tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52245687237282534332024-02-22T08:06:57.667-05:00Exulting in the CrossI think, therefore I write. I write what God is teaching me as a Student of the Word in an obscure part of rural Ontario.Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241205993383739880noreply@blogger.comBlogger431125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224568723728253433.post-64266679805243548732015-08-13T07:23:00.001-04:002015-08-13T07:23:14.465-04:00Abounding in Thanksgiving<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 17.2800006866455px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, <b>abounding in thanksgiving. ~</b>Colossians 2:6-7 ESV</span></blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 17.2800006866455px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.2800006866455px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We receive Christ as our Lord by grace through faith. This is a gift of God, not of works, lest any should boast. If we boast in anything, it is in the amazing goodness and faithfulness of a God who saves, who calls us to live in peace with Him and in harmony with our neighbour.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.2800006866455px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.2800006866455px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; white-space: pre-wrap;">God leads His dear children along, orchestrating all aspects of our lives down to the minutest detail. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.2800006866455px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.2800006866455px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; white-space: pre-wrap;">My life has been full of upheaval lately. Uncertainty abounds. Yet I trust in a God who is unchanging, steadfast, powerful - a Rock. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.2800006866455px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.2800006866455px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Last year, I renewed my license and took on a full time route as a bus driver. Not too long after I began, my company switched my route. I was a bit apprehensive, because the new route came with some rowdy kids, according to the many complaints I heard over the radio. Thankfully, with a lot of patience and consistent firmness, the kids' behaviour transformed and I ended up with a happy bus full of kids. They told me that they hoped I'd be their driver this coming year. The principal of the school told me that I was a great bus driver, and that they were blessed to have me.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.2800006866455px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.2800006866455px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; white-space: pre-wrap;">So when I got the call informing me that the company had re-worked the routes, and that there was no route for me, I was taken aback. I thought the bus route, along with the painting business I am setting up, would provide enough income for us to pay our bills. Losing that steady income was a blow.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.2800006866455px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.2800006866455px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; white-space: pre-wrap;">This made the plan to open a store that much more urgent. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.2800006866455px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.2800006866455px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I've been a homeschooling mom since 1983, and a pack rat to boot. This translates into an accumulation of far too many books, maps, binders, tapes, and other paraphernalia that I thought I needed or might need some day. It astounds me that over the past two years I have given away at least 200 boxes full of books. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.2800006866455px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.2800006866455px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We've been sorting and tossing and organizing stuff since June. My eldest daughter has been an amazing help with all of the online set-up, and everything else - just so many things that the list is too long to mention.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.2800006866455px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.2800006866455px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I've had family members come whenever they can to help me, and yesterday a friend arrived, ready to work. I think she was shocked at the mess. I'm sure she had no idea how bad it would be, considering I've been talking about all the work we've been doing. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.2800006866455px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.2800006866455px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; white-space: pre-wrap;">She was amazing. No words of condemnation... she just pitched right in, and by the end of the day I had more hope than I've had in a long time. I know she was sent by our gracious Heavenly Father as His servant, to be an encouragement to me. I know she walks with Christ, rooted in Him, and because of that she has the ability to build others up. I am abounding in thanksgiving today.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.2800006866455px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.2800006866455px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; white-space: pre-wrap;">There's no driving job, but there is a store that just might open on time, because God who orchestrates my entire world is providing exactly what I need. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.2800006866455px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 17.2800006866455px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; white-space: pre-wrap;">He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. ~</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 17.2800006866455px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; white-space: pre-wrap;">2 Corinthians 9:10-12 ESV</span></blockquote>
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<br />Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241205993383739880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224568723728253433.post-73328557838847291982014-07-15T09:25:00.004-04:002014-07-15T09:25:55.929-04:00A Prayer of Trust in God -- Part Two - Taken from Psalm 4O Father, when men think of Your attributes - that You are completely self-Sufficient, and need nothing outside of Yourself, that You are Sovereign over everything (each atom, each molecule, each thought, each word) You created, that You are Holy, Powerful, Faithful, Good, Patient, Gracious, Merciful, and Full of Wrath - they ought to tremble. They ought not to sin. <br />
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I meditate in my heart when I lie in bed, still, before You. I offer You the sacrifices of my righteousness - mortifying the flesh, putting to death those sinful thoughts and words and deeds that You, my Saviour, already died for. How dare I fear? How could I whine and complain and fret and worry? The God of the Universe is on my side, and He Who Does Not Lie has promised never to leave me, nor forsake me. I trust in the Living God.<br />
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Lord, it grieves me that the world cries out, "Who will show us any good?" They see your goodness every day, in the rising of the sun, in the food on their table, in the smile of a lover... and yet, they are NEVER satisfied. <br />
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Charles Spurgeon wrote, "Never satisfied, their gaping mouths are turned in every direction, their empty hearts are ready to drink in any fine delusion which impostors may invent; and when these fail, they soon yield to despair, and declare that there is no good thing in either heaven or earth." How terrible. How tragic. Lord, may my thoughts be ever turned towards You, and may I always remember that You are the fountain of life!<br />
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Lift up the light of Your countenance on me, O my God. You have put gladness in my heart. Whether or not I prosper, I have You, and You are enough.<br />
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Fill me with Your Spirit, O God, and let me ever sing Your praises. Keep me from the temptation of looking at my circumstances and responding like the foolish. Let me never sit up to watch through fear, but let me lie down upon my bed in peace, knowing that You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety. <br />
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In lying down to sleep, I put my trust in You. I let the cares of the day go, and rest in Your unfailing love, and in Your power to keep me all through the night. <br />
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You are so good to me.<br />
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I am forever grateful.<br />
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In Jesus' name, I pray.<br />
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<br />Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241205993383739880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224568723728253433.post-68178009509246866082014-07-14T21:50:00.001-04:002014-07-14T21:50:35.702-04:00You are not dirty even in the mud.<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/wzoMl-VFa2Q" width="480"></iframe>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241205993383739880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224568723728253433.post-41989646072833359382014-07-14T21:49:00.000-04:002014-07-14T21:50:05.375-04:00A Prayer of Trust in God - Part One - Taken from Psalm 4Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness. Even that statement is amazing. I have no righteousness in me, apart from that which YOU imputed to me by Your grace. You are so kind to me. You have, again and again, relieved me in my distress. You have proved Yourself steadfast and faithful, even when I am fickle and faithless. You have always been gracious to me, and You have always heard my feeble, sometimes fervent, prayers. Hear me now, my Gracious Father. Have mercy on me.<br />
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I face Your enemies every day, O Lord. I am surrounded by those who treat Your word as a joke, and Your ways as a jest. It was ever so. They mocked You when You walked this dusty earth, teaching them to good news, showing them the way. They rejected the truth. How long will foolish men continue to love worthless fabrications, and strive towards vain, deceptive conceits? I must stop, and think, and meditate upon the deep-seated folly of the wicked. Their destruction is sure. The only difference between them and me is the admirable grace of God, which has taught me to love truth and seek after righteousness. If it weren't for the fact that You rescued me, I'd be facing the same sure destruction.<br />
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Lord, I know (and all men should know) that You have set the godly apart for Yourself. Just as I set my mother's and grandmother's dishes apart, to be used only during a special occasion, You set me apart for Your good purposes. You hear when I call to You. I am Your treasure.<br />
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Thank You that You ordain my steps, and order every single event that happens to me each day.<br />
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Thank You for reminding me that no matter how I stumble, I am forever clean in You.<br />
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Thank You for this:<br />
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http://youtu.be/wzoMl-VFa2Q<br />
<br />Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241205993383739880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224568723728253433.post-85484220950603371932014-03-27T15:48:00.003-04:002014-03-28T08:46:55.848-04:00The Wrong Question, Part Two.Our Ladies' Mid-week Bible Study is working through a book by Mindy Ferguson, entitled "Eyewitness to Majesty: Abandoning Self for Christ". Yesterday, during the study, I expressed my disagreement with the question Mindy asked:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">How do the actions of this loyal group of women challenge you to a deeper commitment to Jesus Christ?</span><br />
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In <a href="http://exultingchristian.blogspot.ca/2014/03/the-wrong-question.html" target="_blank">Part One</a>, I explained that asking this question was the wrong question. I outlined why these women, loyal as they were to the Lord Jesus Christ, were not at that particular time women I want to emulate. <br />
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The women at the foot of the cross had a measure of faith, but until they were indwelt by the Holy Spirit, they did not have the same understanding that we do. They didn't understand that "Christ's death and resurrection are inseparable in effecting salvation." ~Thomas Schreiner They did not comprehend the darkness, the earthquakes, the temple veil that was torn in two from top to bottom, and they certainly didn't understand the Resurrection.<br />
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Apart from the resurrection of Christ, those women had no hope. They were on their way to the tomb, bringing spices for the dead body of Jesus. They fully expected to find His body there. They were in mourning.<br />
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However, that very day, on the evening of the very day that the women were planning to cover the Lord's body with spices and wrap His body with fine linens, He appeared to them. He spoke peace to them, and He breathed on them and said "Receive the Holy Spirit."<br />
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This is what compels me. This is what challenges me to a deeper commitment to Jesus Christ!<br />
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<b>It's all about JESUS.</b><br />
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It is Jesus Who speaks peace to me, no matter what storms I face.<br />
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It is Jesus who leads me to tread the path of life, rather than the path of death. Those women were stepping heavily on the way to the tomb, not in joy and in faith, but in doubt and in sorrow, in grief and in pain. <br />
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Do you see the contrast between the path of death and the path of life that they were given? Jesus breathed life into them, and they were now "in Christ." If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. The old things have passed away, and the new have come.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">How does the Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ challenge you to a deeper commitment to Jesus Christ? What change took effect on that first Easter Sunday? How did the lives of those women and those disciples change?</span><br />
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What a change was wrought by the work of the cross and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. He has moved us from condemnation to eternal life, and brought us into a living and personal relationship with Himself. <br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Even as mature Christians, we need to remind ourselves continually of the basis of our acceptance-it is <b>entirely because of what Christ has done for us</b>. Thus, faith in Christ is not a onetime event; we must live by faith each day. ~Derek W.H. Thomas. How the Gospel Brings Us All the Way Home (Kindle Locations 183-184). Kindle Edition. </blockquote>
<b> It is the <a href="http://www.esvbible.org/2+Corinthians+5:14/" target="_blank">love of Christ </a>that compels me.</b> We love Him because He first loved us. The entire story of the Bible is HIS story. It`s not about Samson or Rahab or Job or Matthew or Mary. It`s about what God was doing in the lives of all of the people. Oh, I know that Hebrews 11 outlines the lives of people of faith. However, notice what the Bible says at the beginning of Hebrews 12:<br />
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<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 22.464000701904297px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, <u>looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith</u>, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. ~</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 22.464000701904297px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV</span></i><br />
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It's all about Jesus.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The question should always be,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;"> "What does this event, this passage, this Bible story, this man, this woman teach us about Jesus?"</span><br />
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The resurrection of Jesus Christ took a doubting Thomas from confusion to faith. The resurrection of Jesus Christ took mourning women from sadness to peace. The resurrection of Jesus Christ changed Peter from a fearful Denier to a bold and fearless Preacher.<br />
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The resurrection of Jesus Christ makes ordinary sinners into saints whose lips drip with grateful praise.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>There can be only one proper response to grace: a life of grateful holiness.</b> Christ's atoning death was "in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit" (Rom. 8:4).. . .Christians, whose sins are forgiven, now live in holy, obedient gratitude for the grace they have received. Grateful law-keeping is the saved sinner's response to received grace.</blockquote>
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<b> The rest of our lives are a way of saying, "Thank you."</b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Derek W.H. Thomas. How the Gospel Brings Us All the Way Home (Kindle Locations 184-190). Kindle Edition. </blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">We love Him, because He first loved us. When we experience forgiveness and reconciliation, we are compelled to live a life of gratitude.</span><br />
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If we love Him, we keep His commandments.<br />
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</blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Law-keeping out of love is the true path of holiness.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Derek W.H. Thomas. How the Gospel Brings Us All the Way Home (Kindle Locations 195-196). Kindle Edition. </blockquote>
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One day, I hope to sit with the group of women who stood at the foot of the cross. I hope to hear them tell of the sorrow they endured as they witnessed the death of their beloved Lord. But more than that, so much more than that, I know that<b> they will speak of the wonders of the gospel, and the joy of being forgiven. </b> They will testify with gladness and gratefulness of the exceeding abundance of the Lord's provision for their sin. <br />
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Here's one more quote for you to ponder from the book I am currently reading:<br />
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For everyone "in Christ," there is no condemnation. What a beautiful statement that is. Repeat it to yourself: "I have placed my trust entirely in Jesus Christ and what He has accomplished for me in His life, death, and resurrection. I am in Jesus Christ, and there is no condemnation." What a sweet thing that is, what a glorious thing. A million questions arise, not the least of which is this: "How can God possibly love me so much?" But the truth of the matter is greater still: the blood of Jesus Christ has atoned for our past sins, present sins, and even future sins. Whatever sin you may commit tomorrow, there is no condemnation if you are in Jesus Christ. They are blotted out. ~Derek W.H. Thomas. How the Gospel Brings Us All the Way Home (Kindle Locations 196-200). Kindle Edition. </blockquote>
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Here's a question for you:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What compels you to a greater commitment to Jesus Christ?</span><br />
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Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241205993383739880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224568723728253433.post-69552507765821462672014-03-27T14:45:00.000-04:002014-03-27T16:01:08.607-04:00The Wrong QuestionI attend a weekly ladies' study group. We're working through a book by Mindy Ferguson, called "Eyewitness to Majesty: Abandoning Self for Christ." It's an in-depth study of the Apostle Peter as an eyewitness to the life of Christ.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-GOjdjjBBfwN1maVkAy6co1SG4nnen3ZbBVxfbdiZ-MQWnt71txyHimsuMuKuIUMcvV_niy5O7y-O6V3QKkItwRU-X-3brDyzd4OCQuYVh5e9YkFAcCHWw5Ua0fU_J_ZYw9pTIYTth4/s1600/Eyewitnesses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-GOjdjjBBfwN1maVkAy6co1SG4nnen3ZbBVxfbdiZ-MQWnt71txyHimsuMuKuIUMcvV_niy5O7y-O6V3QKkItwRU-X-3brDyzd4OCQuYVh5e9YkFAcCHWw5Ua0fU_J_ZYw9pTIYTth4/s1600/Eyewitnesses.jpg" height="320" width="220" /></a></div>
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It's been an interesting study. The best part about any group study is the interaction with the other women in the group. As we share our insights, we understand more about our sisters' journeys through this dark world, on our way to glory.<br />
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Last night, I shared my answer to a question, and I could tell by the response that I was not explaining my position clearly. Hence this post.<br />
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On pages 130 - 131, Mindy Ferguson is leading the reader to think about the women who were at the foot of the cross.<br />
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She writes,<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The women stood on the hill watching as Jesus was crucified. Crucifixion was a slow and agonizing death by asphyxiation.</blockquote>
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Mindy goes on to describe the suffering of our Lord, and quotes 2 Corinthians 5:21, explaining that Jesus became sin for us. <br />
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She writes,<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I can't imagine how the women felt as they stood watching Him. They saw the soldiers mock Him and spit on Him. They watched Him breathe His last breath. Yet these women stood beside Him. They were Jesus' disciples. They followed Him, believed in Him, and took care of Him. They supported His ministry - even at the cross.</blockquote>
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Then she asks this crucial question:<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;">How do the actions of this loyal group of women challenge you to a deeper commitment to Jesus Christ?</span></blockquote>
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<u>That's the wrong question.</u><br />
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Let's think about this group of women for a minute. There is no doubt that they loved Jesus. They had followed Him for years, providing for Him and His disciples out of their means. They had watched Him heal the sick and raise the dead. They had heard Him preach the gospel and thunder the truth at the Pharisees. These women believed He was the Messiah, and they loved Him very much.<br />
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<b>But they didn't understand</b>.<br />
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They stood there at the cross, weeping, mourning the fact that their Messiah was hanging there, suffering, bleeding, and dying. They were brokenhearted. <br />
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<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 22.464000701904297px; white-space: pre-wrap;">...for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 22.464000701904297px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
~John 20:9 ESV</span></i><br />
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You can see their bewilderment by reading Mark 16:1-7 and John 20:1-9. <br />
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On Sunday morning, the women went to anoint Jesus' body. They were told by an angel,<i> "He has risen. He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But <b>go, tell his disciples and Peter</b> that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see Him, just as He told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and <b>they said nothing to anyone</b>, for they were afraid. ~Mark 16:6b - 8.</i><br />
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The man dressed in white told them that Jesus had risen. He told them that He would be going ahead of them to Galilee, which is just what Jesus told his disciples a few days before His crucifixion. (<a href="http://www.esvbible.org/Mark%2B14%253A28/" target="_blank">Mark 14:28</a>)<br />
The angel also told them to go and tell the disciples this good news.<br />
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But what did they do? Look at Mary's words in the book of John:<br />
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<i>Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, <b>“They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” ~</b>John 20:1-2 ESV</i><br />
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She could have run to the disciples and said, "He is risen! The Lord Jesus is alive! He said He'd meet us in Galilee!"<br />
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<b>She just didn't get it. She did not understand.</b><br />
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When I think about the trauma those women went through, my heart breaks for them. I am a mother, and I try to imagine, simply on a human level, what it would have been like to be the mother of the Son of God. Mary knew that Jesus was the Son of God, but to watch Him mocked and beaten and scourged and crucified must have brought her unimaginable pain. <br />
<br />
So, it's understandable that Mary Magdalene didn't rush to tell the disciples the good news. It hadn't sunk in yet. It wasn't good news yet. She didn't comprehend that Jesus was alive. She only thought they'd moved His body. It wasn't until He spoke her name, "Mary," that she began to understand.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
John 20:16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” Hearing only her name, Mary recognizes the voice of Jesus. As Jesus had taught prior to his crucifixion, “He calls his own sheep by name. … and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice” (10:3–4).~ESV Study Bible notes.</blockquote>
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<b>The Difference Between the Women at the Cross and Christians Today</b><br />
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The women at the foot of the cross were devastated. They were in shock. They mourned and wept, and could not comprehend the plan and purpose of God. They watched Jesus die. They thought He was dead. On the first day of the week, they were heading to the tomb in order to treat His dead body with the respect that all of the dead were afforded. It was their normal cultural practice. In their eyes, He was dead.<br />
<br />
<b>He Was NOT Dead</b><br />
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But Jesus was very much alive! That very evening, the evening of that day, Jesus did an amazing thing:<br />
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<i>On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.~John 20:19-22 ESV</i><br />
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He appeared to His Disciples! He stood among them! He showed them His hands and His side! And He spoke words of peace to them.<br />
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What grace! These men and women had gone through four days of trauma, and Jesus spoke Peace to them.<br />
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<b>The next thing He did is the point of this blog post:</b> <br />
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He breathed on them and said to them, </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Receive the Holy Spirit.</b></span></div>
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The resurrection changed everything.<br />
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Let me repeat that: <br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2013/03/29/why-the-resurrection-changes-everything/" target="_blank">The Resurrection Changes Everything</a>.</b><br />
<br />
See <a href="http://exultingchristian.blogspot.ca/2014/03/the-wrong-question-part-two.html" target="_blank">Part 2 to find out why I think it was the wrong question.</a><br />
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<br />Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241205993383739880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224568723728253433.post-64455027257238372202014-03-17T23:54:00.000-04:002014-03-17T23:54:37.390-04:00Greatly LovedI read Matthew 21 this morning. It's the familiar story of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. When you read it, right away you see the omniscience and omnipotence of the Lord Jesus Christ, as he sent two of His disciples to get a colt donkey that He could ride.<br />
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<b>Omniscience</b><br />
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He knew <u>precisely</u> where the mare and the colt would be tied.<br />
He knew that the disciples would be <u>questioned</u>, and He provided the answer ahead of time.<br />
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<b>Omnipotence</b><br />
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The colt had never been ridden, yet it submitted to Jesus. Even the cloaks tossed on its back ought to have sent it into a tizzy. Add to that the crowds of people, waving palm branches, crying out "Hosanna! Hosanna!" If you've ever been around an unbroken donkey, you'll know how astounding it is that Jesus rode it calmly into Jerusalem.<br />
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<b>Exactly 483 years </b><br />
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In Daniel,<a href="http://www.esvbible.org/Daniel%2B9/" target="_blank"> Chapter 9</a>, verses 24 - 26, we read Daniel's confession as he cried out to God in shame because of the rebellion of God's people. The angel Gabriel came to Daniel to tell him God's decree.<br />
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<b>You are Greatly Loved</b><br />
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Gabriel said to Daniel, "O Daniel, I have come out to give you insight and understanding. At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for <b><u>you are greatly loved.</u> </b>Therefore, consider the word and the vision."<br />
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It struck me that Jesus, being <b>OMNISCIENT</b>, was well aware of the date when He sent the disciples to get the colt. He knew that the angel Gabriel had been sent to Daniel to assure him that in spite of how terrible everything appeared to be, God was in control. The time of transgression would end, and there would be an end to sin. A full atonement for the sins of God's people would be made. <br />
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<i>It's okay, Daniel. You are greatly loved.</i><br />
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Jesus knew about Daniel's prayer. He knew the angel would be sent to comfort him. And He knew that exactly 483 years later, He would be riding the colt of the donkey, heading into Jerusalem in the midst of the crowds.<br />
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He also knew, in spite of the praise of the people, that they would turn on Him in a few short days.<br />
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<b>Like Daniel, I am greatly loved. How do I know this? </b><br />
<br />
I know this because I know that Jesus is omniscient, and on the day of the triumphal entry, He knew what He was about to face. He loved me when He sat on that donkey and rode into Jerusalem. <br />
<br />
He rode right up to the temple, then went in and cleansed it a second time. This time He stayed, and preached, and healed the blind and the lame. He did wonderful things, and the children knew it, and cried out again as they had in the streets, "Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna to the Son of David!"<br />
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You'd think the leaders of the people would have been blessed by this. As they witnessed Him cleanse the temple of the money changers, the buyers and sellers who were cheapening the house of God, it should have crossed their minds that here was a man with authority.<br />
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As He gathered the people around Himself, teaching them, explaining to them the ways of God, they ought to have listened and taken His message to heart.<br />
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As He smiled at the lads who were raising their voices in songs of praise, they ought to have wondered, "Is this the Messiah that was promised?"<br />
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Instead these leaders, the chief priests and scribes, indignant and miserable, demanded to know: "Do you hear what these boys are saying?"<br />
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Jesus answered, "Yes." (Of course, He heard!)<br />
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He then quoted from <a href="http://www.esvbible.org/Psalm%2B8/" target="_blank">Psalm 8:2</a> - <i>"Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies"</i> you have prepared praise.<br />
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<b>Jesus greatly loved.</b> <br />
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He loved the boys who had gathered around to praise His Holy name.<br />
<br />
He loved the prophet Daniel, who fell to his knees and cried out to God on behalf of his people.<br />
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He loved this granny, Janet, who sits and types at her computer, thinking about how He set aside His majesty in order to atone for her sins.<br />
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<i><a href="http://www.esvbible.org/Psalm%2B8/" target="_blank">When I look at Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars which You have set in place, what is man, that You are mindful of him, and the son of man, that you care for him?</a></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
He greatly loved me, enough to set aside His position and authority as Creator of the universe. He greatly loved me, keeping me in His mind as He set His face like flint, and went to the cross of Calvary. <br />
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<br />Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241205993383739880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224568723728253433.post-24509351015981235012014-02-19T18:27:00.001-05:002014-02-19T18:27:20.709-05:00You are Peter. Get thee behind me! Thoughts from Matthew 16 & 17<i>Oh, Peter, how I can't wait to meet you.</i><br />
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You had just confessed that Jesus was the Son of God. Jesus told you that this truth was revealed to you by the Father... you were so privileged to see it.<br />
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<b>YOU ARE THE CHRIST, the Son of the Living God.</b><br />
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<i>What a great confession! </i><br />
<br />
Jesus responded with these words: "You are Peter, and upon this rock, this little stone, I will build my church." Jesus, the Architect, the Builder, the Chief Cornerstone, was saying that even though you were a little stone, a pebble of insignificance, you would be used in His plan to redeem a people unto Himself.<br />
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<u>This gives me hope</u>. No matter how small and insignificant I am, God is using ME, too, in His great plan. <br />
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Jesus went on to tell you, Peter, about His looming death. <i>No way did you want to hear that. </i> You loved your Master, and you wanted only the best for Him. So, you rebuked the Lord Jesus, and He blasted you:<br />
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<b>GET THEE BEHIND ME, SATAN!</b><br />
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<i>Ouch. That must have hurt.</i><br />
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<b>YOU ARE A HINDRANCE TO ME.</b><br />
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Peter, you were not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man. You didn't understand that the death of the Perfect, Beloved, Holy Son of God was exactly what was needed in order to save a people from their sins. You didn't think God's way. You didn't want Jesus to suffer and die.<br />
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<b>GET THEE BEHIND ME</b><br />
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Imagine those words - what a terrible shock.<br />
Peter was just told that he was the rock<br />
Upon which the Saviour would build His great church.<br />
I think Peter's stomach must have leapt in a lurch.<br />
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"You are a hindrance to me," Jesus said.<br />
"Do you see there's a problem inside your head?<br />
You must set your mind on the things of God,<br />
'Cause the things of man are most seriously flawed."<br />
<br />
Oh, Satan's a sneaky one, that is for sure-<br />
Using Peter to hinder God's purpose most pure.<br />
Jesus set His mind to accomplish God's plan,<br />
But Peter was tempted to think thoughts of man.<br />
<br />
A battle is raging in everyone's mind-<br />
God's thoughts are too high for mere mortal mankind,<br />
Yet His Spirit indwells and we take up our cross.<br />
God works in our sorrows - He purges the dross.<br />
<br />
And we learn to think God's way, with wisdom & grace,<br />
To put on our armour, to gaze on His face<br />
As He shines like the sun, with clothes purest white<br />
And transforms us, His children, for endless delight.Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241205993383739880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224568723728253433.post-13626669664718332922014-02-14T14:03:00.001-05:002014-02-14T14:03:22.618-05:00None of it is meaningless. NONE OF IT. No matter what you suffer.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Check out "“Though You Slay Me” (featuring John Piper)" on Vimeo <a href="http://t.co/g2GlGNdar6">http://t.co/g2GlGNdar6</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Vimeo&src=hash">#Vimeo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23johnpiper&src=hash">#johnpiper</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23desiringgod&src=hash">#desiringgod</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23calvinism&src=hash">#calvinism</a><br />
— Janet Billson (@JanetBillson) <a href="https://twitter.com/JanetBillson/statuses/430905622326812673">February 5, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241205993383739880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224568723728253433.post-86815448209953178802014-02-01T15:27:00.001-05:002014-02-01T15:27:31.016-05:00An open letter to my friend.My dear friend,<br />
<br />
I visited with you yesterday. <br />
<br />
<i>It's a privilege, every single time. Your faith is evident. You are a light to all.</i><br />
<br />
You let me know how things are going. You shared what it's like to live with fluid building up in your abdomen, needing to be drained every week, simply so you can breathe. You told me of the kindness of your palliative care team, especially the doctor who came to your house to listen, to offer alternatives, to minister to you during this difficult time. You spoke of your husband, and your words told me that your love for each other is strong, and good, and holy. <br />
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<i>Your marriage is a picture of Christ and His Bride, the Church.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
You told me of the side effects, the twitching, the sleeplessness, the pain. You told me of the joy you have in listening to preaching and considering joy - the joy of all Christians that is there for us to claim, if we view our circumstances through eyes of faith.<br />
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You spoke of your children. Always with love, always with concern, always with faith that God will do what is best in their lives.<br />
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Then you said this (not word for word, but this is the gist of it): <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>"What's hardest for me is that I cannot do what I used to do. I cannot serve others. I cannot minister to them. The gift God gave me was the gift of service, and I cannot serve. This is so hard for me."</b></blockquote>
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<b>Oh, my dear, brave, Warrior Friend... </b><br />
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You have no idea how much you are serving!<br />
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You sit on your couch and welcome all who are privileged to come into your presence. Your smile lights up the room. Your countenance is joyful and full of faith. You shine with beauty and poise, even in the midst of your suffering. <br />
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<b>Do you realize that you are a picture of Christ to everyone?</b> Just as our Saviour was filled with the Holy Spirit, so are you, dear friend. We see God in you!<br />
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<b>The Holy Spirit indwells you</b>. He has given you new life. He has matured you, sustained you, strengthened you, and empowered you for ministry. It's not the ministry you would have chosen, but it is what HE chose for you to do, and you are doing it well! You are producing fruit that will last. God's power is made perfect in your weakness. <br />
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<i>2 Corinthians 12:9 </i><i>But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.</i><br />
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Just as the Holy Spirit empowered the Lord Jesus (Hebrews 9:14) when He laid down His life for us, the Holy Spirit dwells in you and will empower you to face whatever lies ahead triumphantly. He sustains you in your suffering, my friend. Just as He raised Jesus (Romans 1) He will raise you up, and you will dwell with Him eternally, praising and glorifying His Holy name.<br />
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Remember, dear friend, that Jesus said to the disciples, "If you have seen me, you have seen the Father." Jesus showed us by His life what PERFECT HUMANITY looks like. The Holy Spirit works in us to make us look like Jesus.<br />
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God is so good to us. He has taken corrupted, marred, scarred and broken image bearers, and restored in them the likeness of His perfect and Beautiful Son, Jesus Christ. <br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="color: #404040; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 24px;">1 John 3:2</span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 24px;">Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears</span><span style="line-height: 24px;"> we shall be like him</span><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 24px;">, because we shall see him as he is.</span></span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #404040; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Dear, Sweet Warrior Princess, read these words. Sink into them. Repeat them over and over again. Let them saturate your mind and fill your spirit:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.<br /><b>Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. </b>For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the <b>Spirit intercedes for the saints</b> according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God <b>all things work together for good</b>, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be <b>conformed to the image of his Son</b>, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. ~Romans 8:25-30</i></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #404040; line-height: 24px;"><b>Do you see?</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #404040; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #404040; line-height: 24px;">The Holy Spirit helps you in your weakness.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #404040; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #404040; line-height: 24px;">He is praying for you. (Think about that! The Holy Spirit dwells within you and prays for you, when you don't even know how to pray. He utters groans on your behalf. He is PRAYING for you!)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #404040; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #404040; line-height: 24px;">He is working all things together for good.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #404040; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #404040; line-height: 24px;">He is conforming you to the image of His Son. Jesus suffered, and you are sharing in the fellowship of His suffering. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #404040; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #404040; line-height: 24px;">He has called you. You will be glorified!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #404040; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ephesians 2:10</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.</span></i></blockquote>
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You are a fine porcelain vase, special, set aside for a purpose. God prepared the work for you to do, and you are doing it well. One day you will hear those blessed words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord!"</div>
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Be patient, dear friend. Delight in each moment. When you suffer, look to Jesus. When you sorrow, look to Jesus. In your joy, look to Jesus. </div>
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<i><b>And remember, when others look at you, they see Jesus.</b></i></div>
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<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
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<i><b>Love,</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Janet (hugs and prayers)</b></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241205993383739880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224568723728253433.post-85039390386987967622014-01-31T10:01:00.001-05:002014-01-31T10:01:21.970-05:00Thoughts about John the Great and Herod the Not-GreatConsider Herod Antipas.<br />
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He was ruling in Israel during Jesus' ministry on this earth. His father was Herod the Great, who was not a great man in any way. He was the one who ordered the murder of all the baby boys in the region of Bethlehem. <br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 19.5px;">Herod Antipas was the Roman ruler over the region where Jesus ministered. He was only 17 years old when his father, Herod the Great, died. The kingdom was divided among three of Herod’s sons—Archelaus, Antipas, and Philip II (see note on </span><a class="note" href="http://www.esvbible.org/n40002022/" original-title="Matt 2:22" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19.5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2:22</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 19.5px;">). Herod Antipas was made tetrarch (the ruler of a fourth part of a kingdom) of Galilee and Perea and had a long rule (4 </span><span class="time" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 19.5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">b.c.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 19.5px;">–</span><span class="time" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 19.5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">a.d.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 19.5px;"> 39).</span></b><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Matthew 2:18<br />“A voice was heard in Ramah,<br />weeping and loud lamentation,<br />Rachel weeping for her children;<br />she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”</i></blockquote>
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Herod's son Philip married Herodias, his niece, the daughter of Aristobulus who was the brother of Philip and the son of Herod the not so great. Philip and Herodias had a daughter, Salome, then they were divorced and Herodias married another uncle, Herod Antipas, whom we are considering. <br />
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What a tangled web!<br />
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Along comes John the Baptist, about whom Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. ~ Matthew 11:11<br />
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John the Baptist (this truly great man who actually deserved to be known as John the Great, for he was MUCH greater than Herod) was <a href="http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+14/" target="_blank">outraged that a ruler in Israel would disregard God's Law about marriage, so he told Herod "It is NOT lawful that you should have her." </a><br />
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John knew Herod's power. He knew Herod could throw him in prison or chop off his head.<br />
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He didn't care.<br />
<br />
<u>The honour of God was at stake!</u><br />
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So, John rebuked Herod severely. Herodias didn't like that. She wanted to keep up appearances. She schemed and connived to ruin her enemy.<br />
<br />
You know the story. The nobles and lords, the commanders and leaders, all of the great ones were invited to a party. It was Herod's birthday, and he was putting on the Ritz. Salome, the daughter of Herodias and Philip, danced before the group of lustful men, and pleased Herod so much that he offered to give her whatever she wanted.<br />
<br />
She wanted John's head on a plate. She was prompted by her mother.<br />
<br />
<b>Think about your influence, Moms. You can influence your daughter for good. Or, you can influence your daughter for evil. How I pray that my influence will point my daughters to Christ!</b><br />
<br />
Almighty Father,<br />
You are Sovereign over all.<br />
All events.<br />
All storms.<br />
All rulers.<br />
All consequences.<br />
You are in control of all things.<br />
<br />
Give me the courage to be like John the Baptist.<br />
Who saw the truth.<br />
Who spoke against sin.<br />
Who did not worry about offending powerful people in high places,<br />
because he was offended by actions that shouted to the world,<br />
<br />
<u>"There is no God in Israel!"</u><br />
<br />
Oh, the devil, he laughed<br />
Clasped his hands with delight<br />
Watched John tossed into prison<br />
Thought he'd won that dark night...<br />
<br />
Oh, the devil, he schemed<br />
Saw the social elite<br />
All together to party<br />
To drink and to feast...<br />
<br />
So, he whispered to Herod,<br />
"Call the girl out to dance<br />
You'll impress all the leaders<br />
With her whirls and her prance."<br />
<br />
Then Herod the Wicked<br />
Who was not at all wise<br />
Made a promise, not thinking<br />
To impress all the guys:<br />
<br />
"Up to half of my kingdom<br />
I'll grant," he did state,<br />
And Salome demanded<br />
John's head on a plate.<br />
<br />
The king, he was sorry, but he had to save face.<br />
To not keep his word meant that it would erase<br />
The appearance of things that he tried to maintain<br />
So he did the wrong thing to continue his reign.<br />
<br />
The king did the wrong thing for fear of his guests,<br />
And John did the right thing, and he would be blessed<br />
to open his eyes in the Kingdom of Light<br />
Where there's no more sorrow, and there's no more night.<br />
<br />
May we live like Great John,<br />
Standing firm for God's glory,<br />
May fear of mere man be no part of our story...<br />
Make us into prophets, hearts bared before You<br />
Dear Lord God in heaven, make us ever true.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241205993383739880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224568723728253433.post-53421160526835099532014-01-27T22:27:00.001-05:002014-01-27T22:27:23.267-05:00January 27, 1990<b>Our son Daniel was born too soon. </b><br />
<br />
I knew the doc was serious when he pulled grapefruit-sized clots away. As soon as he took one, another one appeared. "It's time,' he said. <br />
<br />
I asked, "Are you sure?" <i> I was worried about the baby.</i> I thought he needed just a bit more time to grow. He wasn't due until the first week of March, and I knew that premie boys had a rougher time of things.<br />
<br />
Doctor Nurse (NOT kidding) pulled another huge clot from me. "We have to go now."<br />
<br />
Despite the many tests and ultrasounds that had been done, the surgical team cut right through the placenta in order to deliver my son. I lost a massive amount of blood. Worse, Daniel was born unresponsive and in shock.<br />
<br />
I didn't know all this, because I was under a general anesthetic. The first thing I remember when I came to was a nurse shoving a clipboard at me. "Sign this!" she demanded. <br />
<br />
"What is it?" I asked groggily. <br />
<br />
"The consent form for your surgery."<br />
<br />
I chuckled a bit, wincing from the pain. "It's a bit late for that, isn't it?" I could feel the tension in the room, and briefly wondered what would happen if I didn't sign. I scrawled my signature, then promptly upchucked into a bowl.<br />
<br />
It's disconcerting to say the least to be lying on a gurney, pillow against the incision, vomiting every few minutes. "Where's the baby??" I demanded. I want to see him.<br />
<br />
"First the doctor wants to talk to you."<br />
<br />
I expected Dr. Nurse to come to tell me how the C-Section went. Instead, a somewhat familiar face appeared at my bedside.<br />
<br />
"I know you", I said.<br />
<br />
It was Dr. Peter Thornback, pediatrician. I had no idea he was working at KW Hospital! I'd met Peter 15 years previously, when we were expecting our first baby. We lived in North Bay, and I'd been doing a lot of reading about natural childbirth. When I saw an ad in the paper (The North Bay Nugget) about a course offered at <a href="http://www.canadorecollege.ca/" target="_blank">Canadore College</a>, I picked up the phone and enrolled. Peter and his wife Liz were also expecting their first baby, and took the course right along with us. Our instructor, Meg, was brilliant and kind and supportive. I'll never forget her card: "Congratulations! Now comes the hard part..." Inside, it read, "... the next twenty years!" <br />
<br />
We liked Peter and Liz immediately. They were at least 10 years older than us, but were kind and friendly and welcoming, even inviting us to lunch at their home. So when he showed up at my bedside that January morning, I was relieved to know he was caring for our baby. <br />
<br />
Relieved for about 1.5 seconds.<br />
<br />
<b>Dr. Thornback was mad</b>. He told me that the surgical team should have known better than to have cut right through the placenta! They had all the ultrasounds, and they knew exactly where the placenta was lying. I don't know why they decided to do what they did, but I do know that it put our son in grave danger.<br />
<br />
The doctor told me that Daniel might have to go by air ambulance to Hamilton, unless they could get him stabilized. He told me more details about his condition, but all I could think was "my baby's in danger."<br />
<br />
"Do you want to see him?"<br />
<br />
Do I!!<br />
<br />
They pushed me on the gurney down to the NICU. There was our baby, mask on his face, tubes and wires on his head, his arm, his chest and his feet. Poor wee baby. But he was beautiful. <br />
<br />
I couldn't see his face, but I loved him just the same. I lay there and gazed at him, praying that God, the Healer of the sick, would strengthen and heal our son.<br />
<br />
The next few hours were a blur. I was taken to my room and given pain meds, so I drifted off to sleep. Every time I woke, I prayed for our boy. The day was a haze of meds and tears and prayers and ladies who came and stood by my bed, praying for me and for Daniel, that God would spare him, and that he'd grow up to be a man of God. <br />
<br />
I don't remember how many hours it took, but suddenly Daniel rallied. He didn't have to be taken to Hamilton. He was able to be weaned off the ventilator. Slowly they took out wires and tubes. What joy! He was in my arms.<br />
<br />
I did a search for <a href="http://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/personal-finance/theres-just-no-time-to-retire-older-workers-say" target="_blank">Dr. Thornback</a> this evening. He's now in his 70's, working overseas, still caring for little ones. He survived cancer a few years back, and was the oldest person to<a href="http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/8899576.Dr_Peter_the_oldest_contestant_in_Abu_Dhabi_International_Triathlon/" target="_blank"> compete in a Triathalon</a> in 2011. I'm sure he's been a blessing to many, many families over the past 40 years he's been practicing as a physician. But the blessing to the Billsons is Daniel, our son, who overcame a difficult birth and a rough start by the grace of God, and has increased in wisdom and stature, in favour with God and man.<br />
<br />
<b>Happy Birthday, my son.</b><br />
<br />
I'm glad Dr. Thornback was there that day. :DJanethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241205993383739880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224568723728253433.post-6967629155828844812014-01-23T21:05:00.003-05:002014-01-23T21:05:53.262-05:00Welcome!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>In an effort to be more hospitable and to be able to willingly welcome friends and family into our home on a weekly basis, we've set up some cleaning zones:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Zone 1- Monday - Bedrooms<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Bedrooms<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Wash area
rugs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Straighten
up makeup<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Straighten
drawer cabinets<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Polish
Furniture<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clean
cobwebs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Wash
mattress pad/dust ruffle<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Flip
mattress<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Empty trash<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Wash windows<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Cull some
books from bookcase<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Straighten
bookcase<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clean under
the bed<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Straighten
drawers<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Rearrange
videos/games/books<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Closet <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Straighten
the top shelves<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Arrange the
shoes<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Dust shoe
bookcase<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clean
cobwebs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Straighten
desk<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Put away
stray items<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Sort
out-grown clothes<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Halls<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Dust shelves<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Organize
books<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Cobwebs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Floor<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Smoke Alarm<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Zone 2 – Tuesday - Living Room/Library,
Office<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clean
cobwebs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clean
windows<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Straighten
bookcases<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Wash
ornaments and knick-knacks<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clean out
end tables<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Wipe
fingerprints from walls<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Polish
furniture<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clean Piano<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Organize
Music books<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clean
instruments<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clean under
cushions<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Move
furniture and vacuum<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Wash lights
and light switches<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Wash floor<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Office /Library<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clear off
the desk surfaces<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Throw away
pens that don’t work<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Sharpen
pencils<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Throw out
all the trash<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
File papers<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Straighten
one drawer at a time<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Toss out old
receipts from over 7 years<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clean off
the monitor screen<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Fill printer
caddy with paper<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Establish a
place for current bills<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Vacuum under
desk and the whole room<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Dust
furniture<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clean
windows<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Remove
cobwebs<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Check
supplies of paper and printer cartridges<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Stamps and
envelopes<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Water plants<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Zone 3 – Wednesday - Great Room<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clean fish;
change filter<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clean
cobwebs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clean
windows<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Straighten
and dust bookcases<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Water plants<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clean out tables<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Wipe
fingerprints from walls<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Polish
furniture<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clean out videos/
clean TV<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clean under
cushions<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clean out
fireplace/ ashes<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Move
furniture and vacuum<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Wash floor<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clean Kitty
Litter Box<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Weekly Cleaning Schedule<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
1: Monday -
Bedrooms<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
2: Tuesday -
Living room – Library, Offices<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
3: Wednesday
- Great Room<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
4: Thursday
- Bathrooms<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
5: Friday -
Entrance/front porch<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
6. Saturday
- Kitchen /laundry room<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b> </b><b>Zone 4 – Thursday – Bathrooms</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Bathroom</b> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Scrub Tub/Shine
fixtures<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Scrub and shine
sinks<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Scrub toilet<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Wash area
rugs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Scrub floor<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Straighten
drawers/ cabinets<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clean
medicine cabinet<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Throw away
empty bottles<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Check for
cobwebs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Empty Trash<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Upstairs bathroom <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Sweep/scrub floor<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Straighten
drawers/cabinets<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clean
shower/tub stall<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Wash down
outside of toilet<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clean inside
of toilet<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Throw away empty containers</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Empty Trash<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Check
supplies<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Zone 5 – Friday – Entrance/Front Porch<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Entrance <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Start at the
ceiling and work your way down to the floor.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clean
cobwebs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Dust window
sills and front door<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Wash window<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clean switch
plate of hand prints and walls if needed<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Put plants
in to the shower and give them a good rinse. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Straighten
the coat rack<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Sweep vacuum
or mop the floor<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Add your own
personal touches to make it more welcoming.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Front Porch <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Sweep down
cobweb and spider webs <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Sweep off
porch furniture.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Sweep the
porch.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Throw away
any dead plants.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Prune back
unruly bushes from the entrance.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Repot
planters if necessary (in summer)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Refill bird
feeders.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Wipe off
tables, banisters, and light fixtures.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Get rid of
unwanted items.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Add your own
personal touches to welcome friends and family <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b> </b><b> </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Zone 6 – Saturday – Kitchen/Laundry<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Kitchen <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Empty fridge/clean
thoroughly<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clean
microwave inside and out<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clean
stove/oven<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Wash
canister/knick-knacks<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Straighten
drawers/cupboards<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Wipe
fingerprints off walls<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Wash inside
windows<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clean
fan/vent-a-hood filters and hood<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Scrub down
cabinet fronts (only a few at a time)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clean light
defusing bowls (glass globes over light bulbs)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clean under
sink/throw away old rags<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clean pet
dishes<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Laundry room</b> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Wipe down
the top of the washer and dryer<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clean the
gunk from under the washer lid<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clean out
the dryer vent<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Throw out
empty bottles and boxes<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Empty the
garbage can<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Check
supplies of laundry detergent, softener, spot remover<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Sweep and
mop the floor<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Remove the
cobwebs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Put away all
clothes<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Look behind
appliances for odd socks<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> I really don't care if our house is perfect. What I care about is that I want our home to be welcoming, to be a place where visitors are comfortable and relaxed. I want to be able to love others and to be able to demonstrate the love of Christ to them. A clean and organized environment is part of that. A welcoming heart matters most.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241205993383739880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224568723728253433.post-11881533659695756172014-01-22T23:37:00.000-05:002014-01-22T23:37:08.438-05:00Isn't Seven the Perfect Number?It`s coming up to seven years.<br />
<br />
Seven years since I was happily on my way home one dark, wintery night, the trunk full of groceries and my heart full of anticipation. <br />
<br />
In just a few minutes I'd pass the farmhouse where my daughter lived with her husband and sons. She was expecting twins, and I couldn't wait! I knew I'd wave and honk as I drove past, eagerly thinking of the reunion.<br />
<br />
Twelve minutes after Rachel's house, I'd see the familiar lane, lined with maple trees over a hundred years old. I'd see the porch light on, and know that the kids would pile out of the house to welcome me home and carry in the groceries.<br />
<br />
<b>BANG</b>.<br />
<br />
<i>Disoriented. </i> Where were my glasses? What was that noise? Why was some guy opening my passenger door, telling me to turn off the engine?<br />
<br />
"Are you all right?" he asked as he reached in and turned the key. (I hadn't done what he asked...it simply didn't register that the engine was still running, but the car wasn't moving. It was never moving again.)<br />
<br />
<i>I want my glasses. I can't see</i>.<br />
<br />
I plead with the man. "Can you find my glasses?" He feels for them on the floor of the car, and hands them to me. <br />
<br />
Ah, that's better. They're crooked, but not broken.<br />
<br />
<i>At least I can see</i>.<br />
<br />
"Can you find my cell phone?"<br />
<br />
He does, and I instantly call my hubby. <br />
<br />
"I've been in an accident."<br />
<br />
"Are you all right?"<br />
<br />
"No, I can't move." I meant the car. The car wasn't going to move again. But Rick thought I was paralyzed. What was I thinking?<br />
<br />
I wasn't thinking. I was in shock.<br />
<br />
I managed to call 911. Through faltering lips I told them the intersection: Perth Line 44 and Road 150.<br />
<br />
I snapped at the man who had driven right into my lane.<br />
<br />
"No, I don't want to sit in your vehicle." <i> (Leave me alone!)</i><br />
<br />
My glasses-finder and cellphone rescuer noticed the shaking. Shock. He insisted I get out of my car, and helped me to his truck. My teeth were chattering and soon would crack, I thought. He turned up the heat.<br />
<br />
Police. Ambulance. Rick. Mike. Hospital. Rachel. Waiting, waiting, waiting. <br />
<br />
Waves of pain. Worry. <br />
<br />
Am I going to die?<br />
<br />
What are these waves of electricity running through my skull? Am I having a stroke?<br />
<br />
X-rays.<br />
<br />
"You're fine, Mrs. Billson. Go home and rest."<br />
<br />
***********************************************************************<br />
<br />
It's been nearly seven years, and I still remember many details of that evening. I remember how the snow felt, pelting against my face. I remember my heart leaping when I saw Rick drive up in the big truck. I remember worrying when I saw Mike (I didn't want to worry his pregnant wife, Rachel... with the twins!)<br />
<br />
It's been nearly seven years, and I haven't had a day without pain. Not one day. My neck hurts. My head hurts. My back is tight and sore and painful. My chest hurts. And oh, how my shoulder hurts. Pain is ever-present. It keeps me awake at night. It keeps me from hobbies and fun. It keeps me feeling grouchy at times. Pain is my constant companion.<br />
<br />
But God...<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
God takes the most eminent and choicest of His servants for the choicest and most eminent afflictions. They who have received most grace from God are able to bear most afflictions from God. Affliction does not hit the saint by chance, but by direction. God does not draw His bow at a venture. Every one of His arrows goes upon a special errand and touches no breast but his against whom it is sent. It is not only the grace, but the glory of a believer when we can stand and take affliction quietly.–Joseph Caryl</blockquote>
<br />
The Enemy meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.<br />
<br />
He will bring beauty out of the ashes of the crash. He will teach patience in affliction, perseverance in the midst of pain. He will give grace to endure, and He will remind me that these past seven years are a light and momentary affliction, because GLORY is FOREVER.<br />
<br />
I'm a little late in discovering this <a href="http://calvinistview.com/2013/11/07/a-l-s-update-10/" target="_blank">brother's blog, but Greg Lane</a> is a most eminent and choice servant of the Most High God. I wish I'd known of his blog before this, because he's just announced that he won't be blogging any more, as <a href="http://calvinistview.com/category/als-through-the-eyes-of-this-calvinist/" target="_blank">ALS has robbed him of the ability to do so</a>. He's written many a post, so <a href="http://calvinistview.com/" target="_blank">go there </a>and explore. I know I will.Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241205993383739880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224568723728253433.post-50552857925085059142014-01-05T23:07:00.000-05:002014-01-05T23:07:00.897-05:00BalanceThe sermon today was about living a balanced Christian life. I'll put a link to the sermon notes when I get them done. I'm not disagreeing with the premise that we need to live a balanced life.<br />
<br />
But here's a quote to ponder:<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.9215999841690063px; line-height: 24.5625px;">
<br /></div>
<blockquote style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.9215999841690063px; line-height: 24.5625px;">
Regarding balance, I can sure see where that is a very serious trap--for if we are the determiners of balance, then we would be usurping the authority of God. . . In Christ, we have utterly forsaken balance -- we don't even try to balance our salvation- - we pitch ourselves fully into the arms of Jesus who carries us through to the other side. The problem of balance then rests with the one who carries the weight -- and He said, "Cast all your cares (weights) on me" . . . or He speaks of His yoke and burden which is light. So how can Jesus, who bore the sin of the world upon himself, be a light burden for us? Praise God that He is a light yoke/burden! That means He is the one responsible for balance -- we just have to surrender it all to Him! . . . If we have thrown the weight of our burden onto Christ, and He in turn has had us take up His yoke and burden which is light, then of course we are out of balance. ~ Jack Helser</blockquote>
I'm thinking there's something to be said for passion, for intention, for determination, for wholehearted pursuing after the One who has given us our every breath.<br />
<br />
<br />Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241205993383739880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224568723728253433.post-72125829389937411642014-01-03T21:53:00.000-05:002014-01-04T19:37:32.495-05:00What love is NOT. It's come to my attention recently that in some circles men think it is their right to discipline their wives.<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
I'm talking about <i>spanking.</i> A husband spanking a wife.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
I'd likely spank right back. I asked my husband what he thinks about this, and he also was flabbergasted. His response: "Why would it enter anyone's mind?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
<br />
<img alt="RC Sproul Jr wife spanking" src="http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/9353/5x0i.png" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
<img src="http://thegoddessacademy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/a96674_ifyourhusband.jpg" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
I don't know how the advertisers got away with this sort of thing back in the 50's. I do know that in my own home my father would never have considered beating my mother for any reason. Even though my grandfathers were considered the heads of their respective homes, they always treated their wives with love and appreciation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
What really boggles my mind is the fact that it is Christian husbands and wives who seem to be accepting this as normal practice for a marriage. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
We have come a long way from the wisdom of theologians like Matthew Henry, who wrote a commentary that many still refer to in 2014. His comments include (from Ephesians 5):</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The duty of wives is, submission to their husbands in the Lord, which includes honouring and obeying them, from a principle of love to them. The duty of husbands is to <b>love their wives</b>. The love of Christ to the church is an example, which is sincere, pure, and constant, notwithstanding her failures. <b>Christ gave himself for the church</b>, that he might sanctify it in this world, and glorify it in the next, that he might bestow on all his members a principle of holiness, and deliver them from the guilt, the pollution, and the dominion of sin, by those influences of the Holy Spirit, of which baptismal water was the outward sign. The church and believers will not be without spot or wrinkle till they come to glory. But those only who are sanctified now, shall be glorified hereafter. The words of Adam, mentioned by the apostle, are spoken literally of marriage; but they have also a hidden sense in them, relating to <b>the union between Christ and his church</b>. It was a kind of type, as having resemblance. There will be failures and defects on both sides, in the present state of human nature, yet this does not alter the relation. <b>All the duties of marriage are included in unity and love.</b> And while we adore and rejoice in the condescending love of Christ, let husbands and wives learn hence their duties to each other. Thus the worst evils would be prevented, and many painful effects would be avoided.</span></blockquote>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
We see that the love of a husband towards his wife ought to be like the love of Christ towards the church. Many painful effects (such as humiliation of the wife and domination of the husband, for which he must repent) could be avoided, if married couples learn to love one another as Christ loves the church.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
More from Matthew Henry, on 1 Peter 3:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/bible/passage.aspx?q=1%20Peter+3:1-7" style="background-color: white; color: #336699; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;">Verses 1-7</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px;">The apostle having treated of the duties of subjects to their sovereigns, and of servants to their masters, proceeds to explain the duty of husbands and wives.<i>I. Lest the Christian matrons should imagine that their conversion to Christ, and their interest in all Christian privileges, exempted them from subjection to their pagan or Jewish husbands, the apostle here tells them,</i>1. In what the duty of wives consists.</span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px;"><u>(1.) In <i>subjection,</i></u> or an <b>affectionate submission</b> to the will, and obedience to the just authority, of <i>their own husbands,</i> which obliging conduct would be the most likely way to win those disobedient and unbelieving husbands who had rejected the word, or who attended to no other evidence of the truth of it than what they saw in the prudent, peaceable, and exemplary <i>conversation of their wives.</i> </span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div>
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Matthew Henry explains that Christian wives ought to be cheerful and respectful towards their OWN husbands, even if the husband is not a Christian. <span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><u style="color: #333333; font-size: 14px;">(2.) In <i>fear,</i> or reverence to their husbands,</u><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px;"> </span><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/ephesians/5-33.html" style="color: #336699; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;">Eph. 5:33</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px;">.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px;"><u>(3.) In a </u><i><u>chaste conversation</u>,</i> which their unbelieving husbands would accurately observe and attend to. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px;"><u>(4.) In preferring the ornaments of the mind to those of the body</u>. </span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Christians ought to understand that the inward man is far more important than the outward.</b> A Christian woman ought to dress appropriately and modestly, but she ought to take care to adorn her soul rather than her body. Outward adornments fade away... clothes wear out, jewelry tarnishes, even the body ages. Yet a meek and quiet spirit cultivated by a godly Christian woman will become brighter and better as she matures in Christ. This is precious in the sight of God! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Matthew Henry explains that the Apostle Peter gives examples of holy women of old, who trusted in God. Sarah obeyed Abram, and called him "Lord" (a sign of respect) even though she did not know where they were going. God knows what is going on, and keeps an exact record of all of the actions of all men and women. He knows our difficult circumstances, and is pleased when we accept our lot and trust God to work it out. Even if we are married to a churlish husband, we can honour God by respecting him and serving him in love. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Matthew Henry goes on: </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">II. The husband’s duty to the wife comes next to be considered.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><u>1. The particulars are,</u></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> (1.)</span><i style="color: #333333;">Cohabitation,</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">which forbids unnecessary separation, and implies a<b> mutual communication of goods</b> and persons one to another, with delight and concord. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">(2.)</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> </span><i style="color: #333333;">Dwelling with the wife according to knowledge;</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> </span><b>not according to lust, as brutes</b>; nor according to passion, as devils; but according to knowledge, as wise and sober men, who know the word of God and their own duty.<br />(3.)<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> </span><i style="color: #333333;">Giving honour to the wife</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> </span>—<b>giving due respect to her</b>, and maintaining <b>her authority</b>, <b>protecting her person</b>,<b> supporting her credit</b>, <b>delighting in her conversation</b>, affording her<b> a handsome maintenance</b>, and placing a due <b>trust </b>and <b>confidence </b>in her.<br /><u>2. The reasons are</u>, Because she is <i style="color: #333333;">the weaker vessel</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">by nature and constitution, and so ought to be defended: but then the wife is, in other and higher respects, equal to her husband; they are</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> </span><i style="color: #333333;">heirs together of the grace of life,</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">of all the blessings of this life and another, and therefore should live peaceably and quietly one with another, and, if they do not, their prayers one with another and one for another will be hindered, so that often "you will not pray at all, or, if you do, you will pray with a discomposed ruffled mind, and so without success.’’ </span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Learn, (1.) The weakness of the female sex is <b>no just reason either for separation or contempt</b>, but on the contrary it is a reason for honour and respect:</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> </span><i style="color: #333333;">Giving honour to the wife as unto the weaker </i><i style="color: #333333;">vessel.</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">(2.) There is an honour due to all who are heirs of the grace of life. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">(3.) All married people should take care to behave themselves so lovingly and peaceably one to another that they may not by their broils hinder the success of their prayers.</span></span></blockquote>
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</div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">One of my teachers at Bible College explained that the "weaker vessel" is like a fine china teacup compared to a pewter mug. The mug is stronger and won't break as easily if handled roughly. The teacup is more delicate, and must be treated with care to be enjoyed.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">Notice that the Scriptures (and Matthew Henry) teach that the wife is equal to her husband, and that they are heirs together. <b>Theirs is a relationship that pictures the love and sacrifice of Christ for His bride, the Church. </b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">That does not, in any way, include a spanking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div>
Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241205993383739880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224568723728253433.post-52726760826139214762014-01-02T23:39:00.000-05:002014-01-03T09:04:11.848-05:00Baby, it's cold outside.It's cold outside.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That's an understatement. I read online that places on earth today were <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/01/right-now-its-as-cold-in-canada-as-where-our-rover-is-on-mars/282775/" target="_blank">colder than Mars</a>, and that Ottawa was colder than Antartica. Brrrr.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In spite of the cold, two of our daughters came for a visit, bringing with them 13 delightful children. The chaos reminded me of the weekly gatherings we used to have. Our married daughters would come once a week for homeschool co-op. Teaching, fellowship, fun outside, crafts, food, noise and confusion were the order of the day. It was exhausting, but it was well worth the effort.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As I watched the kids and listened to the women chat and laugh and share their lives, I reflected on the fact that we rarely do this any more. Kids have grown, schedules are full, and there have been some difficulties in relationships. We don't get together once a week for co-op, and that makes me sad.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
However, I am grateful for many things.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm glad we see all of our kids on a fairly regular basis.</div>
<div>
I'm thankful that the grandkids are healthy and happy and growing like weeds.</div>
<div>
I'm ever so grateful that our married kids have good, loving, hard-working spouses.</div>
<div>
It's good to know that this old house is big enough to hold 15 more than normal, which is 6.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's cold outside, but my heart is warmed. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Thank You, Lord, for family.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241205993383739880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224568723728253433.post-80377636488018785862014-01-01T21:18:00.000-05:002014-01-01T21:18:49.315-05:00Word of the Year - 2014 - LOVE<b>I was intrigued last year by the practice of choosing a word as the theme of one's year.</b> I'd read Ann Voskamp's posts on the words she chose (<a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/2009/01/year-naming/" target="_blank">beginning with eucharisteo, to give thanks</a>). She did it so she'd have direction for the year ahead. <br />
<br />
A little bit of poking around on the internet revealed that instead of writing a long list of resolutions that would soon either be discarded or cause the resolver to experience the agony of defeat, people were simply choosing ONE word.<br />
<br />
Last year, my word was "<a href="http://exultingchristian.blogspot.ca/2013/01/sink.html" target="_blank">sink</a>". I wanted to give up striving to do my best when it meant running roughshod over my family. I wanted to sink into Jesus, into rest, into BEING instead of doing. I'm actually amazed at how many times my one word popped into my head, especially when I was under stress and feeling overwhelmed. Sink was a good word for 2013.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>The word I have chosen for 2014 is LOVE. </b><br />
<br />
It's an attribute of God. The two greatest commandments speak of love - loving God and loving neighbour. When we love, we reflect God, the God Who is Love. Little children learn that love is "doing what's best for the other person". That means it is other-centered rather than self-centered, and it takes effort, not just emotion. <br />
<br />
<b>What does love look like?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
One of the basic counselling questions I learned when I took Biblical Counselling courses was just that: What does love look like? In the situation you're experiencing, what is the best thing you can do or be to demonstrate love to God and love to others?<br />
<br />
Love doesn't always look kind. Love can seem harsh. I vividly remember standing outside the special care nursery watching a highly trained nurse pick up a baby and turn him upside down, pounding his little back. Bystanders were aghast, not aware that the nurse was saving the baby from choking. It didn't look very nice, but in that case,<u> that's what love looked like.</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
My son has been banned from electronics this week, because I am training him to be responsible, to keep his room clean, and to pick up after himself. He's not happy with the ban, as he delights in playing Minecraft with his nephew over the internet. However, in this case, <u>this is what love looks like</u>.<br />
<br />
<b>Love takes courage.</b><br />
<br />
It's not easy to love. It's far easier to think of self than of others. Our sin nature assures that we'll put self first, every time, unless we are filled with the Spirit. <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/your-most-courageous-resolution-for-2014" target="_blank">Jon Bloom of Desiring God Ministries wrote</a> about the courage it takes to love God and neighbour:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f8; color: #231f20; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">"But let’s also be clear: making love our aim in 2014 will demand more courage and faith than any other resolution we can make. Nothing exposes the depth of our sin like really seeking to love God with our entire being and loving our neighbors as ourselves (</span><a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="Luke 10.27" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Luke%2010.27" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #634956; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Luke 10:27</a><span style="background-color: #f8f8f8; color: #231f20; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">)."</span></blockquote>
<br />
I'm planning to revisit his blog and put the suggestions into practice. <br />
<br />
<i>Lord, I pray, teach me to love. Make this year, 2014, the year of LOVE for me. Help me to love You more, to love Your people more, and to love the family You have blessed me so abundantly with. Teach me to ask myself what love looks like in each and every situation. When trials come, teach me to love. When joys overflow, teach me to love. When I go to church or jot a few lines or make homemade soup, may I do it with love. Fill me with You, Oh Lord, for You alone are truly LOVE. Make me more like You, I pray, in Jesus' name. Amen. </i><br />
<br />
<br />Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241205993383739880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224568723728253433.post-90251923794811355592013-12-31T19:43:00.002-05:002013-12-31T19:43:39.504-05:00My Times are in Your Hand<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Boulder; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A New Year's
Resolution </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">by Matthew Henry
- <b>"My times are in Your
hand!"</b> Psalm 31:15 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Firmly believing
that my times are in God's hand, I here submit myself and all my affairs for
the ensuing year, to the wise and gracious disposal of God's divine providence.
Whether God appoints for me . . . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> health or sickness,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> peace or trouble,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> comforts or crosses,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> life or death-- <b>may His holy will be done!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 14.0pt;">All my <b>time, strength, and service</b>, I devote
to the honor of the Lord Jesus--and even my common actions. It is my earnest
expectation, hope, and desire, my constant aim and endeavor--that Jesus Christ
may be magnified in me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 14.0pt;">In everything I
have to do--<b>my entire dependence is upon
Jesus Christ</b> for strength. And whatever I do in word or deed, I desire to
do all in His name, to make Him my Alpha and Omega. I have all from Him--and I
would use all for Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 14.0pt;">If this should
prove <b>a year of affliction</b>, a
sorrowful year to me--I will fetch all my supports and comforts from the Lord
Jesus and stay myself upon Him, His everlasting consolations, and the good hope
I have in Him through grace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 14.0pt;">And if it should be
<b>my dying year</b>--then my times are in
the hand of the Lord Jesus. And with a humble reliance upon His mediation, I
would venture into the eternal world looking for the blessed hope. Dying as
well as living--Jesus Christ will, I trust, be gain and advantage to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 14.0pt;">Oh, that the grace of God may be sufficient for me,</span></b><span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 14.0pt;"> to keep me always a humble sense
of my own unworthiness, weakness, folly, and infirmity--together with a humble
dependence upon the Lord Jesus Christ for both righteousness and strength.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241205993383739880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224568723728253433.post-77258236045246353312013-07-04T10:01:00.001-04:002013-07-04T10:02:01.780-04:00Like a Thief in the Night - A prayer from 1 Thessalonians 5<i>Oh, Lord, Your day is coming, unexpectedly and without warning, like a thief breaking into a home in the middle of the night. People who do not know You (but think they know everything) do not realize that their self-made "security" - money, power, influence - will crumble instantly on that great and terrible day, and there will be no escape.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><b>I can only thank You</b> for Your mercy in bringing me out of the darkness, into Your light, even as I pray for loved ones. Have mercy on them, O Lord, and open their eyes to see You, too. Help our family to live as children of light, under the control of the truth. May we view the circumstances of life with wisdom and circumspection, knowing that You are in control of all things, an d that we must live lives of faith and love. Faith in You, at all times, no matter what. Love for You, and for others, as your great commandment says.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Because of what You have done, dear Heavenly Father, <b>we have an unshakeable hope.</b> You have not destined us for wrath - we are destined for salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us. We live with Him, no matter what - even if we die physically, we live eternally. WHAT A GREAT HOPE! Help us, Lord, to encourage one another with this hope, and to build one another up in this truth.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><b>Lord, thank you for our pastor and elders.</b> May we as a family and a church continue to esteem them highly in love because of their work, for they are Your servants. May peace reign among us.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Lord, give wisdom to our leaders, so they can discern the difference between the idle, the fainthearted, and the weak. Help them to be patient with all, and give our leaders the wisdom and courage and grace they need to </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<ul>
<li><i>admonish the idle (those out of line) to get back in line</i></li>
<li><i>encourage the faint-hearted (those who fear and doubt) to be bold in faith</i></li>
<li><i>help the weak (those without spiritual or moral strength)</i></li>
</ul>
<div>
<i>And, Lord, I pray the same for Rick, as the leader of our home. Give him wisdom and courage and grace.</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i><b>Help us never to repay evil for evil,</b> for You have declared "Vengeance is mine, I will repay." Help us to do good to one another always, and give us wisdom to know what that good would look like.</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i><b>May we always rejoice</b>. May we pray without ceasing. May we give thanks in all circumstances, knowing that no matter what happens, it is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us. May we walk through the valleys and climb the mountaintops with FAITH and TRUST in Your plan, and in Your power to care for Your own.</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>Lord, help us not to quench the Spirit by sinning, for this would grieve Him. We are so blessed, so very blessed, to be indwelt by the Spirit of the living God, so help us to submit to His control, walking with Him moment by moment, abiding in Jesus as a branch connected to the Vine.</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>Lord, help us never to despise prophecies. Let us be thankful for the preaching of Your Word, and give us the wisdom to test everything we hear by Your Word, holding fast to what is good and discarding what is evil. </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>Help us to abstain from every form of evil.</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>Heavenly Father, my God of peace, please sanctify us completely, separating us from sin unto holiness. When Jesus Christ comes so suddenly and without warning, may our whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless through His work of redemption on our behalf. </i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
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<i><b>You are faithful. </b> You called us out of darkness into Your light, and You who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it. </i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>Thank You, Lord. You will surely do all Your will. You alone have the power to redeem sinners, and to conform them to the image of Your Son.</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>I stand in awe of You.</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>Amen.</i></div>
Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241205993383739880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224568723728253433.post-23233394791466492762013-07-02T09:28:00.001-04:002013-07-02T09:28:32.931-04:00Prayer from 1 Thessalonians 3I love to turn the Word of God into a prayer. Here's today's musings:<br />
<br />
<i>Heavenly Father,</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I am challenged by the strong love that Paul feels towards his spiritual children. He can hardly bear the separation. He thinks of them constantly, always remembering them in his prayers.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I am not that loving. I am not that caring. Even though I love my children, and my spiritual children, it is easy for me to build walls of self-protection when there's been little contact. I put up my bricks and mortar to protect myself rather than reaching out selflessly to see how they're doing. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Forgive me, Lord. Help me to die to self, to bear the pain of separation without ascribing any motives. Help me to suffer gladly on behalf of my loved ones. Teach me to pour myself into the lives of those You have assigned to me - children and grandchildren, friends and family - even online friends that I've never met in real life. Help me to remember that each one is made in Your image, that each encounter is an opportunity to love and serve in the name of Jesus. May my desire be to establish others in their faith, and to exhort them to press on in Christ.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The tempter is real. He hates You. He hates your Son. Consequently, he hates those who have been bought with the precious blood of Jesus. He wants to trip us up, to cause us to fall into the pit of depression and despair. We must not be ignorant of his schemes. We must resist and stand firm, knowing that even though our human eyes see destruction, You are in control, and will bring beauty from ashes.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>When I see evidence of faith and love in my children, it gives me great comfort in spite of the affliction and distress of my life. I LIVE when I see them stand firm in the Lord. I rejoice when I hear them speak of their love for You, my God, and Your ways. This brings joy. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I pray that we, as parents, as friends, will have opportunity to supply what is lacking in their faith. As iron sharpens iron, may we influence others for Christ, just as they do the same for us. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Lord, direct us. Help us to serve wholeheartedly. May our children increase and about in love for one another and for all. May they have a heart to serve, to glorify Your name, to reach out to others. Establish our hearts blameless in holiness before You, oh God my Father, so that we can rejoice at the coming of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Amen.</i>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241205993383739880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224568723728253433.post-42860153291660695712013-04-02T12:58:00.001-04:002013-04-02T12:59:46.014-04:00Whole Church, whole gospel, whole worldThe Church. The called-out ones. <br />
<br />
<b>Church is Music to my Ears</b><br />
<br />
One of my most delightful memories is being admitted into the Junior Choir as a 5 year old, simply because I could read. Our choir director would hand out lemon wedges for us to suck on, "to clear the voice". Church meant music, singing, gowns, pomp and circumstance. To this day, the sound of a good choir brings tears to my eyes. I enjoy visiting our local United Church - the red carpet, beautiful pews, carved wooden railings, large balconies - all of these things stir my memories of a happy childhood. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Church is Childhood Memories</b><br />
<br />
Another church of my childhood, <a href="http://quebec.anglican.org/?page_id=628" target="_blank">St. James Anglican Church of Lac Beauport, Quebec</a>, was built in 1890. It was a place that was home to me when I was a child. It was a place of weddings, of family gatherings, of holiness and the Book of Common Prayer. It smelled of old wood and furnishings. Hymn books were donated by my grandparents in memory of my uncle, Ray Matthews, who served and died as a pilot in the RCAF. <br />
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<b>Church is a Place of Salvation</b></div>
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As a young wife and mother, I had plenty of questions about God and Eternity and cults and truth. A friend took me to Erindale Bible Chapel to hear Helen Gillard speak about Christmas. I peppered her with questions and she led me to the Lord. That is the one and only time I ever visited Erindale Bible Chapel. It is a special place for me, for it is where my journey as an exulting Christian began.</div>
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<b>Church is Baptism and Discipleship</b></div>
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Emmanuel Baptist Church in Milton, Ontario, was the church where I first saw Christians take their Bibles to church. They opened them and followed along as the Pastor preached his sermon. They looked into Scripture during Sunday School class! It was at Emmanuel that we were challenged and strengthened in our faith. It was there that we were baptized as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.</div>
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<b>Church is Rules and Regulations</b></div>
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The next church we attended was Velvet Hills Baptist Church in the Waterloo area. It was at that church that we learned about division, discord among the brethren, toxic leadership, and authoritarian control. Our daughter was enrolled in the Christian School at the church, and our lives revolved around meetings and activities related to the church. There was no time for visiting family outside the church, and if we did so, we needed permission. There was a "standard sheet" to sign, and many rules to follow. We were in church on Sunday morning for Sunday School, then worship service; Sunday afternoon for choir practice; Sunday evening for another sermon; Tuesday for Prayer Meeting, Thursday for Soul winning, and Saturday morning for bus ministry. We were slaves, and we loved it! When the church split, we were devastated, thinking that there was no other valid church in the area. They were the cream of the crop! I look back and see that the Lord set us free. It's not surprising to me that there no longer is a Velvet Hills Baptist Church.</div>
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<b>Church is Compassion</b></div>
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Woodside Bible Fellowship in Elmira took us in when we were broken, bleeding, and wounded. They showed compassion in so many ways, welcoming us to Bible Studies and surprising us with gifts of food and Christmas presents. We were accepted and loved, even when we were unlovely. We look back with thankfulness for a time of healing and rest.</div>
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<b>Church is Community</b></div>
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We then attended two churches in the community in which we lived and raised our family. We developed friendships and delighted in serving others with the gifts God has given us. I'll have more to say about this in another post.</div>
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The point is, all of those churches were <u>not the buildings</u> - they were the <u>people</u> God sent into our lives to love us, to point us to Christ, to walk with us on the way, to challenge us and to bless us. </div>
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It's wonderful to know that we are a part of the Body of Christ, that we are joined to other believers in the great communion of saints. We are called to love God, and love our neighbour. This starts with the church.</div>
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<br />Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241205993383739880noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224568723728253433.post-19545545909381698372013-03-12T23:16:00.000-04:002013-03-12T23:16:23.914-04:00Sermon and Sovereignty<a href="http://www.esvbible.org/search/Matthew+5/" target="_blank">The Sermon on the Mount</a> is one of the most familiar passages in the Bible. It starts with the Beatitudes - "Blessed are the poor in spirit", etc. Notice that the blessed ones aren't the rich and powerful, the celebrity or the world leader. The ones who are blessed are the mourners, the meek, the ones who long after righteousness. These humble people are pure in heart, and they delight in making peace. Even when they are persecuted and reviled, they remember to look heavenward, for they know there is a sure reward awaiting. <br />
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It struck me this morning that the fifth chapter of Matthew is not a bunch of disconnected admonishments. <b>Rather, it is all about the Sovereignty of God</b>. He is the One who chooses His people and ordains their circumstances. He wants them to walk humbly before Him, letting their light shine to a cursed and shining world, and making a difference. He wants them to be the salt of the earth. Salt is used to enhance the taste of food. Christians are supposed to enhance the lives of others!<br />
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Christ came to fulfill the law, and in this passage He makes it clear that the Pharisees' re-interpretation has been wrong. I imagine Jesus gazing at the Pharisees while He reminds them that they are not quite as holy as they think they are.<br />
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<b>God Sees Our Anger</b><br />
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“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. (Matthew 5:21-26 ESV)</blockquote>
The Pharisees were proud that they'd kept the law, but Jesus pointed out their error. Even anger deserved judgment, and insults deserved the fire of hell. Jesus was teaching them that it was the internal sins that matter. <b>The Sovereign God sees the heart, the broken relationships, the pride. He blesses the humble, the meek, the peacemaker, not the arrogant, angry and proud.</b><br />
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<b>God Sees Our Lust</b><br />
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“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell. (Matthew 5:27-30 ESV)</blockquote>
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Jesus wants us to know how serious it is to look with lustful intent. It's another mark of pride to think that you can lust, and nobody knows. God sees. He knows. <b>The Sovereign God provides everything </b>we need for life and godliness. He is able to provide a spouse for you. Humbly wait for His timing.<br />
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<b>God Sees Our Relationships</b><br />
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“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.</blockquote>
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God wants us to remain faithful in our marriages. The Sovereign God has given you a spouse, and you ought to be faithful. Yet the Sovereign God also sees when there is abuse and immorality, and He compassionately provides an escape for some.<br />
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<b>God Sees our Hearts</b><br />
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<br />“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.</blockquote>
Do not ever be flippant about the things you say, for God is Omniscient and hears it all. All of our speech should be made as if we were under oath to tell the truth. The earth is God's footstool and heaven is His throne. He is Sovereign over all. Humble yourself before Him. Watch your mouth!<br />
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<b>God Sees our Desire for Vengeance </b><br />
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“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.</blockquote>
The Old Testament was limiting retaliation for a wrong to what was just and fair, but it was never meant to sanction acts of personal retaliation. Jesus is asking the hearers to <u>surrender all personal rights.</u><br />
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<li>Do you believe God is Sovereign?</li>
<li>Is He able to judge fairly?</li>
<li>Does He provide, as He promised?</li>
<li>Can He use our losses to further His Kingdom?</li>
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Our Sovereign God is a Righteous Judge, with all the resources of the universe, and all the wisdom. As we humble ourselves and surrender our rights, He can use our circumstances to accomplish His great will.</div>
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<b>God wants us to Love our Enemies</b><br />
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“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:31-48 ESV)</blockquote>
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God is Sovereign over all, and He is kind and good to all, sending rain on the just and the unjust. I love how Jesus uses the tax collector as an example - I imagine Matthew was sitting there with a wry smile on his face. Even the hated tax collectors, like Matthew, love their friends. Jesus wants us to love our enemies, and to be perfect, just like Him.<br />
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God is Sovereign. <b> L<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">ook at all the ways we see God's Sovereignty in this passage.</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>God chooses the
elect and ordains their steps. </b> He knows
which ones will be peacemakers, and which will be reviled. Great will be their reward in Heaven, and God
is the One who will give it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>God works in all of
our relationships</b>, in marriages and divorces, in strained relationships and
legal battles. He is Sovereign over all
relationships, over our friends and our enemies, our workmates and our relatives. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>God is Sovereign
over all that happens in our lives</b> - the things that might puff us up, and the
things that might trip us. We must walk
humbly before Him all the days of our life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>God is the Sovereign
Judge of all the earth</b>. There is no need
to take vengeance on our enemies, for God will set all things right in the end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Take comfort in His
Sovereignty!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Heavenly Father,
Your Sovereignty over all is such a comfort to me. I know that all things work together for good
to those who love You, who are called according to Your purpose. Even tragedies such as death or a battle with
debilitating disease, even trials that break our bones or our hearts or our
banks… all things are under Your control.
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Nothing is ever a
surprise to You. Your love never
fails. Help us, Lord, to walk humbly
before you always.</i></span></div>
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Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241205993383739880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224568723728253433.post-79126636185251387912013-03-07T07:26:00.001-05:002013-03-07T07:26:01.971-05:00Serving without Sinking: What happens when we serve in love (and when we don't) | The Good Book Blog<a href="http://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/blog/usefulresources/2013/03/07/serving-without-sinking-what-happens-when-we-serve/#.UTiHSP7tVQ4.blogger">Serving without Sinking: What happens when we serve in love (and when we don't) | The Good Book Blog</a>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241205993383739880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224568723728253433.post-33440662035522758092013-03-04T15:42:00.001-05:002013-03-04T15:42:24.212-05:00Out of SyncMy life has been upside-down this year. <br />
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I've been weeding and organizing -weeding out the many superfluous books that I have, and organizing what is left. Until that task is completed, I'm afraid I will be neglecting my blog. (Sorry.)<br />
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I've also begun a new medication that is designed to help me with the constant pain I endure. I take it at 9 pm, and it enables me to sleep better than I have in quite some time. However, now that I am sleeping better, I am not up before the chickens or the Critter. That<b> has <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tePa0CI478k" target="_blank">thrown off my groove</a>.</b><br />
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My normal routine has been to go to bed, toss and turn, wake up frequently, and give up sleeping around six o'clock in the morning. I get up, make coffee, and go to my "Bible Study Desk". I call that one my "Bible Study Desk" because it is then distinguished from my "Computer Desk" and my "Craft Desk". <br />
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Anyway, if I start at my BSD, sipping coffee and reading God's Word, I take notes and usually have something to share with the world. Hence this blog.<br />
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But since I started the new medication, I've been sleeping in. I get up around 7 or even as late as 8, and Christopher is already up and at it. This means that he is trying to play a game before his mother gets after him to feed the horses and chickens and dogs and cats, and bring in the wood, and take out the ashes and the compost. Because he is in the Great Room where my Computer Desk is located, I mosey on out to check on him and to bark orders his way, then I sit down to quickly check my email. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJO_jHcA8TBDKLwCajZ3tWc6RtmZLSXFVbNghIZQfBBZHCOebq2qiyAT4oRl76z3fUD59NvuobXNn3j0AYUqEy3zUnKNalGEsZR8RB2fAX1UFP18KWh0Kq74PO3oe3Ff0umnz0YOLpDo/s1600/1759287324427934_F3CXn5M8_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJO_jHcA8TBDKLwCajZ3tWc6RtmZLSXFVbNghIZQfBBZHCOebq2qiyAT4oRl76z3fUD59NvuobXNn3j0AYUqEy3zUnKNalGEsZR8RB2fAX1UFP18KWh0Kq74PO3oe3Ff0umnz0YOLpDo/s320/1759287324427934_F3CXn5M8_c.jpg" width="250" /></a>I don't visit my BSD. <br />
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I haven't been reading my Bible much. <br />
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As a result, I haven't been blogging.<br />
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(Did anyone miss me?)<br />
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I do have a plan. I want to work very hard at re-organizing the library. I have given away 30 boxes of books, and will have more to give away at the end of this week. I have to move a few books and dismantle a shelf in order to open up the cluttered area and make it into an inviting space. I'll need lots of help from children to do so.<br />
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Once the library is clean, I have to start my seedlings. I'll put them on a shelf in front of the south-facing window, which is perfect for that. <br />
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After that is done, I plan on getting back in sync. I'll set my alarm if I have to, so I can get up before Critter and get back to reading and journalling and writing. <br />
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If you are a regular reader of this blog, you'll know that I deal with daily pain. Moving books and organizing makes the pain worse, but it will be OH SO WORTH IT to have a delightful space for our family library. I'm keeping all of our favourite books. <br />
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<br />Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241205993383739880noreply@blogger.com1