tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28794934475801561452024-03-13T15:57:04.942-07:00This Written LoveOne woman's romance with her God, His word, and His creation.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18399412481899029425noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879493447580156145.post-69494854879015909292014-08-15T20:11:00.000-07:002014-08-15T20:11:17.621-07:00Glorious Display<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><i>The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.</i></b></div>
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Psalm 19:1</div>
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God showed off in Colorado tonight, romancing my heart with the changing colors of the sky and the sounds of the hummingbirds and the deer grazing nearby. He knew I needed a display of his love, of his character, of his creativity. </div>
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My words will not be enough to do justice to the artistic display God gave Colorado this evening, but maybe my pictures and video will give you a moment to see Him, the God I love. </div>
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Thank you God, my Abba, my Lord, and my strength. I love how you display your glory. </div>
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It was good to see you,</div>
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Your Aimee</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwQz5oy5Nb0JJt8PKIeo5aE2mNgSKrLYFiVb4AWHXFnaXb9knJoy9o4w48aUj9PmAlOUwbM2q-d4C-XvZUMaQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Have your sound off when watching this video, otherwise the neighbor who decided to practice his drums might distract you from enjoying the peacefulness of the footage. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18399412481899029425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879493447580156145.post-57178048271370421272014-06-12T22:51:00.001-07:002014-06-12T23:21:32.469-07:00Love in the LightningSometimes a day is needed in which the backpack gets thrown over the shoulders and the hiking shoes get a little dirt on 'em.<br />
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Yesterday was that day.<br />
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My mister and I had worked really hard the day before and as we drank our coffee and looked outside, the fresh mountain air beckoned to us with a whisper to come and play. Well, actually, it went more like this...<br />
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"Hey Mister, let's get dressed and go for a hike." </div>
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"Hmm. I don't know." My handsome man walked to the railing of the wooden deck, looked out at the mountains, raised his face to the sun and changed his mind. "Ok, I guess I could go for a hike today."</div>
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We had been meaning to check out this one park near where we are living, so off we went. We packed our backpacks, I made trail mix, and we made the short drive. This park has trails leading off into all kinds of directions, and we had fun choosing our adventure. Little did we know how adventurous we were actually being. </div>
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About 15 minutes into our hike, we topped a ridge and were met with the pitter patter of rain. It was kind of nice and cooled off what otherwise could have been a warm climb. Then the lightning flashed and thunder rumbled in the distance. We took that as our cue to descend down from the ridge. Mountain bikers and other hikers passed us, some going up, some going down. We wound down this trail and came out in an open space with trails and rock cliffs rising on the other side. The sky was getting darker, the rumbling of the sky a little louder, and the flashing light in the sky much closer. </div>
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My husband calmly looked at my nervous face. "Let's find a place to sit for awhile, drink some water, and wait it out." </div>
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I took off ahead of him making a beeline towards the trees and rock cliffs on the other side of the open space. Surely there would be a nice unoccupied cave for me to climb up into that was not near a tall tree nor too far up the hill.</div>
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"Wow, Dear, you can walk fast when you want to."<br />
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I stopped and glanced back at my husband who I had apparently left in the dust. His smile made me smirk, but I waited and let him take the lead. As we ducked under branches and headed toward the cliffs, Chris found another trail where we found a rock to sit on for awhile. We pulled our water bottles out and sat down to have a snack. The lightning started to flash much closer and as I looked up, I realized we were sitting under one of the tallest trees this side of the park. My husband wasn't as concerned, he leisurely ate his protein bar while I scooped the trail mix into my mouth like a squirrel on crack. </div>
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This hike was my idea. I love the outdoors and the thought of adventure. I like to hike because I love to be out in God's creation. I get to exercise while enjoying things like animals, the beauty of the mountain landscapes, and the companionship of my husband. I even love to walk in the rain!</div>
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But as the dark clouds thickened, I will admit, I kind of started to freak out. I asked my mister if we could try to find some better shelter that wasn't directly under a tree that reached upwards as if to say, "Strike me oh mighty lightning bolt!" The trail seemed to only be leading up higher, so we turned and headed back down off trail. A flash of lightning in front of my mister and an immediate thundering noise stopped me in my tracks. Chris turned to find me frozen in place with hands to my mouth in the panic prayer position. </div>
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"It's ok, Dear."</div>
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"Um, yeah! That lightning was like right in front of you!"</div>
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"It's ok, Dear."</div>
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He led me down into a grouping of bushes and short trees. Resting his backpack down in a pile of leaves he sat down and I took the perfect rear-end shaped rock next to him. Well, let's be honest, my butt formed to the cracks and crevices, but those who are seeking shelter from electrocution can't be choosy. Anyway, there we sat, not talking, just looking around and up. </div>
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Then the rain really came. Quickly my eyelashes dripped and my pants clung to my skin. Another thunder crash, but this time, it came from behind us. Thank God, the lightning was moving away. I looked over at my husband. He looked so handsome in his hiking hat, leaning in such an unworried manner against his backpack, water running off the brim of his hat. My fear was passing away with the lightning and the peace of a beautiful rainfall took its place. My mister looked at me and smiled and that is when the joy came. We started to laugh so hard. </div>
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My joy was full. My husband does not like to get wet or walk in the rain, but his smile was huge and his laugh matched mine. We looked ridiculous sitting under the bushes dripping wet! But, once we knew we weren't going to die, it was so much fun! I risked the functioning of my phone to document a bit for you. You can't see how much it is raining, but you'll get the idea. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1q4Cjxwo9RueiD36T-PQSdGS_PAIPa5TshCKoMt5C44tbXVBLYiTMkyXJNL7XFg7_579OKxSLPbS1VWhCuZazzOs8FSvgE9aKSVSrIgtWn9iv8xGDmoYayBMLwWbx3hRn81UM46obOfTL/s1600/20140611_132934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1q4Cjxwo9RueiD36T-PQSdGS_PAIPa5TshCKoMt5C44tbXVBLYiTMkyXJNL7XFg7_579OKxSLPbS1VWhCuZazzOs8FSvgE9aKSVSrIgtWn9iv8xGDmoYayBMLwWbx3hRn81UM46obOfTL/s1600/20140611_132934.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the view from my rock. <br />
You can see the open space we had run through to find shelter. </td></tr>
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When the rain stopped, we continued our hike up the rock cliffs. We felt alive! I mean come on, we were alive, but the adventure of not being sure if we were going to stay alive, and then knowing we would be fine, it just infused us with this fresh life. I guess that is what the good kind of adventures do. </div>
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The rest of the day we spent taking pictures, sitting on a rock ledge and letting the sun dry us, praying, reading, watching birds, talking, and eating trail mix at a normal pace. It was a great day. </div>
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I've included some pictures so that you can enjoy creation like we did. Well, almost. </div>
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It's up to you to go get yourself stuck under a bush in a downpour. Find your adventure this week! There is a lot of beauty to be discovered and enjoyed after, and even during, the storm...thank you Lord for a beautiful place in which to walk.</div>
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Blessed for adventure!</div>
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Aimee</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You know how when you pee in the woods it always feels like someone is watching you?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I LOVE COLORADO! </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18399412481899029425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879493447580156145.post-57876919109218999322014-05-31T22:31:00.000-07:002014-05-31T22:31:13.643-07:00Goodbye my Sydney GirlI lost a friend today.<br />
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My sweet girl. My honey bunches of oats. My Sweet Pea. My Blondie. My Syd-dog. My Sydney girl. </div>
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I watched as she closed her eyes for the last time tonight, and yet since I got home, I've found myself looking for her, wanting our routine.</div>
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We would walk in and she would shyly get up and come to us, tail wagging with her forever puppy-like face and sweet eyes. She would lean her head against my leg and press in just a little to let me know she wanted some cuddles. I would rub her soft ears as she snuggled my leg. </div>
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When I would make dinner, she would be at my feet just in case. She knew I didn't like to sweep, so she was always there to pick up for me so no one would know what a mess I had made.</div>
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If she got wrapped around a tree when she went out to the bathroom, all I had to do was look at her and tell her to back up or tell her how smart she was and she would unwrap herself and proudly bound up the hill back to me. She also would take her own leash in her mouth and lead us up the hill at the beginning of our walks. She'd flip her head as if to say, "This is great! Let's go this way! I'll help!" </div>
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She was famous for stealing socks and slippers. Standing in front of you with a mouth full she made sure to let you know you were missed and that she'd gathered your belongings for safe keeping until your return. </div>
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My sweet girl was so tenderhearted. Whenever anyone in the house was sad or feeling sick, she was right by their side. She would assess you with a sniff and an exhaled breath, lay down, and then turn her head and place her chin on the couch or bed to see how you were doing. </div>
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Don't even get me started about how great she was with babies and little kids. There reality is that there was no one like Sydney. </div>
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I could go on and on and tell story after story, treasures in my heart, but there is one story in particular that sums up to me who my girl was. About 8 years ago I was going through a horrible time in my life. I was sitting on the couch with my head in my hands, sobbing. Sydney was sitting on the other side of the room and she watched me for awhile with concern in her big brown eyes. Crying and feeling so alone, I was distraught. Then, a few minutes later, ever so gently, I felt a black wet nose reaching up through my hands to find my wet nose. She just sat there with her nose against mine until I opened my hands and looked up. There was my girl, sitting there in front of me looking at me with sadness in her own eyes. Then as I continued to cry and look into her beautiful eyes she reached up a paw and placed it in my lap. I wasn't alone and she made sure I knew it. </div>
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That's the kind of friend I lost today. Even as I have been writing this, I have looked at the floor to see if she is sleeping at my feet. Light shifting in the room has made me look to see if she is rolling over or getting up for a drink of water. As I go to bed in a little bit, I'm sure I'll have to stop myself from saying, "Come on Sydney girl, time to go to bed." Chris and I will pause for a moment at the top of the stairs, not to wait for our old girl to get her footing before she goes downstairs and settles next to the bed, but because she is no longer with us. </div>
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There are many tears yet to be cried. Many memories left to be remembered. Many moments where I will have to remind myself that she is really gone. </div>
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On our way home, the sunset was beautiful and I couldn't help but think that Jesus was showing Sydney where he keeps his slippers, just in case she needs something cozy to lay her head on. </div>
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I love you Sydney. You were the best dog and my best friend for so many years. You felt the ups and downs of my heart right with me and never left me.</div>
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And, oh how you loved my Mister. I think you fell in love with the man I married as much as I did! He was your best buddy, the one who walked you most, took you out, gave you your vitamins and brushed your beautiful hair. Thanks for loving him so much. He misses you. </div>
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I know that everyone who reads this, everyone who got to look into your deep brown eyes will feel the loss of you passing. You were my special girl. Our special girl. Jesus, thank you for creating animals and for giving me my friend. She's all yours Lord.<br />
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Rest well sweet Sydney. Run with Jesus. I'm sure He's giving you some good pats on the head right now and has a nice comfy couch for you to snuggle into. There's no place like Heaven. </div>
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I love you.</div>
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Aimee </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18399412481899029425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879493447580156145.post-76954904178800992212014-05-07T16:45:00.000-07:002014-05-07T16:45:54.331-07:00Finding Nemo Faith<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photographer Unknown</td></tr>
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I struggle with fear. Anxiety, panic, an irrational thought or two, these are not unfamiliar terms to me. To many of you, I would guess they are more familiar than you'd like to admit.<br />
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Fear is often like an unspoken elephant in the room, especially with people of faith. In reality, no one can see your elephant, but in the midst of a fearful moment you would swear your elephant was trumpeting loudly and wearing neon shorts. Yet, as you drown in your own fear looking for a life line and not wanting to reach out a hand, life goes on around you, totally unaware.<br />
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For some reason, it is assumed that if we have faith we do not have fear. We secretly sit in condemnation when we feel afraid in situations where we should have faith, hoping those around us don't see our palms sweating and judge us for not believing enough in God.<br />
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I don't think it's that we don't believe enough in God, but more so that the place in which we have grounded our faith may not be secure. Let me explain.<br />
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A week or so ago, my husband was having a rough day. I love my husband dearly and my heart ached that he was having a hard time. I wanted to do something to encourage him. I took a moment from the work I was doing and looked in my Bible. I thought that maybe I could find a verse to text him. I flipped open to the psalms and landed on Psalm 91. One verse in particular poked my heart.<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></span>
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 13.800000190734863px;">14 </span></sup></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;</span></i><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"> I will protect him, because he knows my name."</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">I saw this...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><br /></span></span>
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 13.800000190734863px;">14 </span></sup></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">“Because <span style="background-color: #ffd966;">he holds fast to me IN LOVE</span>, I will deliver him;</span><span style="font-size: 5pt; line-height: 7.666666507720947px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">I will protect him, because he knows my name.</span></i><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Sometimes, well let me be honest, most of the time I can't explain how this book, the Bible, changes something in me. It's like it nudges my heart and life squeezes in. As I read those words, all I could think about was all the times I have "held fast" to God in total fear and panic. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">I didn't feel like God was shaking his finger and saying, "Shame, shame." I did feel like he was saying, "I love you." I began to think about how different my life would look if I "held fast" to God in love instead of fear. What would that look like?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">For the sake of bringing some humor to the subject, watch this short clip:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">I think this is one of my favorite movies of all time, by the way. The thing I noticed that I want to relate to this issue of holding fast in love versus fear is that Dory holds fast in love while Marlin holds fast in fear. Look at the poor guy, he's terrified. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">I've been there. In that place where you question everything. Where you can't even take in what's going on around you, let alone listen to anything because fear is making you blind and deaf. Marlin exhibits much of what we do when we are afraid: anger, despair, outbursts of rage, irrational thoughts. And then, we have Dory.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Dory is holding fast too, but she is listening. She is able to listen because she trusts the voice is telling her the truth. She doesn't question that she can trust it. She knows it's not promising a perfect life with no troubles, but she knows the voice is speaking something that is for her. She speaks whale after all, and like she speaks whale, we as believers speak the language of faith. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">We all have been given the ability to hear God's voice through His word and through the love of others. Yet, how often are we paralyzed and forget the language that is love?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Dory enjoys life. Marlin survives it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">I continue to be challenged in my own faith that God wants me to live out of an assurance of love, rather than a response to fear.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">This is what God says FAITH is:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Do we have fear sometimes in our faith? Sure, we are not perfect. But we also hold to the conviction that the hope in our hearts is true and real and guaranteed. Our faith may fail, but the object of our faith, Jesus Christ, will not. He can be counted on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Our faith will be secure if it rises from the foundation of knowing the love of God and trusting in His love for us. His love never promises that there will be no trouble or pain, but it does promise that love will be with us and carry us through to the other side. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">You can't control the ride or where it goes, but you can decide how you are going to ride it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">So, from one Marlin to another, let's try to be a little more Dory this week. Grab your exit buddy and hang on for the ride. "Hold fast!" That means clip on and rest secure in the one you are attached to. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">No matter what happens along the way, the love of our lives is at the other end. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Going for it,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Aimee</span></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18399412481899029425noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879493447580156145.post-4911768452486580902014-04-22T16:36:00.001-07:002014-04-22T16:36:40.947-07:00Holy, Known, Made<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm reading in the book of Ephesians right now, and this morning my eyes stopped on one word, the word BLESSED. I couldn't help but think that I hear and see this word all the time and yet, if someone were to walk up to me and say, "Hey you, define the word blessed for me," I probably couldn't do it. I'd most likely fumble through what I thought it meant or use examples of it in sentences that made sense to me, but the actual definition? Yeah, the brain was blank.<br />
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So I defaulted to something I've been doing lately. I've been trying to pick out a word as I read the Bible and not just assume I know what it means. So, being the inquisitive woman I am, I looked up the word blessed.<br />
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<i>Holy, consecrated.</i><br />
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Ok, then I looked up consecrated, and you can see where this is going...<br />
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BLESSED: <i>Holy, consecrated</i><br />
HOLY: <i>Specially recognized as or declared sacred by authority</i><br />
CONSECRATED: <i>To make or declare sacred, set apart with purpose</i><br />
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Yep, this is what I love about God's word. I hadn't barely gotten in a few sentences when things got deep.<br />
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All of these words have nothing to do with my own choosing, but they have everything to do with what God wanted to do with my life.<br />
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The word of God says we are BLESSED. God is the authority, he has given me special recognition, and he has declared me sacred and set apart for a purpose.<br />
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I personally think this is pretty awesome. Think about it, the God who does stuff like part the sea, raise people from the dead, and bring life where there is only death is the same God who decided to choose me, not as servant or slave, but as a daughter.<br />
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Ephesians tells us that he chose us to be adopted into the family of God through his son, Jesus. I like this. That means that in God's family you will never find an only child. It means God's house is a place where you are valued more for who and whose you are rather than what you can or should do. It means that the Father of the home has always had a plan and a purpose for his family and is committed to carrying it out. Pretty awesome stuff.<br />
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As I sat down later in the afternoon to think on this word blessed, I decided to go to the <a href="http://www.wordle.net/">Wordle</a> website and make a collage of words that have to do with being blessed and words that are found in the first fourteen verses of Ephesians. Up above is what came of that creative endeavor.<br />
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Three of the words that stood out to me were: Holy, Known, Made<br />
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God declares I am holy because he is holy and his family is a holy household.<br />
God gently reminds me that I am known by him, he calls me by my name.<br />
God declares that I am not an accident, but that I was made in my mother's womb by his very own hand and that as he made me he was purposeful in doing so.<br />
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See what reading a few verses in his word can do? My heart is encouraged. I'm so thankful that he nudged me to take the time today.<br />
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My friend, I have a challenge for you. Read the verses below slowly, but then take time to look at the picture of words at the top of this blog post. See what pops out at your heart and mind and then think on those things.<br />
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I pray he delights your heart as he did mine.<br />
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As I go, I won't say be blessed, but I'll say to you that YOU ARE BLESSED. He has declared it and God's words cannot be changed.<br />
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Aimee<br />
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Ephesians 1:1-14<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">English Standard Version (ESV)</span><br />
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<i>1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,</i><br />
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<i>To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:</i><br />
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<i>2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.</i><br />
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<i>3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.</i><br />
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<i>11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.</i><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18399412481899029425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879493447580156145.post-9338901126814626242014-03-29T09:36:00.000-07:002014-03-29T09:36:34.809-07:00My Birthday!!!Today is my birthday! <div>
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I woke up this morning and my sweet mister handed me a Starbucks coffee. I love my husband and his special gestures. In honor of my birthday we had someone else make our coffee. Ha! My parents also gave me a sweet card and gift and even my golden retriever kicked a card my way. She is very talented. </div>
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Today I feel content that life is going in a positive direction. I am trying to find peace with myself in the midst of the craziness of this life. And I've decided that this year I want to enjoy, with more freedom, this life I've been given. </div>
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I realized that those three things match up with what this blog is all about. It is a place for me to share about my romance with God, His word, and His creation and hopefully in turn, encourage you in these same areas. </div>
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In honor of my own birthday and in honor to God for giving me more time with all you wonderful people, the below are some things that reflect what this blog, and hopefully my life is all about. </div>
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I'm keeping it simple because I'm about to be taken out to breakfast, but please enjoy some pictures I've taken recently, enjoying relationship and creation. Have a wonderful day and even if it's not your birthday, celebrate your life! It's a precious gift!</div>
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Enjoy the people in your life and be fully present with them! We were made for relationship, so be brave and let yourself be known. Take the time to truly know them too, each life is a gift with so much to offer.</div>
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<img height="211" src="http://www.cmalakelandyouth.org/images/OpenBible%203.jpg" width="400" /> </div>
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Take time for this book. It isn't a book of rules to follow, it is the most beautiful love letter from a wonderful God to his children. He wanted you to be able to know who He truly is...and if you don't know where to start, start at the beginning. That's what I'm doing... </div>
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Let yourself enjoy God's creation. He put a lot of beauty and adventure out there for us to enjoy. Stop for a moment, gaze upon a sunrise or an animal's eyes, or the clouds in the sky. Then give him some joy by clapping your hands at his marvelous works. </div>
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Be blessed dear friends, thank you for visiting my blog!</div>
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The birthday girl</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18399412481899029425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879493447580156145.post-13855117368094063282014-01-31T23:12:00.000-08:002014-01-31T23:12:05.348-08:00Snow Joy<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m a Colorado girl through and through and today’s snow
rocked! I love snow and as this blog is about three things, one of which is my
romance with God’s creation, I wanted to share with you some of what I experienced today. I pray some of what God shared with me will be something that brings joy to you as well. Thank you for visiting my blog.</div>
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Driving home today, I saw this beautiful girl grazing away. </div>
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I pulled to the side of the road and watched her for awhile. </div>
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I love this kind of snow. It's the kind that makes the arms of the trees reach downward. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRivtK8tt7zsLw-eZGV_42GIJzD3pyKvEpmGk6O8Ci7TrygWdsQy1pnGbUOS11SnJOC4fbFtSzETk69MYpyjTJZ3oCY4g_jqBfWUVDsYhyphenhyphen3o7XLA3gqkFuC_COa5a1cu3bb1k8CkI58Rk/s1600/DSCN6320.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRivtK8tt7zsLw-eZGV_42GIJzD3pyKvEpmGk6O8Ci7TrygWdsQy1pnGbUOS11SnJOC4fbFtSzETk69MYpyjTJZ3oCY4g_jqBfWUVDsYhyphenhyphen3o7XLA3gqkFuC_COa5a1cu3bb1k8CkI58Rk/s1600/DSCN6320.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I love how accomplished I feel when I can look backward and see a clean row of no snow. </div>
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Shoveling is so satisfying. Plus, it makes you buff. Really. I'm sore and everything.</div>
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So, as I was shoveling and talking to God and thanking Him that I wasn't even cold, I felt the need to turn around. I looked behind me, taking my time looking at the snow covered neighborhood, and then I saw him. I was being spied on by this big boy.</div>
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Isn't he HANDSOME?! I kept telling him so. </div>
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He stayed awhile, eating the bush one bite at a time, and keeping watch over me. </div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzbQ_I3JePLGTwoAYKylP7Fj_H21rF6OmwHXRHUFqOtZfFfONAZuEtyzl0YTM-vb0U6ipu5YXGCCDWmOz3maL7AD9jBtQr9RTa0fdoxnZaCfLoR-zOsT3VW5iM_xX45s_l1M3C9sBTXlw/s1600/DSCN6318.JPG" height="240" width="320" /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPX2bDmrVI5G_fnJoX0aRAxTJy0c8YsOfxpfqup4daAjoFyz8VI2t_gR-1qpdbYw4DoNNsXNwAAMHbYq9n9KQEKif5MH4hsX82QeHL3bcdZ3DoC10mGgT1lBKQBELG3lcmWRmx-RIT8HEI/s1600/DSCN6319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPX2bDmrVI5G_fnJoX0aRAxTJy0c8YsOfxpfqup4daAjoFyz8VI2t_gR-1qpdbYw4DoNNsXNwAAMHbYq9n9KQEKif5MH4hsX82QeHL3bcdZ3DoC10mGgT1lBKQBELG3lcmWRmx-RIT8HEI/s1600/DSCN6319.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><div>
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Here I am drinking some hot chocolate (mostly eating the whipped cream off the top) and staying warm. My sweet mister is sick right now, but he still braved the cold to give me this sweet nectar. Love him.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9PKVA_fD90PNXz1QEFP2p6KnocBfMcpdArz9-xa6IM8hyCVaFqRAzKAw9lVDfu1cJ6mhHQ7so2dW5XZaW8t-QVs4F6hxJsO-nWRpSYkG41cKVUTh9uYjL0IWlP8vMMHxSq_4vcD5zJ_Kl/s1600/DSCN6323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9PKVA_fD90PNXz1QEFP2p6KnocBfMcpdArz9-xa6IM8hyCVaFqRAzKAw9lVDfu1cJ6mhHQ7so2dW5XZaW8t-QVs4F6hxJsO-nWRpSYkG41cKVUTh9uYjL0IWlP8vMMHxSq_4vcD5zJ_Kl/s1600/DSCN6323.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Finally, what heavy snowfall Colorado day would be complete without a proper snow angel? </div>
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Yes, I'm in my late 30's and I'm making a snow angel. You should try it. </div>
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It will bring that childlike spirit right back! I don't remember the last time I did that, but it was glorious!</div>
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<i>Dear Lord, thank you for this day. </i><i>Thank you for the way the small flakes this morning were followed by big heavy flakes that left soft white blankets behind. </i></div>
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<i>Thank you for bringing that huge buck into my yard. </i></div>
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<i>Thank you for a husband who cares so tenderly for me. </i></div>
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<i>Thank you for keeping me company and keeping me warm while I shoveled. </i></div>
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<i>And, thank you for enough snow to fall into and wave my arms and legs at Heaven. I love you. </i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18399412481899029425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879493447580156145.post-68612877893760751132014-01-13T23:23:00.001-08:002014-01-13T23:23:12.148-08:00My 500 Words A Day Challenge: Day 13<div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;">
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My 500 Words A Day Challenge, Day 13 Prompt:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">TELL US ABOUT YOUR DAY </span></u><br />
<i>Prompt given by writer, Jeff Goins. </i></div>
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<i>(<span style="background: white;">Save this
assignment for the evening — or write about yesterday. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background: white;">This is, basically, a journal entry but
with a twist: make your day sound interesting.)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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I turned to look at my husband and
my lips pouted and my eyes drooped. It was coming to the end of another day in
which I had not written anything and I was feeling like a failure.</div>
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“What’s the matter my love?” We
stood around the island in my parent’s kitchen and his sweet smile stopped me.</div>
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“I’m supposed to be doing a 500 words
a day challenge to build a good writing habit and I’m not doing so well. I need
to do this tonight! I have to! What am I going to write about?”</div>
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“Costco?” My husband grinned. I didn’t.</div>
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“Costco? I don’t know. That doesn’t sound so fun at the
moment.”</div>
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He walked out of the kitchen and began hooking the dog to
her leash. I followed him looking for inspiration and then it came to me.</div>
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“I know! You take the dog out and you think of a word! When
you come back in, you tell me that one word without saying anything else. And I
will take it from there! This will be fun.”</div>
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“Ok, my dear.” The love of my life put his fleece hat on, shrugged
into his burly tan coat and out the door he went. I took a deep breath and sat
down in a chair by the door, waiting, wondering what he was going to come up
with. He’d help me for sure. </div>
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So, what was the one word? I know you are as anxious to hear
what he came up with as I am. The flashlight he was carrying shone through the
window signaling his return and I scooted to the edge of the cozy red chair.
Sydney, our golden retriever rushed in with the burst of cold winter air with
my husband quick on her heels. I waited. He removed his hat, hung his coat in
the closet and walked my way. </div>
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He bent over, placing his hands on my shoulders with a
reassuring squeeze. “Love.”</div>
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I leaned back in the chair and looked at him in disbelief. “Are
you serious? That is such a broad topic! Awwww man!” He continued to stand
there, not saying another word per the rules. </div>
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“Ok, I’ll do it.” I shrugged my shoulders and stood up
trying to bring courage with me.</div>
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“You can do it my love.” Again, he gave me that sweet smile that
holds pure confidence in my calling to write. There was no doubt in his gaze to
meet the insecurity in my own. With eyes twinkling, he walked away. </div>
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I took a deep breath and returned to the kitchen where I
made dinner and thought about my word, love. I stirred the potatoes and
sprinkled them with precision with garlic powder and parsley. I stared into the
steam that consistently was rising out of the pot of carrots. I even browned
the sausages, turning them ever so gently as they sizzled, and through it all,
I thought about love. </div>
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“Dinner’s ready!” I yelled and seconds later Sydney the dog
was snuggling my thigh in case I dropped something. Her brown eyes were expecting
that I would surely sneak her something. My Mom came in and filled water
glasses. My Dad came in, sat in his chair and thanked me for making dinner. My husband
was last to come in, hugging me from behind and kissing my cheek as I plated
the food. </div>
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As we sat down and I heard my husband begin to pray, I
couldn’t help but peek and take a look at him. My heart warmed at his belief in
me and his willingness to play along as I figure out ways to reach my writing
goals. I glanced at my parents and felt
the warmth of their home. And then, I saw my laptop. It was plugged in and waiting
to be used as a tool to tap failure into victory. </div>
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My prompt was to write about my day and then my husband further
prompted me with love, but not just the word.</div>
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I looked at my family, write about love? Yep, I can do that.</div>
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And here I am, at the end of today’s challenge, with
everyone sleeping soundly in their beds and me about to close the lid on this
laptop. 763 words? So what if it’s
midnight? I made it and that’s victory.</div>
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Until tomorrow…goodnight. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18399412481899029425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879493447580156145.post-8046852874750012262014-01-10T21:25:00.001-08:002014-01-10T21:25:16.671-08:00Eating Memories<img height="481" src="http://www.browneyedbaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/ginger-cookies-last.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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Have you ever eaten a memory?</div>
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I just did. </div>
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I lifted the gluten free ginger cookie to my lips and never
expected to find myself childlike and young in my Grandma’s kitchen again. With
one taste, I could see it all. My grandma standing there in her kitchen and on
the counter top to the left, jars lined up where cookies waited for me and my
brother and cousins. Sugar cookies, peanut butter cookies and ginger cookies,
oh my! </div>
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Her floured apron, her wrinkled fingers reaching for our
cheeks to give us big smooches, and her cookies, let us know we were home and
that we were welcome. Grandma would laugh as we ran to the jars and stood on
our tip toes reaching our arms down and into the jars to grab pure
deliciousness. </div>
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“One at a time.” Her eyes would twinkle with that knowing
smile that said she was fully aware we had already planned on going one by one
through the jars as many times as our tummies would let us. No one made cookies
like Grandma. </div>
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I continued to chew my first bite, slowly, closing my eyes
and enjoying the long lost taste of my Grandma’s cookies. I never expected all
that from a gluten free ginger cookie from a local bakery. I secretly was glad
we bought a bag of cookies and not just one. I knew that the second cookie
would allow Grandma to stay with me a little longer. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I miss my Grandma.
Eating this cookie right now makes me feel close to her. I would stand
on a chair next to her counter and roll the dough into little balls between my
palms, mimicking her movements. Then we’d drop them in the little dish and roll
them in sugar making them sparkle. The cracks on the cookie made me remember
how we would push the cookie dough balls down, just right, with the bottom of a
glass. She’d put them in her oven and then we would sit at her kitchen table waiting,
a cold glass of milk on standby. </div>
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All of those years of memories came from one cookie. I'm so thankful.</div>
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What memory have you eaten lately? </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18399412481899029425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879493447580156145.post-29011692976932378992014-01-07T13:15:00.000-08:002014-01-07T13:15:58.592-08:00Happy New Year!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">As I write this, I am
battling a case of bronchitis and because of that, the last few days and nights
I have had breathing on my mind. In my inability to sleep or take a deep breath
without coughing, I found myself remembering something that I had studied once.
I remembered the word pneuma. It is a Greek word that biblically refers to the
Holy Spirit or breath or wind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Some of you can relate to
the fact that although wonderful things happened in 2013, there were also
moments of sadness and heartbreak as well. Regardless, my prayer is that the
areas of our hearts that feel deadened by the pains of life would feel the
fresh wind of the Holy Spirit breathe upon us.
We all have areas within us that can rejoice, but we also have areas
that mourn and are saddened by the unfairness and uncertainties of life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Dear
friends and family, we pray hope over you and for you. May you experience the
life that He breathes into the darkest of places when you put your faith in His
love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Jesus knew this world would
offer us joy and heartbreak. Before he died and was resurrected he told those
who loved him, “<i>the Helper, the Holy
Spirit (pneuma), whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you
all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to
you. <b><sup> </sup></b>Peace I leave with you; my peace I give
to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be
troubled, neither let them be afraid.</i>” Luke 14:26-27.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">I know I often find myself
wondering why God does or allows the things that happen. As we can see in the
verse above, Jesus was not unaware of how the world works or what our hearts
response would be to what it offers us. He knew we would wonder why, that we
would not automatically find ourselves at peace, and that we would have
troubled hearts and would be afraid. But He has sent a helper, the Holy Spirit,
pneuma…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">And that is a reason for
hope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">From my home to yours,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Be blessed and breathe deep
the love of God in 2014. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18399412481899029425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879493447580156145.post-36743064013507311952013-12-09T22:08:00.001-08:002014-03-28T14:05:24.824-07:00Climbing a Hill<br />
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Last weekend I had the opportunity to spend time with my nieces and nephews. Seeing a child's eyes light up as they return my smile and hearing their bursts of pure laughter are beautiful gifts to my heart.<br />
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One night, I found myself at the top of a hill as evening approached and the winter chill was setting in. My husband and I had just returned from a special birthday "date" with one of our nephews. We took him for a hot chocolate and cookie, just the three of us. He chattered on about so many things and this little man told us that one of the things he wanted to do was climb a hill. So, Uncle Chris stopped the car a little ways from our house and took Jude by the hand and said, "Come on Jude, let's go climb a hill." His smile beamed and lit up our world as he ran towards the small trail head. I took the car and drove the hundred yards or so home where his brother and sister were awaiting our return.<br />
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I told them Uncle Chris and Jude were climbing a hill and they instantly ran for the door and scrambled to get their shoes on so they could join in this adventure. Jonah tied his shoes like the big man he is, and his sister Idelette tried so hard to get her little Santa's elf shoes on so as not to be left behind.<br />
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We crossed the street and looked over the hill and there they were, Uncle Chris and Jude, climbing a hill. Idelette instantly jumped into my arms and screamed at the top of her lungs, "Hi Chris! Hi Chris!" waving her arms wildly until Chris waved back at her with matched enthusiasm. In front of us, Jonah scrambled a couple of feet down the hill and slid a bit in the dirt. Idelette saw this and clung a little tighter to me. I looked at her, blonde curls bouncing, and then our conversation went like this:<br />
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"Ok, you still wanna climb down?"<br />
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"Yeah!" Eyes gleaming, she was the picture of adventure. I went to put her down and after taking one step, she leaped back into my arms.<br />
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"I'm scared!"<br />
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"That's ok Idelette, do you want me to take you back inside?" I began to turn towards the house and found two little hands on my cheeks. I looked into those very serious eyes that were staring back at me.<br />
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"No, I want to go down there." She pointed with fierceness at where Jude and Chris were about to meet up with Jonah on a small trail in between climbing hills.<br />
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"Ok." I tried to put her down and she clung to me once again.<br />
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With my cheeks once again squished, she looked at me and smiled and said, "No. You. You take me down there."<br />
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I looked down the hill and realized that she was scared but was not going to turn back.<br />
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She didn't want to walk down the hill on her own and I could tell by the look in her eyes that she had no doubt in my ability to carry her all the way down the climbing hill with no problem whatsoever.<br />
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Knowing there was no arguing with this little adventurer, I looked again at the hill below me and said a quick prayer that God would keep my feet secure so I didn't drop this little girl's faith on the side of the mountain.<br />
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I looked back at her again and she was ready. I gripped her little body tightly as we started to descend. I used my full concentration and all my strength to stay on my feet, grabbing branches and using rocks to dig my feet into the dirt step by step. I was serious and focused.<br />
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Idelette was screaming, "Hi Chris! Hi Jude! Hi Jonah! We are coming!" Her not so little voice echoed in the valley as she smiled and waved and had the time of her life "climbing" down the hill. <br />
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We reached the bottom, I gently set her down, and she took off running towards the boys. I stood there for a second to catch my breath and thanked God that I made it down without falling. I watched her joy explode as she joined the others in the birthday treat adventure to climb a hill.<br />
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Towards the end of our adventure, I prayed a little harder because I ended up carrying her back up part of the hill at her request. I prayed because I am out of shape and can barely carry myself up the hill, but God is faithful in our times of need, so we made it.<br />
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We walked back into the house as the coolness of the air and the darkness of evening fell. I caught my breath while listening to a few little voices recount the adventure to those who had been making dinner. I couldn't help but think that how Idelette was with me is how God wants us to be with Him.<br />
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She saw the adventure before her, and she wanted to go, but she was scared. How often does God call me on an adventure with Him and I have second thoughts and go back to the house to sit where it's safe and warm waiting to hear the stories of those who went for it? Too often, I hate to admit.<br />
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However, Idelette did not shrink back. She jumped into the arms of the one she believed could get her to where she needed to go. She not only trusted me, she enjoyed me and the ride along the way. I love being with children. They teach me so much about how I need to align my heart with the one whose arms are open wide to lift me up when I realize I just can't do it on my own.<br />
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I want to be like Idelette who wanted to go on the adventure no matter what. She was not ashamed or guilty about the fact that she needed help. I need to remember this and find freedom in this truth. I can't do this life on my own and it's not only ok for me to jump into His arms, but He loves it when I do. He will never drop me or run out of breath.<br />
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So let's all take a lesson from Idelette because:<br />
<br />
We do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. (Hebrews 10:39)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18399412481899029425noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879493447580156145.post-43085375826004107252013-11-03T21:15:00.001-08:002013-11-03T21:15:54.212-08:00A little something about church...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today was a refreshing day. I opened my eyes, and my husband was there with a cup of coffee and a good morning kiss. I love that man. We talked for a few minutes and decided to go visit a church we hadn't been to in awhile.<br />
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I enjoyed God's presence there. The worship was restful and the message was solid. I sat next to a man who smelled like marijuana. There was a man in front of us who looked like he might have just come out of gang life, but man, did he know how to worship. I saw every ethnicity represented there. I loved it.<br />
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As I sat there, I listened to the pastor preach about the hope that is found in Christ. He said that today was a the day to go home with hope and not despair. He preached about a future hope and a present deliverance.<br />
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I was energized by the people who were fresh with the joy of their salvation. I got to thinking about church in general. I wondered if the reason church is stale for many people is because churches have become something they were never meant to be. I wondered if many churches are filled with those who already know Christ instead of full with those who don't.<br />
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Maybe those of us who know Christ, and have walked with Him for awhile, are meant to be the church with legs. Maybe we aren't meant to be sitting in a building Sunday after Sunday looking for something we've already found.<br />
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For those who don't know Christ, it is a matter of life and death to have a place to go for counsel, for help, for a new start separate from the community they may feel trapped within.The church doors should swing open to anyone and be a place where safety is found within the walls. <br />
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But, so many of our churches nowadays seem to have become another place of judgement and where those seeking Christ just don't fit in. The dirty are often looked down upon. The routine has become more important than the relationship.<br />
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There will be a time when we are all clean and pretty and safe and can rest in our knowledge of God. But, I don't think that time is now.<br />
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Maybe the church buildings were meant to be the spiritual emergency rooms of the world and not comfortable places where we are entertained. Do we leave church on the lookout for the wounded, or do we go in and come out feeling better about ourselves and leave it at that? I know when I entered a church and found a seat in the back row nearest the door, I didn't care how cool the church made Jesus look or what kind of music they had. I didn't even care if there was coffee available. I was literally running for my life and looking for the only one who could save me.<br />
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Many times in the Bible, Jesus heals someone and then it says they immediately got up and and followed him, or served him. Christ called the disciples, and then they were moving. How many of us have responded to Christ and then found our favorite seat in church and stayed there Sunday after Sunday, month after month, year after year, and yet have never experienced the adventure that is <i>walking</i> with Christ?<br />
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This is not a criticism of any church, nor is it an advertisement for another. I just got to thinking that maybe we just need to be more on the move. When you're called to a purpose and you don't move forward towards it, life will become unsatisfying.<br />
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I, myself, will be praying about all of this. Am I courageous enough to follow Him wherever He may lead me? I know I will waiver, but he is faithful and will never leave me. He promised. He saved you and I for something. He gave you something to offer to a broken wounded world. What is your something?<br />
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Next Sunday, I encourage you to walk out the church doors with Him. Take a deep breath and really look at Him. He is most definitely in the church, there to save all of us who are not able to save ourselves. But, He is also alive outside those walls and walking with us every moment of every day. Where do you think Jesus and you might go together this week after Sunday? I'd love to hear where he takes you.<br />
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Only by His grace,<br />
Aimee<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Don't be afraid, for the Lord will go before you and will be with you: HE WILL NOT FAIL NOR FORSAKE YOU.</i> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Deuteronomy 31:8</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18399412481899029425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879493447580156145.post-9482814583074110602013-07-18T12:23:00.001-07:002013-07-18T12:32:38.870-07:00Disarmed by LoveI got turned down for a job this morning. I was really excited about this job and even had a great interview under my belt. I read the rejection email, and in normal fashion, I sucked in a breath and braced myself. For what? I don't know, I guess to continue on with life. Rising to face another day where I'm not sure what the next step is.<br />
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I walked towards my husband who was in the other room and said, "I didn't get the job." I expected to hear him say "I'm sorry" so my "braced" self was prepared to say, "No big deal, God has a plan." After that I thought I would go about "doing" something so the hurt, disappointment, and pain couldn't settle on me. What else am I supposed to do when faced with another door locked to my touch?<br />
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My husband silently walked towards me and wrapped his arms around me and the only thing he said was, "I love you." At the tenderness of his words, I was disarmed by love. My attempt at having strength to face another deferred hope crumbled at the tone in his voice. He held me and God's love fell on me. No matter what this day holds or what the questions are that I have about this often hard to bear life we all live, our Lord longs for us to hear those words that He is speaking to us, "I love you."<br />
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I cried then. In the arms of love I couldn't help but grieve the loss of a hope I was holding. Some of us are bearing heavy loads of hopes lost today. No matter how small or big your hope seems, He cares.<br />
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My prayer for you today is this:<br />
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<i>Instead of feeling like you must brace yourself against this life, I pray you would find yourself disarmed by love. I pray that in that moment today when you hear your God silence everything within as well as outside of you with three simple words that you would grieve safely inside of His love. </i><br />
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He knows you have questions. He knows you have doubts. He knows you are afraid. He knows.<br />
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Yet, His answer remains the same. Close your eyes and listen with your heart, dear ones.<br />
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"I LOVE YOU."<br />
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Today hasn't been all that bad, I was rejected by the world today, but I was hugged by the love of Heaven.<br />
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<br />
Aimee<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18399412481899029425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879493447580156145.post-57612982573198918012013-07-14T21:59:00.002-07:002013-07-14T21:59:58.288-07:00The Romance of God's Word #1: Lectio Divina<div style="text-align: justify;">
This morning at church we did a little something different at the end of service. One of our pastors taught us about one method of reading the Bible. I loved the simplicity and depth of this method called Lectio Divina (divine reading) and wanted to share it with you. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image by: Eugenio Hansen, OFS</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are <u>4 steps</u>: </span></div>
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1) <b>Reading</b> <i>(Take your time)</i></div>
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2) <b>Meditation</b> <i>(Think on something that He is showing you: could be just a word)</i> </div>
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3) <b>Prayer</b> <i>(How is what you are showing me apply right now?)</i></div>
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4) <b>Contemplation</b> <i>(Thank Him, sit and rest in His presence)</i></div>
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Before you begin, pray that God would reveal something to you as you read. This isn't about studying, it's about reading and thinking on the living word of God and communing with Him while doing so.</div>
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Below is what came to my heart in church this morning when I tried this out. Give this method of enjoying God's word a try. The method is simple, yet intimate, and it doesn't take long. I'd love to hear how God communes with you, so email me if you'd like to share! <a href="mailto:aimeemhaywood@gmail.com">Click here to email me!</a></div>
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Lectio Divina: Matthew 22:34-40</div>
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1) As I was <b>reading,</b> the word "silenced" stood out to me in verse 34. Jesus had silenced the Sadducees. </div>
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2) I <b>meditated</b> on this word "silenced". I felt peace in that Jesus could silence people. People meaning critics, doubters, testers. They were the ones who questioned him the most. </div>
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3) I then <b>prayed</b> and asked God to show me how this applies right now.</div>
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4) I <b>contemplated</b> that Jesus had the ability to silence his critics with the truth and he still is capable of doing that in my life today. I looked at the scripture again to see how Jesus responded to these people. His answer was to love God and your neighbor, but I saw something even more simple. </div>
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Jesus answered their question directly, and even though they couldn't see it, he had given them the foundation on which to ask all the other questions. His response to them was about love.</div>
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Jesus gave them an answer to think about it, but what He really was trying to show them was that without love at the beginning, in the foundation, all their questions would be the wrong ones. He responded to their need, not their question. And yet they couldn't see it.</div>
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<br />I sat there and thanked God that He is the God who answers questions, but even more so He responds to our need for Him and who He is.</div>
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I have needed someone lately to silence the ones who constantly seem to think we need reminding of the uncertainties in our life. This morning, in those few minutes it took to try out this method of "Lectio Divina", I heard only one voice and it was love. </div>
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This love whispered to my bruised heart that I have been asking the right questions and that is where my certainty and peace is found. His truth, His heart, His response, HIS LOVE. </div>
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<i>1 Peter 1: 6-8 (in first person)</i></div>
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<i>In this I rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, I have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of my faith - more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire - may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though I have not seen him, I love him. Though I do not now see him, I believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory."</i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18399412481899029425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879493447580156145.post-22632562921375448712013-06-18T16:39:00.002-07:002013-06-18T16:50:49.436-07:00A Heaven Lit Prayer for our Black Forest<br />
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<br />
The worst fire in Colorado history occurred this past week in my hometown of Colorado Springs, more specifically in the Black Forest area. Many people have lost their homes and many of those have been my dear friends and members in our church. There are no words at a time like this when you watch something change lives right before your eyes.<br />
<br />
I sat at my desk yesterday morning with nothing to say, nothing to pray. So, I prayed for a prayer. The following is what poured from my pen.<br />
<br />
<i>Oh God, tend to our grieving hearts, we so desperately need you. Revive our hearts and teach us to live again. Strengthen us for the road that now lays ahead. We are a broken people, but we are yours O God. Let our hearts not faint or grow weary beyond words, but let our mouths be filled to the brim with the unchanging truth of your goodness and faithfulness. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Remind us that your character is not founded in circumstances, it is not changed by tragedies, your character is the same yesterday, today, and forever because you yourself are the immovable unchangeable foundation upon which all good things are built. May we declare together that you are our rock and refuge in times of trouble. That you are our God and your faithfulness and love towards us as your people has no end. When we walk through the rubble and the fragility of our lives remind us that you are established and Your kingdom shall never perish or fade. Though our foundations have crumbled, you O God, you have not. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Thank you that you are a God who rouses Himself from His throne and draws near to hear the cries of His people. I can see you tilting your head to our voices and sprinkling us and our land with your tears of love in answer to our prayers. You have not moved away from those who call upon your name. Though the mountains be leveled around us, you O God are our firm foundation and our pleasant boundary. With you, our treasures are secure. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>We have come to you O Lord, lifting our grief, our deep sadness, our loss to you. Holy Spirit we ask that with the power you exerted to raise Christ from the dead that you would lift our swollen tear soaked eyes to you. May our eyes find new light and joy in the reflection of your glorious face. For you are not a dead Savior. You are risen and seated with the head of our family, our Father, the head of the Kingdom which even now, holds rooms and places prepared just for us. Raise us up O God, out of the ashes that are our lives. Set our feet, strengthen our feeble knees and remind us of the glorious kingdom that longs for us all to be together, to be home. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Let our weeping work its way into worship. Let truth be the foundation of our hearts. May your words, the power of your Holy Spirit, and your unending love towards those who believe demonstrate that we are more than conquerors because we abide in Christ Jesus our Lord, our Savior, our King in whom no death or defeat is found. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>May we see the glorious end to our grief through the eyes of your grace. Help us to look up and hear you whisper that there is a day coming when our suffering will meet its complete end. We are not a people who shrink back because you are not a God who waivers in His will. Your face is set and your heart committed to us, your people, the ones who are called to carry your glory. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>May we bless you in our brokenness. May we worship you in our weakness. May we love you with our lives, now and forevermore. </i><i>For as we walk this road with perseverance let us find our character has grown to look more like yours Jesus. As we find ourselves different than we were before, may hope be the strength that carries us down the road you have set before us. And O God, let that hope sustain us as you pour it to overflowing into our hearts as we continue to walk with you. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>O you people of the one and only God, stand in your place within the grace that has covered you. Have your fill of His peace. Rest O you people in the presence of love. All is not lost. There is still life in you.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>To you our GOD be the glory forever and forever, AMEN.</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18399412481899029425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879493447580156145.post-31413234505180327732013-06-04T21:06:00.003-07:002013-06-04T21:19:10.551-07:00Because I Can...I woke up this morning at 5:30. This is unusual for me. I normally am catching my good z's at around that time; however, when my eyes opened, I realized I was awake. The "I won't be able to go back to sleep now" kind of awake. This also is unusual for me. My husband normally has to employ many different tactics to get me to join the world in the morning, but today I woke up and my husband was soundly sleeping at my side.<br />
<br />
I looked at him and I couldn't decide if I wanted to get up or not, so I laid there for a moment before I determined that I could at least go to the bathroom. Up I went and as I turned out of my bedroom, I saw a pink glow rising softly outside the windows in the next room. I asked God to wait for me as He painted the sky while I went to the bathroom real quick.<br />
<br />
There is one window on the east side of the house and so I went there. The sunrise had simple beauty. Pure pink shades spread out across the entire horizon. I smiled, said good morning to God, and went into the kitchen. One thing led to another. I unloaded the dishwasher. Made some coffee for my hubs. Then I looked out the window and looked around the kitchen and yawned. My body had all the sudden realized it was awake way earlier than normal. <br />
<br />
I thanked God for waking me up, but I stood there staring out the window and thought, well, what should I do now. See, I am a doer. I do things. The whole being still thing I am not so good at. I can always find things to do, even when there might be something else I should be doing. Should I read my Bible? Should I start a load of laundry first? Should I go back to bed? I live in this constant cycle of doing things and feeling like there is always something else I should have done.<br />
<br />
Then God whispered something unexpected to me. Honestly, at first I thought it was me. Go back to bed? Cuddle my sleeping husband? Surely, that was me. Then I heard God tell me that He wanted me to begin looking at this season in our lives a little differently. See, we are both still unemployed and my husband hurt his back a month ago and needs to do something different in the future than construction. He has started college classes and so our schedule is not traditional at the moment. Although, I am looking for something part-time, I am focusing on my writing, it is time.<br />
<br />
Yet are any of you like me? I fill my days with so many "should do's" and then I feel guilty when I include something I want to do. This is something I know God is trying to break me of because in the midst of trying to do what I think He wants me to do, I am missing often the things He just wants to do with me. I miss the relationship. My daily schedule lately has not demonstrated that my God is fun and likes to share experiences with me and show me wonderful things. I have not been allowing the romance lately.<br />
<br />
This morning God woke me up to teach me that I don't need permission to enjoy Him or what He's given me. He reminded me that when I fully embrace Him and what He's given that His glory radiates. So, with only a tinge of guilt (because I'm still learning), I went downstairs and crawled back into bed with my sleepy man. I wrapped my arms around him and fell asleep soundly. I rested.<br />
<br />
God told me to go snuggle with my husband because I can. This season allows for that. What season are you in? What might God be giving you permission to do that will result in His glory radiating to this world and will allow Him to romance you again?<br />
<br />
Go for a walk and don't time yourself.<br />
Sit down and read a few chapters (or more) in that book you have been meaning to read.<br />
Sit at your window and watch a bird for at least 10 minutes.<br />
Get up in time to see a sunrise or position your life to watch a sunset. (I don't mean glance out the window and move on either. I mean sit, watch it rise or set, all the way.<br />
Make your child laugh, or heck, ask them to make you laugh.<br />
<br />
God's waiting for you to enjoy Him and what He's given.<br />
<br />
Do it because you can...<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>I'd love to hear what you intentionally chose to do different in your day today to enjoy Him. Comment or send me an email. Have fun!</i><br />
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The following is a picture I took a different day. But isn't it something?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5MKnIKTNhoalQRyLylm9YX8q7mT5czvA2g1u9UD6jI4Pa48bpWhhNmRkWf3ahtuTCqGA8lGAQ1VskqFVAPTZ89ijKvuiE8LBzqcyvPEfAJlUPMYbsDoqq7wlal7ue6DpGwyLpjGClsE8/s1600/20130219_063621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5MKnIKTNhoalQRyLylm9YX8q7mT5czvA2g1u9UD6jI4Pa48bpWhhNmRkWf3ahtuTCqGA8lGAQ1VskqFVAPTZ89ijKvuiE8LBzqcyvPEfAJlUPMYbsDoqq7wlal7ue6DpGwyLpjGClsE8/s640/20130219_063621.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18399412481899029425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879493447580156145.post-23893303854161617582013-05-04T19:13:00.001-07:002013-05-04T19:13:24.695-07:00A National Geographic Kind of Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today was pretty much amazing! </div>
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All I have to say is that God gave me an awesome day. I had the house all to myself today and upon waking up I was really missing my hubs, but before I could feel sad for myself God grabbed my heart for an adventure!!! God knows that sometimes I wish I had been a National Geographic photographer. I love animals and seeing the creativity of God in His creation. Well, today my Lord kept me company all day long with various animal sightings.</div>
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I felt like Snow White, creatures were flocking to my yard! I want to share with you some of the pictures I took today. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did when I was taking them. </div>
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This first set is of a coyote that wandered into our yard and while I was photographing him ate a baby bunny. It was very cool to see him catch it, but very sad for the baby bunny. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9qbpWmteoFa7PeWHYAELRuKqNtgbsru0sDQhkKFvsRYOMNvyZJvIHN3f37Q2V0DSnB6lndkwKxhKks7Tja6VephVfkU-k7Htove3XNvaf0wuVoMIpTafSfah4Dh0GpeLrmyBN8W7jy3wt/s1600/Coyote+Collage+May+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9qbpWmteoFa7PeWHYAELRuKqNtgbsru0sDQhkKFvsRYOMNvyZJvIHN3f37Q2V0DSnB6lndkwKxhKks7Tja6VephVfkU-k7Htove3XNvaf0wuVoMIpTafSfah4Dh0GpeLrmyBN8W7jy3wt/s640/Coyote+Collage+May+2013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The next set is of a variety of bird species that I witnessed throughout the day. Aren't they cool?! The falcon in the middle made me jump for joy! I couldn't believe it. They are common up here but not seen that often! SO EXCITED!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9d05fERaYtOkmkI8S3IGi-hzaDH196KDG1nIPeUwwq3Ay7Vc_uX9kpTW85SQ6w0M7VPZP8Gi1UGUHVscPLOfAC7fVPZ0QWREZaRGWhHesCtHmfV1j-srqREIRPSPVi3K53U-Ex6cV8vwU/s1600/Bird+Collage+May+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9d05fERaYtOkmkI8S3IGi-hzaDH196KDG1nIPeUwwq3Ay7Vc_uX9kpTW85SQ6w0M7VPZP8Gi1UGUHVscPLOfAC7fVPZ0QWREZaRGWhHesCtHmfV1j-srqREIRPSPVi3K53U-Ex6cV8vwU/s640/Bird+Collage+May+2013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The final grouping is of one bunny. I think this may be the Mama bunny whose baby got eaten by the coyote. She was chasing mag pie birds and running all over the place today. My heart broke for her. I think she may have been looking for her little baby. But, I'm pretty sure she knew it was gone and just wanted to birds out of her area. Poor bunny...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEE8XWwK8U_hyphenhyphend3OaIjWSYQ_tUeQfsaeJtCNiC8DwMsXzJ0OzdWiSwkvGLtduqjwD3ODznWmQebevRXBpkAQ5zU4v6q6wVrHAnik-EoBgUMwBuJZSDtv3jo3KAL_GUbM0gFzZngPT7Um2a/s1600/Bunny+Collage+May+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEE8XWwK8U_hyphenhyphend3OaIjWSYQ_tUeQfsaeJtCNiC8DwMsXzJ0OzdWiSwkvGLtduqjwD3ODznWmQebevRXBpkAQ5zU4v6q6wVrHAnik-EoBgUMwBuJZSDtv3jo3KAL_GUbM0gFzZngPT7Um2a/s640/Bunny+Collage+May+2013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I had a really fun day playing professional photographer and enjoying God's creation. Be blessed!</div>
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Aimee</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18399412481899029425noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879493447580156145.post-51917339099268745822013-05-03T21:35:00.002-07:002013-05-03T21:35:16.001-07:00WHAT A HOOT...This day was full. Full of a lot of things...<br />
<br />
So, my day started out saying goodbye for three days to my husband, my Mister, the love of my life!!! This is the first time in 2 1/2 years that we have been apart for this long. I know, I know, it's only 3 days, but I'm seriously in love with this man! Anyway, a Christian brother blessed Chris with a 3 day fishing adventure, so I dropped him off and off he went.<br />
<br />
So, the quick version of my morning went like this:<br />
<br />
* Dropped off my Mister<br />
* Almost ran out of gas on the way home<br />
* Made it home and scrounged for change in our drawers, pockets, dishes, ash tray in vehicle, etc.<br />
* Barely made it to gas station at bottom of hill where I used the few dollars left in checking account for gas to make it to bank.<br />
* Made it to bank and cashed in my coin (Total $3.89) I know, I've got the big bucks...<br />
<br />
Then I had to pee...bad...you know how sometimes the hydrating hits you all at once? Yep, I was there. So this is where an adventure began. I was near a King Sooper's so I thought, well, they have bathrooms, right? I shuffled in and guess what? I was met by a "Closed for Cleaning" sign and a large cart blocking my way. Only the women's was closed. I had 5 guys pass me going into their bathroom while I stood there, legs crossed.<br />
<br />
Anyway, so a McDonald's was near so I stopped and went in. I rushed into the bathroom and was beat to the handicap stall by someone in a grey sweater. The only other stall in there was open and I rushed pass a very tiny little girl and a woman drying her hands to go in. As I turned to go in I stopped dead in my tracks. The scene to which I walked into all the sudden became clear. The little 2 year old girl, cute as could be, was standing there smiling at me with no pants on. The woman was not drying her hands but drying the little girls hot pink pants. I looked at them and looked at the toilet that was smeared with poo.<br />
<br />
All I could think was, are you kidding...I'm going to have a bladder infection by the time I find a decent toilet! The woman smiled at me and said, "Um, yeah, we had ourselves a little accident and are in the process of cleaning it all up. Sorry." I smiled and said no problem, it happens. The little girl shrugged and said, "Yeah, it happens." I then said my goodbyes and ran out at which point I decided to go the library. I needed to do some writing anyway, so off I went, pressure building. Needless to say I was very thankful that the library was not that busy and the bathrooms were to my liking and I was able to find some relief.<br />
<br />
When I settled into my library cubicle I was honestly on the verge of tears. The morning had worn me down. I say all the above jokingly because I can laugh about it now, but at the time I was literally praying one moment to the next. When my husband kissed me goodbye this morning, he prayed that this weekend would hold unexpected joys for us both. Well, God in His tender way of giving good gifts to His children answered that.<br />
<br />
I sat at the library and a friend called me and asked me to meet her outside the library real quick. I walked out and she got out of her car with an envelope. She hugged me and said that she and her husband had been praying and that the envelope was for me, to keep doing what God has told me to do, and know that HE loves me. She hugged me and we cried. I put the envelope in my purse and she drove off. This was unexpected. When I took my seat, I opened the envelope that said "A Gift from Jehovah Jireh" and was shocked at what I found. God provided. He gave me an unexpected joy. God is so faithful and good. I broke down and cried my eyes out for a good 10-15 minutes. I could fill my gas tank. I could pay a bill. I could rest in God's provision.<br />
<br />
When I got home, my parents decided that Chik-fil-A was making dinner tonight and we went and enjoyed ourselves. On the way home, we drove by an intersection where a group of people were gathered staring up into a tree. We turned around and it was an owl nest! I LOVE ANIMALS! God's creativity in animals never ceases to get me giddy and clapping like a little girl. There were three puffy owl babies and a Mama in the nest. My Mom and I got really excited and made my Dad drive home very fast so we could grab our binoculars and camera. My Mom and I rushed back down the hill and I took some pics. It's a little blurry because it was getting dark, but still, aren't they AMAZING!!!! Also, it was awesome that they had boundaries put around them to protect them. It is a federal offense to disturb nesting owls so I was across the street and far away when I took this. THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL!<br />
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<br />
So, this day started off full of strife and lack, but the day has ended with God's abundant provision and two unexpected joys. Both were a gift. One practical provision, the other an opportunity to enjoy God's creation. He knew what I needed and what would make my heart leap in excitement. This is the goodness of the Lord.<br />
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Thank you Jesus.<br />
<br />
AimeeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18399412481899029425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879493447580156145.post-64787348053602741462013-05-01T20:23:00.000-07:002013-05-01T20:23:35.169-07:00A Rough DayThis has been a rough day, but my God and my husband love me
so I think I’m going to make it.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Life is not easy at the moment. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
My husband and I are both unemployed and have been since we
returned from our 5 month training in Uganda, East Africa last year. Finances
are tight. Well, let’s be honest, we have no finances but God has been faithful
to provide a job here or there for my husband as we have needed food or gas. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
We have had to go without many things for the last year and
a half, but last week held one of the most difficult decisions we’ve had to
make in our 2 ½ year marriage. My husband and I had to surrender our dog Phantom
to a rescue shelter. If you are a dog person, you know that a dog is not just a
dog, it is a family member. This last week we prayed without ceasing that God
would provide more time for us to find jobs and be able to move somewhere that
would allow Phantom, but that was not the answer He gave. A foster family was found, and Phantom was
taken to them, and our hearts were broken. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Some may say God didn’t answer our prayer, but as I have
wept and grieved I have heard the soft whisper of the Lord to my heart. We and so
many others prayed for more time for Phantom, but I think what God was doing
was giving more time to my husband and I. A few weeks ago the thought of giving
up our dog seemed unbearable and unthinkable. No way would that be God’s
answer. However, over the weeks, as we have prayed and cried together God moved
our hearts. It is a supernatural thing. God didn’t take away the pain. He didn’t
end the suffering that comes from losing our precious little buddy. He didn’t
provide a way for us in the way we thought He would. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
What God did do was show us the tenderness of His Father heart
in giving us more time to let Phantom go. God did not traumatize our hearts and
ask us to just suck up this difficult thing. God walked us through the time of
uncertainty into a place of surrender. I think sometimes we think of surrender
as a place where we scream out, “Ok fine God! Have your way!” And we huff and we
puff and then fall into a heap of confusion and pain. I don’t believe God ever
intended surrender to feel that way. As a Father, I think He gently and firmly holds
onto whatever we have in our hands until we are able to let it go. I think His
heart is to see us release that thing, whatever it is, and jump into His arms. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
When He knew that Chris and I were ready to release Phantom
if that is what it came to, He gently pulled him from our hands. We didn’t yell
at God for not answering, we collapsed together onto our knees and wept with
all our hearts with our Father’s arms around us. We wept knowing that not only
was He holding tightly to us, but He was holding firmly to Phantom. Because
Phantom matters to us, He matters to our God. There is great peace in that truth. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
I said before that today was a rough day. I woke up this
morning and saw that my phone was flashing, indicating someone had commented on
a Facebook comment I had made. The back story to this is that the sweet rescue
that took Phantom for us had posted Phantom on their Facebook page to advocate
for his adoption. They were amazing and so helpful and were integral in us being
able to let him go. We knew he was going to be in good hands from the moment we
first spoke to them on the phone. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Long story short, some woman (not associated with the
rescue) had commented under Phantom’s photo that she was disgusted by us that
we would give our dog up. She said directly to me that I wouldn’t give up a
child would I? And in her exact words she said, “I’d live under a bridge with
my dogs before I dumped them.” The rescue responded to the inappropriateness of
this because they are professionals and I greatly appreciated that. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
However, when I first saw the comment, before I had even set
my feet on the floor to start my day, my heart broke. I know many of you reading
this right now are reacting on my behalf to her comment, and believe me, some
not so nice things went through my head too, but God revealed something to me.
He showed me how far some people are from understanding God’s love. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
This woman obviously thought we were selfish and looking
after ourselves rather than Phantom. I sat there and thought, yeah, if we had kept
him a bridge is exactly where we would be because there was no other option. So
yes, we could be homeless with our dog and we would all be together, but we
would have no food or shelter. I then looked at a picture of Phantom at his new
foster home in a chair, on a blanket, relaxing and looking perfectly content. He
was being cared for, taken in, put in a family. He didn’t look lonely or
abandoned. He was being him in his new home.</div>
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I began to cry as I thought, hey, we did the selfless thing
didn’t we God? Wouldn’t it have been selfish to keep him instead of putting our
hearts aside to give him a chance of finding a family that can care for him
right now in a way that we can’t? We gave up this dog that we loved to a
shelter we knew would do their best to give him a chance at life. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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My heart softened and broke as I thought about God and what
His word says about His heart. He gave something up he loved in order for us to
have a chance at life too. Yet, whereas this woman thinks love is about not
giving up at all cost, God showed me that the harder kind of love is to make a
choice that insures the best possible chance for the one that is loved, even if
it is at great cost to you. God’s way of
loving is so far beyond mine. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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He has revealed to us the tenderness of His Father’s heart
to prepare us for something difficult to bear. He has shown His faithfulness in
providing something good for the one that we could no longer provide for. He
has given peace in the midst of loss knowing that what we no longer hold isn’t
tossed to the side but held lovingly and firmly in His hand. Lastly, He has
shown us that so many do not understand His love and reject the sacrifice He
made for our good for the sake of clinging to what they think they can hold.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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So, it's been a rough day. But regardless of
having “nothing”, I can look up now and see my husband’s smile and the peace
God has given him in the midst of our circumstances. I can look at these words
I’ve written and know that without God the words I would write would be very
different. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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These are the times where God’s word is alive in us. This
peace that passes all understanding that guards our hearts and our minds is
present in us. And just for the record, I don't believe I have nothing, I believe I have everything that matters and the rest will come in time. My husband's smile and the love of my Lord are more than enough.<br />
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Thank you Father. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18399412481899029425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879493447580156145.post-69011206650401027112013-02-19T15:12:00.000-08:002013-02-19T15:12:04.442-08:00Creation Comfort<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguN2DwL1zeM5rWZNhMUR3taNVktmG-kDCuq3cwMCO1bDCykBEwl6MLqUbN4j0OkqGl331k7M31Or6rFfyavq_YfF-13eo7knpxgdTr0d5n_Iwsc0FKdVlQjBMs9n7PUGcN87k49HVHHSsy/s1600/20130218_144130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguN2DwL1zeM5rWZNhMUR3taNVktmG-kDCuq3cwMCO1bDCykBEwl6MLqUbN4j0OkqGl331k7M31Or6rFfyavq_YfF-13eo7knpxgdTr0d5n_Iwsc0FKdVlQjBMs9n7PUGcN87k49HVHHSsy/s640/20130218_144130.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
One of the beautiful things about living in Colorado is the weather. Where else can you find a day like this within the middle of the winter season? Granted, my friend and I weren't wearing tank tops, but we were wearing our cozy sweatshirts and enjoying the Colorado sunshine.<br />
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Hiking up the hill with one of my dearest friends made for a wonderful afternoon. She is one of my friends that can walk in silence with me and we are both okay with that. I was feeling a bit sad in my thoughts, and yet I laughed watching my golden retriever revert to her puppy days as she ran back and forth ahead of us. <br />
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About half way to the top of the trail, I said, "I love Colorado. It just feels like home." With the red dirt beneath my feet, I squinted against the bright sunlight and breathed deeply the cool fresh mountain air. Pikes Peak and the front range were spread out before me and I felt comfort in creation.<br />
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Living in Africa for 5 months, and only recently returning, I have found myself in a season of homecoming. My friend with whom I was walking also has just returned to Colorado after a time away. As I expressed that Colorado was just home, her smile and her agreement said it all. <br />
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Our time away changed my husband and I. Time away changed our friend. Colorado may not be filled with the same activities or even the same people as it once was, but this place is where I can breathe deep the familiar smells of the place I come from.<br />
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I continued hiking, still a bit sad in my thoughts, and yet I felt God all around me as I walked the trail to the view you see in the picture above. When we are home, there should be something healing in arriving there, experiencing the familiar, being able to rest in what we know.<br />
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I began thinking that God gave us His creation to call our hearts to the beauty of what is to come. In His creation, in the way He created you personally to experience it, there is a rest that calls to us. Whether it is the mountains of Colorado, the lush green of the African bush, or the wide oceans of the coastal places, there is something of Him displayed for you. Sunrises and sunsets, rain on your face or the warmth of the shining sun, it is a way to experience the comfort He's given to us now and yearn for that which is yet to come.<br />
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Jesus said that He has prepared a place for us.<br />
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As I reached the top of that hill, God reminded me that He is with me and that I was not alone in my somewhat sad thoughts. He is all around me, displaying his beauty and glory in the red dirt, the bright sunlight, the cool air, and even in the youthful frolicking of my dog.<br />
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God reminded me that unlike this homecoming that has held some joy and some sadness, in the homecoming to come, He will be what is familiar to me. He is the most intimate thing I have with me now that will still be with me then.<br />
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I pray you take some time to hike a trail or watch a sunset. May you find comfort in Him, your true home.<br />
<br />Take a deep breath, He is in it.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18399412481899029425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879493447580156145.post-56005429598834122642013-02-15T13:18:00.001-08:002013-02-15T14:32:48.332-08:00Written Love<div>
Yesterday was Valentine's Day and once again, I woke up rushing and hoping I'd have time to make my husband's breakfast and lunch, and then drive him to work. As I grabbed my phone to check the time, still a little damp around my edges from the shower, I saw a heart. It had writing on it. It was for me!</div>
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Like a little girl I clapped my hands and sat down to read. The love of my life claims he is not a writer, and maybe he isn't according to college scholars, but what he writes is beautiful to me. It's his heart pouring into mine. There on a simple page with the rough cut edges of a heart shape, were his words for me to see, but not only to see, but to keep and read again and again. </div>
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There is something powerful and lasting about the written word. It holds something. It's something that keeps us up at night reading when we really should be sleeping. It's something that when we miss someone we can go back and look at how they wrote, what they wrote, hear their voice and remember a time that was beautiful to us. In those moments, often just reading the words can resurrect feelings, emotions, memories. Words put on a page are powerful.</div>
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As I sat on the bed and read what my husband had written to me, his written love brought me to life. He didn't spend a lot of money or take me out for an expensive night on the town. He gave me what I love most. He gave me written words that I can hold to my heart and remember his love for me anytime, any day, any moment. That is sacred to me.</div>
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I found myself wanting to tell people about how awesome my husband was. To share with them that I love being loved by him. To get them to see how great it was that he took the time to find scissors and cut me out a heart and then write on it in different colored pens to tell me how much he loved me. To help them realize it was special because he put effort and thought into it. </div>
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Later that morning I sat down to read my Bible and rested on Ephesians 1. God spoke to my heart in the tender way that he so often does. I read the words that God had written. I saw repetitive themes such as: in love, in him, that we may know hope, that we may know the immeasurable power that he worked in Christ. </div>
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Just as my husband's written love had brought me to life so this written love did the same, but even more so. God saw fit to write his thoughts, his heart, his love down for those who want to experience it. Just as my husband's note is something that I can pick up to remind me anytime, any day, any moment of his love for me, so God's word is meant to do the same. </div>
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I was reminded yesterday by my husband and by my God how much I love the written word. So I leave you with these things to ponder...</div>
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Do you see the Bible as a love letter or is it a set of rules to bind you from the life you want? Is God the greatest lover of all time or is he the annoying guy who you wish would leave you alone because his love could never possibly be enough? Do you think Jesus was just a man or is the pretty unbelievable stuff he accomplished evidence of the effort and thought God put in to showing his love for you?</div>
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I pray you would feel well loved because you are. Husband or no husband. Flowers or no flowers. Chocolates or no chocolates. Your love letter has been written. I pray you would clap your hands in anticipation as you sit down to read it and experience this written love. </div>
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