpdlnhunmLIWfNwDH4CmtQe8rL6zBHJNWr-u4AbDwJUOBn0BoGRfMIlxORDuMa2/s1600/IMG_2199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEclNTs0Bar7zTRm2IHvHoInlRY6EMOsDsIpsOCsp3UEqWZvChyphenhyphenwaCYYyUsj0wOlT8pU3FmF3-Yp5ojVpdlnhunmLIWfNwDH4CmtQe8rL6zBHJNWr-u4AbDwJUOBn0BoGRfMIlxORDuMa2/s640/IMG_2199.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">On a funny note, I have been living by my iPhone calendar for weeks now! I received two alerts this morning telling me that I had a hair appointment at 10:45. For whatever reason -- when I looked at the clock at 9:15 I thought I had to be there in 30 minutes! I went WILD getting ready and at Mitchell's Hairstyling just in the nick of time. Well guess what, "I WAS AN HOUR EARLY!" SO ... what did I do? I walked next door and had my eye-brows waxed. At least I used my time wisely, right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">3. I don't know what is up but I feel like I have lost my "weight loss" mojo. I think having such little time to myself -- ESPECIALLY for exercise -- has me in some type of holding mode. Argh.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">4. I have been busy updating our corn maze web site and trying to get my ducks in a row for this fall. I know, it is only June! Can you believe people are already booking birthday parties for OCTOBER?!?!?! What Mom is THAT stinkin' organized?!?!? Come on Moms. My daughter turns 6 in August and I haven't even thought about her party yet. Ha.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">5. I have been trying to pick out some new glasses this week. Great news, my prescription hasn't changed in 4 years. Bad new, I could't find ANY I liked. I think the problem is this -- I DON'T LIKE GLASSES ON ME! So, my doctor's office is ordering some rimless glasses with chunky sides. Hopefully I'll like them.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgFVhHLe0pNSS6aDMTOsLwMz0Tm2unBcBYtXdPQtYAW3ancCDPDHkfruTxy0KMfFj_6PwW5QViqcjoD2B58kdaxBcqY0lzy9Q_bdckQEG3FW2qlYEnQAUPR_zfeFf32OIdxWp2GTI17oA/s1600/IMG_2184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgFVhHLe0pNSS6aDMTOsLwMz0Tm2unBcBYtXdPQtYAW3ancCDPDHkfruTxy0KMfFj_6PwW5QViqcjoD2B58kdaxBcqY0lzy9Q_bdckQEG3FW2qlYEnQAUPR_zfeFf32OIdxWp2GTI17oA/s400/IMG_2184.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQMhns9Iu1GdFkox2wsQmXK3z_KMPgOSzEc39VHQqXHO4w9tnFhAMD-Woz6C7AN5J8XkbR6NVIQdKGOyduTMMjZ1KAkHAKNolGzFwXG2mPTSQu9KZ8wb1P1RZORcNfdnPSn6oBBEDqa3p/s1600/IMG_2188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQMhns9Iu1GdFkox2wsQmXK3z_KMPgOSzEc39VHQqXHO4w9tnFhAMD-Woz6C7AN5J8XkbR6NVIQdKGOyduTMMjZ1KAkHAKNolGzFwXG2mPTSQu9KZ8wb1P1RZORcNfdnPSn6oBBEDqa3p/s320/IMG_2188.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">6. I feel out of my routine and like I'm doing nothing with excellence. You should (well, no you shouldn't) see my house. Oh my! Even the inside of my vehicle looks like a McDonald's toy store.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">7. I found some old photo albums that unfortunately have suffered some water damage, but here are some pictures of me as a little girl. Enjoy~</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I am the youngest one in the front -- sitting real "lady-like" -- ha. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_ITtMw_JIHzlW0sbuNj3pIQuVLYuSz7IdYiWYXeVOm3SQkuG9oR5JzizqFXbbodjuO86K4-avd2njVfifQ0uFmtQfRYCpVHGq1_IC0dsNs5Hs_ieB89sRoVrUdxsKoh484CprMPdj4Vj/s1600/Family2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_ITtMw_JIHzlW0sbuNj3pIQuVLYuSz7IdYiWYXeVOm3SQkuG9oR5JzizqFXbbodjuO86K4-avd2njVfifQ0uFmtQfRYCpVHGq1_IC0dsNs5Hs_ieB89sRoVrUdxsKoh484CprMPdj4Vj/s320/Family2.jpg" width="313" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Fashion Diva</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQtkBIpFAMWZJ03mT037z3WDAxba-p-ZqKto1QqoX9-2Pa3Hf1Zc3BjjtonerplCZEymCZx8WadN-ItkrEZCsoN-IDL05AQJ6u5nHTX1ea2Y3aTh-PwIgzybRqCdxrOxxC9aTId1Age5o/s1600/Family3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQtkBIpFAMWZJ03mT037z3WDAxba-p-ZqKto1QqoX9-2Pa3Hf1Zc3BjjtonerplCZEymCZx8WadN-ItkrEZCsoN-IDL05AQJ6u5nHTX1ea2Y3aTh-PwIgzybRqCdxrOxxC9aTId1Age5o/s320/Family3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The little girl is me. </span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span>Beth in NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17492590083823556624noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226857572308657447.post-18028787062620125452011-06-29T07:47:00.000-04:002011-06-29T07:47:06.600-04:00Crouching and ready to POUNCE!<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMcDWGoOo9mZEuvJOk2TyshMTw4yyVhoIWUFYmZmvpDVUqkurFiisZNdIuA8FY9tg4Z-VsmH3LAC9J7GjpPJ07u1EgjYYpaKQ10w8tKdRxqlBCb4m5XX1lXngYQ5cVRJIi-HJ4bi9aCuD/s1600/DSCN0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMcDWGoOo9mZEuvJOk2TyshMTw4yyVhoIWUFYmZmvpDVUqkurFiisZNdIuA8FY9tg4Z-VsmH3LAC9J7GjpPJ07u1EgjYYpaKQ10w8tKdRxqlBCb4m5XX1lXngYQ5cVRJIi-HJ4bi9aCuD/s320/DSCN0095.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Genesis 4:7</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.</b></div></blockquote><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">One of our campus pastors, Charles K., shared this scripture with us Sunday. Out of all of the scriptures he discussed, this one stood out the most in my mind.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What a visual of sin! Just like a lion, it is crouching at our doors. A hungry lion desiring its prey.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It makes me think of this scripture:</div><blockquote><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>1 Peter 5:8</b></div><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">like</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> a roaring </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">lion</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">, seeking whom he may devour.</span></b></blockquote><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The devil (satan) is the father of sin. So he is behind this "crouching" that happens at our doors.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Each day we face temptations. We have the choice to over-eat, to over-talk, to do many things that could have negative consequences. There are numerous ways that we can allow SIN to enter our thoughts and lives.</span><br />
<blockquote><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>1 Corinthians 10:13</b></div><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">No </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">temptation</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> has overtaken you except such as is </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">common</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">temptation</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.</span></b></blockquote><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Though sin crouches, God ALWAYS provides a way of escape for us. Hallelujah!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I pray each of us will make wise choices today and be aware that SIN is CROUCHING at our doors. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
Be equipped with the Word of God in your heart today.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">(Photo: This is a sign my husband had made for us to post during our corn maze. If you imagine <i><b>all</b></i> of us being <u>The</u> Farmer's sons and daughters ... it would apply to this message.)</span>Beth in NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17492590083823556624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226857572308657447.post-66523798106565633372011-06-28T08:17:00.004-04:002011-06-28T08:30:23.607-04:00As the Rooster Crows ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhb6-3yO4gkGF-JP-Suez7GPawXsPnOVqWaM7_6EET5aTmZlkj-6TS962WzTIB63xWrYleY3pAjSViu35xGTn7MaaCBAIWbpNcbWzuUn5LVyUAitclKURvR4vLYTmd-59DDmE_E54wpIoe/s1600/IMG_1999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhb6-3yO4gkGF-JP-Suez7GPawXsPnOVqWaM7_6EET5aTmZlkj-6TS962WzTIB63xWrYleY3pAjSViu35xGTn7MaaCBAIWbpNcbWzuUn5LVyUAitclKURvR4vLYTmd-59DDmE_E54wpIoe/s640/IMG_1999.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As I type our rooster, Oscar, is telling the world that it is morning! He started around 5am and though it is 7:31 he is still proclaiming his good news!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Though I hear his cockadoodle-doing daily, this phrase just entered my mind and struck me: AS THE ROOSTER CROWS.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<blockquote><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Mark 14:27-31</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night,</span><sup style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </sup><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> for it is written: </span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">‘ I will strike the Shepherd,</i><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And the sheep will be scattered.’</i><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.” </span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Peter said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble, yet I </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">will</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> not </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">be.</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">” </span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that today, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">even</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> this night, </span><u style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">before the rooster crows twice</u><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">, you will deny Me three times.” </span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But he spoke more vehemently, “If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” </span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And they all said likewise. </span> <i>(Underlined by me.)</i></b></blockquote><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If you don't know how this situation ended, be sure to read the rest of the story in Mark 14. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">How many times do we deny Jesus too?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We recently met a new acquaintance who is working on some corn maze stuff for us (in case you are new here, we have a corn maze on our farm in the fall). Of course, he tried to suggest (along with others) that we should "haunt" our maze or our farm. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Folks, you will know that someone has taken over our farm and we have moved out of the country when that ever happens. Nothing demonic is going to be on this farm. It isn't happening. Of course when I say that to some people who even confess to be Christians -- they are stunned. But tell me the truth -- how does anything representing death and gore, demons and hell -- bring glory to God?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Then this sweet man suggested, "Well, what about friendly Casper type of ghosts?" Nope, just the Holy Ghost here! I reminded him what Jesus said about people who are luke-warm. They will be spewed (vomited) out of His mouth.</span><br />
<blockquote><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2 Corinthians 6:14-15</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers [do not make mismated alliances with them or come under a different yoke with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership have right living and right standing with God with iniquity and lawlessness? Or how can light have fellowship with darkness?</span></b><b><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What harmony can there be between Christ and Belial [the devil]? Or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? (Amplified Version)</span></b></blockquote><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This scripture is talking about believers versus non-believers, but the same applies -- what do light and darkness have in common? They are opposites. Jesus is the Light of the world. Satan represents darkness.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I'm not picking on this new acquaintance because many of us Christians compromise and deny Jesus on many different levels. The fact that I allow my daughter to watch Disney movies would be completely repulsive to some Mom's. As a matter of fact, most of the princess movies bother me and I feel conviction about allowing them in my home. They usually involve a witch or something wicked. I don't like it, but I have compromised in some areas and I have no doubt that it grieves the Holy Spirit.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i><b>How can LIGHT have fellowship with DARKNESS?</b></i> There is no gray area though we try to smooth it over somehow. As much as I have disdain for Harry Potter books and would no way allow them in our home, am I any better by allowing witchcraft a doorway through cartoons? I can't think of one cartoon that doesn't have magic somewhere in it. Dora the Explorer is full of it -- Spongebob, My Little Ponies, etc ... The list could go on and on. (Though my daughter immediately tells me when witchcraft is in the cartoon and we change it -- she is still exposed to it.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Back to this new acquaintance: He made me giggle the other day when he so politely made the suggestion that we should "perhaps" change our "Christmas tree" section on our web site to "Holiday" ... I stopped him right there. (Oh yeah, if you're new here -- we also sell Christmas trees on our farm.) I told him there was no way we were concerned about being politically correct and the word <b>Christ</b>mas was going to be used! I also threw in, "And I'm not going to say gay marriage is ok either." Poor fellow ... he didn't realize who he was talking to, but in his kindness he said, "That is why I like you folks." </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What areas are you denying Jesus?<br />
I hear the rooster crowing ... </span></b></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Father, please show us areas where we compromise and deny you. Please give us the wisdom to make right choices -- ESPECIALLY when it comes to raising our children.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And ... the rooster is STILL crowing ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>(Photo of our rooster Oscar and two of his girlfriends.) </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span>Beth in NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17492590083823556624noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226857572308657447.post-16417876889856818122011-06-27T11:16:00.001-04:002011-06-27T11:17:04.566-04:00I can't figure it out ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkD_IY_YVSKKwAmj2nqJ6IQadgVeFhy69-zOXuN04MjVDo6hd6Gdcz0KI9RakAvjaWCEVTJwZDLvoDxmBbdo7w7b2nvErUVPmYc4w2e9MRt2rHXu6_czQD5nCKiEVOGkNIfLXw-Lpz_6B/s1600/IMG_2154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkD_IY_YVSKKwAmj2nqJ6IQadgVeFhy69-zOXuN04MjVDo6hd6Gdcz0KI9RakAvjaWCEVTJwZDLvoDxmBbdo7w7b2nvErUVPmYc4w2e9MRt2rHXu6_czQD5nCKiEVOGkNIfLXw-Lpz_6B/s400/IMG_2154.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In front of me are piles of folded clothes. They won't put themselves away.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My daughter is walking around in one of my satin gowns (princess gown to her), dress shoes, and a bag of Doritos. I love the innocence of childhood. She doesn't have a care in the world and is LOVING having a morning at home for a change. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My father wants me to grocery shop for him so our morning at home is coming to an end.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I am REALLY hoping to avoid a trip to rehab (praying the guilt won't drag me there).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">With the busyness of things that are just a necessity right now, I am determined not to just tread water but be an OVERCOMER and a CONQUEROR. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I was reminded this morning as I shared with someone else that OUR FEELINGS do NOT always represent the TRUTH. </span><br />
<blockquote><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Proverbs 3:5-6</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
<b>Trust in the LORD with all your heart,</b></span><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
And lean not on your own understanding; </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In all your ways acknowledge Him, </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And He shall direct your paths.</span></b></blockquote><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My daughter memorized this scripture yesterday at church and it has really been a sweet reminder to me.<br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuQW8V6CYElQWr0af5Ooc57Qipqj9tsYhgMUAfCpYjqfxKYigPqFuJwBGALfpuWJnvIk0Tnbps8fNYjlUBfqsOY44AeCzZxeKvvSO20UmrIZrvmHvogXqT0soAuUb2k3u5ilamXQrC-ND/s1600/IMG_2157.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/AVvXsEhIuQW8V6CYElQWr0af5Ooc57Qipqj9tsYhgMUAfCpYjqfxKYigPqFuJwBGALfpuWJnvIk0Tnbps8fNYjlUBfqsOY44AeCzZxeKvvSO20UmrIZrvmHvogXqT0soAuUb2k3u5ilamXQrC-ND/s320/IMG_2157.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I <b>can't</b> lean on my own understanding. How can I even TRY to figure out what tomorrow holds? How will my parents receive the care they need? How, what, when, and where? I have a bunch of questions, that's for sure. How can I be there for them AND have time for my own little family. I must find balance in it all. (Pictures were taken when we saw Cars 2 this weekend - 3D.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
I love the Lord and I do acknowledge Him in all that I do. I <b>know </b>that His Word is TRUE. HE WILL DIRECT MY PATH.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Is this a reminder for any of you as well? </span><br />
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</span>Beth in NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17492590083823556624noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226857572308657447.post-71826039270445558442011-06-25T07:10:00.001-04:002011-06-25T07:16:04.931-04:00One-Anothering?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcnKQbRzqxetroeMxLJ8HRTzKBjb2s8_sNg1heWjLb7RtIIUHnLOb8a42hQQddIteH6upHB3WNzP6IWKa5v-6i7lzEXKffArdHNs5UpHlsj29SFiHnSeBbgdqaHwhIC7wZKF8fC2C5d4-/s1600/IMG_2150.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/AVvXsEjGcnKQbRzqxetroeMxLJ8HRTzKBjb2s8_sNg1heWjLb7RtIIUHnLOb8a42hQQddIteH6upHB3WNzP6IWKa5v-6i7lzEXKffArdHNs5UpHlsj29SFiHnSeBbgdqaHwhIC7wZKF8fC2C5d4-/s320/IMG_2150.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Yesterday my little one (who will soon be 6) wanted to do something fun. As I tried to decide what we could do that would be inexpensive and something she would enjoy, the morning began to escape us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">After two long phone calls and a shower, it was almost noon. Does that ever happen to anyone other than us? The morning dissolves as fast as dust in the wind. Sigh.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My daughter's hopes of a fun day began to slip away when responsibilities got in the way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We needed to go check on my Dad and take him some food he had requested. Then after our visit with him, my Mom requested something at rehab. Each step of the way I kept reminding my daughter, <i>"Honey, we are spending our time blessing others. We are helping those who can't help themselves and that is what God would want us to do."</i> After we left the rehab, we received a call to pick up some medication at the pharmacy, etc ... This is how a lot of our days are spent. Bless her little heart. That is what we have done daily for most of her summer break. I had "big plans" to make this summer (her last one before she starts Kindergarten) a FUN summer. Well, life hops in the way sometimes ... <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZrf-u_0Rxj2hcyQbf_mIuL6OSH5Q4M90nViRw6XlYrbgVR_ULmVofFNoBj2BwymHnyeOfBbbeoE2aM1n5Hicp8Deb1LWCrFktOiUyves3EZqLVqRsB62QLOSvWzv6QTKKcVyI4xYhFBF/s1600/IMG_2143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZrf-u_0Rxj2hcyQbf_mIuL6OSH5Q4M90nViRw6XlYrbgVR_ULmVofFNoBj2BwymHnyeOfBbbeoE2aM1n5Hicp8Deb1LWCrFktOiUyves3EZqLVqRsB62QLOSvWzv6QTKKcVyI4xYhFBF/s320/IMG_2143.jpg" width="239" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This morning I awakened to find this email from my friend Jim. It reminded me of what I told my daughter yesterday. See below: </span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #006699; font-size: medium;"><b>The Ministry of One-Anothering<br />
</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">by Chip Brogden</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://theschoolofchrist.org/articles/the-ministry-of-one-anothering.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title=""><b>http://theschoolofchrist.org/articles/the-ministry-of-one-anothering.html </b></a></span><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Every Christian is called to the ministry of One-Anothering. We are to love one another, serve one another, submit to one another, instruct one another, encourage one another, help one another, forgive one another, and so forth. This is our spiritual service. This is your ministry to the Body of Christ and the basis from which every spiritual gift should operate. It would be profitable for you to do a study of all the places in the New Testament that mention "one another". There are a considerable number of references. You will immediately benefit by seeing that Christianity is not for hermits. There is no place for individualism in the Kingdom of God, for we are a Body of many members, each fashioned together into interdependence. You will also see that we are called to live very simple lives of quiet service to our brothers and sisters. It is neither complicated nor difficult ...</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You can find the rest of Chip's article <a href="http://theschoolofchrist.org/articles/the-ministry-of-one-anothering.html">HERE</a>. </span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The ministry of One-Anothering is a great way to look at it. We are called to love others and serve them.</span><br />
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<blockquote><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Matthew 22:39</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And the second is like it: ‘You shall </span>love</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> your </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">neighbor</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> as yourself.’</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Galatians 5:13</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love </span>serve</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> one </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">another</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Romans 12:10-11</span></b><br />
<b><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Be</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;</span></b></blockquote><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> It isn't always easy to put someone's needs ahead of your own desires. Even saying "isn't always easy" sounds too light because MOST of the time our flesh cries out and wants to have its own way. Trust me ... sigh. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Father ... for those of us who belong to You, our lives are not our own. Our lives were purchased with a great price. Help us to remember that when we are faced with the choice of serving another versus serving ourselves. </i> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">(Photos: My daughter's fun hairstyle yesterday. A picture of my Mom in the rehab.) </span>Beth in NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17492590083823556624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226857572308657447.post-6869482270753666512011-06-23T22:52:00.003-04:002011-06-24T08:20:55.129-04:00What if this happened to you?!?!?<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Wow, I am sitting here watching Celebration on the DayStar network with Marcus and Joni Lamb. They are interviewing Pastor <a href="http://www.jhm.org/">John Hagee</a> with Cornerstone Church. They have been discussing what happened when his church had a night to honor Israel. Suddenly, one at a time (it is on film) these ANTI-Israel (pro-Palestine) people stood up one at a time and began shouting anti-Israel statements and screaming, "Free Palestine!" One of the protesters filmed it to put on youtube, but Pastor Hagee had the footage.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorvqNcMBx-ChkoY0qMY9eYglSjrSnRxLuN8ml8pB9Xe_gW_T-dH1oDPRI5fpaBtgi7iJW_OMyzC7OyLFXRSFIm6_AxssSlnHeWPdz293ZPxal3AkO0KhzQ4L3MGCeWvpMIgO9Z0gbu5-1/s1600/IMG_2002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorvqNcMBx-ChkoY0qMY9eYglSjrSnRxLuN8ml8pB9Xe_gW_T-dH1oDPRI5fpaBtgi7iJW_OMyzC7OyLFXRSFIm6_AxssSlnHeWPdz293ZPxal3AkO0KhzQ4L3MGCeWvpMIgO9Z0gbu5-1/s400/IMG_2002.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">He was determined that they WOULD NOT take over his service. One by one they were escorted out by his security team. He was wise to have an active duty police officer on staff who ARRESTED them. They were shocked because they were use to taking over church meetings and walking home. It didn't happen in this case. <i>(Pastor Hagee recommends having a police officer on your security team.) </i>Who would have thought that we would need security teams for our churches in America? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pastor Hagee suggested IF this happens in your church, begin to shout to the Lord and drown them out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Folks, I don't know everything I should know about what is happening with Israel, but I do believe God will bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pastor Hagee shared something I have never noticed before in Luke 7. Check this out. (Italics and underline are mine.)</span><br />
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<blockquote><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Luke 7:1-10</span></b><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. <i><u>So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, “for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.</u></i>”<br />
</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does <i>it.</i>”</b><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.</span></b></div></blockquote><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The centurion was a gentile, but did you notice that the JEWISH ELDERS begged Jesus to bless this man BECAUSE THE CENTURION LOVED ISRAEL (their nation) and built a synagogue there? I have NEVER noticed that part before, have you? The Jewish ELDERS were PLEADING with Jesus for a gentile? Yes! A gentile who LOVED Israel and blessed the Jewish people by building them a synagogue!</span><br />
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There is a blessing that comes with loving and blessing Israel. </span><br />
<blockquote><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Psalm 122:6</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.</span></b></blockquote><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> What does this mean for those who don't bless Israel? What does this mean for those who don't want peace for Jerusalem?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This scripture has been in my heart for the past week:</span><br />
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<blockquote><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Psalm 119:105</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Your word is a lamp to my feet</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And a light to my path.</span></b></blockquote><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">God's Word directs us. It shows us the direction we should go and it lights the way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Christians, now is the time when we need to support Israel. Now is the time we need to be on our faces for our country. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Sid Roth (God bless this precious brother) interviewed Shira Sorko-Ram. She shared what is about to happen in September of this year if the United States of America makes the wrong decision concerning the dividing of the Land of Israel.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">To watch the interview, click <a href="http://www.sidroth.org/site/News2?abbr=tv_&page=NewsArticle&id=10169">HERE</a>. </span><br />
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<blockquote><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Psalm 121:1-4</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I will lift up my eyes to the hills -- </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">From whence comes my help?</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My help comes from the LORD,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Who made heaven and earth.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">He will not allow your foot to be moved;</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">He who keeps you will not slumber.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Behold, He who keeps Israel </span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><br />
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.</b> </span></blockquote><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<a href="http://www.sidroth.org/site/News2?abbr=tv_&page=NewsArticle&id=10169"></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>(Picture was taken at our church on Pentecost Sunday.)</i></span>Beth in NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17492590083823556624noreply@blogger.com4