tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66292337242126194452024-03-08T00:18:51.675-05:00Wicked InspiredEricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12938942857190285952noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629233724212619445.post-79425766994338156682014-01-31T21:04:00.004-05:002014-01-31T21:04:44.964-05:00Crazy Little Steps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/" target="_blank">[ photo source ]</a></td></tr>
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<br />I've started the habit of doing something "crazy" every single week...no I don't mean "crazy" as in "let's go bungee jumping" I mean "crazy" as in doing something outside of my comfort zone. Scary to think about, but actually quite fun once you get over the fear of leaving your protected little cocoon. <br />
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On the pursuit of living with no regrets I've adopted the "what if" mindset.<br />
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In my life I'm choosing to take little steps each week outside of my comfort zone. Just. Little. Steps. I encourage you to try the same!<br />
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<b>Sometimes our little steps turn into the biggest steps. </b><br />
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What looks like a LITTLE step to us might actually be a BIG step in God's plan.<br />
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<b>Thoughts of failure make us fail to try and thoughts of rejection make us reject our dreams.</b> Take one moment each week to do something CRAZY. <br />
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Examples of crazy things you could possibly find yourself doing:<br />
<ul>
<li>having a tough conversation with someone that you have put off for too long</li>
<li>applying for that new job</li>
<li>taking a step towards your dream</li>
<li>forgiving someone</li>
<li>pursuing an opportunity </li>
<li> ...and the list goes on!</li>
</ul>
If God has provided the opportunity, be willing to take the step. Know that the door may open, close, or redirect you but none of those things will happen if you don't take that step.<br />
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Be willing to go after the things God has put on your heart and be willing to do so one step at a time, no matter how many small steps or big steps it may take. <br />
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<b>So what's your crazy step this week? </b> <br />
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<br />Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12938942857190285952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629233724212619445.post-13015660992225692372014-01-30T21:37:00.000-05:002014-01-30T21:42:04.017-05:00Living Inspired<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/" target="_blank">[ photo source ]</a></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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2014 has come and there's no time like the present to get back into this whole blogging thing. Allowing myself to push writing to the back burner is something that shouldn't have happened because I'm realizing how much I've missed it! Life get's busy and we lose focus of the things we enjoy doing and sometimes it isn't until we're hit with the inspiration bug that we're pulled back to those things. Hence my presence here once again!<br />
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As I jump back on the blogging train I'm excited to start putting my thoughts into words and turning those "wicked inspired!" moments into relevant life lessons and applications. <br />
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I encourage you to jump back on this train with me and tag along for the ride. I don't know where this train's going but I'm sure it's bound to be an adventure!<br />
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I encourage you to start living your life inspired...find inspiration in the little things, the mundane, the extraordinary, the obvious, and the forgotten places. Search for the inspiration in the little things (and the big!). When you start to lose sight of why you're doing what you're doing, remember why you started!<br />
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Here's to 2014 and living inspired.<br />
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<br />Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12938942857190285952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629233724212619445.post-39458426072325820642013-06-03T13:23:00.002-04:002013-06-03T13:23:36.866-04:00Fruity Spirits Day 8: Gentleness <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/943216_10151938088189606_1923628176_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" class="spotlight" height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/943216_10151938088189606_1923628176_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[ photo <a href="https://www.facebook.com/air1radio?fref=ts" target="_blank">source</a> ]</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i>Day number 8 of our journey through <a href="https://www.youversion.com/bible/111/gal.5.22-23.niv" target="_blank">Galatians 5:22-23</a></i></span></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #666666;">is here! Today we touch on gentleness. If you missed any of the first 7 days of this series make sure you check it all out <a href="http://wickedinspired.blogspot.com/p/series.html" target="_blank">HERE.</a></span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think one of the most challenging "spiritual virtues" that we have touched on in this series so far is the one we're discussing today...gentleness. It's challenging in the sense that describing gentleness or rather defining what it means isn't really an easy task! After all...what does it really mean to be "gentle" anyways?!?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take a moment to ponder the question - what does being "gentle" look like? - and see how you would define it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What comes to mind?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I think "gentle" I naturally think little fluffy kittens, but hey that's just me. Hopefully you had something a little more defining in the sense of our own human gentleness come to mind!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the broader sense of gentleness I think we get a glimpse of how God demonstrates gentleness every single to our very own beings when we look at the way he loves us. The way he loves on us, shows patience towards us, and gently molds us into who He created us to be is an incredible picture of gentleness. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gentleness can most beautifully be shown when we are embodying the previous fruits of the Spirit that we have talked about here. When we are embodying love, patience, kindness, goodness, all those things, we tend to have this gentle ambiance radiating from us. In the same way that the Lord actively practices those virtues and shows gentleness in His works, we too can do the same as we learn to embody all the Fruits of the Spirit and begin to practice them in our own lives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being patient and kind and loving on those around us is the first step to becoming "gentle". Are you starting to see how it all comes together?!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To walk around with a loving, open, God serving heart, we start to naturally relate to others in a more gentle way; not judgmental, not "I'm better than you", not dominance, not anything but just gentle, humble, love for one another in Christ Jesus. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sounds like a wonderful thing doesn't it? </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is one step that you can take today to begin living with a more gentle heart and life?</span></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: #666666;">"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, <span style="color: magenta;">gentleness</span> and self-control."</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: #666666;">- Galatians 5:22-23 </span></i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12938942857190285952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629233724212619445.post-75966673552070223452013-05-23T21:05:00.001-04:002013-05-23T21:05:46.974-04:00Fruity Spirits Day 7: Faithfulness<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/550x/c1/d1/87/c1d187c4cb6bae43aeaaa3746f107045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Big hearts." border="0" class="PinImageImg" data-componenttype="MODAL_PIN" src="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/550x/c1/d1/87/c1d187c4cb6bae43aeaaa3746f107045.jpg" style="height: 425px; width: 307px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[ photo <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/" target="_blank">source</a> ]</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #666666;">Hello day seven! We've moved along through <a href="https://www.youversion.com/bible/111/gal.5.22-23.niv" target="_blank">Galatians 5:22-23 </a></span></i><span style="color: #666666;"><i>discussing the different Fruits of the Spirit and now find ourselves ready to discuss the seventh Fruit of the Spirit; faithfulness. Missed the first 6 days? Check them out using this link here: <a href="http://wickedinspired.blogspot.com/p/series.html" target="_blank">Fruity Spirits Series</a></i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Faithfulness...what a big word.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Faithfulness can be applied to many different things in life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few things that faithfulness can be attributed to are:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A husband to his wife (and vice-versa!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A dog to its owner (that's how the old saying goes at least, isn't it?)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A parent to their child</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God to us</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An employee to their long standing employment at a certain job</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To our friends</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Faithfulness to.........you get the point, lots of different things! </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With so many things that faithfulness can be attributed to we often forget that we are even practicing the art of being "faithful"! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The best example of faithfulness though is God's faithfulness to us. Not only does God say He is faithful; He proves it each and every day. He means what he says. He never leaves us. He is THAT faithful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here's a <span style="background-color: #f4cccc;"><b>challenge question</b></span> for you:</span><br />
<b><span style="background-color: #ea9999;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="background-color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">Are we being as faithful to God as He is being to us? </span> </span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God doesn't walk away from us when times get tough.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He is <u>always</u> faithful.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God doesn't just say that He is going to be faithful to us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He is <u>always</u> faithful.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God isn't only faithful when He feels like it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He is <u>always</u> faithful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...So why then do we choose when to be faithful and mostly only do it when we feel like it or when we have nothing left but to give God our most faith?</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let us truly be faithful to God and never leave His side just as He never leaves ours!</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Allow us to practice faithfulness in all aspects of our lives (work, play, relationships, etc.) but let us start by first and more importantly living out our faithfulness to God! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's not a matter of "I'll be faithful later" or "God wouldn't really like to see me like this, so I'll just come back to him in a minute"....NO. Make faithfulness the unending bond between you and Jesus. God deserves back what He shows to us every single moment of every single day, and though the list of those things is endlessly long...faithfulness is one of them.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #666666;">"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, <span style="color: magenta;"><b>faithfulness</b></span>, gentleness and self-control."</span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: #666666;">- Galatians 5:22-23 </span></i></span></span></div>
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<br />Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12938942857190285952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629233724212619445.post-82752468784076435892013-05-21T14:02:00.006-04:002013-05-21T14:03:28.437-04:00Wicked Inspiring | Zach Sobiech<!--[if !mso]>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">"...I want everyone to know, you don't have to
find out you're dying to start living." -Zach Sobiech</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As did many others, I began
watching this video with no intentions of sitting through the entire 22 minutes
of it......but you guessed it.....22 minutes later I found myself still
watching. Zach's outlook on life is so inspiring. His story is a
reminder to all that we need to live in the present and enjoy life while we
can. Things can happen so fast and change everything in the blink of an
eye. Take a moment to sit back and be inspired by Zach Sobiech and then
make the decision to start living because life is a gift from God and oh so
fragile and that's something that I know I sure take for granted much too often.
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</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12938942857190285952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629233724212619445.post-32617860295223560092013-05-21T13:25:00.000-04:002013-05-21T13:25:07.336-04:00Fruity Spirits Day 6: Goodness<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec4.pinimg.com/550x/a6/02/47/a60247fbff7e52d8c3f7b49eb48e9894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="www.facebook.com/naeemcallaway" border="0" class="PinImageImg" data-componenttype="MODAL_PIN" height="300" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinimg.com/550x/a6/02/47/a60247fbff7e52d8c3f7b49eb48e9894.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a brief hiatus here we are back on track for day 6 of the fruity spirits series. Reading on in <a href="https://www.youversion.com/bible/111/gal.5.22-23.niv" target="_blank">Galatians 5:22-23</a> we arrive at the sixth fruit of the spirit; goodness. Missed the first 5 days? No worries! Check them out by clicking <a href="http://wickedinspired.blogspot.com/p/series.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Goodness. Answering the question "what does it mean to be GOOD?" is not an easy task. We initially attribute being "good" as what keeps us out of trouble. But again, <b>what DOES that MEAN? How do we do it?!</b> Being "good" can be done in SO many different ways and can mean SO many different things to so many different people. In the eyes of a kindergartener being good means sharing, being nice, and using manners. For a full-grown adult being good looks a whole lot different. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Tackling the task of stating what exactly it means to be good is one that cannot simply be done in a few mere words.<b> If something can be stated in just a few simple words it's this: God is good. </b> Not only is God good...He is good ALL THE TIME. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">So maybe this post is going in a little bit of a different direction that the previous posts. The way I look at, who am I to sit here and tell you how to be "good"? I can only tell you what I know, and that's the fact that there is <b>no better example of goodness than God's goodness. </b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">No matter what happens in our lives, no matter how disappointed we get, no matter how upset we are, hurt, mad, sad, or confused, we can assuredly rest in the fact that God is <b>STILL</b> good. </span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">There is no circumstance in life that can change the fact that He is good.</span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">That problem you're facing? God is still good.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">That disappointing news you just received? God is still good.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">That devastation you feel? God is still good.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">The hurt you feel? God is still good.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Whatever it may be...God is STILL GOOD.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Here's the thing with God's goodness...it doesn't go away, it doesn't change, it always remains. It doesn't grow weaker; only stronger. He isn't good only when He feels like being good. He's always good. He's constant. He's consistent. He doesn't change. He's even good when we aren't.</b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Imagine if we were the same in our behaviors. Imagine if we were good, all the time. Never disobedient to God's leading and the life He set out before us. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">What would that look like?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b><span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Challenge Question: What does "being good" look like to you? How would you define it?</span></span></b></span> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: #666666;">"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, <span style="color: magenta;"><b>goodness</b></span>, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: #666666;">- Galatians 5:22-23 </span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12938942857190285952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629233724212619445.post-78090583062084074392013-04-26T23:04:00.001-04:002013-04-26T23:04:04.794-04:00Fruity Spirits Day 5: Kindness<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/550x/28/2a/87/282a87ba03dd58a07e3ba513dabf3ffe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Always." border="0" class="PinImageImg" data-componenttype="MODAL_PIN" height="400" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/550x/28/2a/87/282a87ba03dd58a07e3ba513dabf3ffe.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[ photo <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/" target="_blank">source</a> ]</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well hello and welcome to day 5 of our 9 day journey through the fruits of the spirit! Today we talk about kindness as we march on through <a href="https://www.youversion.com/bible/111/gal.5.22-23.niv" target="_blank">Galatians 5:22-23</a>. If you missed any of the first 4 days of this series be sure to check them out using these links: <a href="http://wickedinspired.blogspot.com/2013/04/fruity-spirits-day-1-love.html" target="_blank">Love</a>, <a href="http://wickedinspired.blogspot.com/2013/04/fruity-spirits-day-2-joy.html" target="_blank">Joy</a>, <a href="http://wickedinspired.blogspot.com/2013/04/fruity-spirits-day-3-peace.html" target="_blank">Peace</a>, <a href="http://wickedinspired.blogspot.com/2013/04/fruity-spirits-day-4-patience.html" target="_blank">Patience</a>.</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Today as we reflect on kindness and what it means to be genuinely kind I want to take a moment to think about kindness. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><b>What IS kindness? </b> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">When I think about kindness I personally think first and foremost about generosity. I think of kindness as an outpouring of happiness and love. Kindness is a universal tool that can be shown through so many different mediums. Kindness can show through our words, our actions, and even our thoughts!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><b>How would YOU define kindness?</b> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Take a moment to check out this previous post about kindness as it ties in PERFECTLY with today's fruit of the spirit (click the link): <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://wickedinspired.blogspot.com/2013/03/random-kindness.html" target="_blank">RANDOM KINDNESS</a></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Kindness goes beyond the random acts of kindness, kindness is a way of life.</b> Choosing a life of kindness is choosing to live not for yourself. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Kindness can manifest itself with something as simple as a smile...give it a try! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Here's a challenge for you: </b>For an entire day make the conscious decision to be aware of little bits of kindness. How much kindness can you spot in your day to day life? It can be your own kindness that you are outpouring or it can be the kindness of others you observe. Keep track and see just how many accounts of kindness you can see in an entire day - I think you'll be surprised! Remember no act of kindness is too small! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Take a serious look at your own life...not only in the random acts of kindness department...but in the overall kindness department. Are you a kind person? <b>Are your words, thoughts, actions, and motives kind? </b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: #666666;">"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, <b><span style="color: magenta;">kindness</span></b>, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: #666666;">- Galatians 5:22-23 </span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12938942857190285952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629233724212619445.post-59198467453381057992013-04-25T22:15:00.001-04:002013-04-25T22:15:16.472-04:00Fruity Spirits Day 4: Patience<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-is0.pinimg.com/550x/d3/57/dd/d357dd8d664e298c5296660b5453501a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Patience Quote" border="0" class="PinImageImg" data-componenttype="MODAL_PIN" height="400" src="http://media-cache-is0.pinimg.com/550x/d3/57/dd/d357dd8d664e298c5296660b5453501a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[ photo <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/" target="_blank">source</a> ]</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Greetings to day number four out of nine of our Fruity Spirits series! The journey in </span></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><a href="https://www.youversion.com/bible/111/gal.5.22-23.niv" target="_blank">Galatians 5:22-23</a></i></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #666666;">continues today as we talk about the word no one really enjoys hearing...patience. If you missed any of the previous day check them out using these links: <a href="http://wickedinspired.blogspot.com/2013/04/fruity-spirits-day-1-love.html" target="_blank">Day 1 </a></span></i><i><a href="http://wickedinspired.blogspot.com/2013/04/fruity-spirits-day-2-joy.html" target="_blank">Day 2</a> <a href="http://wickedinspired.blogspot.com/2013/04/fruity-spirits-day-3-peace.html" target="_blank">Day 3</a></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's be honest...whether you're 5 or 95 you're not really fond of the term "patience". Nobody likes waiting and nobody REALLY enjoys being patient...if you do then I admire you greatly!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Patience is so universal in our lives when it comes to WHAT we have to be patient with. Sometimes its a person, sometimes its ourselves, sometimes it's God....the possibilities are endless. Patience comes in all ways, shapes, forms, and not always at the opportune time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whether you're 7 and have a REALLY cool story to tell your mom but instead are tested in patience when you find out that she is having a conversation on the phone or you're 87 and you're asked to be patient as you wait for your prescriptions at the pharmacy...no matter how old you are you've experienced SOME kind of situation where PATIENCE was asked of you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As Christians walking in a relationship with Christ we are often tested in our patience, especially our patience in God's timing. Learning to have patience in the Lord's timing is a task that I am starting to become convinced takes a lifetime to acquire. Unfortunately, I think learning to be patient means using a great deal of patience (uh-oh....).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm hopeful though because I am almost positive that I am not the first person to ever struggle sometimes with being patient in God's timing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what do we do when we're over here being all patient waiting on the Lord and His timing?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We worship.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We work. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We serve.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We praise God. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Living patiently in the Lord's timing is saying "While I wait Lord, I'm going to serve you. I'm going to work and I'm going to praise you. All while I wait...patiently!" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him..."</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">- Psalm 37:7</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This song says it all perfectly:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: #666666;">"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, <span style="color: magenta;">patience</span>, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: #666666;">- Galatians 5:22-23 </span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<br />Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12938942857190285952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629233724212619445.post-49161247839853214012013-04-24T21:57:00.002-04:002013-04-24T21:59:07.464-04:00Fruity Spirits Day 3: Peace<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec4.pinimg.com/550x/12/37/5d/12375def84352272e423461991264243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Don't worry... About a thing..." border="0" class="PinImageImg" data-componenttype="MODAL_PIN" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinimg.com/550x/12/37/5d/12375def84352272e423461991264243.jpg" height="400" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[ photo <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/" target="_blank">source</a> ]</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here we are on day three of our nine day journey through the fruits of the spirits series entitled "Fruity Spirits". If you missed the first two days take a moment to check them out now: <a href="http://wickedinspired.blogspot.com/2013/04/fruity-spirits-day-1-love.html" target="_blank">Day 1: Love</a></span> , <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://wickedinspired.blogspot.com/2013/04/fruity-spirits-day-2-joy.html" target="_blank">Day 2: Joy</a></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today we move on in <a href="https://www.youversion.com/bible/1/gal.5.22-23.kjv" target="_blank">Galatians 5:22-23</a></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and discuss peace!</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PEACE. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you're thinking along the same lines as me you most definitely just pictured a bunch of hippies with their two fingers up in the air declaring the peace sign. Or maybe you thought of peace on a completely different level and wafted off to a peaceful place in your mind where you were spending an afternoon snoozing in the hammock....seriously though lets chill for a second and for the sake of this post talk about peace on a more literal sense.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's talk about peace as a trait of our character.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's talk about peace as a way of life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's talk about BEING at peace.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's talk about living IN peace.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To be at peace it means we have no worries, no second thoughts, no apprehensions about what may come. Being at peace is knowing full well that God has it ALL under control. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peace is the ability to rise in the morning, lay our heads on the pillow at night, and fill all the moments in between by saying "it is well with my soul". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peace is knowing IT'S GOING TO BE OKAY.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peace is saying "God there's so many things in my life that I should be scared to death about but because of your precious hand on my life I can breathe and know that there is no need to worry because YOU HAVE A PLAN". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being at peace is having full confidence in God's plan for your life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being at peace is having no doubts that there IS a plan for your life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being at peace is having awareness that there IS a BIGGER PICTURE.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being at peace is saying "God whatever comes my way I'm trusting that you have a plan". </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We begin to live peacefully when we are at peace with the realization that God's hand guides our path, not our own. God's plan overrules ours. And whatever comes our way, must be for the glory of God...somewhere, somehow, all in the bigger picture that only God can see.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Laying our burdens, worries, and fears down and saying "God, I trust you." is the first step to living a peace filled life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">" For our God is not a God of disorder but of peace."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">- 1 Corinthians 14:33 </span> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I urge you and challenge you to examine your own life and ask yourself, am I living IN peace? Is it well with MY soul?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">- 2 Thessalonians 3:16</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And finally, since we've talking about peace so much it just wouldn't feel right to end this post any other way....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peace out! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i>"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, <span style="color: magenta;"><b>peace</b><span style="color: #666666;">, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."</span></span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="color: #666666;">- Galatians 5:22-23 </span></span></i></span></span></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12938942857190285952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629233724212619445.post-62264201038454354522013-04-23T20:17:00.001-04:002013-04-24T21:57:53.389-04:00Fruity Spirits Day 2: Joy<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec4.pinimg.com/550x/c7/db/c4/c7dbc4a4393207dc2d1ed738b912c743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Joy" border="0" class="PinImageImg" data-componenttype="MODAL_PIN" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinimg.com/550x/c7/db/c4/c7dbc4a4393207dc2d1ed738b912c743.jpg" height="400" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[ photo <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/" target="_blank">source</a> ]</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Welcome to day number two of the Fruity Spirits series! If you missed day one make sure you check it out here: <a href="http://wickedinspired.blogspot.com/2013/04/fruity-spirits-day-1-love.html" target="_blank">Day 1: Love</a> Today we venture on in <a href="https://www.youversion.com/bible/1/gal.5.22-23.kjv" target="_blank">Galatians 5:22-23</a> by spending some time discussing the second fruit of the spirit...Joy! </span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I hear the word Joy there is definitely some catchy song lyrics that pop into my mind almost immediately: </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;">"I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;">Down in my heart</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;">WHERE?!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;">Down in my heart</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;">I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;">Down in my heart</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;">WHERE?!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;">Down in my heart to stay!" </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...Now that that's out of my system....</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take a moment to think about joy and what it means to you.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What brings YOU joy?</span></span></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I ask myself that question I find my mind suddenly getting flooded with a thousand-million (yes I quite possibly could have just made that number up) different things. So many simple little things bring joy to my heart and I'm sure there are many things that do the same for you!</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> But now here's the tough question...how can you have a joyful heart?</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think for the sake of this post its safe to say that having a joyful heart and a joyful attitude all stems from the way you look at things. Being joyful is not only a feeling or emotion but rather a perspective in which you see the world and the things you do.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Quite possibly the best way to achieve this perspective is through the truth that Colossians 3:23 speaks: <i>"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." </i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> </i> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we begin to do the activities of our lives not for the sake of the world but for the sake of the Lord we begin to see things through a new perspective. We begin to find a new joy in the activities that once seemed so mundane and unrewarding. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joy is more than a feeling, joy is a way of life. Joy is an active decision to embrace the little things in life and embrace where you're at. Joy is doing life not for your sake or for the sake of others but for the sake of the Lord. Joy is being content. Joy is knowing that each moment plays a role in the bigger picture. Joy is happiness in knowing the Lord has a plan for your life. Joy is what we feel, joyful is what we are, when we're doing it all for the Lord.</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So the question is....</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">What brings you joy? </span></b> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to know what brings you joy (hobbies, activities, babies laughing, green grass growing, you name it!)! It might be something simple, something funny, something ordinary, something crazy, or maybe even something you didn't even realized brings you joy. Leave a comment and let me know what brings you joy! </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>"But the fruit of the Spirit is <span style="font-size: small;">love</span>, <span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>joy</b></span></span>, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>- Galatians 5:22-23 </i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/550x/74/03/7c/74037cd4cb9b9432711754497e882167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Focus on what brings you joy" border="0" class="PinImageImg" data-componenttype="MODAL_PIN" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/550x/74/03/7c/74037cd4cb9b9432711754497e882167.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[ photo <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/" target="_blank">source</a> ]</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></i></span></div>
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<br />Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12938942857190285952noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629233724212619445.post-78236519343838442452013-04-22T17:19:00.001-04:002013-04-24T21:58:04.834-04:00Fruity Spirits Day 1: Love<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/550x/26/69/b2/2669b2f9b647ff7d13dccf4e607a3e04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="LOVE never fails" border="0" class="PinImageImg" data-componenttype="MODAL_PIN" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/550x/26/69/b2/2669b2f9b647ff7d13dccf4e607a3e04.jpg" height="640" width="491" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[ photo <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/" target="_blank">source</a> ]</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fruity Spirits Introduction: Over the course of the next nine days we will be walking through Galatians 5:22-23 which talks about the fruit of the Spirit: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." If you counted the same way I did that's nine "fruits" of the spirit, and since we're blogging for the next nine days...you guessed it...we will be elaborating on one "fruit" each day. Today we kick things off with the first "fruit"....love! </span></i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">What is love? What does it mean to love? What does it look like to truly love<i>?</i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Love can be described using a lot of different words like commitment, chemistry, longing, etc. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Biblically speaking there's no better way to describe it than this:<i> </i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><i>"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8</i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">There is no better story of love than the act of God found in the Bible. <i>"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live, through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but the he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." - 1 John 4:9-10 </i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">If THAT doesn't speak true love to you then take a moment to flip through the pages of your Bible and view story after story of how Jesus loved. Talk about endless love!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">God's love is a love that never fails, never goes away, and is endless. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">So how do we love like God? How do we embrace this whole "loving" thing as part of one of the fruits of the spirit? </span></span><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">May I suggest you go back and re-read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 again. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Ephesians 5:2 says <i>"And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."</i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">You've heard it before...WWJD...let's think WWJD when it comes to the question of asking how to love more like God. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><i>"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." </i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><i>- 1 Cortinthians 13:13 </i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">To go along with 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 and defining what love looks like here's a great way to wrap it all up - make sure you listen: </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">...And make sure to remember that love never fails, God is love, and God NEVER fails!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>"But the fruit of the Spirit is <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;"><b>love</b></span></span>, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>- Galatians 5:22-23 </i></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Want more on love? Check out this previous post all about love by clicking <a href="http://wickedinspired.blogspot.com/2013/02/anti-valentines-day.html" target="_blank">HERE.</a></span><i> </i></span></b></span> </span></span></span></div>
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Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12938942857190285952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629233724212619445.post-70631269058664527342013-04-16T22:30:00.000-04:002013-04-16T22:30:05.464-04:00HE WANTS YOU!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec3.pinterest.com/550x/81/1e/28/811e28fb37dd3acdbefa3281a39b7cd8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="i want you." border="0" class="PinImageImg" data-componenttype="MODAL_PIN" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinterest.com/550x/81/1e/28/811e28fb37dd3acdbefa3281a39b7cd8.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I want THAT one. The broken one. I WANT him. I don't NEED him, I WANT him."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There can be a sea of Christians and children of God and <u>one single</u> lost soul amongst the crowd and God is going to point them out and say "I want <u>THAT</u> one. I NEED that one."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus searches out the broken, the wrecked, the ones in need of a love so immaculate words can't even begin to describe it and he tells them He wants - NEEDS - them in His family.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This blows my mind!</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A God who has all things looks down at me and you in our imperfections, weaknesses and insecurities and say's "I want you in my family! I need you in my family. I would do <u>anything</u> to get you into my family! Come child, come join me. Be a part of my family for ever and always."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus doesn't need us, He WANTS us. He looks at us in our weaknesses and failures and STILL WANTS us. He WANTS us in His family no matter how bad we mess up, He WANTS us!</span><br />
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<i><span style="color: #38761d;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The question is...how are you going to respond to His desire for you to be in His family?</span></b></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12938942857190285952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629233724212619445.post-73565863590779354852013-04-03T21:08:00.003-04:002013-04-03T21:08:47.839-04:00Dig Baby, Dig!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec3.pinterest.com/550x/07/61/85/076185ac2c33ffb7dcb1c95386da0ce9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="There's nothing on earth like digging in the dirt!" border="0" class="PinImageImg" data-componenttype="MODAL_PIN" height="333" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinterest.com/550x/07/61/85/076185ac2c33ffb7dcb1c95386da0ce9.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[ photo <a href="http://pinterest.com/filpimom3/things-that-are-me-/" target="_blank">source</a> ]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you've ever taken a history class you've heard all about archaeologists. If I know one thing about archaeologists it's this: they like to dig. They love to dig and find things that no one has yet discovered. They ultimately dig to find things of value; things that mean something! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't know about you, but when I hear the word "archaeologist" I immediately think of someone out at the bottom of mammoth whole in the ground digging up dinosaur bones or something of the sorts somewhere. Maybe that's not accurate but you get the point.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If an archaeologist was to sit inside at their desk all day doing nothing, their job would NEVER get done. No dirt would be turned and no discoveries would be made. An archaeologist is only able to find new things and make new discoveries when they are digging! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As Christians the same goes for us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Should we choose to sit around all day and not do anything but still hope to "score the gold" we're going to lose big time. Just as an archaeologist must dig to find "treasure" we too must dig...into the Bible! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What if we were to start digging in the Bible like an archaeologist digs looking for historic artifacts? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What if we were passionate about discovering "treasure"? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHAT IF we were PASSIONATE about digging deeper in our relationship with Christ? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Start digging. I dare you. Dig baby, dig! You might just strike gold. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12938942857190285952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629233724212619445.post-86384204111081050912013-04-01T16:12:00.000-04:002013-04-01T16:12:06.694-04:00You Are What You Eat<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec7.pinterest.com/550x/24/30/90/2430909fa7a45aa689d86f19361e7075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="You are what you eat..." border="0" class="PinImageImg" data-componenttype="MODAL_PIN" src="http://media-cache-ec7.pinterest.com/550x/24/30/90/2430909fa7a45aa689d86f19361e7075.jpg" style="height: 450px; width: 291px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[ photo <a href="http://pinterest.com/barbaramumba/healthy-food-fitness-fantasy/" target="_blank">source</a> ]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since we were little we've heard it AT LEAST a thousand times..."eat your veggies!"...or at least I have. Now that I'm older I realize the importance and healthy benefits of vegetables, and I now find myself actually enjoying my veggies...Ironic how that happens, isn't it? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Parents stress to their children the importance of eating vegetables because they help you to grow and help your body to stay healthy. Children, from a young age, learn about how sugary treats are not so great for your body and don't provide you with the same healthy benefits as healthier foods like fruits and vegetables. When it comes to how we fuel our bodies it all comes down to this: <b>what we're filling our bodies with will essentially determine how we grow. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are you completely confused on where I'm heading with this yet?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How we live is a lot like how we fuel our bodies. Ever heard the phrase "garbage in, garbage out"? <b>What we choose to fill our lives with is inevitably what we start to be about.</b> Think: junk food = overweight and unhealthy, fruits and veggies = healthy weight and healthy body. Just as what we eat determines our bodies health. What you're filling your mind with is essentially what you are pouring out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the same way that a trip to a fast food restaurant "every-now-and-then" turns into "yesterday-today-and-most-likely-tomorrow", little things that we let start slipping in to our lives can soon escalate into bigger things and all of sudden become "who" we are. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whether we're filling our bodies with fast food everyday or fruits and veggies we're changing the way our body lives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whether we're filling our minds with the garbage of Hollywood or the words of the Bible we're changing the way we live.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We must understand that we can't start to grow-up until we start to fill-up with the proper stuff! </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So the question is....what are you filling up with? </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is what you're filling up with helping you turn into the person God intends for you to be or is it making you stray away from that person God intends you to be? </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now there's some food for thought! </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />“Fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve
praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and
honorable” </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Philippians 4:8</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him,
bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Colossians 1:10</span></b></div>
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<br />Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12938942857190285952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629233724212619445.post-1646672197055553932013-03-26T22:14:00.002-04:002013-03-26T22:19:28.011-04:00Unashamedly Blemished<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec7.pinterest.com/550x/23/4e/00/234e00a1bbf7024cb876a46647102202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="face" border="0" class="PinImageImg" data-componenttype="MODAL_PIN" src="http://media-cache-ec7.pinterest.com/550x/23/4e/00/234e00a1bbf7024cb876a46647102202.jpg" height="400" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[ photo <a href="http://pinterest.com/FollowShopHers/f-a-c-e-t-i-m-e/" target="_blank">source</a> ]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I stood in the mirror putting my make-up on I dabbed at a little red blotch on my face with a nice glob of foundation. Heaven forbid anyone see that little red spot. As I made my attempts at hiding this ugly little imperfection that had decided to camp-out on my face I made a realization.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Us girls, embarrassed to let the world see our imperfections, dab the make-up on. Covering up all the things we're ashamed or embarrassed to let the world see.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In the same way that we cover up our blemishes with make-up we cover up things in our lives. </b>Things that we are embarrassed or ashamed for others to know about or see. Things that *we* think will make us less of a person in the eyes of others. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We try to mask our imperfections and hide pieces of our lives.</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's like we're playing a game of hide-and-seek with the world. One minute we're out in the open and the next we're off hiding somewhere. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We walk around with these masks on trying to make the world believe that we have it all together, that we are without a flaw, and that we're something we're not. <b>Life isn't really a masquerade ball though, is it?! </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm blemished. I'm imperfect. And so are you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here we stand in our imperfect lives trying to hide all the little details we don't like or don't think <br />"look good". What a slam that must be to a God who oh so thoughtfully and uniquely hand-crafted each and everyone one of us! A God who created us in His own image. A God who knit us together in our mothers womb. A God who so fearfully and wonderfully breathed the very breath of life into each of us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here we stand as unique individuals crafted for a unique purpose and instead we're opting to hide from the world the <b>very things </b>that make us <b>unique</b> and <b>perfect</b> in the eyes of God!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The good news? <b>Though we ourselves are imperfect, we serve a perfect God.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I stand here in my imperfections and I choose to be <b>unashamedly blemished</b>. </span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Will you join me in removing the masks that we hide our lives behind and instead embrace our imperfections? </span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>" For you created my inmost being;</i></span></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>you knit me together in my mothers womb.</i></span></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;</i></span></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>your works are wonderful,</i></span></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>I know that full well."</i></span></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>~ Psalm 139:13-14 ~ </i></span></span></span></b></div>
Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12938942857190285952noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629233724212619445.post-66039276265337808762013-03-24T21:55:00.002-04:002013-03-24T21:57:46.762-04:00Stuck in the wrong gear<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/550x/41/2f/e8/412fe8133b620a9fc2ff460ebe94f05b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="God's way" border="0" class="PinImageImg" data-componenttype="MODAL_PIN" src="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/550x/41/2f/e8/412fe8133b620a9fc2ff460ebe94f05b.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[ photo <a href="http://pinterest.com/hollywoodrum/life-one-inspiration-at-a-time/" target="_blank">source</a> ]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: #444444;">A few posts ago I talked about my adventures in learning to drive a stick-shift, which you can read about by clicking <a href="http://wickedinspired.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-predicament-of-shifting.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. Reflecting upon that adventure brought me to the memory of another learning step in the process which...you guessed it...paints the picture of another analogy to share. So here it goes....</span></i></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As my confidence started to evolve in driving my manual-transmissioned vehicle I figured I would have no problem taking a 45 minute, out of town drive to get to where I needed to be. After all, driving was how I was learning the ways of shifting, right?! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About 15 minutes down the street I found myself at a stop sign stalled-out....not once, not twice, not three times, maybe four, maybe five...who knows....I lost count. A man from the car behind me got out and walked up to my window and asked "Is everything all right?" I quickly responded saying "I'm just trying to get this whole standard thing down!" I thanked him and he was on his way back to his car where he sat until I FINALLY drove away from the stop sign....after a few more stalled attempts of course. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few minutes down the road I realized what my problem at the stop sign had been. I kept putting my car into third gear instead of first gear (which you would have thought I would have been smart enough to realize). First gear is where you start, not third, silly me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Moral of the story? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>If we're going after the same thing over and over again and keep "stalling" maybe our problem lies in what "gear" in.</b> <b>Maybe we're in the wrong gear.</b> <b>Maybe we're in our gear and not the gear God needs us in.</b> We need to throw our life back into neutral and realign as we shift into the correct gear and give it another shot. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It's only once we're in the right gear that we are going to be able to succeed at what we're trying to do</b> - just as it is with driving a manual-transmissioned vehicle. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I sat at that stop sign trying to drive in what I thought was the right gear I continuously found only failed attempts. Though I kept telling myself "You can do this, you'll be fine just....go!" the hopes of leaving that stop sign we're very small. However, once that car was in the right gear I took off with ease and was on my way down the road! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If we are continuously experiencing failures and continuously stalling it might be time to say <b>"Clearly my way isn't working. God I want to try your way." </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #e06666;">It's time to get OUT of our own gear and INTO God's gear!</span></b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12938942857190285952noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629233724212619445.post-46232668683556856942013-03-18T13:26:00.000-04:002013-03-18T13:26:12.249-04:00Huddle-Time!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/550x/67/bc/63/67bc63189c57ce1d4d5eaf59d6ba9f75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS Montana Huddle PHOTO NR" border="0" class="PinImageImg" data-componenttype="MODAL_PIN" height="302" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/550x/67/bc/63/67bc63189c57ce1d4d5eaf59d6ba9f75.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[ photo <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/502292164660290621/" target="_blank">source</a> ]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Maybe I don't know a lot about football - all they do is tackle each other and fight over an egg shaped ball anyways, right? - but I do know that they like to "huddle" a lot. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Football players gather in a huddle to plan out their next move and to create a strategy to win the game. When they're in this huddle they get themselves psyched up for the next play about to happen. Sometimes this huddle happens simply because the players need a pep-talk...maybe the game isn't going so great and they need a word of encouragement to pull them through and get them back on track. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When the players are done having their "huddle-time" they break off from the huddle and go back out to the playing field re-focused and ready to make some winning moves, all thanks to the pep-talk from the huddle. <b>The huddle isn't where the game is won but simply where the focus to win comes from. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You can learn from this idea if you think of football players as Christians and "huddle-time" as church-time. As Christians, when we go to church that's our "huddle-time" and the broken, lost world is clearly our playing field. <b>Church shouldn't be what Christians "do", it's where we should be going to get our "pep-talk", to be rejuvenated, to get re-focused and to get psyched up for the game!</b> The game is <u>all about</u> ministering and spreading the Gospel to a broken world! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You can't win the game inside the huddle but you can win the game out on the field when you apply what you learned inside the huddle. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Church should be that time to re-focus on the game and to get ready to jump back out on the field. Church should be that time to come together as a team and to prepare our game-plan for the field. Church-time is huddle-time. COME ON TEAM, LET'S DO THIS! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>"Church isn't the game, it's the huddle."</i> </span></b> </span></div>
Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12938942857190285952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629233724212619445.post-50740983825478876102013-03-14T14:25:00.002-04:002013-03-14T14:25:58.349-04:00Confessions of a control freak...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-is0.pinimg.com/550x/7c/be/b7/7cbeb73d16fa400252054630c8990795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt=""I'm not a control freak, I just want it how I want it."" border="0" class="PinImageImg" data-componenttype="MODAL_PIN" height="400" src="http://media-cache-is0.pinimg.com/550x/7c/be/b7/7cbeb73d16fa400252054630c8990795.jpg" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[ photo <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/123075002288756414/" target="_blank">source</a> ]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here you have it: Confessions of a control freak. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe this doesn't come as news to any of you but I've come to realize that <b>I'm a control freak.</b> I tend to have this need to take-over and have control over certain things. I tend to like to be the one in charge. (Miss Bossy pants when I was 4, why would it be any different now?)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Besides realizing (or maybe it's more like finally admitting) that I'm a control freak I've come to see and realize that <b>with God that doesn't really work</b>. He doesn't exactly "roll that way". Know what I'm sayin'? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I guess you could say God's a control freak Himself...and His control freakness ways overrule <u>any</u> of those tendencies I may possess. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He's boss.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He rules.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He's in control...not me. </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ALL. THE. TIME.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can have control over what I eat for breakfast, or what I wear for the day, but<b> I CAN'T be a control freak when it comes to my life and my relationship with Christ.</b> I can try to manipulate and state the way things should be in my life but at the end of the day God has final say. There is simply no room for my control freakness ways in my relationship with Christ. It's not ever "I" because it's always "Him"! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Realizing that there's no room for me to be in control can be a daunting thought, but when I look at <u>who's</u> in control I realize that I'm okay with handing over my control freakness for once.... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">....I realize that maybe sometimes it's better to let someone else have a turn. And who better to let have a turn than God with your very life! I say it's worth the forfeit of being in control because <b>He knows what He's doing. HIS ways are higher. HIS ways are better.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are you ways my ways.' </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>declares the Lord . 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'"</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>~Isaiah 55:8-9 </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #e06666;"> </span></b></span>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12938942857190285952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629233724212619445.post-89305980657679263152013-03-13T00:35:00.000-04:002013-03-13T00:39:28.380-04:00The predicament of shifting.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec7.pinterest.com/550x/5f/ae/1f/5fae1fbea92e1f987ea523bf23b4cc86.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="-" border="0" class="PinImageImg" data-componenttype="MODAL_PIN" src="http://media-cache-ec7.pinterest.com/550x/5f/ae/1f/5fae1fbea92e1f987ea523bf23b4cc86.jpg" height="640" width="443" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[ photo <a href="http://pinterest.com/heritagequeen/" target="_blank">source</a> ] </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A year ago I found myself in quite the predicament. I found myself one day as the proud owner of a brand new car. A vehicle with a manual transmission to be exact. The problem? I couldn't drive a stick-shift. (See the predicament?)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So there I was with a vehicle that was all mine and that I was so excited and blessed to have....except I couldn't drive it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I sat in the drivers seat and sputtered through many failed attempts at moving my vehicle forward even a few feet I often began reconsidering my decision to buy such a vehicle. I mean, how many times can you really stall before you want to give up?! <b>Once I got rolling I had no problem...it was simply the starting to move part that was hard!</b> But with much determination I finally succeeded in getting my car out of the driveway. Realizing the only way to really get a grip on this whole shifting-while-driving thing was to ACTUALLY drive on the road. So I made the crazy decision to perfect the art of clutching, shifting, and actually getting somewhere by taking this vehicle and hitting the road. For some reason I thought the humiliation and embarrassment of stalling at stop signs and in public places would motivate me to learn faster!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The journey on the road began...and much to my surprise...it wasn't a complete fail! I actually began grasping this whole stick-shift thing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I realized quickly that sitting around listening to people tell you how to drive a stick-shift and thinking about how to drive a stick-shift wouldn't get you anywhere. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Big shout out to those that offered up their time...and safety...to attempt teaching me!)</span> <b>The learning happened through each stall, each successful gear-shift, and each drive on the road. </b> </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reflecting upon this today I realized that life is a lot like a manual-transmissioned vehicle. </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We sit there with all these hopes of getting out of first gear and actually going somewhere.</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, we get so frustrated about the struggles that come our way when we try to leave "first gear" that we end up just sitting in the driveway thinking about life "out on the road". </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We let these little set-backs HOLD US BACK instead of HELPING US to move forward. The frustration from being stuck in one gear keeps us from getting to the next gear. </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What we don't realize is that these moments of "stalling" in life are moments that are teaching us how to move forward! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If we're just sitting in the driveway complaining that we can't "drive" we are definitely NOT going to be getting ANYWHERE. Jump back behind that wheel and give it another shot! When you stall, turn the key in the ignition and give it another go! Don't stop moving forward just because of one little set-back. Before you know it shifting gears will be as easy as buttering toast (weird analogy? Yes.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, and for those of you that were wondering...I kept my manual-transmissioned vehicle and I have learned to embrace the adventures of driving it ;-)</span>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12938942857190285952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629233724212619445.post-89940494541711128092013-03-08T13:46:00.001-05:002013-03-08T13:46:59.165-05:00T.G.I.F<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/550x/16/b7/13/16b7131aa4daa061c68e5d109374da34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="TGIF" border="0" class="PinImageImg" data-componenttype="MODAL_PIN" height="640" src="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/550x/16/b7/13/16b7131aa4daa061c68e5d109374da34.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[ photo <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/58476495132136629/" target="_blank">source</a> ]</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">T.G.I.F...Yes we're all thankful that <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfVsfOSbJY0" target="_blank">it's Friday</a></b> as we look forward to the weekend ahead of us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I don't want to waste my time here talking about how wonderful Friday is and how wonderful the weekend will be (though I too am thankful for it). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's talk about T.G.I.F in another way.... <b>T</b>oday <b>G</b>od <b>I</b>s <b>F</b>irst.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since the accronym T.G.I.F is so versatile why not enjoy two of its meanings on this very Friday afternoon?! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's take a moment today to consciously make the decision to put God first. In every aspect of our day and the week ahead of us allow us to make this choice. Let us not lose sight of our decision as we face the hustle and bustle of weekend plans. Allow us to remember that God goes first. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Above everything else that goes on throughout the rest of your Friday remember that God is first. <b>Remember that He goes before a struggle you may be having today as well as a joyous praise worthy moment that you may encounter.</b> </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's take a moment to set aside our day and say "God, this has to be about you. You take priority. You're first."</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness..."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>~Matthew 6:33 </i> </span></div>
Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12938942857190285952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629233724212619445.post-91040943718469693722013-03-07T13:33:00.000-05:002013-03-07T21:43:11.071-05:00Random Kindness<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec1.pinterest.com/550x/34/8b/e7/348be72901176c35912c9f0a77ff5bfa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="YES." border="0" class="PinImageImg" data-componenttype="MODAL_PIN" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec1.pinterest.com/550x/34/8b/e7/348be72901176c35912c9f0a77ff5bfa.jpg" width="516" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[ photo <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/225672631298292037/" target="_blank">source</a> ]</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think we often take for granted the <b>immense impact </b>of a random act of kindness. An act of kindness that may seem so small to us could essentially impact someone in a <u>HUGE</u> way. You never know just how much your actions are impacting those around you...<u>even complete strangers.</u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That random act of kindness could look like a million different things... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A random act of kindness could be a....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...random note sent to someone</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...smile to a stranger</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...phone call to an old friend</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...word of encouragement</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...helping hand</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...a dollar spared </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The possibilities are endless!</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A random act of kindness is not restricted by any factor. Young or old, child or adult, male or female it makes no difference! <b>Kindness can be expressed and shared with ANYONE</b> - in fact you don't even need to speak the same language as someone to share a random act of kindness! <b>There are no boundaries when it comes to who we can share kindness with.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kindness is something that we should be handing out like candy on Halloween! Fist-Fulls of kindness. Kindness in abundance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's all about being generous and blessing others. It's about showing random acts of God's love. Whether that be with someone you know well or someone you <b>don't know at all.</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You never know how your small act of kindness can touch someones day, uplift them, put a smile on their face, touch their hearts, or better yet<b> start a chain reaction</b>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Displaying kindness is giving people a touch of God's love. By blessing others with your kindness you are truly blessing yourself. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm seeking a life that pours out kindness to others. Will you join me?</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>clothe yourselves with compassion, <b>kindness</b>, humility, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>gentleness, and patience."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>~Colossians 3:12 </i></span> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Have you <span style="font-size: large;">been the <u>recipient</u> of</span> a random act of kindness lately? If so, leave a comment and state how it impacted you!</span></i></span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12938942857190285952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629233724212619445.post-8512362881131289442013-03-05T13:05:00.000-05:002013-03-05T13:14:56.644-05:00Guest Post: Crockpot Christians<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/550x/3d/f4/a6/3df4a606d043a2ba790c05e621c36ab6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Demask Crock Pot ~ must.have.this! #crockpot" border="0" class="PinImageImg" data-componenttype="MODAL_PIN" height="400" src="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/550x/3d/f4/a6/3df4a606d043a2ba790c05e621c36ab6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[ photo <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/232779874460853719/" target="_blank">source</a> ]</td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></i>
<b><span style="color: #e06666;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Wicked excited to introduce to you the very first "guest post" (which is hopefully the first of many)!<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Enjoy!</span></span></span></i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #e06666;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></i></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #e06666;"> </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Do you use a crock-pot? Have you ever <u>forgotten</u> to turn it on? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You can put in all the ingredients (beef, carrots, onions, potatoes, etc.) for a wonderful meal to slow cook all day. You anticipate <u>coming home</u> to a scrumptious smelling house - only to find out that you forgot to turn the crock-pot on......</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Like Christians, you can put in all "the ingredients", the church, the Bible, the weekly prayer meetings and you can anticipate a wonderful "home coming" when your days here on earth are done. BUT - <b>not until you turn up the heat!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What you are made of and all you have are "raw ingredients". USE THEM. <b>GO SOMEWHERE in your relationship with Christ. GO where you've never gone before....DO something He has called you to do. DO something you have never done before because you were afraid.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Read:</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youversion.com/bible/111/mat.25.14-30.niv" target="_blank">Matthew 25:14-30</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youversion.com/bible/111/eph.2.10.niv" target="_blank">Ephesians 2:10</a> </span><br />
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<br />Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12938942857190285952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629233724212619445.post-45449211230904272062013-03-03T22:30:00.000-05:002013-03-05T10:40:27.958-05:00God = Our GPS<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/550x/ff/98/24/ff98244d53c99525e8f71373b761b945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Let God lead" border="0" class="PinImageImg" data-componenttype="MODAL_PIN" src="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/550x/ff/98/24/ff98244d53c99525e8f71373b761b945.jpg" style="height: 480px; width: 332px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[ photo <a href="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/originals/ff/98/24/ff98244d53c99525e8f71373b761b945.jpg" target="_blank">source</a> ]</td></tr>
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Being someone who has a tendency to <strike>get lost </strike>take an adventure getting to new places you can believe that I am grateful for the invention of a little device called the GPS.<br />
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A GPS is great...you punch in your desired destination, fasten your seatbelt, put the car in drive and off you go. As the voice of your GPS guides you through each turn and down each road you find yourself worry-free as you have full confidence that your GPS will deliver you right to your destination. In fact, should you by chance take a wrong turn you even hear that little GPS-voice saying "redirecting"...and before you know it a new route to your same destination is developed.<br />
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<b>Turning off course doesn't destroy your chances of ever arriving at your destination...</b>yes it may make your trip a little longer BUT <u>eventually </u>you will arrive at your destination.<br />
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<b>Getting completely lost is a lot harder with a GPS on board. </b><br />
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If you think about it...<b>God is a lot like a GPS.</b> Directing and guiding us from our current destination to His planned destination for us. He knows where we are at all times and knows how to get us to where we need to be. The day we were born our "route" was developed and ever since then every little off-course turn that we have taken has resulted in a "re-direction". <b>When we make a "wrong turn" in life God simply says "uh-oh, redirecting!" </b>and guides us back on our way to His destination for us.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">What if we put <u>as much</u> faith in God's direction as we do in the directions our GPS spits out?</span> </b></span><br />
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When I flip on my GPS I have complete confidence that it's directions will lead me to where I need to be. Though I tread through unknown territory I am worry-free because I know I have my GPS to count on.<br />
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In life God needs that same kind of faith from you and from me. We're going to go through "unknown territory" in life and we need to know that there is no need to worry because God's got our back. We can count on Him. He knows the roads of life better than any other.<br />
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We must learn to allow Him to direct our steps and guide us. <b>He knows the best route to your destination. </b> Gosh, he designed your destination - let Him drive!<b> </b>Sit back and enjoy the ride!<br />
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<i>"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;</i></div>
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<i>I will counsel you and watch over you."</i></div>
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<i>Psalm 32:8 </i></div>
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<i>"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; </i></div>
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<i>in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."</i></div>
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<i>Proverbs 3:5-6 </i></div>
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<br />Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12938942857190285952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629233724212619445.post-2574660786774692822013-02-27T23:03:00.002-05:002013-02-27T23:46:57.873-05:00God's ideal > Your ideal <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Be YOU." border="0" class="PinImageImg" data-componenttype="MODAL_PIN" height="400" src="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/550x/d8/08/75/d80875a07b909b377a9c66802aa9db56.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="275" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[ photo <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/502292164660216136/" target="_blank">source</a> ]</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>"Don't try to change your DNA to fit some kind of 'ideal'." -Clayton King</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I'm guilty.</b> Maybe I don't know you, but I'm pretty sure <b>you're probably guilty
too</b>. You may ask "so what exactly are we guilty of?"...well let me tell
you!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think the quote that I posted at the beginning of this post sums up this topic perfectly: <b><i>"Don't try to change your DNA to fit some kind of 'ideal'." </i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i> </i></b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We, as humans,
have this crazy ability to create in our minds this "person" that we
believe we should become. We build up in our minds this ideal lifestyle
and ideal "person" that we strive to become. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We <b>try</b> to change <b>who</b> we are to <b>become</b> someone we <b>*think*</b> is better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We start flooding our minds with the thoughts of "If only...."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"If only I was more like this...."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"If only I was better at that...."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"If only I could do this...."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"If only...."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> ....and so starts the vicious cycle of "if only".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(so was I right yet in my prediction that you're guilty too?) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We try so hard to change who we are that we end up trying to change our DNA just like the quote I mentioned earlier said. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But here is where we draw the line.....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Have we forgotten that God created us the way we are for a purpose?</b> Have we forgotten that our DNA is <u>OUR</u> DNA because <u>no one else</u> on the planet is made to do what we were made to do? <b>Have we forgotten that God's "ideal" for us far exceeds our "ideal" for ourselves?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You were made with the very abilities, talents, and desires that God chose JUST FOR YOU. <b>To think that there is NO ONE else on the ENTIRE planet that has the EXACT same DNA as yourself is a crazy-mind-blowing thought!</b> Why do we so often find ourselves wanting to "cash in" our DNA for someone else then?! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It all comes down to being content with who we are in the very skin we're in.</b> It takes us reminding ourselves that our very own DNA has a <u>purpose</u>. We were built a certain way because of <b>the plan God has on our life that is so unique only we can do it.</b> <b> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It all comes in knowing that God has a plan for you and who He made you to be.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So
let us stop trying to change our DNA in order to fit into these
"ideals" that we come up with in our minds. Let us rid those thoughts
from our minds. <b>Let us instead fill our minds with reassurance that we are who we are FOR A PURPOSE! </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: #e06666;">Do you believe that God created you with a "you-specific" DNA for a purpose intended solely for you?</span></i></span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> </b> </span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: #e06666;"> </span></i></span> </b></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> <br /> "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>- Ephesians 2:10 -</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"'For
I know the plans I have for you', declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper
you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>- Jeremiah 29:11 - </i><b> </b></span></div>
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Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12938942857190285952noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629233724212619445.post-38025738646160776272013-02-26T14:19:00.000-05:002013-02-26T14:21:58.712-05:00A Lesson in Mountain Climbing<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/550x/fe/48/52/fe4852989d969d492c6cf398803a9430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mountain Climbing" border="0" class="PinImageImg" data-componenttype="MODAL_PIN" src="http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/550x/fe/48/52/fe4852989d969d492c6cf398803a9430.jpg" height="640" width="448" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[ photo <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/502292164660209772/" target="_blank">source</a> ]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"Walkin's easy when the road is flat, them danged 'ole hills will get you everytime,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Yeah, the Good Lord gave us mountains so we could learn how to climb."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>- Lonestar <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOR0M5U1CzQ" target="_blank">"Mountains"</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> </i></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've all done it. We've all hiked a mountain. Whether it be small or big, we've all conquered SOME sort of mountain. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've all felt our lungs burn and the struggle get stronger as the mountain gets steeper, as we climb and aim for the top that's so close but yet seems so far away. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What we don't all do is take a moment to learn a lesson while we're climbing...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Hiking a mountain is a lot like walking through life.</b> You may struggle along the way but you have to keep your focus on what awaits you at the top. Just when you get to the hard part and don't think you can go any further, you remember what's at the top and you press on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just as a friend reaches down to take your hand and help you up the steep part of the mountain, <u>so does Jesus</u>. <b>Right when we get to the steepest part of the mountain...right when we think we can't hold on anymore...Jesus reaches down, grabs us by the hand and pulls us up.</b> What a cool image! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reaching the top of the mountain is a happy, joyous moment. You stand there amazed at God's beauty that is in front of your eyes. <b>It's in that moment that you realize that no matter how hard the climb, the view at the top was worth it all.</b> Climbing that mountain builds stamina. The next mountain you climb will be easier...as will as the next. ALL because of that first mountain you climbed. All because of your perseverance to overcome the obstacle of the mountain because you knew what awaited you at the top.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Turning around and walking away is easy but the learning comes from the climbing.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When you look at life like a mountain you need to see God as the "top of the mountain". The goal. Make God the ultimate goal. The goal that never goes away. The goal that is not a goal but rather a passion. Give all you have to reach the "top of the mountain". Want it with <b>EVERYTHING</b> you have - because it is your everything!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Push yourself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do not delay.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do not give up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Push forward.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Work hard.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">CLIMB THAT MOUNTAIN.</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God's waiting.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Turning around on the mountain and walking away before reaching the top is NOT an option.</span> </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"I've learned that everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while climbing it." </i></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>-Andy Rooney </i></b> </span></div>
Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12938942857190285952noreply@blogger.com0