tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57026276596370367902024-03-14T04:50:10.544-05:00PastorsWives.Com where pastors' wives {connect}PastorsWiveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228656943969986642noreply@blogger.comBlogger124125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702627659637036790.post-24777776644017424472021-12-31T00:00:00.006-06:002021-12-31T15:37:05.875-06:00Following God Into the New Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjh_cDBTqOFdeH6tkWD5FJElXLcJ9Y6cjUV20yAbIHdcLsdOWZPe4__ctkweIdPmRr1SL1wWz4Dby3xXzu_NTEbhx1KdXl5XWjp00qmmuF52_uO1ZuAM83zvflxE7MsNQaaaGUffktZkAmQDqS-mJP0tK078V6OfZASM3ETEvWKGra8V0NOi1jQo2v-=s1080" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjh_cDBTqOFdeH6tkWD5FJElXLcJ9Y6cjUV20yAbIHdcLsdOWZPe4__ctkweIdPmRr1SL1wWz4Dby3xXzu_NTEbhx1KdXl5XWjp00qmmuF52_uO1ZuAM83zvflxE7MsNQaaaGUffktZkAmQDqS-mJP0tK078V6OfZASM3ETEvWKGra8V0NOi1jQo2v-=s320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">“The New Year stands before me, like a doorway, waiting for me to enter. However, I want to sit still before it and ask God to go before me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">In the past I’ve raced through the doorway, ready to face the New Year with excitement. Other times I’ve walked through it, hesitant of the future due to current circumstances. And then I’ve crawled through the doorway, dreading the future because of the pain of the previous year.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">So I sit, waiting, praying, and with a thankful heart because of this past year’s blessings. Can He do it again? Knock my socks off with His provisions, blessings, and love? It doesn’t matter, the important thing is that He goes before me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">No more racing, walking, or crawling. For He is My Good Shepherd, and where He leads I will follow. For He knows the plans He has for me, and it’s in Him that I’ll put my trust.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">I wrote this at the beginning of 2014—a year I’ll never forget. Three months after I wrote these words my husband had routine outpatient neck surgery and within thirty minutes of getting him home he had a heart attack. </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">After a ride in an ambulance, hours of waiting in the ER, 10 days in the hospital, a heart cath and then quadruple bypass surgery the day after Easter, we came home again and prepared for weeks of recovery.</span><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> As I look at the New Year ahead I’m reminded that I don’t know what may happen in the months to come for our family, our church, or our ministry. However, I know the One who does know and I put my trust in Him. He was with me that difficult year in 2014, as well as the past three years and I know He will be with me in 2018.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> What about you? Are you moving into this year anxious, excited, expectant, or with dread? Take this month to remember how God has cared for you in the past, how He has showed up when you needed Him, and provided for you whether financially, physically, mentally, or spiritually. Are you seeking direction? Look to Him. Are you looking for answers? Take time to listen. Do you need rest? Be still and let Him carry you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> Whatever this next year holds, we need to remember that God is already there and He is waiting on us. My prayer for you is that you will trust Him in all things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> So, as for me and the upcoming year . . .</span><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">“I sit, waiting, praying, and with a thankful heart because of this past year’s blessings. Can He do it again? Knock my socks off with His provisions, blessings, and love? It doesn’t matter, the important thing is that He goes before me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">No more racing, walking, or crawling. For He is My Good Shepherd, and where He leads I will follow. For He knows the plans He has for me, and it’s in Him that I’ll put my trust.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b>About the Author:</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zveX-loonVi3vdGL99RVZpA5X3aqdG4Ls4ENXPfj09ub7xcVWxu7o1StyJruwXS1VU5SO322iAMuzEiFqsb2PEaYygs6wd5KPpwCzwJjUYeT9Ir0QEvsOYYStZE6ibxPGJUfDdoecSc/s1600/Beth+K+Fortune.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zveX-loonVi3vdGL99RVZpA5X3aqdG4Ls4ENXPfj09ub7xcVWxu7o1StyJruwXS1VU5SO322iAMuzEiFqsb2PEaYygs6wd5KPpwCzwJjUYeT9Ir0QEvsOYYStZE6ibxPGJUfDdoecSc/s200/Beth+K+Fortune.jpg" width="173" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 15px;">The hats I wear are many but with each one brings an opportunity to share heart, humor, and hope. My day job is with a ministry in Greenville, SC but my other hours I fill with writing, speaking, teaching Bible Studies, leading our women's ministry, designing landscape/gardens, rowing at Greenville Indoor Rowing and answering to Beth, mama, and grandmommy. Serving alongside my husband, who is a pastor, for over twenty years, I can say without a doubt that as difficult as it is at times, it's also a great honor. They say that with age comes wisdom, I'm not sure about the wisdom part, but I do know that with age comes the realization that no matter what I go through God is always there with His overwhelming love and grace. </span></div>
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<b>Connect With Beth:</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 15px;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.bethfortune.org&source=gmail&ust=1510166012712000&usg=AFQjCNFEko1Tzojt1cgh8YYIzR03GzZbVA" href="http://www.bethfortune.org/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.bethfortune.org</a></span></div>
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PastorsWiveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228656943969986642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702627659637036790.post-1406443178542270892018-05-22T07:00:00.001-05:002021-12-29T22:21:34.234-06:00Is All This Struggle Worth it? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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She locked the church door and jiggled the knob. Her car was the only one left in the parking lot, and Taneka was taking the speaker to the airport. Tired fingers dropped the key into her new summer purse. Memories of the tender hugs that accompanied all the goodbyes warmed her heart as she walked to her blue Toyota hybrid. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Once in the gray cloth seat, Beth paused. “Lord, it all seemed to go well. Thank you for keeping everything on track in spite of that major disruption.” She dropped her hands from the wheel to her lap. <o:p></o:p></div>
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“Now I need you to help me figure out what’s going on with Ruth. Her outburst was totally out of character. Her words stung, and I’m sure you noticed the shock on the faces of those who heard her.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div>
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She realized her response in the moment to address the older woman’s concerns was more second nature than felt kindness. The confrontation itself was easier to handle than all the little upsets that occurred throughout the planning and preparation. A deep breath poured from her lungs as she pulled the lanyard out of her jacket pocket. Keys slid into ignitions so easily. Her years of ministry played across her mind.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I have to tell you, Lord. As much as I appreciate being able to serve you and the women you send my way, I’m feeling a bit tired. I know the message this weekend was sound and what we all need to hear, but I’m not sure what I got out of this gathering. Is my effort worth so much struggle?” <o:p></o:p></div>
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She put her head back and relaxed, as if into the arms of her Savior. “But you know me, Jesus. When you and I are making our way through these stretching seasons, I feel closer to you than I can express.” Her eyes narrowed. “Hmm, could that be one of the reasons for them?” <o:p></o:p></div>
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A smile of knowing relief captured her countenance as she reached over and started the engine. “You’re so sweet, Lord. Thank You for reminding me I’m forever safe in your loving and powerful grasp.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of my hand </i>(John 10:27-18 NASB)<i>. </i><o:p></o:p></div>
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When was the last time you felt worn out and overdone?</div>
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<br />I’d love to hear how God met your need once you turned to Him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>About the Author:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2sDIFTwLm0mg1FHOm-pKa7NrUmRs6n2T3VQE9iPUwqXsQOyGTvgcQvbKb5esYoX79cFHQ6nToTjPVc-GuUgTrvGyDjQc9PsOBtF4kbfDENBAPsWzeGYVmeYrmkH2DGwSYGzhK5qgyjU/s1600/Sandra+Lovelace+headshot.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="967" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2sDIFTwLm0mg1FHOm-pKa7NrUmRs6n2T3VQE9iPUwqXsQOyGTvgcQvbKb5esYoX79cFHQ6nToTjPVc-GuUgTrvGyDjQc9PsOBtF4kbfDENBAPsWzeGYVmeYrmkH2DGwSYGzhK5qgyjU/s200/Sandra+Lovelace+headshot.jpg" width="120" /></a></div>
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Sandra Allen Lovelace is a continuing missionary, a pastor’s wife emeritus, and a homeschool pioneer. She’s an award-winning speaker and author, and a faithful encourager. Sandra’s a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and an <a href="http://www.credocommunications.net/authors/profile/?who=Sandra+Allen+Lovelace">Agented Author</a> at Credo Communications. Her current manuscript addresses the topic of <i>Wallflower Women</i>. She enjoys hiking with a camera in her hand, best done on an international adventure. Sandra and her husband Curt are transitioning to South Carolina.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Get to know Sandra at her website, <a href="http://sandraallenlovelace.com/">http://sandraallenlovelace.com/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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You can also connect with Sandra on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.<o:p></o:p></div>
Leigh Powershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18198430284635859229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702627659637036790.post-65762784978462533782018-05-01T07:00:00.000-05:002018-05-01T07:00:11.925-05:00Something Just For You<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“My husband asked me if I should start writing again, that I seemed, well . . . happy when I was writing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">This was part of a conversation I had with a guest at our last writer’s group. After introducing myself and asking her what brought her to our group she shared this statement. She then went on to say that she works part-time as a realtor, homeschools her children, one of whom has autism, and is—a minister’s wife.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Yes, my thoughts exactly. She’s busy. Then add on the fact that she’s a minister’s wife and she becomes very busy. But what caught my attention was the fact that her husband noticed something about her. That there was something that seemed to make her happy—when she was doing something for herself: writing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">I encouraged my new friend to come back and join us and to keep writing, because as a minister’s wife we need something that’s ours. Did I get an Amen? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Yes, being a wife and mother or grandmother is rewarding and so is serving with our husbands. But that’s what we are doing—serving with our husbands. But what about ourselves? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">One thing that can help us balance our crazy lives is to have something that we can call our own. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">What do you do that’s for you, and for you only?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">It could be sewing, knitting, or scrapbooking. What about painting, gardening, playing an instrument, or writing? And DIY projects, there are so many to choose from. Do you like to go to yard sales with your girlfriends, be a part of a book club, or what about an exercise class at the local YMCA? The point is we need to have something that’s ours to immerse ourselves in that gives us enjoyment and satisfaction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">I was like my new friend at one time. I was working full time, raising our family, keeping the home fires burning and serving with my husband. There was no outlet for me. I found myself close to the dreaded burnout. What about you? Do you know without another thought that something you enjoy doing? Or do you need to ponder the idea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Begin by dusting off the cobwebs of your mommy/wife heart and think about the things you enjoyed doing as a child.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">You may not be able to turn cartwheels at your age, but you may remember that you loved being outside. Did you like to color? Oh my, the adult coloring books are everywhere now. What about baking, not cooking for the family, but baking, or better yet gourmet cooking? Well, then sign up for a baking or cooking class. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">We are all “fearfully and wonderfully made,” (Psa. 139:14) and God has given each one of us things we enjoy doing. And we’re all different. Like today at lunch by husband looked out the window at our neighbor digging holes and planting new perennials in his flowerbed. My husband’s comment was, “Why would anyone enjoy doing that!” I, being a gardener who loves the outdoors, was going to challenge his statement. But then he went on to say that others must think he’s crazy for spending four hours outside hitting a small white ball until it goes into a tiny round hole. Yes, my thoughts exactly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Let me encourage you today that if you don’t have an interest that’s yours, then pray. Ask God to show you something that you could do and would enjoy—something just for you.</span></b></div>
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<b>About the Author:</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zveX-loonVi3vdGL99RVZpA5X3aqdG4Ls4ENXPfj09ub7xcVWxu7o1StyJruwXS1VU5SO322iAMuzEiFqsb2PEaYygs6wd5KPpwCzwJjUYeT9Ir0QEvsOYYStZE6ibxPGJUfDdoecSc/s1600/Beth+K+Fortune.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zveX-loonVi3vdGL99RVZpA5X3aqdG4Ls4ENXPfj09ub7xcVWxu7o1StyJruwXS1VU5SO322iAMuzEiFqsb2PEaYygs6wd5KPpwCzwJjUYeT9Ir0QEvsOYYStZE6ibxPGJUfDdoecSc/s200/Beth+K+Fortune.jpg" width="173" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 15px;">The hats I wear are many but with each one brings an opportunity to share heart, humor, and hope. My day job is with a ministry in Greenville, SC but my other hours I fill with writing, speaking, teaching Bible Studies, leading our women's ministry, designing landscape/gardens, rowing at Greenville Indoor Rowing and answering to Beth, mama, and grandmommy. Serving alongside my husband, who is a pastor, for over twenty years, I can say without a doubt that as difficult as it is at times, it's also a great honor. They say that with age comes wisdom, I'm not sure about the wisdom part, but I do know that with age comes the realization that no matter what I go through God is always there with His overwhelming love and grace. </span></div>
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Leigh Powershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18198430284635859229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702627659637036790.post-87795467261623084882018-04-17T19:36:00.002-05:002018-04-17T19:41:19.338-05:00When the Tireds Threaten<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Most often they attacked on Friday, but sometimes Ginny noticed the <i>tireds</i> caught her earlier in the week. Whether the fatigue was physical, mental, or emotional, the effect was the same. As if a dense fog surrounded her, dulling her senses. Have you been there?<u><o:p></o:p></u></div>
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The assault was especially troublesome whenever negative circumstances overwhelmed her, like last year’s retreat fiasco. But this invasion was coming after the women’s group declared the annual event a blessed success. It didn’t seem possible that so much delight could bring the same result as a wretched disappointment.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Back then Ken, her pastor husband, told her to carry her sorrow and grief to the Lord, and he’d been right. God heard her cries and filled her with His peace and strength. She’d still be in that dark place if it weren’t for His tender care. But this round made no sense . . . until the study she was working on came to mind. Her feet dragged her to the dining room where her materials sat on the antique table. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The rush seat creaked as she dropped into the straight back chair. Her Bible was still turned to Luke 10, and as her eyes scanned verses 38-42, her imagination went to a New Testament village. A near-party atmosphere flowed from the account, and she sensed these women would have been thrilled to open their home to Jesus of Nazareth.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ginny identified with Martha and pictured her as the busy hostess scurrying around to make everything as perfect as possible for such an important guest. It reminded her of all she’d poured into the retreat. And she remembered with chagrin that she had complained to Ken some of the committee members weren’t carrying their weight.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Her index finger followed the key words. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His Word. But Martha was distracted by all her preparations</i>.*<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part</i>.**<o:p></o:p></div>
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Could it be that her contribution to and excitement over the successful weekend had drained her reserves? She pondered the possibility and had to admit all the effort and organization had distracted her from her daily habit of praise and worship. It was indeed possible that, like Martha, she’d lost sight of the <i>only one thing necessary</i>, to rest in her Savior’s presence.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A grin spread across her face for she knew exactly what to do. She flipped the pages to Isaiah 40 and read the verses God had embedded in her heart when He met her the previous year.*** Nothing is hidden from His eyes and He never succumbs to the <i>tireds</i>. When asked, He shares His strength with His children until they soar like eagles. Now she knew that meant in any situation, whether she was frowning or smiling.<o:p></o:p></div>
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How about you?</div>
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What route do you take when the <i>tireds</i> come after you?<o:p></o:p></div>
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*Luke 10:39-40, <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">NASB unless otherwise noted</span><br />
<span style="background: white; font-family: "helvetica neue";">**Luke 10:42<br />***Isaiah 40:27-31<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>Brief Bio<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2sDIFTwLm0mg1FHOm-pKa7NrUmRs6n2T3VQE9iPUwqXsQOyGTvgcQvbKb5esYoX79cFHQ6nToTjPVc-GuUgTrvGyDjQc9PsOBtF4kbfDENBAPsWzeGYVmeYrmkH2DGwSYGzhK5qgyjU/s1600/Sandra+Lovelace+headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="967" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2sDIFTwLm0mg1FHOm-pKa7NrUmRs6n2T3VQE9iPUwqXsQOyGTvgcQvbKb5esYoX79cFHQ6nToTjPVc-GuUgTrvGyDjQc9PsOBtF4kbfDENBAPsWzeGYVmeYrmkH2DGwSYGzhK5qgyjU/s200/Sandra+Lovelace+headshot.jpg" width="120" /></a></div>
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Sandra Allen Lovelace is a continuing missionary, a pastor’s wife emeritus, and a homeschool pioneer. She’s an award-winning speaker and author, and a sought-after mentor. Sandra’s a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and her current manuscript is <i>Wallflower Women: Ways We Get Stuck & How to Walk in Freedom.</i> She enjoys hiking with a camera in her hand, best done on an international adventure. Sandra and her husband Curt are transitioning to South Carolina.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Get to know Sandra at her website, <a href="http://sandraallenlovelace.com/">http://sandraallenlovelace.com/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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You can also connect with Sandra on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #111111; font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "san francisco" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "ubuntu" , "roboto" , "noto" , "segoe ui" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: nowrap;">Photo by </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/pV_ixbLn4QU?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: whitesmoke; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out, opacity 0.2s ease-in-out; white-space: nowrap;">Stacey Rozells</a><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #111111; font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "san francisco" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "ubuntu" , "roboto" , "noto" , "segoe ui" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: nowrap;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/search/photos/tired?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: whitesmoke; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out, opacity 0.2s ease-in-out; white-space: nowrap;">Unsplash</a></div>
Leigh Powershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18198430284635859229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702627659637036790.post-40940230690172990622018-04-10T07:00:00.000-05:002018-04-10T07:00:15.427-05:00If Only Martha Could Have Ordered Delivery Pizza<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have always thought Mary’s sister, Martha, gets a bad rap in Christian circles. This is probably because I am much more like Martha than Mary. I’m a practical girl. You say, “Let’s take a trip!” I say, “Do we have enough gas to get there?” For many years, I wrestled with this aspect of my personality because everyone at church thought it was better to be a Mary than a Martha. Then I finally dug into the story of Jesus at Martha’s house (Luke 10:38-42), and I realized she was <i>not wrong</i> to fix those guys something to eat!<o:p></o:p></div>
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In Luke 10, we may be looking at the first time Jesus ever set foot in Martha’s home. <b>She welcomed Him and his companions into her home</b> (v. 38). They had been travelling and were most certainly hungry. Since they couldn’t order delivery pizza, it was necessary to prepare a meal.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The distinction may be subtle, but follow for a minute. Jesus, the disciples, and everyone else expected Martha to prepare something. Thing is, Martha got <i>distracted</i> by the preparations (v. 40).<o:p></o:p></div>
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Martha clearly had some pride issues because the preparations took every ounce of her energy and focus. She wanted to make German Chocolate Cake when boxed brownies would have been sufficient. But <b>Martha’s motives may have been good.</b> When I have someone special in my home, I want to give them the very best I have to offer—not for myself but as a way to honor that person.<o:p></o:p></div>
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All of us have walked that fine line between honoring our guests and wanting to be honored for our exceptional hospitality (or any other gift from Him). My kids ask why we clean the house before company comes over. There are days when it’s hard to answer honestly.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jesus is so gracious to Martha when she complains (v.41). His words make me think He reached out to her, ignoring the dirty apron, the burn on one hand and the worn-out potholder on the other, the sweat dripping down her temple, and the frizz of hair escaping her headscarf. I think He stopped whatever deep and important conversation was developing (or whatever joke was being told, because we know Jesus liked to laugh!), waited until her eyes met his, and spoke into her heart: “We don’t need a lot, Martha....” I think there was gratitude in His tone—something which told Martha He appreciated her service and understood her situation.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I spent years trying to comprehend the “one thing” of which Jesus spoke next. He said, “Few things are needed—or indeed only one” (v. 42). Here’s what He meant: Mary chose to focus on Jesus. Martha chose to get distracted. <b>The one thing needed was to prioritize Jesus.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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I don’t think Jesus expected Martha to drop the potholder, wipe the sweat from her brow, ignore the burning rice, and sit down there with the others. We don’t know for sure because–frustratingly—the narrative stops there. We don’t even know how Martha responded. It seems more likely, however, she simply needed to adjust her mindset. <b>While Mary <i>sat</i> and worshiped, Martha would <i>serve</i> and worship.</b> Both would then be operating within the will of God.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So, my fellow Christ-following Martha-types out there, there is <i>nothing wrong</i> with cooking dinner (or counting how many pizzas to order). There is certainly nothing wrong with hospitality, and there is nothing wrong with giving God our absolute best. We can go ahead and bake the German Chocolate Cake if we can do it without losing our focus on Him and His glory. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Are we distracted from knowing Him by serving Him? Are we more interested in what people will think than how God will be glorified? Get these things sorted out, and our service becomes an act of worship, which is what God intended when He created you and me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Question for reflection: </b>How have the Mary/Martha labels affected your service at church? How can you find freedom in living out exactly who God created you to be? We’d be honored if you would share your thoughts in the comments below.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u>Bio<i>.</i><o:p></o:p></u></div>
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Intrigued by this brief study of Mary and Martha? Catch the <a href="https://notaboutme1151.wordpress.com/2014/10/08/a-girls-gotta-eat-and-so-does-everyone-else-in-defense-of-martha">longer version of this post</a> on Carole Sparks’ blog. She has also written a four-week Bible Study about these siblings. Contact Carole for early access to <i>Dwell: Mary, Martha & Lazarus </i>before it’s available to the public. You can find her most days on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/Carole_Sparks">Twitter</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/carolesparks.author">Facebook</a>, and/or <a href="http://www.notaboutme1151.wordpress.com/">her blog</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
Leigh Powershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18198430284635859229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702627659637036790.post-85698846696202289182018-03-27T07:00:00.000-05:002018-03-27T07:00:22.206-05:00Conquer Betrayal with Truth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Tension flooded Laura’s body and her head whirled in confusion.
Pete’s retreating back disappeared around the corner. She felt her bottom lip curl
between her teeth and she stepped back from the edge of the old wooden deck. “What
am I supposed to do now?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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His demand echoed in her ears. Her head went back in
frustration, allowing her eyes to focus on the star-filled summer sky. A verse
from her devotional came to mind. <i>By the
word of the L</i><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">ORD</span> were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of
his mouth.*</i> She wiped away a tear and lifted her faithful kitty from the
railing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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“You know, Ginger. Every one of those twinkling lights up
there was breathed across the sky by the One who made the world.” Her furry
companion twitched his tail. “It may not sound like much to you, but there are
millions and billions and trillions of stars up there. And some of them are far
bigger than the sun whose light you curl up in.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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Calico ears welcomed the gentle movement of her fingers, a
calming habit. Slowly she began to compare the massive complication she faced
to the truth of who God is. To think her L<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">ORD</span>
spoke light into existence and that was only His first step to bring the entire
universe into existence … out of nothing. A measured breath escaped before her
comment. “Maybe this fiasco isn’t too big for the Creator after all.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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She lowered her head to pray and the betrayal that racked
her spirit poured out. But when she started to review the details, she went
silent. Ginger nudged her hand and she resumed the stroking. “Am I looking
through a microscope? It feels like a mountain of hurt, but it’s probably nothing
but a pebble. I can dry my own tears.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Familiarity didn’t make the insecurity detour comfortable.
“You know, Ginger. I have to remember that the same God who invented everything
made me and knows everything about me.** He probably sees me right here and
knows I’m thinking He’s probably too busy or I’m not important enough. Or this
struggle is too small to be worth His attention.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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Her eyes returned heavenward. “Since God is powerful enough
to meet the demands of creating and maintaining a universe, He can handle this
debacle.” Rich purrs filled the air. “And since He watched over the delicate
process of creating me and drew me to Himself through Christ, He will surely see
me through this trial with or without Pete’s support.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><span style="background: white;">And my God will supply all your needs
according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.</span></i><i> </i>Philippians 4:19<o:p></o:p></div>
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Do the big things or the small ones muzzle your prayers?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Take heart. The general and personal acts of Creation are
true.<o:p></o:p></div>
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*Psalm 33:6<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">, NASB unless
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**Psalm 139:3,13-16<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>About the Author: <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2sDIFTwLm0mg1FHOm-pKa7NrUmRs6n2T3VQE9iPUwqXsQOyGTvgcQvbKb5esYoX79cFHQ6nToTjPVc-GuUgTrvGyDjQc9PsOBtF4kbfDENBAPsWzeGYVmeYrmkH2DGwSYGzhK5qgyjU/s1600/Sandra+Lovelace+headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="967" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2sDIFTwLm0mg1FHOm-pKa7NrUmRs6n2T3VQE9iPUwqXsQOyGTvgcQvbKb5esYoX79cFHQ6nToTjPVc-GuUgTrvGyDjQc9PsOBtF4kbfDENBAPsWzeGYVmeYrmkH2DGwSYGzhK5qgyjU/s200/Sandra+Lovelace+headshot.jpg" width="120" /></a></div>
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Sandra Allen Lovelace is a continuing missionary, a pastor’s wife emeritus, and a homeschool pioneer. She’s an award-winning speaker and author, and a sought-after mentor. Sandra’s a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and her current manuscript is <i>Wallflower Women: How to Start Living the Life God Designed You For.</i> She enjoys hiking with a camera in her hand, best done on an international adventure. Sandra and her husband Curt are transitioning to South Carolina.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Get to know Sandra at her website, <a href="http://sandraallenlovelace.com/">http://sandraallenlovelace.com/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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You can also connect with Sandra on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.<br />
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<span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #111111; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: nowrap;">Photo by </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/xhCgUIRtUsk?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: whitesmoke; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out, opacity 0.2s ease-in-out; white-space: nowrap;">Giulia Bertelli</a><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #111111; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: nowrap;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/search/photos/tears?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: whitesmoke; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out, opacity 0.2s ease-in-out; white-space: nowrap;">Unsplash</a></div>
Leigh Powershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18198430284635859229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702627659637036790.post-12672325724542174852018-03-20T07:00:00.000-05:002018-03-20T07:00:09.630-05:00Bookends<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpdqDA5IzyNnytV0jBrTRtkXqVRYUrvwzjwd2_vr654vgez29KT1TAj1JUi4_s3jlXdw_IfybRgqSMCYf_WsChRvSU40CsS1kI6BgTWHq78xHXnc6gmGRMvxbi-rB9j5663v74SRIgSY/s1600/3+friends.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpdqDA5IzyNnytV0jBrTRtkXqVRYUrvwzjwd2_vr654vgez29KT1TAj1JUi4_s3jlXdw_IfybRgqSMCYf_WsChRvSU40CsS1kI6BgTWHq78xHXnc6gmGRMvxbi-rB9j5663v74SRIgSY/s320/3+friends.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">“<i>And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken</i>,” (Eccl. 4:12 ESV).<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">She tried to hold her emotions in check but it wasn’t long before the sobs escaped and traveled across the airwaves through our phones. Her heart was broken and I wanted to be there for her. Earlier that same day I received a text from another friend who was on hold with her bank as she proceeded to file a fraud claim. I wanted to be there for her too, if not in person at least to be praying for her and offer her emotional support.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Life is hard. We need people who will walk with us and be there for us. The only problem is we have a tendency to think we have to face life all by ourselves. Peter tells us in I Peter 5:8 that our adversary, the devil, “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” If we are trying to face life alone, then we are setting ourselves up as an easy target.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">He is a subtle enemy. One of the ways he works is by using the power of suggestion—planting a negative thought in our mind or a lie, especially when we are going through a difficult situation—and then he just lets us run with it. Other ways in which he works is by making us think no one cares and by taking our joy away. Yes, he is waiting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">But, if we surround ourselves with others who will encourage us, friends who can and will shed the light of truth on the lies we have believed, and pray for us, the enemy won't be able to hold us in his grasp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">I love the scripture found in </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Ecclesiastes that says “And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken,” (Eccl. 4:12 ESV). Keeping this scripture in mind I reached out to two dear friends who I knew would love, support, and encourage me. They are my bookends. Both of them in their own way walk with me and help me to see and embrace truths not lies from the enemy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">As I look around my home I see a number of different pairs of bookends nestled in with our books. Some are ornate, some colorful, and others are simple. I have heavy ones for larger books, ornate ones that compliment some of our older editions, and some fun ones like Winnie the Pooh that hang out with my children’s books. They all have a purpose. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">It’s the same with our bookends. We may want to have more than one pair for the different areas of our lives. I now have bookends to walk with me in my writing world, in my ministry, in my family, and some bookends that I have known for years that I couldn’t imagine life without them standing beside me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">With these confidants by my side I put the enemy on notice by saying, "I am NOT alone and you CANNOT overpower me, for two can resist you, but a cord of three strands IS NOT quickly torn apart . . . I now have my bookends!!!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Are you walking this journey called life alone? Did you feel like no one cares about you? Are the voices and the lies of the enemy taking away your joy? Well . . . go get your bookends! These will be your sturdy friends who will hold you up as you add chapter after chapter to your book of life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">You don't want to live without them!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>About the Author:</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zveX-loonVi3vdGL99RVZpA5X3aqdG4Ls4ENXPfj09ub7xcVWxu7o1StyJruwXS1VU5SO322iAMuzEiFqsb2PEaYygs6wd5KPpwCzwJjUYeT9Ir0QEvsOYYStZE6ibxPGJUfDdoecSc/s1600/Beth+K+Fortune.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zveX-loonVi3vdGL99RVZpA5X3aqdG4Ls4ENXPfj09ub7xcVWxu7o1StyJruwXS1VU5SO322iAMuzEiFqsb2PEaYygs6wd5KPpwCzwJjUYeT9Ir0QEvsOYYStZE6ibxPGJUfDdoecSc/s200/Beth+K+Fortune.jpg" width="173" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 15px;">The hats I wear are many but with each one brings an opportunity to share heart, humor, and hope. My day job is with a ministry in Greenville, SC but my other hours I fill with writing, speaking, teaching Bible Studies, leading our women's ministry, designing landscape/gardens, rowing at Greenville Indoor Rowing and answering to Beth, mama, and grandmommy. Serving alongside my husband, who is a pastor, for over twenty years, I can say without a doubt that as difficult as it is at times, it's also a great honor. They say that with age comes wisdom, I'm not sure about the wisdom part, but I do know that with age comes the realization that no matter what I go through God is always there with His overwhelming love and grace. </span></div>
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<b>Connect With Beth:</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 15px;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.bethfortune.org&source=gmail&ust=1510166012712000&usg=AFQjCNFEko1Tzojt1cgh8YYIzR03GzZbVA" href="http://www.bethfortune.org/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.bethfortune.org</a></span></div>
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Leigh Powershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18198430284635859229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702627659637036790.post-70457517508633576702018-03-06T07:00:00.000-06:002018-03-06T07:00:17.638-06:00When the Calling and the Children Collide<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
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We’re moving again. The kids will
have new schools again. We’ll get to know new neighbors and new local shops
again. <i>How can this be good for my
children?</i> Kids need stability and routine, and we’re about to toss them in
the air. Again. <o:p></o:p></div>
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My ministry responsibilities pull
me away when they’re at home. What about my responsibilities as a parent, my
calling to be a mom? <i>What if they need me</i>
while I’m out counseling someone else?<o:p></o:p></div>
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They don’t know the Bible stories and
the Sunday School songs other children know. They have no consistent Godly
influences in their lives except my husband and me. I have to teach them
everything they need to know about the Bible, God, faith, and Jesus! <i>How can I possibly do that?</i> (This was
while we lived overseas.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Does any of this sound familiar? I’ve thought…okay, <i>said</i>...all these things over the years.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The calling to be a minister isn’t an individual
proposition. If your husband is called into church leadership or some other
kind of ministry, his family is called as well. Chances are, you too are
called, and no matter what, you want to stand alongside your husband in
ministry. There’s seminary to consider for one or both of you, as well as
possible cross-country moves and the inevitable odd demands of life in ministry:
late-night visits, working while others relax, preparation for the next
meeting. It takes a toll on your family life…on your children. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In fact, some of those ministry decisions appear detrimental
to our children’s development. They go against conventional parenting wisdom.
But here’s what I want you to know:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>God loves your children more than you love them.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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God not only wants the best for your children, but He is actively
pursuing it. He knows their future occupations and experiences. He knows what
they need right now to move toward their own callings. He smiles on children,
loves them, protects them. Even on the days when you should have stayed home
but you put the ministry ahead of your own family, He filled in your gaps.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift
you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.</i>
-1 Peter 5:6-7<o:p></o:p></div>
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If He has called you far away from family and friends, He
will take care of you. If the lean years of seminary mean you can’t afford a
Christmas tree, He will sustain you. If your kids don’t get to go to Sunday
School for all their elementary years, He will open their minds to His Word in
other ways. <o:p></o:p></div>
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He did all that for us—and more. I’m counting on Him to
continue, too, because we’re planning to move. Again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Question for
reflection: </b>Do you feel the pull of differing responsibilities? Do you
sometimes feel the clash between your calling to be a parent and to minister
outside your home? How can you cast all that anxiety on Jesus because he cares
for you…and your children?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Need more?</b> Check
out this post on my blog: <a href="https://notaboutme1151.wordpress.com/2016/10/28/when-guilt-grounds-me/">When
Guilt Grounds Me</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u><b>About the Author:</b></u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnoDRR-4LZLcX0gZEMvCeUyhZ8EFHQZ19HZR4NTdlepgiHrygU4SYRMf-wQMKqT2nz1nctpGzoAMDFkLMfnPDvaC4H63kwXVM1vycgRxSGZSRYZCLvR3pLiIGVNP51f30pd7gVGnnc838/s1600/Carole+Sparks-126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnoDRR-4LZLcX0gZEMvCeUyhZ8EFHQZ19HZR4NTdlepgiHrygU4SYRMf-wQMKqT2nz1nctpGzoAMDFkLMfnPDvaC4H63kwXVM1vycgRxSGZSRYZCLvR3pLiIGVNP51f30pd7gVGnnc838/s200/Carole+Sparks-126.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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<em>Carole Sparks is passionate about God’s Word—about how it can change our everyday lives! After years of globetrotting, she now lives, learns, and loves (plus a good bit of writing) in the hills of East Tennessee. Connect with Carole through her blog, </em><a href="http://notaboutme1151.wordpress.com/">http://notaboutme1151.wordpress.com</a>, <i>or <em>on </em></i><a href="http://www.twitter.com/Carole_Sparks">Twitter</a><em>, </em><a href="http://www.facebook.com/CaroleSparks.author">Facebook</a><em>, and </em><a href="http://www.instagram.com/CaroleSparks">Instagram</a>.</div>
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Leigh Powershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18198430284635859229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702627659637036790.post-40155080619153951792018-02-20T07:00:00.000-06:002018-02-21T14:59:50.098-06:00Lord, Give Me Patience<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">“<i>Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus.”</i> Romans 15:5 NKJV<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">With one eye on the clock and the other on my toddler, I watched her tiny index finger and thumb select one cheerio and eat it. After looking around the room and chewing, she would pick up another one and eat it. She had no concept of time or the understanding that I needed to get us out the door to begin our day. As she chewed, she would push on my leg with her foot as I sat by her highchair. It was a morning ritual and nothing was going to hurry her while she enjoyed each individual cheerio.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">She didn’t eat much, but what she did eat, she savored. With that little foot still resting on my leg I watched the clock and coaxed her to hurry. To speed things up I tried giving her my breakfast but she was not interested. Her little stomach was happy with her small meal that seemed to satisfy her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">This sweet, but at the time stressful, memory often sweeps across my mind when I’m talking to a new Christian. At times I’ll have someone come to me for advice or to share a concern and I try to hurry things along. I want to slide them a plate full of dos and don’ts along with Scripture as well as give them an example of someone in the Bible when they just aren’t ready for all of that information yet. They need for me to give them a little at a time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Patience. That’s when I call out to God for more patience. Sometimes when we are in the ministry we have a tendency to forget that some people who come across our paths didn’t grow up attending church and aren’t familiar with Scripture or many of the people that are written about in the Bible. They also aren’t in a hurry. What they bring to us is important to them, and they need to know that we care and want to help.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">When talking to a new Christian we need to remember:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Not to assume they know the Bible as well as we do.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">To listen to what they are saying and don’t hurry them along.</span></li>
<li> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">That at first, a little is better than a lot. Keep things simple.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Not to use a lot of “churchy” words.</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">To pray, pray, pray . . . not just for patience, but also for wisdom.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">As pastors’ wives, women will sometimes bring things to us that they don’t want to discuss with our husbands so we need to take our roles seriously. Next time that dear one wants to talk to you, and if you know she is a new Christian, just prepare yourself to settle in beside her and feed her a little at a time. And don’t watch the clock. God is using you to care for this child of His just like He used me to care for my toddler—with patience and love!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>About the Author:</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zveX-loonVi3vdGL99RVZpA5X3aqdG4Ls4ENXPfj09ub7xcVWxu7o1StyJruwXS1VU5SO322iAMuzEiFqsb2PEaYygs6wd5KPpwCzwJjUYeT9Ir0QEvsOYYStZE6ibxPGJUfDdoecSc/s1600/Beth+K+Fortune.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zveX-loonVi3vdGL99RVZpA5X3aqdG4Ls4ENXPfj09ub7xcVWxu7o1StyJruwXS1VU5SO322iAMuzEiFqsb2PEaYygs6wd5KPpwCzwJjUYeT9Ir0QEvsOYYStZE6ibxPGJUfDdoecSc/s200/Beth+K+Fortune.jpg" width="173" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 15px;">The hats I wear are many but with each one brings an opportunity to share heart, humor, and hope. My day job is with a ministry in Greenville, SC but my other hours I fill with writing, speaking, teaching Bible Studies, leading our women's ministry, designing landscape/gardens, rowing at Greenville Indoor Rowing and answering to Beth, mama, and grandmommy. Serving alongside my husband, who is a pastor, for over twenty years, I can say without a doubt that as difficult as it is at times, it's also a great honor. They say that with age comes wisdom, I'm not sure about the wisdom part, but I do know that with age comes the realization that no matter what I go through God is always there with His overwhelming love and grace. </span></div>
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<b>Connect With Beth:</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 15px;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.bethfortune.org&source=gmail&ust=1510166012712000&usg=AFQjCNFEko1Tzojt1cgh8YYIzR03GzZbVA" href="http://www.bethfortune.org/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.bethfortune.org</a></span></div>
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Leigh Powershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18198430284635859229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702627659637036790.post-12834079098092841902018-02-13T10:38:00.004-06:002018-02-13T10:38:55.078-06:00Delight Your Soul Today<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Alyssa balled up the empty grocery bags and stuffed them through the swinging cover of the red wastebasket. She plopped into the captain’s chair at the head of her kitchen table. The plaid cushion absorbed the assault. Head tipped back, a groan escaped.</div>
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She pulled the paperback Bible to her and opened the concordance. Her friend’s words led her search until she found the reference, Psalm 37:4. <i>Delight yourself in the L</i><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">ORD</span>; and He will give you the desires of your heart.*</i> Her back rounded into the chair rungs. “Could I be wrong?” she whispered as she reviewed their conversation.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Gayle had challenged her to rethink her relationship with God as more than a barter system—if you want what you want, be happy in Jesus. Gayle pointed out that David’s opening words said not to fret and offered instructions on how to avoid worry and envy. He directed God’s people to delight, fill up with great pleasure and joy, in our God if we want to conquer anxiety. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Alyssa wondered how to pull off delight on demand. How was she supposed to be cheery, never mind full of delight, when situational and emotional storm fronts drifted across her path?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Gayle suggested she wrap herself in worship, go to the L<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">ORD </span>in humble reverence. She said when she united her heart with Him, His presence brought gladness, contentment, peace, and fulfillment every time. Then she shared two types of worship experiences she practiced to maintain the joy of the L<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">ORD</span> that was her strength.**<o:p></o:p></div>
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Worship with Others</h3>
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The corporate worship setting is a glorious opportunity to come before God with our brothers and sisters. To join our hearts and minds, spirits and voices in reverence and exultation for who He is and all He’s done. We grow together as a community through the proclamation of His Word and fellowship around His table. <o:p></o:p></div>
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But she said sometimes, a steady diet of only group interactions, though they’re rich and full, can weaken our individual connection with God. Even a banquet can become unhealthy, if we indulge at every meal. Right?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Worship by Ourselves</h3>
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Whether with a Bible and cup of tea in a cozy chair or hiking boots and a backpack on a mountain trail, the times we meet with God on our own feed us in a different sense. We’re able to concentrate on who our Father is and how He sees us personally. His individual attention and our intimate responses blossom in this unique interaction. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Gayle explained it was tempting to substitute alone time for meeting together. And yet, the Father warns us about that habit.*** The trick is to find the balance. For most of us, the corporate experience is set in a once a week routine. It’s the one-on-one delighting we miss—extended, focused, intentional worship … an oversight easy to remedy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Have you soaked in the delight of the L<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">ORD</span> lately?<o:p></o:p></div>
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If not, purpose and plan to do so. He’s missing you.<o:p></o:p></div>
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*NASB<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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**Nehemiah 8:10<o:p></o:p></div>
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***Hebrews 10:25<i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b>About the Author: <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2sDIFTwLm0mg1FHOm-pKa7NrUmRs6n2T3VQE9iPUwqXsQOyGTvgcQvbKb5esYoX79cFHQ6nToTjPVc-GuUgTrvGyDjQc9PsOBtF4kbfDENBAPsWzeGYVmeYrmkH2DGwSYGzhK5qgyjU/s1600/Sandra+Lovelace+headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="967" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2sDIFTwLm0mg1FHOm-pKa7NrUmRs6n2T3VQE9iPUwqXsQOyGTvgcQvbKb5esYoX79cFHQ6nToTjPVc-GuUgTrvGyDjQc9PsOBtF4kbfDENBAPsWzeGYVmeYrmkH2DGwSYGzhK5qgyjU/s200/Sandra+Lovelace+headshot.jpg" width="120" /></a></div>
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Sandra Allen Lovelace is a continuing missionary, a pastor’s wife emeritus, and a homeschool pioneer. She’s an award-winning speaker and author, and a sought-after mentor. Sandra’s a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and her current manuscript is <i>Wallflower Women: How to Start Living the Life God Designed You For.</i> She enjoys hiking with a camera in her hand, best done on an international adventure. Sandra and her husband Curt are transitioning to South Carolina.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Get to know Sandra at her website, <a href="http://sandraallenlovelace.com/">http://sandraallenlovelace.com/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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You can also connect with Sandra on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.</div>
Leigh Powershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18198430284635859229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702627659637036790.post-72703162499301344472018-02-06T07:00:00.000-06:002018-02-06T07:00:46.464-06:00God for Us and our Marriages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A year ago this month (February), we stood in a marriage retreat with our church. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Often, families in ministry don’t sit together in services. Even more often (and not just for people in ministry), husbands and wives don’t sit next to each other because…well, you know…kids. Often, families in ministry have responsibilities before, during, and/or after services, so it’s easy to get distracted or be pulled away just as we draw our focus onto worship. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Let’s be really honest here: <b>An intense love for the Lord doesn’t mean corporate worship time is automatically easy.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEmlMFDj_lSoCND6E_JfAxZ3YmvWU-x0pnatsMaDZ9mIFtA_TKzkE4_9qa51ZEsz6I5cxT-xq6smI96cUFiQOnmrFs-M-Me5Sm_JgGoJvx0mQwwslaUpVHfQ_G9OwcLxZW7GuTBY6GHI/s1600/hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEmlMFDj_lSoCND6E_JfAxZ3YmvWU-x0pnatsMaDZ9mIFtA_TKzkE4_9qa51ZEsz6I5cxT-xq6smI96cUFiQOnmrFs-M-Me5Sm_JgGoJvx0mQwwslaUpVHfQ_G9OwcLxZW7GuTBY6GHI/s200/hands.jpg" width="132" /></a>So with no children at this retreat and no responsibilities, I enjoyed the chance to stand with my husband in worship. We held hands while we sang. (I felt kinda cute…)<o:p></o:p></div>
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The worship pastor had chosen a new song for the occasion: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEyRoj2sFc4">God With Us</a>, by Jesus Culture, and it took me a few repetitions before I could really listen to the words I was singing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As we returned to the chorus for perhaps the third time, my mind was drawn toward our hands linked between us, and I began to think about the repeated “us” in the chorus. It could apply to my husband and myself just as much as to the greater church community.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Consider this:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>God with us<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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In the beautiful and the difficult places, He is present. Yes, there’s this:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. </i> -Psalm 139:8-10<o:p></o:p></div>
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But what about the near-by places? Have you thought about these as well?<o:p></o:p></div>
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And in a thousand other places, God never fails (Lamentations 3:22), never quits on us, never takes away His grace. This applies not only to me as His child, but to <i>us</i> as an example of His love (Ephesians 5:25-31).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>God for us<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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God is <i>for </i>our marriages! When it feels like everything in our culture is trying to tear us apart or convince us to quit, God is still rooting for beautiful, long-term, covenant marriages.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Nothing can come against</b></div>
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Our unity makes us stronger than one standing alone. We pull each other up, support each other, and bear burdens together. We cannot be crushed, cannot be swept away. When one is weak, the other is strong. When one cries, the other shouts (Ecclesiastes 4:12, Galatians 6:2).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>No one can stand between us</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>What God has joined together, let no one separate. </i> -Matthew 19:6 NIV<o:p></o:p></div>
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As long as we hold tight to Him and each other, no earthly entity can separate us, and certainly no created person. <b>God <i>Himself</i> has made us one.</b> <o:p></o:p></div>
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Trying reading Romans 8:38-39 with your name and your husband’s in place of “us.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons neither the present nor the future, or any powers, neither height or depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate </i>[husband’s name] and me <i>from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.</i> -Romans 8:38-39 NIV (amended)<o:p></o:p></div>
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If neither of us is separated from the love of God, then neither are we separated from each other. Such strength in His love!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our marriage retreat weekend was filled with encouragement, fun, and Spirit-led learning, but my biggest take-away revolved around this new song. <b>Our families are the body of Christ just as the larger church community is His body</b>. The New Testament truths about church (e.g. John 17:23, Ephesians 4:1-3, even 1 Corinthians 12, just to name a few) are also true of your family and mine. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Question for Reflection:</b> What Biblical truth about the church would you like to “own” for your marriage? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Has a worship song (or some other seemingly unrelated thing) specifically blessed your marriage? We would love to hear about it in the comments below!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<u>Bio.<o:p></o:p></u></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpRrBI1zzJmzko7W0gkqSbeKoTIAWlc9MeMa-v6xTj6qardN1lWVWRjzmaPizpbyK5xVb5GEPxbAWLznesL0QnmGutfbJJEnfN4qtoldqy75CO0iElKpAMiKLUIsM9gjbNmxcRuEOWDE/s1600/Carol+Sparks+and+husband.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpRrBI1zzJmzko7W0gkqSbeKoTIAWlc9MeMa-v6xTj6qardN1lWVWRjzmaPizpbyK5xVb5GEPxbAWLznesL0QnmGutfbJJEnfN4qtoldqy75CO0iElKpAMiKLUIsM9gjbNmxcRuEOWDE/s200/Carol+Sparks+and+husband.jpg" width="150" /></a><!--[endif]-->Carole Sparks is a Bible study writer who sees God’s hand in the mundane and the magnificent. (That’s her <a href="http://www.twitter.com/Carole_Sparks">Twitter</a> bio.) After twenty-one years, she still finds nothing mundane about holding hands with her husband and something magnificent in the way they now have the same ideas without even trying. You can also catch up with her on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/carolesparks.author">Facebook</a> or her <a href="http://www.notaboutme1151.wordpress.com/">blog</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
Leigh Powershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18198430284635859229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702627659637036790.post-80545155415719459642018-01-23T07:00:00.001-06:002021-12-31T11:36:50.621-06:00Following God Into the New Year<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
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<i><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">“The New Year stands before me, like a doorway, waiting for me to enter. However, I want to sit still before it and ask God to go before me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">In the past I’ve raced through the doorway, ready to face the New Year with excitement. Other times I’ve walked through it, hesitant of the future due to current circumstances. And then I’ve crawled through the doorway, dreading the future because of the pain of the previous year.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">So I sit, waiting, praying, and with a thankful heart because of this past year’s blessings. Can He do it again? Knock my socks off with His provisions, blessings, and love? It doesn’t matter, the important thing is that He goes before me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">No more racing, walking, or crawling. For He is My Good Shepherd, and where He leads I will follow. For He knows the plans He has for me, and it’s in Him that I’ll put my trust.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">I wrote this at the beginning of 2014—a year I’ll never forget. Three months after I wrote these words my husband had routine outpatient neck surgery and within thirty minutes of getting him home he had a heart attack. </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">After a ride in an ambulance, hours of waiting in the ER, 10 days in the hospital, a heart cath and then quadruple bypass surgery the day after Easter, we came home again and prepared for weeks of recovery.</span><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> As I look at the New Year ahead I’m reminded that I don’t know what may happen in the months to come for our family, our church, or our ministry. However, I know the One who does know and I put my trust in Him. He was with me that difficult year in 2014, as well as the past three years and I know He will be with me in 2018.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> What about you? Are you moving into this year anxious, excited, expectant, or with dread? Take this month to remember how God has cared for you in the past, how He has showed up when you needed Him, and provided for you whether financially, physically, mentally, or spiritually. Are you seeking direction? Look to Him. Are you looking for answers? Take time to listen. Do you need rest? Be still and let Him carry you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> Whatever this next year holds, we need to remember that God is already there and He is waiting on us. My prayer for you is that you will trust Him in all things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> So, as for me and the upcoming year . . .</span><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">“I sit, waiting, praying, and with a thankful heart because of this past year’s blessings. Can He do it again? Knock my socks off with His provisions, blessings, and love? It doesn’t matter, the important thing is that He goes before me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">No more racing, walking, or crawling. For He is My Good Shepherd, and where He leads I will follow. For He knows the plans He has for me, and it’s in Him that I’ll put my trust.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b>About the Author:</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zveX-loonVi3vdGL99RVZpA5X3aqdG4Ls4ENXPfj09ub7xcVWxu7o1StyJruwXS1VU5SO322iAMuzEiFqsb2PEaYygs6wd5KPpwCzwJjUYeT9Ir0QEvsOYYStZE6ibxPGJUfDdoecSc/s1600/Beth+K+Fortune.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zveX-loonVi3vdGL99RVZpA5X3aqdG4Ls4ENXPfj09ub7xcVWxu7o1StyJruwXS1VU5SO322iAMuzEiFqsb2PEaYygs6wd5KPpwCzwJjUYeT9Ir0QEvsOYYStZE6ibxPGJUfDdoecSc/s200/Beth+K+Fortune.jpg" width="173" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 15px;">The hats I wear are many but with each one brings an opportunity to share heart, humor, and hope. My day job is with a ministry in Greenville, SC but my other hours I fill with writing, speaking, teaching Bible Studies, leading our women's ministry, designing landscape/gardens, rowing at Greenville Indoor Rowing and answering to Beth, mama, and grandmommy. Serving alongside my husband, who is a pastor, for over twenty years, I can say without a doubt that as difficult as it is at times, it's also a great honor. They say that with age comes wisdom, I'm not sure about the wisdom part, but I do know that with age comes the realization that no matter what I go through God is always there with His overwhelming love and grace. </span></div>
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Leigh Powershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18198430284635859229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702627659637036790.post-84686786893935750222018-01-10T07:00:00.000-06:002018-01-10T07:00:19.565-06:00Enter the New Year Like a Queen<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj7YJh1luwTFXzNyLbS4V0T4w7ofMBKIad19YVNwYHIAxabHHpjNiqQF0Gt7KbENX1ndRIGHUwb2h22pSiOamNiBogclfhKApF0kqKpLxtHqXjsxZrBRBQrAhw_7SjYjeCdN6ECADxWMc/s1600/FkjlK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="praying hands" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj7YJh1luwTFXzNyLbS4V0T4w7ofMBKIad19YVNwYHIAxabHHpjNiqQF0Gt7KbENX1ndRIGHUwb2h22pSiOamNiBogclfhKApF0kqKpLxtHqXjsxZrBRBQrAhw_7SjYjeCdN6ECADxWMc/s400/FkjlK.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="background: white; font-family: "helvetica neue";">On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background: white; font-family: "helvetica neue";"> in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance</span>.*</i> </div>
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The orphan promoted to queen needed to speak with her husband, but she hadn’t heard from him for a month. King Xerxes’ law required the execution of anyone who appeared in his presence unbidden. Without an invitation, she was risking her life.<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Since she was a daughter of Eve as we are, Esther likely carried some level of unease. Perhaps she dressed in a queenly outfit to remind Xerxes of her status or catch his masculine eye. We don’t know. What we do know is that, in spite of any hesitation or anxiety, Esther stood on the threshold of her destiny whatever it held.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Have you ever felt that way? As if you were standing on the edge of an unknown and uncertain future? Maybe, like me, you wonder where Esther found her courage. <o:p></o:p></div>
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She’d reached out to meet a simple need. The recipient, a trusted confidant, alerted her of a grave threat with instructions to take it to the king. When she explained her personal risk, he pointed out the responsibility of her position with a warning for her to act.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Her response was to call for three days of fasting and prayer among her closest supporters. In that intimate communion with her Faithful Provider and Guide, her security in His hands undoubtedly grew. The resulting confidence bore her to that dangerous doorway.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Xerxes saw her, and his extended scepter expressed his pleasure. The death threat cancelled, Esther touched the symbol of forgiveness, and stepped into her future. She advanced slowly, with purpose, into the role designed for her, <i>for such a time as this</i>.**<span style="color: #ff6600;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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We can walk the path before us with the same confidence and courage.<o:p></o:p></div>
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1) Consider circumstances with prudence: sift human interpretation, your own as well as others, and resist outside pressure. <o:p></o:p></div>
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2) Meet with God in communion: welcome His presence, share details of the situation and your reaction, and ask for guidance.<o:p></o:p></div>
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3) Rest in His provision: accept His direction, pursue His plan by His grace, and trust His timing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Similar to Esther, those who’ve received the offer of forgiveness from our King are released to pursue His purpose for our lives. We stand on the threshold of a new year with unknown twists, turns, and trials—an excellent opportunity to apply her approach. We may not save a nation from destruction or have a holiday established to honor our achievements. But we can step into our destiny with confidence and courage based on who God is and our relationship with Him as His children.<o:p></o:p></div>
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What uncertainties make you blink as you enter 2018?<o:p></o:p></div>
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How do they compare with the nature and character of God?<o:p></o:p></div>
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*Esther 5:1 <span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">NIV<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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**Esther 4:14<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> NIV</span><i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b>Brief Bio<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2sDIFTwLm0mg1FHOm-pKa7NrUmRs6n2T3VQE9iPUwqXsQOyGTvgcQvbKb5esYoX79cFHQ6nToTjPVc-GuUgTrvGyDjQc9PsOBtF4kbfDENBAPsWzeGYVmeYrmkH2DGwSYGzhK5qgyjU/s1600/Sandra+Lovelace+headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="967" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2sDIFTwLm0mg1FHOm-pKa7NrUmRs6n2T3VQE9iPUwqXsQOyGTvgcQvbKb5esYoX79cFHQ6nToTjPVc-GuUgTrvGyDjQc9PsOBtF4kbfDENBAPsWzeGYVmeYrmkH2DGwSYGzhK5qgyjU/s200/Sandra+Lovelace+headshot.jpg" width="120" /></a></div>
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Sandra Allen Lovelace is a continuing missionary, a pastor’s wife emeritus, and a homeschool pioneer. She’s an award-winning speaker and author, and a sought-after mentor. Sandra’s a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and her current manuscript is <i>Wallflower Women: How We Got Stuck and Ways to Gain Our Freedom</i>. She enjoys hiking with a camera in her hand, best done on an international adventure. Sandra and her husband Curt are transitioning to South Carolina.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Get to know Sandra at her website, <a href="http://sandraallenlovelace.com/">http://sandraallenlovelace.com/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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You can also connect with Sandra on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Leigh Powershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18198430284635859229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702627659637036790.post-29838081018799432512017-12-19T07:00:00.000-06:002017-12-19T07:01:04.422-06:00Surviving Christmas . . . Mary’s Way<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">As I look over
my list of things to do for our upcoming Holiday Women’s Ministry event my soul
is already yearning for January. For in January the hustle and bustle of the
holiday season is over and I can just settle in and rest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">But rest is not
on today’s agenda. With Andy Williams singing throughout the day that this is
the most wonderful time of the year (and he croons it out eight times in the
popular Christmas song) all I can think of is this is the most hectic time of
the year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Whether your
husband ministers to a large congregation or small, there are so many demands
and expectations put on us as minister’s wives. In a large church there are
more events to help with and attend, and in a small church . . . well, we just
about do everything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">So how can we
get through the Christmas season without wishing it was January already? By
following Mary’s example: treasure and ponder. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">A lot had
happened in this young women’s life. It started with a visit from a real angel
telling her she would have a baby, without ever being with a man, and not just
any baby, but one who would “<i>be great and
will be called the Son of the Most High,”</i> (Luke 1:32).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">You know the
story. Mary travels with Joseph to Bethlehem, has the baby in a manger,
shepherds come and visit and tell her about the angel that visited them and
then how the skies were filled with angels as they sang, “<i>Glory to God in the highest,. . .</i>” and then how they followed a
star to Bethlehem and found her and the baby.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I don’t know if
they barged in after running to see what the angel said was true or not, or if
they gently pushed open the door with reverence to see the Holy child, but one
thing is for sure, they probably became very animated and excited as they
retold their story to Joseph and Mary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">When Mary heard
all of this the scripture says she “<i>treasured
up all these things, pondering them in her heart</i>,” (Luke 2:19).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I think that is
the key to surviving a busy Christmas season. We need to take time to ponder
the things we have treasured in our hearts concerning Jesus and His birth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I’m sure we all
have our own personal reactions to the Christmas story found in Luke 2. Being a
prodigal daughter, and coming back home to the Lord in the fall of the year,
the next couple of weeks were unexplainable as I experienced the birth of
Christ in new heart-felt way as I made Jesus not only Savior but Lord of my
life. The story was more meaningful and continues to be to this day. I treasure
my salvation and the fact that God came to earth in the form of a man to live
on earth and then die for me. I ponder what all He went through, what He did,
and now how He continues to be with me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">What have you
treasured in your heart concerning Jesus? Take time to ponder on these things
this Christmas season. Mary did. She had much to treasure. And as children of
God, the One who sent Jesus from His home in heaven to this earth to live and
die for us, we too should have much treasured in our hearts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Yes, January is
coming, but I’m not going to wait until then to settle in and rest. In the
midst of the busiest time of the year, I’m going to make it a point to be
settled and rest in the fact that Jesus really is the reason for this busy
season and that it is because of God’s love I am His child. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Now that is a lot to ponder . . .</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>About the Author:</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zveX-loonVi3vdGL99RVZpA5X3aqdG4Ls4ENXPfj09ub7xcVWxu7o1StyJruwXS1VU5SO322iAMuzEiFqsb2PEaYygs6wd5KPpwCzwJjUYeT9Ir0QEvsOYYStZE6ibxPGJUfDdoecSc/s1600/Beth+K+Fortune.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zveX-loonVi3vdGL99RVZpA5X3aqdG4Ls4ENXPfj09ub7xcVWxu7o1StyJruwXS1VU5SO322iAMuzEiFqsb2PEaYygs6wd5KPpwCzwJjUYeT9Ir0QEvsOYYStZE6ibxPGJUfDdoecSc/s200/Beth+K+Fortune.jpg" width="173" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 15px;">The hats I wear are many but with each one brings an opportunity to share heart, humor, and hope. My day job is with a ministry in Greenville, SC but my other hours I fill with writing, speaking, teaching Bible Studies, leading our women's ministry, designing landscape/gardens, rowing at Greenville Indoor Rowing and answering to Beth, mama, and grandmommy. Serving alongside my husband, who is a pastor, for over twenty years, I can say without a doubt that as difficult as it is at times, it's also a great honor. They say that with age comes wisdom, I'm not sure about the wisdom part, but I do know that with age comes the realization that no matter what I go through God is always there with His overwhelming love and grace. </span></div>
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Leigh Powershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18198430284635859229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702627659637036790.post-2265431447153284982017-12-12T07:00:00.000-06:002017-12-12T07:00:35.242-06:00Christmas Survival Skills<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWLKKmrcR5vz8EKnO4Qpwg-jS6fz1C9cdKydqwMm9D81FQZd1wKv3nBqKWkD5riQGNxL1ELZCp51iFaLTOzlkm8BvkLskd0clC0I6LAPipQvXAnjlRDcR3EHBMqbaTuEAcy_6E8n2Yfw/s1600/FLqgu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWLKKmrcR5vz8EKnO4Qpwg-jS6fz1C9cdKydqwMm9D81FQZd1wKv3nBqKWkD5riQGNxL1ELZCp51iFaLTOzlkm8BvkLskd0clC0I6LAPipQvXAnjlRDcR3EHBMqbaTuEAcy_6E8n2Yfw/s320/FLqgu.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The countdown is on. Does the date pop into your head as
soon as you wake up? Or only when you look at your To-Do List? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Bowls of dough and trays of cookies surrounded Trish when
her iPhone rang. She wiped her hands on the red-checked towel and pressed
Accept. Two sentences in, her mother’s sweet voice suggested her cousin Sue and
her kids join them for Christmas. “It’s only been a month since Joe abandoned
them. They must be struggling.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mom said she and dad would pitch in all they could, but Sue
lived hours away. Coming for the whole weekend made the most sense. Yes. It
made sense. Was something Trish might have thought of on her own . . . if she
had a moment to think. <o:p></o:p></div>
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She heard herself say, “Of course. I’ll call her right
away.” Her thumb poked the S in Contacts then chose Home. Peter, Sue’s oldest, answered.
Trish felt hollow when she asked for his mom. <o:p></o:p></div>
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“Hello?” Sue sounded frail.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Hi, Sue. It’s me, Trish. How are you?” Her mind snapped
back into place.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQn-VqPF-kujSgl0M-HXMj3P0Zyh6utlBTQTYCLoO9mFP13yEjWcQQankZ2QmOxFTTumaAt4HjrGsdPy03QlOWBWeI0fz2DVfITWbhxzxUnWi96_ftvcINutnM4yMxDcPLc814-3NT8ac/s1600/Sandra+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="961" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQn-VqPF-kujSgl0M-HXMj3P0Zyh6utlBTQTYCLoO9mFP13yEjWcQQankZ2QmOxFTTumaAt4HjrGsdPy03QlOWBWeI0fz2DVfITWbhxzxUnWi96_ftvcINutnM4yMxDcPLc814-3NT8ac/s320/Sandra+tree.jpg" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Sandra Allen Lovelace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The cousins chatted for a few moments before she offered an
invitation for Sue and her three children to join them for the holiday. Sue
hesitated. Trish described cozy pajama times with young ones around the tree, fortified
by hot chocolate and hymns. “You would bless us if you come,” did the trick. <o:p></o:p></div>
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She placed her cell phone on the granite counter top as her
mind threatened to collapse. On top of preparing for the traditional visits
from her parents, her brother and his family, not to mention her two returning
college kids, she had no idea how she’d survive. What did I just do? How could
I let my mother talk me into this? <o:p></o:p></div>
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She caught the bad attitude. Holy Spirit alerted her exactly
as she’d been asking Him to. She went to the blue wingback by the picture
window, her devo chair. Grabbing her Bible off the side table, she settled back
and opened to the next chapter in her reading plan, Isaiah 63. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Her mind raced over the endless tasks ahead as her eyes
flowed across verses 1 to 8. The word <i>distress</i>
caught her attention. She placed her finger on verse 9 to steady her thoughts.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>In all their distress
he [the L</i><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">ORD</span>]
too was distressed,</i> <o:p></o:p></div>
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She paused to soak in the idea of
God sharing her panic.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>and the angel of his
presence saved them.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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God joins His chosen ones to rescue
us.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>In his love and mercy
he redeemed them; <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Deliverance
is based on His character, not our efforts. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>he lifted them up and
carried them all the days of old</i> (Isaiah 63:9).* <o:p></o:p></div>
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Trish
relaxed into God’s presence and provision. <o:p></o:p></div>
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How about you? Has your holiday pace hit the fever pitch? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Relief is as close as prayer and an attitude change based on
Biblical Truth.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>The L</i><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">ORD</span>
replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest </i>(Exodus
33:14).*<o:p></o:p></div>
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*NIV</div>
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<b>Brief Bio<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2sDIFTwLm0mg1FHOm-pKa7NrUmRs6n2T3VQE9iPUwqXsQOyGTvgcQvbKb5esYoX79cFHQ6nToTjPVc-GuUgTrvGyDjQc9PsOBtF4kbfDENBAPsWzeGYVmeYrmkH2DGwSYGzhK5qgyjU/s1600/Sandra+Lovelace+headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="967" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2sDIFTwLm0mg1FHOm-pKa7NrUmRs6n2T3VQE9iPUwqXsQOyGTvgcQvbKb5esYoX79cFHQ6nToTjPVc-GuUgTrvGyDjQc9PsOBtF4kbfDENBAPsWzeGYVmeYrmkH2DGwSYGzhK5qgyjU/s200/Sandra+Lovelace+headshot.jpg" width="120" /></a></div>
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Sandra Allen Lovelace is a continuing missionary, a pastor’s
wife emeritus, and a homeschool pioneer. She’s an award-winning speaker and
author, and a sought-after mentor. Sandra’s a member of Advanced Writers and
Speakers, and has two manuscripts underway, <i>Wallflower
Women</i> and <i>Naomi</i>. She enjoys hiking
with a camera in her hand, best done on an international adventure. Sandra and
her husband Curt are transitioning to South Carolina.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Get to know Sandra at her website, <a href="http://sandraallenlovelace.com/">http://sandraallenlovelace.com/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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You can also connect with Sandra on Facebook. If you contact
her at Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Google+ she’ll be delighted by a reason
to practice.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Leigh Powershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18198430284635859229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702627659637036790.post-84876494843546717612017-12-05T07:00:00.000-06:002017-12-05T07:00:07.967-06:00The “Perfect Christmas”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDmsB9y7fqECi4dJpUSPvUqsWLDd9kYC4J9Usp_01RSDvxouE2iRF_BBvEEeyAZOAcjJ8AA8K8ybA_A3hL0bpBcoU0MbydHaXCFmdHdxPcAnUz6SLIHBTntXMkF8uxpwA348FUHG5FuB4/s1600/perfect+Christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDmsB9y7fqECi4dJpUSPvUqsWLDd9kYC4J9Usp_01RSDvxouE2iRF_BBvEEeyAZOAcjJ8AA8K8ybA_A3hL0bpBcoU0MbydHaXCFmdHdxPcAnUz6SLIHBTntXMkF8uxpwA348FUHG5FuB4/s320/perfect+Christmas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Before we had children, it didn’t matter to me for some reason. I would have celebrated Christmas at a dirt track if that’s where we happened to be. But once we had children, I found myself dreaming about a perfect Christmas. <o:p></o:p></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->My perfect Christmas didn’t have to have snow on the ground, although that would have helped, but everyone would get up early, though not too early. They would gladly wait to open presents while drinking coffee/hot chocolate. The kids would be quiet while we read the Christmas story (or maybe even acted it out). We would have a time of prayer and thanksgiving around the tree. Everyone in the family would enjoy the food, spontaneously burst into carols, and get along. And most importantly, we would be at home.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSGzFPkWZbi1CCJexjV0nryGHO8ag8dhA7lhHEJqF2m50DC_DeSPZNP5OL7sls40pk9g0_Gu55-UVTJ2_TIJEfJTK6VUF0-3q7J2TUdI1E2Wk5L-Dic4Y5nskxW4Z1y7A7AK50u7u7wl8/s1600/carole+tree.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="277" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSGzFPkWZbi1CCJexjV0nryGHO8ag8dhA7lhHEJqF2m50DC_DeSPZNP5OL7sls40pk9g0_Gu55-UVTJ2_TIJEfJTK6VUF0-3q7J2TUdI1E2Wk5L-Dic4Y5nskxW4Z1y7A7AK50u7u7wl8/s320/carole+tree.png" width="213" /></a></div>
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Are you laughing yet? Because <b>the perfect Christmas never happens</b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Like most girls, Mary, the mother of Jesus, probably imagined starting her own little family. Living in Nazareth, near her mother, sisters, aunts, and cousins, she would have enjoyed plenty of support and know-how for that scary labor-and-delivery…plus the even scarier first days at home with a newborn. But after a low-key marriage with no wedding-night intimacy, she got none of that. Instead, Joseph—a carpenter and a <i>man</i> (in a time when men didn’t know anything about babies)—yes, <i>Joseph</i> helped her deliver her baby in a stranger’s barn in a town miles away from her family. Then, the only people to visit her were a bunch of smelly shepherds (again, all men).<o:p></o:p></div>
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No one would call that a perfect scenario. No one dreams of living like that.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I don’t compare myself to Mary, but I think we still (even after all these years) have much to learn from her. Nothing in her life turned out like she anticipated, but she found contentment anyway. <b>Mary traded a quiet existence for the quite extraordinary Emmanuel.</b> <o:p></o:p></div>
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When I dream of some ideal Christmas, I put stress on myself and my family to live up to my unrealistic expectations. I end up disappointed, and my family ends up frustrated. Plus, I do something God never does with us: anticipate earthly perfection.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We travel every year at Christmas, and it usually rains. We invariably duplicate or royally miss it on someone’s gift. The cousins get in an argument…or three. Some distant relative gets offended. The food gets cold before we can gather everyone to eat. Some years (and I’m just being honest here), no one even mentions Jesus until after the wrapping paper is in the recycling bin and the cookie tray is down to crumbs.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But this year, I’m asking God to help me be okay with that. I’m trying to remember that even the first Christmas wasn’t ideal, and Mary, the first mother to observe Christmas, probably wasn’t too happy about how it went either. I mean, straw and shepherds? Really? <o:p></o:p></div>
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What counts—for Mary and for me—is the result of that first Christmas. Even though our plans may fall by the wayside, <b>the perfect plan of God’s perfect son <i>incarnating</i> imperfect human flesh went exactly as planned.</b> <o:p></o:p></div>
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And that’s enough.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Question for Reflection:<i> </i></b>What Christmas expectations do you need to reexamine? What can you release so that everyone—especially yourself—has a more peaceful Christmas?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u>Bio</u>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiba2Ruv_L640Q03bk-yigSD2SLWYYJUAtgVe4qXwgm5koGKTLZ_uo8Ay-Fp30B5dD9CkGdrmtaPWfJwLk00G2v8wyggBsLPKaopOyHwcw4M5yDMgCOxfOV6qI1TwRFVP3tbM10VTjwhKQ/s1600/carole+sparks+christmas+headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="295" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiba2Ruv_L640Q03bk-yigSD2SLWYYJUAtgVe4qXwgm5koGKTLZ_uo8Ay-Fp30B5dD9CkGdrmtaPWfJwLk00G2v8wyggBsLPKaopOyHwcw4M5yDMgCOxfOV6qI1TwRFVP3tbM10VTjwhKQ/s200/carole+sparks+christmas+headshot.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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Carole Sparks has celebrated Christmas in three countries and several states since she got married, but she’s still a sucker for <i>Tender Tennessee Christmas</i>. Sorry, but she hopes it doesn’t snow because, as usual, she’ll be travelling between grandparents those days. You might find her on social media (<a href="http://www.twitter.com/Carole_Sparks">Twitter</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/carolesparks.author">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.notaboutme1151.wordpress.com/">her blog</a>) this month just because she needs an excuse to get some peace and quiet.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Carole, five days before Christmas last year.<o:p></o:p></div>
Leigh Powershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18198430284635859229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702627659637036790.post-1637401078414927032017-11-28T07:00:00.000-06:002017-11-28T07:00:10.182-06:00Carrying Thankfulness with You in Ministry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It was one of those Sundays when it seemed everything had gone wrong. I wasn't in the mood to worship--I just wanted to survive the next hour so I could go home and hide. Being thankful was the last thing on my mind. But then the praise team played the opening notes of "Count Your Blessings." As we sang and people called out their blessings across the sanctuary, my mood shifted. I had much to be thankful for--including our congregation.<br />
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Thankfulness should characterize our ministries. Paul directly told congregations that he was thankful for them and prayerfully thanked God for them in nine of his thirteen New Testament letters. Paul cultivated an attitude of thankfulness toward the congregations he served--even congregations he sometimes had a strained relationship with. He didn't shy away from correcting problems, but he chose to be thankful for the way God demonstrated his grace among the churches he planted and served.<br />
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We also need to choose thankfulness in ministry. Sometimes it's hard to do. Our brains are hardwired to hold on to negative information more than positive information. Researchers say it takes five positive comments to outweigh one negative one. Perhaps that's why the criticisms and the slights are easier for us to remember than the positive things about ministry. And when we let ourselves dwell on that negativity, it sets us up to become bitter toward our congregations.<br />
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Choosing thanksgiving cancels out that negativity, It forces us to be attentive toward what God is doing and how he is blessing us--even in the midst of challenging circumstances. In ministry, choosing thanksgiving allows us to see how God is at work around us.<br />
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This week, try beginning your prayers for your church by thanking God for them. Thank God for:<br />
<ul>
<li>Lives that are being transformed</li>
<li>People who love one another well</li>
<li>Those who give generously to one another</li>
<li>Those who hold on to faith despite life's challenges</li>
<li>People who are willing to speak the truth</li>
<li>Those who faithfully serve</li>
<li>How God displays his grace and glory in your congregation</li>
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The list could go on, but perhaps this can help you get started. Write down your list of thanksgivings and look back at it when times get hard. Choosing thanksgiving puts our attention back on Christ and helps us love well in ministry.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.4px;"><b>About the author:</b><b><br /></b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgp54Bmy9OUoTF-OOFWvjGhgHK2rBgbLmDeOwRVNRpZuO8PqBaXgr_p05CSVaIIU-OmpkDVeIgp9OcIPz2wpU2nHipb0KFdItRYXyjwRxyISAzdjixK2lSHC8PXbgD28V11XpWXryAs4/s1600/IMG_7153+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: left; color: #1a464e; float: left; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgp54Bmy9OUoTF-OOFWvjGhgHK2rBgbLmDeOwRVNRpZuO8PqBaXgr_p05CSVaIIU-OmpkDVeIgp9OcIPz2wpU2nHipb0KFdItRYXyjwRxyISAzdjixK2lSHC8PXbgD28V11XpWXryAs4/s200/IMG_7153+%25282%2529.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.098) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="133" /></span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.4px;">Leigh Powers is the author of <i><a href="http://leighpowers.com/books-and-links/renewed/">Renewed: A 40-Day Devotional for Healing from Church Hurt and for Loving Well in Ministry</a>.</i> She is passionate about helping women find hope and healing by meeting God in his Word. You can connect with Leigh on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LeighPowersMinistries/" style="color: #1a464e; text-decoration-line: none;">Facebook</a> or <a href="https://twitter.com/leigh_powers" style="color: #1a464e; text-decoration-line: none;">Twitter</a>, or follow her at her blog, <a href="http://www.leighpowers.com/" style="color: #1a464e; text-decoration-line: none;">My Life. His Story (www.leighpo</a>wers.com).</span><br />
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Leigh Powershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18198430284635859229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702627659637036790.post-33866718632214076432017-11-21T07:00:00.000-06:002017-11-21T07:00:06.285-06:00Dodging Pity Puddles<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial";">"Hello."</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial";">"Not yet, no one is here."</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial";">"Five minutes."</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial";">"I hope so. This was a crazy week and as you know, it took all I had in me to prepare. I sure do hope someone shows up."</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial";">"Thanks honey, I will call on my way home . . . it could be sooner than later."</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial";">Ever been there? You've had a busy week and it took all you could do to prepare for a meeting, Bible study, or get-together and then either no one shows up, or just a few.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial";">I have, obviously, and it was just a few weeks ago. As I sat in a chair looking out the window waiting for at least one car to pull up I felt it—that familiar tap on my heart when the Lord needs to get my attention. I knew my attitude was not good when I was on the phone with my husband, but at the moment I felt I had good reason to feel as I did.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial";">As the minutes ticked, God took this time as a teaching moment. You know, the moments you take with your children or grandchildren when they are doing something wrong or inappropriate and you guide them. Well, that was where I was. He had my full attention and was going to teach me something right then.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial";">In those minutes He gently reminded me that this wasn’t about me. I know, in ministry we are well aware that we signed up for “it’s not about me,” but sometimes we get tired and we fall into a pity puddle and forget. Yes, I said pity puddle, instead of party. Puddles are stinking and stagnating, and that was about my attitude at the moment.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial";">But our Heavenly Father is so gracious and if we will give Him our attention for those teaching moments, He will not only guide us, but prepare us and give us the energy for the work He has called us to, as well as pour over us His peace.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial";">In those quiet moments of waiting He reminded me that this was His work and the dear ones I was waiting on, they were His also. He didn’t prompt me to teach this particular Bible Study for the numbers so that my worth could be validated. No, He prompted me to teach for many reasons; to use the gifts He had given me, to begin to grow our new women’s ministry, to bring together these ladies for instruction and fellowship. If only one came, then my preparation was for her. It wasn’t about my performance or their attendance but about obedience.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial";">While in the midst of ministry I think we can stumble and fall face first into a pity puddle. But again, our Heavenly Father is full of grace and love. He will always give us what we need when He has asked us to serve Him. Our part is to be obedient and keep our eyes focused on Him, then it doesn’t matter the outcome.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial";">“<i>And I am sure of this, that he who began a good word in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ</i>,” (Phil 1:6 ESV).</span></div>
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<b>About the Author:</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zveX-loonVi3vdGL99RVZpA5X3aqdG4Ls4ENXPfj09ub7xcVWxu7o1StyJruwXS1VU5SO322iAMuzEiFqsb2PEaYygs6wd5KPpwCzwJjUYeT9Ir0QEvsOYYStZE6ibxPGJUfDdoecSc/s1600/Beth+K+Fortune.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zveX-loonVi3vdGL99RVZpA5X3aqdG4Ls4ENXPfj09ub7xcVWxu7o1StyJruwXS1VU5SO322iAMuzEiFqsb2PEaYygs6wd5KPpwCzwJjUYeT9Ir0QEvsOYYStZE6ibxPGJUfDdoecSc/s200/Beth+K+Fortune.jpg" width="173" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 15px;">The hats I wear are many but with each one brings an opportunity to share heart, humor, and hope. My day job is with a ministry in Greenville, SC but my other hours I fill with writing, speaking, teaching Bible Studies, leading our women's ministry, designing landscape/gardens, rowing at Greenville Indoor Rowing and answering to Beth, mama, and grandmommy. Serving alongside my husband, who is a pastor, for over twenty years, I can say without a doubt that as difficult as it is at times, it's also a great honor. They say that with age comes wisdom, I'm not sure about the wisdom part, but I do know that with age comes the realization that no matter what I go through God is always there with His overwhelming love and grace. </span></div>
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<b>Connect With Beth:</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 15px;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.bethfortune.org&source=gmail&ust=1510166012712000&usg=AFQjCNFEko1Tzojt1cgh8YYIzR03GzZbVA" href="http://www.bethfortune.org/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.bethfortune.org</a></span></div>
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Leigh Powershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18198430284635859229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702627659637036790.post-11218283201588017922017-11-14T07:00:00.000-06:002017-12-04T19:51:47.789-06:00Who Comes First?<br />
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Joan rested her hands in her lap, crossed and uncrossed her ankles. The entire week was filled with activities again. It had been months since she enjoyed even an afternoon to herself. As for family and friends, it would take a shoehorn to wedge in quality time with them. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And here she sat wasting time at the doctor’s office for a follow up to an annual physical.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Joan Phillips?” The nurse’s voice was tight.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Joan rose and followed the perky blonde down the blue-carpeted hallway. The casual pace and chitchat made her wonder if she’d be on time for Bible study. Gesturing toward a black leather chair set in front of a massive desk, the nurse assured Joan the doctor would be right along. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Dr. Johnson entered the room as his personable self, but when he folded his hands on the green blotter his eyes tightened. He took a deep breath, and said, “Joan, I’m sorry Dave couldn’t be here, but this can’t wait. I have to tell you your test results came back and . . .” <o:p></o:p></div>
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On the drive home, the only words she could remember were, “If we can get hold of this now, you have plenty of quality years ahead of you.” <i>How could that be? I feel fine.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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A tearful conversation with her husband Dave when he returned from his trip followed by a three-way discussion with Dr. Johnson brought clarity. The ongoing stress of her busy lifestyle had taken a toll on Joan’s body. Immediate corrective action was recommended to stabilize her overall health. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Dave and Joan went through her schedule and cut back all but essential responsibilities. Her symptoms improved somewhat, but Dr. Johnson was not satisfied. “You’re getting more sleep and regular exercise, but there’s still a harmful level of tension. Can you pinpoint the cause?” <o:p></o:p></div>
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His question drove Joan to the inner courts of heaven. <i>L</i><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">ORD</span>, please reveal the problem. I want … I need to rest in Your peace. Thank You for Your grace. Amen</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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God granted her request in the days and weeks ahead, bringing her to a fresh understanding of His priorities. The key element was Holy Spirit’s whispers through two main references to convince her that leaving herself at the bottom of every list was not the Father’s design. <o:p></o:p></div>
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With support from Dave, Joan began to exercise biblical self-care. Embracing her identity as a cherished child of the Risen Savior relaxed her soul. The inner transition carried peace filled her life with peace and blessed those around her. The transformation took mental and emotional effort, but a year later Dr. Johnson gave her two thumbs up.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i> Each of you should look <u>not only to your own interest</u>, but also to the interests of others</i> (Philippians 2:4).*emphasis mine<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Love your neighbor <u>as yourself</u>.</i> (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 19:19, 22:39; Mark 12:31,33; Luke 10:27; Romans 13:19; Galatians 5:14; James 2:8).<o:p></o:p></div>
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Are your days regularly over-the-top busy?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Could it be time to consider your priorities in light of these verses?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>About the Author:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2sDIFTwLm0mg1FHOm-pKa7NrUmRs6n2T3VQE9iPUwqXsQOyGTvgcQvbKb5esYoX79cFHQ6nToTjPVc-GuUgTrvGyDjQc9PsOBtF4kbfDENBAPsWzeGYVmeYrmkH2DGwSYGzhK5qgyjU/s1600/Sandra+Lovelace+headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="967" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2sDIFTwLm0mg1FHOm-pKa7NrUmRs6n2T3VQE9iPUwqXsQOyGTvgcQvbKb5esYoX79cFHQ6nToTjPVc-GuUgTrvGyDjQc9PsOBtF4kbfDENBAPsWzeGYVmeYrmkH2DGwSYGzhK5qgyjU/s200/Sandra+Lovelace+headshot.jpg" width="120" /></a></div>
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Sandra Allen Lovelace is a continuing missionary, a pastor’s wife emeritus, and a homeschool pioneer. She’s an award-winning speaker and author, and a sought-after mentor. Sandra writes for a number of publications and has two manuscripts underway, <i>Wallflower Women</i> and <i>Naomi</i>. She enjoys hiking with a camera in her hand, best done on an international adventure. Sandra and her husband Curt are transitioning to South Carolina.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Get to know Sandra at her website, <a href="http://sandraallenlovelace.com/">http://sandraallenlovelace.com/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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You can also connect with Sandra on Facebook. If you contact her at Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Google+ she’ll be delighted by a reason to practice.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Leigh Powershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18198430284635859229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702627659637036790.post-13571065000594110702017-11-07T11:43:00.000-06:002017-11-07T11:43:34.985-06:00The Weight of Waiting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdal0qjQYGRiVokLhrlnhcnxM83vMOV2QrkkhLLxuCtzVcho3CSbFQLCP4C_ww3DIVEjK3YMQ5R3-kf6fHk7RSoyKLZmeS9b_ZPNhGVvqNnroaCmUMVWhx5NGuVSc5i1MTQggyViaLME/s1600/weight+of+waiting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdal0qjQYGRiVokLhrlnhcnxM83vMOV2QrkkhLLxuCtzVcho3CSbFQLCP4C_ww3DIVEjK3YMQ5R3-kf6fHk7RSoyKLZmeS9b_ZPNhGVvqNnroaCmUMVWhx5NGuVSc5i1MTQggyViaLME/s320/weight+of+waiting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You know how, in January, people claim a word for the year? I’ve been doing that for a long time, as in, since the hashtag symbol meant “number.” One of my early words was <i>obedience</i>. Another was <i>balance</i>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Then one year, about mid-February (not ironically), the Lord gave me a different kind of word: <i>wait</i>, or more specifically <i>wait on the Lord</i>. <i>Wait</i> is not a very inspirational word. I mentally argued with Him about claiming it. I needed something to get me through the year, not hold me back. <o:p></o:p></div>
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As I reflect now, I can name several periods of unexpected waiting in my past—times when I thought God was ready for me/us to move forward, but instead, He told us to wait.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Perhaps your mind has already gone to that classic verse about waiting.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="text"><i>But they who wait for the </i></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span></i></span><span class="text"><i> shall renew their strength;</i></span><i><br />
</i><span class="indent-1-breaks"><i><span style="font-size: 5pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i>they shall mount up with wings like eagles;</i></span><i><br />
<span class="text">they shall run and not be weary;</span><br />
</i><span class="indent-1-breaks"><i><span style="font-size: 5pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i>they shall walk and not faint.</i> -Isaiah 40:31 ESV</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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We think of waiting as a dormant period where nothing much happens, but Isaiah says waiting is a time of strengthening. <b>Why is it “they” can fly, run, and walk endlessly? Because they first waited.</b> And in the waiting, they got stronger. They lifted weights, so to speak. <o:p></o:p></div>
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That’s another thing people do in January: They resolve to get fit, maybe through lifting weights. When you lift, you schedule rests between each set of exercises. It’s in those waiting periods that your muscles connect more tightly and become stronger. If you don’t wait before jumping into the next set, you’ll hurt yourself.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Two things happen when we wait for the Lord. God prepares the way for us (as in Proverbs 3:5-6’s “make your paths straight”) and God prepares us for what’s coming.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In my year (fourteen months, actually) of waiting, we faced unexpected…let’s call them <i>challenges</i> instead of difficulties or trials. Sometimes I felt like I was doing squats with weights too heavy for me. However, <b>when the time came to take off in flight, we soared instead of stumbling.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Imagine Hannah’s heavy weight of waiting (1 Samuel 1). Year after year, she endured the teasing of a rival wife. Year after year, she hoped the next festival season would be different, that she would carry a son rather than the twin dumbbells of disappointment and shame. <o:p></o:p></div>
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But God caused her to wait. On the outside, He was preparing a place for her eventual son with Eli, the priest. On the inside, He was cultivating Hannah’s heart so she could and would give her child to Eli and the Lord. Both these things had to happen before the time was right for Samuel to be born. <b>Without those years of “heavy lifting”—of strengthening her heart—Hannah might not have fulfilled God’s purpose in her life.</b> <o:p></o:p></div>
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The NIV translators chose another word in Isaiah 40:31. Look at this: <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>But those who </i>hope<i> in the <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> will renew their strength...</i> -Isaiah 40:31 NIV<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Our waiting is a time of hoping, of looking confidently toward the future, of knowing we <i>will</i> soar if we are obedient in the meantime.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So do some squats and lunges while you’re waiting…I mean <i>hoping</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Question for Reflection: </b>Have you been frustrated by a time of waiting? Reflect on that time and document how He strengthened you during those days. It may have been pure encouragement, the acquisition of a new skill, a maturing of the Fruit of the Spirit, or something else. Regardless, we find ourselves praising Him once it’s over!<o:p></o:p></div>
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We would love to hear from you in the comments below if you’d like to share your own experience with waiting (or any other response).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u><b>About the Author:</b></u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnoDRR-4LZLcX0gZEMvCeUyhZ8EFHQZ19HZR4NTdlepgiHrygU4SYRMf-wQMKqT2nz1nctpGzoAMDFkLMfnPDvaC4H63kwXVM1vycgRxSGZSRYZCLvR3pLiIGVNP51f30pd7gVGnnc838/s1600/Carole+Sparks-126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnoDRR-4LZLcX0gZEMvCeUyhZ8EFHQZ19HZR4NTdlepgiHrygU4SYRMf-wQMKqT2nz1nctpGzoAMDFkLMfnPDvaC4H63kwXVM1vycgRxSGZSRYZCLvR3pLiIGVNP51f30pd7gVGnnc838/s200/Carole+Sparks-126.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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<em>Carole Sparks is passionate about God’s Word—about how it can change our everyday lives! After years of globetrotting, she now lives, learns, and loves (plus a good bit of writing) in the hills of East Tennessee. Connect with Carole through her blog, </em><a href="http://notaboutme1151.wordpress.com/">http://notaboutme1151.wordpress.com</a>, <i>or <em>on </em></i><a href="http://www.twitter.com/Carole_Sparks">Twitter</a><em>, </em><a href="http://www.facebook.com/CaroleSparks.author">Facebook</a><em>, and </em><a href="http://www.instagram.com/CaroleSparks">Instagram</a>.</div>
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Leigh Powershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18198430284635859229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702627659637036790.post-60115285877241580422017-10-31T12:45:00.002-05:002017-10-31T23:05:58.283-05:00Pastor's Wife Devotional Launching November 28th<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItbGb9mM0D4AT4k261acXB4WlnhPH3HMV5j6p7poV2aWhYPIjTsV5pMcbxXJj9LNm-9zcwQ3fFvy6OhimvRV2yBVV7qBjLqWSrqMyG2wrmoAEFriWhEAcvNL7dna0xz4UGe88URrTOfk/s1600/Renewed+Pastors+Wife+Book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="498" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItbGb9mM0D4AT4k261acXB4WlnhPH3HMV5j6p7poV2aWhYPIjTsV5pMcbxXJj9LNm-9zcwQ3fFvy6OhimvRV2yBVV7qBjLqWSrqMyG2wrmoAEFriWhEAcvNL7dna0xz4UGe88URrTOfk/s320/Renewed+Pastors+Wife+Book.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I'm so excited!!! My long-time friend and fellow pastor's wife, <b><a href="http://leighpowers.com/" target="_blank">Leigh Powers</a></b>, joined our pastor's wife blog in the summer of 2016 -- writing <b><a href="http://www.pastorswives.com/search/label/Leigh%20Powers" target="_blank">articles</a></b>, assisting with <b><a href="http://www.pastorswives.com/p/connect-contact.html" target="_blank">social media</a></b>, and also arranging for other guest bloggers to encourage pastors' wives around the globe.<br />
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Now, Leigh is launching <b><a href="http://amzn.to/2iitx7l" target="_blank">a devotional book for pastors' wives</a></b>. Truthfully, I find many devotional books -- especially those aimed at women -- to be trite and shallow, or too syrupy for me to stand for very long. But this one stands apart.<br />
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Leigh is a gifted and insightful writer, holding an M.Div.Bl from
Southwestern Seminary; and more importantly, a love for her fellow
pastor's wife.<br />
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Each devotional practically identifies with the pain/emotions we're feeling, ends with encouragement and insight from God's word, followed by prayer and action steps that lead to healing.<br />
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Read an excerpt <b><a href="https://medium.com/@FaithWords/devotional-excerpt-god-im-angry-at-you-today-77a701ea304a" target="_blank">online at Medium</a></b>. This is the very first
devotional in the book--the one that kicks off the 40-day journey from
lamenting the pain to loving the church again.<br />
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Here's a sample:<br />
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<div class="graf graf--p graf-after--p" id="392a" name="392a">
<i>I see the hope in my husband’s eyes slowly dying. It dims a little with
every idea shot down, every deacon who puts a finger in his face before
he gets up to preach ... </i></div>
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<i>We live in a messy, sin-stained world. Those who are meant to be God’s people don’t
always live like it. As ministers and church leaders, being on the front
lines of the battle means we get hit by the shrapnel. It hurts, and
sometimes anger is our gut-level response to the pain. Anger at
ourselves. Anger at our churches. Anger at God, because it’s his fault
we’re here in the first place.</i></div>
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<i>When you are angry at God, the worst thing you can do is hide it....</i></blockquote>
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Read the rest at:<br />
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<b><a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="async" data-lynx-uri="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedium.com%2F%40FaithWords%2Fdevotional-excerpt-god-im-angry-at-you-today-77a701ea304a&h=ATNE2-GB6H9NHYb7JwHVVY8R3DcoVNUirqLYsDmypBIpb1-WDlfwecZyeIe5Fu4SfhjLrbGBNy42NRxsLTilO-owlDlPCvzQikDatTPC1X2nQLk_83qrtRKDpX2KFF2-wK7lHV11zRBwHOJV0N0NvE8gWtj4b3gElTg9gNG66J6sHFPOnxxEDLtJ8zh_C-UIUtey_YoPWFbaAMK6gAvWI6W9hSTbqKQoXGD3uN4yTY5OhCcBmLzthpSZ_qbB7yQ" href="https://medium.com/@FaithWords/devotional-excerpt-god-im-angry-at-you-today-77a701ea304a" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://medium.com/…/devotional-excerpt-god-im-angry-at-you…</a></b><br />
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<br />PastorsWiveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228656943969986642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702627659637036790.post-38070533244383667902017-10-17T07:00:00.000-05:002017-10-17T07:00:20.677-05:00Tell Yourself the Truth<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbB0ElDtZ2ghpI4Dvsm9u14O3XHDe5XlZ7RFV0aEnofCJU4P6IcgI6Wu5dZRyEjdb2vwoh22atDaiqmVpDQVBlDGFt538sIWmFT6qYY4zvY8z2BSmeDFEhvDxJxtWxJkLy9H2vLMQlLiY/s1600/truth+puzzle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="1280" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbB0ElDtZ2ghpI4Dvsm9u14O3XHDe5XlZ7RFV0aEnofCJU4P6IcgI6Wu5dZRyEjdb2vwoh22atDaiqmVpDQVBlDGFt538sIWmFT6qYY4zvY8z2BSmeDFEhvDxJxtWxJkLy9H2vLMQlLiY/s320/truth+puzzle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Her dearest friend was away the morning she found out. The
information halted her breath and drove Judy to her knees. When she
could move, she shut off her cell phone and left it on the floor. The patchwork
quilt cocooned her on the tan corduroy loveseat. She wept as she realized the
details were too deep and personal to share with anyone.<o:p></o:p></div>
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By the time the afternoon shadows lengthened, the crisis dominated
her mind and heart. She rose and fumbled through dinner preparations,
forgetting to add tuna to the casserole. Dread about how she ought to respond settled
over her as she ladled out the soup. The brave front she adopted left her
family unaware of her dilemma. She excused the children from clean up, saying
it was her turn.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Have you been isolated by events or emotions on occasion? Or
do you keep your own counsel by habit? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Either way, in reality we’re never truly alone. We can turn
to God at any moment. But sometimes the human condition can make our heads feel
like an MRI scanner. Thoughts bounce and bang ominously as they repeat past
messages, conjure odd ideas, evoke wild emotions. Even devoted believers fall
into this pit. There is an escape route.<o:p></o:p></div>
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1. Listen to the rebounding clamor and write down what you
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2. Read the comments aloud to engage the objective side of
your brain. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Would you call a friend one of
those names? Refuse to say it to yourself.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Does that evaluation or plan make
sense? Double-check the facts. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Is the fear, anger, or pain out of
balance? Verify their sources.<o:p></o:p></div>
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3. Research what God says about and to you, and write it
down.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Are you yearning to be valued or belong,
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<i>Do
not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine</i>
(Isaiah 43:1).<o:p></o:p></div>
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Is the constant barrage wearing you
down, and the turmoil stealing your peace?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><span style="background: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Do not
conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind</span></i><span style="background: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"> (Romans 12:2).</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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4. Rephrase His Truth as godly self-talk, not I-centered
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“Judy, you are redeemed. You belong
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“Judy, soak your mind in God’s Word.
You will be revived.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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These strategies are tools to uncover our human frailties and
restore our confidence in who we are in Christ. As we implement them in
obedience, we build our defense system and promote our peace.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>We demolish arguments
and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we
take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ</i> (2 Corinthians
10:5).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>About the Author:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2sDIFTwLm0mg1FHOm-pKa7NrUmRs6n2T3VQE9iPUwqXsQOyGTvgcQvbKb5esYoX79cFHQ6nToTjPVc-GuUgTrvGyDjQc9PsOBtF4kbfDENBAPsWzeGYVmeYrmkH2DGwSYGzhK5qgyjU/s1600/Sandra+Lovelace+headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="967" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2sDIFTwLm0mg1FHOm-pKa7NrUmRs6n2T3VQE9iPUwqXsQOyGTvgcQvbKb5esYoX79cFHQ6nToTjPVc-GuUgTrvGyDjQc9PsOBtF4kbfDENBAPsWzeGYVmeYrmkH2DGwSYGzhK5qgyjU/s200/Sandra+Lovelace+headshot.jpg" width="120" /></a></div>
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Sandra Allen Lovelace is a continuing missionary, a pastor’s
wife emeritus, and a homeschool pioneer. She’s a well-respected speaker and
author known for her transparency, warmth, and humor. Sandra has two manuscripts
underway, <i>Wallflower Women</i> and <i>Naomi</i>. She enjoys hiking with a camera
in her hand, best done on an international adventure. Sandra and her husband
Curt are transitioning to South Carolina.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Get to know Sandra at her website, <a href="http://sandraallenlovelace.com/">http://sandraallenlovelace.com/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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You can also connect with Sandra on Facebook. If you contact
her at Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Google+ she’ll be delighted by a reason
to practice.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Leigh Powershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18198430284635859229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702627659637036790.post-44197261965155782692017-10-03T07:00:00.000-05:002017-10-03T07:00:00.949-05:00Redeeming Halloween<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0x_DsfaAjis2V1CILhSBUDixgGJQqeD6V43LSsldSuvqlHejCR4JJNqFGLU4vPyTQ3VAwa7YpLpiX0JecmsttviQaKWSOYf7Z7_EX7TtFiZG7T90JXPLODRjkxdxaepy-iY7pVch_dpc/s1600/Redeeming+Halloween.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0x_DsfaAjis2V1CILhSBUDixgGJQqeD6V43LSsldSuvqlHejCR4JJNqFGLU4vPyTQ3VAwa7YpLpiX0JecmsttviQaKWSOYf7Z7_EX7TtFiZG7T90JXPLODRjkxdxaepy-iY7pVch_dpc/s320/Redeeming+Halloween.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
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Halloween is a tricky, touchy subject in many churches. What do we do with this “holiday” that seems to celebrate the demonic but offers such great outreach opportunities? <o:p></o:p></div>
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In the fifteen years we’ve had children in the house, we’ve tried just about every option. One year, we even hid in the house with the lights off and hoped no one rang the doorbell.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For the last two years, however, we’ve approached this cultural observation differently. <b>We’ve chosen to redeem Halloween—at least on our street—and use it to bless our neighbors.</b> It’s a friendly, non-threatening way for us to meet our neighbors and for them to rub shoulders with real Believers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our approach involves:</div>
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<i>Accessibility</i></div>
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We set up a table at the end of our driveway so we meet parents. If we were in the house, children would approach the door while parents hung back on the street. We want to get to know our neighbors, so we moved out to where they are.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->2 <i>Welcoming Spirit</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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We set up some chairs and hang out at our table all night. We ask people questions and try to have conversations rather than just “Happy Halloween!” with a wave.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i> Adult treats</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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We offer muffins or cookies for the chaperones. If it’s warm, we have apple cider punch, and if it’s cold, we have hot cocoa. I make up a big batch of homemade cocoa so we can serve people small cups instead of mixing packets one-by-one. My recipe is much like <a href="http://www.themakeyourownzone.com/2012/01/homemade-hot-chocolate-mix-updating-my-old-recipe.html">this one</a> except I add cinnamon. (I just Googled this. It’s not an endorsement of the site.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->4 <span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><i>Music</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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We make a playlist of fun, clean Halloween-ish songs and put it on shuffle. We have a little, inexpensive Bluetooth speaker so we can just use a phone for this.</div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>**GOOD CANDY**</b></i></div>
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This is the most important part! If you’re going to do this, don’t be the cheap-skate house with the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JoJtHpVgNo">bad candy</a>. Invest in the good stuff, be generous with it, and you’ll be the house people want to visit at other times of the year.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In one night, we met dozens of people from our neighborhood—people who generally drive into their garages and are never seen again. What an opportunity! The second year, people told us how much they enjoyed the year before and said they looked forward to coming our way again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our idea might not work where you live because of your church expectations or the greater culture of your area. But before you decide what to do for Halloween, pray for God’s leading and <b>make sure <i>you</i> take advantage of Halloween rather than <i>it</i> taking advantage of you.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Question for Reflection:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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How is God leading you to redeem Halloween this year? Will you be brave and follow His leading, even if it’s unexpected or a little out of character for you?<o:p></o:p></div>
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For some thoughts on discipling your children through Halloween, check out <a href="https://notaboutme1151parenting.wordpress.com/2015/10/13/3-tips-for-discipling-your-kids-through-halloween-a-repost">this guest post</a> on my parenting blog.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Have you found fun ways to redeem Halloween in previous years? Please share your experiences in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnoDRR-4LZLcX0gZEMvCeUyhZ8EFHQZ19HZR4NTdlepgiHrygU4SYRMf-wQMKqT2nz1nctpGzoAMDFkLMfnPDvaC4H63kwXVM1vycgRxSGZSRYZCLvR3pLiIGVNP51f30pd7gVGnnc838/s1600/Carole+Sparks-126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnoDRR-4LZLcX0gZEMvCeUyhZ8EFHQZ19HZR4NTdlepgiHrygU4SYRMf-wQMKqT2nz1nctpGzoAMDFkLMfnPDvaC4H63kwXVM1vycgRxSGZSRYZCLvR3pLiIGVNP51f30pd7gVGnnc838/s200/Carole+Sparks-126.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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<b>Bio.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Carole Sparks still hasn’t found the perfect Halloween costume because there were no prominent women theologians in the Reformation. Her husband is threatening to go as Martin Luther this year and shave his head in a tonsure. (That’s where you shave the center and leave the sides.) We’ll see.<o:p></o:p></div>
Leigh Powershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18198430284635859229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702627659637036790.post-54226374773243704322017-09-26T07:00:00.000-05:002017-09-26T07:00:17.710-05:00Sometimes All He Wants is Yes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2SkOd6EcVe97qAlnb5QmGFi4dr2uZgk3FUPy9U3cZ0CWp0r9VU1iGr77v4se9K7DpcxDW5q2CBdGFCVAHTuqAOVe6vLWmluLqmNo-Fa13eQQMOVgtsEO9cAEquUkuK9JqhVaXy1VBwI/s1600/5T1Y.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2SkOd6EcVe97qAlnb5QmGFi4dr2uZgk3FUPy9U3cZ0CWp0r9VU1iGr77v4se9K7DpcxDW5q2CBdGFCVAHTuqAOVe6vLWmluLqmNo-Fa13eQQMOVgtsEO9cAEquUkuK9JqhVaXy1VBwI/s320/5T1Y.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I'd prayed about it. It was
not something I really desired to do but I felt Him leading me in the direction
of the opportunity in front of me. I struggled with the decision but knew it
was what He wanted so I said yes. I began to pray about this new responsibility
and prepare myself for the changes it would bring into my life. I'd have to
travel and do things I really wasn't interested in, but I had peace about it
because I knew it was what He had been asking of me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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The next week I was at a dinner and, unbeknownst to me, the guest speaker got
up to introduce the new person in the ministry position I'd just accepted. As
Elizabeth was introduced I sat bewildered and a little embarrassed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I later shared what happened with my husband who called one of the two people
in charge of this position. Frank was beside himself and angry that this had
taken place without his knowledge. Frank contacted Melinda (the other person in
charge) and she assured him that Elizabeth was indeed given the position. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Two branches of this ministry team looking in different directions without
consulting each other caused a lot of confusion over the next several days.
Emails were sent to all involved, apologies were made, conversations held, all
the while with me wondering if I'd gotten it wrong. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I was relieved that I didn't have to take this position and was thrilled that
my friend Elizabeth got it, she would be much better at it than I would. She's
proven this to be true in the years since. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I still struggled with the decision since I'd known God had wanted me to say
yes, but then I realized that maybe the yes was all He wanted. I think
sometimes He just wants to know we are willing to do what He asks, even if it
is something we don't want to do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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By taking this position, Elizabeth has gotten to shine and grow her personality
in a way what would have had me shrinking back. By me not having it I've been
able to focus on things that have taken more of my time and energy than I'd
thought would. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Through this I've been reminded once again that God will never do anything to
hurt or harm us and that His tests cause us to grow. I could have reacted to
this in several ways that wouldn't have pleased Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Rejection:</i> I could have taken this personally and looked at it as if I'd been
rejected. Once I'd done this I would have surely had a list as long as a
six-year old's Christmas list, filled with reasons for the rejection which
would have only left me in a puddle of self-pity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Comparison:</i> Elizabeth is younger than I and offers different skills than I do,
but different does not mean better. I could have spent hours awake at night
going over all of the reasons why she was a better choice than me. This would
have ruined our friendship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><i>Anger:</i> I could easily talk
myself into being justified with anger over this situation. I mean, it was
unfair. I should not be treated like this. Who did they think they were? I
could let it downward spiral until I ruined a friendship with Elizabeth and
ruined my reputation with the ministry leaders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The list goes on. No matter
which I'd chose it would never be better than choosing to let it go. By letting
it fly away I was able to maintain the friendship with Elizabeth and encourage
her to shine in her special way. I maintained my reputation with the ministry
leaders, and kept my testimony of what the Lord is doing in and through me in
tact.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Through all of this I was
reminded that sometimes He just wants our willingness. Sometimes all He wants
is yes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">About the Author:</b><br />
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNXYO_pjs5Y4VrUeFHHPF1r-sIpeAkxT8qxqXjSEI_80RgTT2omr7zWK0SXyMvc_xLifxSjzPWm3No5YNA7FoUJB-a-GnGTLMtbjz8o4HO_skrcdIF1MT-gf08QWHAmGgBeJjdteBipI/s1600/IMG_7975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: left; color: #1a464e; float: left; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNXYO_pjs5Y4VrUeFHHPF1r-sIpeAkxT8qxqXjSEI_80RgTT2omr7zWK0SXyMvc_xLifxSjzPWm3No5YNA7FoUJB-a-GnGTLMtbjz8o4HO_skrcdIF1MT-gf08QWHAmGgBeJjdteBipI/s200/IMG_7975.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.098) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="155" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Suzanne Schaffer has been in full-time ministry with her husband Wayne since 1992, pastoring in Pennsylvania and Illinois. She has two grown children and spends most of her days either writing or reading with a cup of tea close by. She enjoys attending auctions and sometimes brings home more stuff than she knows what to do with. She believes life is too short for mediocre food and insists on having good chocolate in the house at all times. You can connect with Suzanne at her blog, </span><a href="http://www.notenoughchocolate.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #1a464e; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">www.notenoughchocolate.blogspot.com</a></div>
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Leigh Powershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18198430284635859229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702627659637036790.post-54313217299405693152017-09-19T07:00:00.000-05:002017-09-19T07:00:22.435-05:00Rest and Trust<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROXgKL-jQG8mfqProJlb93D304wfEZ0Rg-Q-n0iOvSMDlBqUTt_ORO-fOvl9cER_dcun3Pu09X0aB83PxTmHiRjJlW-Q6v3OfuCsYl_m16yJti5lMAp7rOr2zcS3SvbD7Qaxcvwt7XXw/s1600/sandra+rest+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROXgKL-jQG8mfqProJlb93D304wfEZ0Rg-Q-n0iOvSMDlBqUTt_ORO-fOvl9cER_dcun3Pu09X0aB83PxTmHiRjJlW-Q6v3OfuCsYl_m16yJti5lMAp7rOr2zcS3SvbD7Qaxcvwt7XXw/s320/sandra+rest+photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Racing thoughts spilled over the rim of Nicole’s mind. The annual ladies retreat was only a week away and the musician was suddenly unavailable. Her two teenagers were getting out of hand. Prayer meeting was in an hour and dinner wasn’t near ready. She dropped the vegetables on the counter and pulled out the cutting board.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Grateful the church was only ten minutes away, she considered other ingredients on hand to throw into a summer salad she could call dinner. The leftover chicken would add protein. Fresh pecans would delight her husband. And she was pretty sure there was a bottle of everybody’s favorite dressing in the fridge. It just might work.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Her hands flew as she started chopping. <i>Clack, clack, clack.</i> The knife’s rhythm somehow calmed her breathing. By the time she broke open the bell pepper and rinsed it, she was absorbed in the task. Her palm pressed into the handle as she sliced through the red vegetable’s skin. Bite-size pieces materialized.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She didn’t notice the blood until she rested the onion on the board. Dropping the knife, she reached across and grabbed at her injured thumb. Exerting pressure to close the wound, she stepped to the sink and pushed at the faucet with her elbow. The scarlet stream sent balls of light floating before her eyes. Her forearms caught her body weight against the counter’s edge. <i>What now?</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Once her head cleared Nicole inspected the injury and decided to treat it herself. While she alternated between applying pressure and wrapping gauze around the gash she turned to the Lord for solutions to her dilemma. Surely He created her for more than the incessant pressure that drove her.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She called her daughter to come finish the salad. When her son appeared to announce his hunger, she had him set the table. <i>What would happen if I took on less?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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They joined hands as her husband prayed. “Eat up, kids. We don’t want to be late.” The ping of forks on porcelain kept a bustling pace.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Jeff, my hand is sore. I think I’ll stay home.” Nicole paused to check his reaction.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“That sounds like a good idea. Are you sure you’ll be all right by yourself? Caroline can stay with you.” Anxiety laced his words. “Can I pick up anything for you at the store?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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She closed her eyes as she took a cleansing breath. “No, dear. I’ll be fine.” Concern left his face and teased out a smile on hers. “Would you mind asking Joan Bennet to find a replacement musician for the retreat? I can’t think of anyone.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Sure. I’ll be happy to take care of that. Joan’s got connections. I’m sure she’ll find someone. Don’t worry.” He wiped his mouth with the checkered napkin. “Okay, kids. Let’s go.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Peace I [Jesus] leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid </i>(John 14:27).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2sDIFTwLm0mg1FHOm-pKa7NrUmRs6n2T3VQE9iPUwqXsQOyGTvgcQvbKb5esYoX79cFHQ6nToTjPVc-GuUgTrvGyDjQc9PsOBtF4kbfDENBAPsWzeGYVmeYrmkH2DGwSYGzhK5qgyjU/s1600/Sandra+Lovelace+headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="967" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2sDIFTwLm0mg1FHOm-pKa7NrUmRs6n2T3VQE9iPUwqXsQOyGTvgcQvbKb5esYoX79cFHQ6nToTjPVc-GuUgTrvGyDjQc9PsOBtF4kbfDENBAPsWzeGYVmeYrmkH2DGwSYGzhK5qgyjU/s200/Sandra+Lovelace+headshot.jpg" width="120" /></a></div>
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Sandra Allen Lovelace is a continuing missionary, a pastor’s wife emeritus, and a homeschool pioneer. She’s a well-respected speaker and author known for her candor and warmth. Sandra’s current manuscript invites wallflower women to enjoy the life God created them to live. She enjoys hiking with a camera in her hand, best done on an international adventure. Sandra and her husband Curt are transitioning to South Carolina.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Get to know Sandra at her website, <a href="http://sandraallenlovelace.com/">http://sandraallenlovelace.com/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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You can also connect with Sandra on Facebook. If you contact her at Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Google+ she’ll be delighted by a reason to practice.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Leigh Powershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18198430284635859229noreply@blogger.com