tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951005676991626392024-03-13T03:16:58.748-06:00ECHOES OF GRACEStories from my faith journey to encourage others in theirs.Sue Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01189827741877609521noreply@blogger.comBlogger361125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195100567699162639.post-29334994942040109972016-09-01T03:00:00.000-06:002016-09-01T03:00:01.898-06:00Echoes has Moved!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Echoes of Grace has a new home!!! Grab a cup of coffee or tea, and please come visit and take a tour. Like all new homes it is not totally finished ... but almost and I'm excited to show you around. Let me know what you think.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> www.suetell.com.</span></div>
Sue Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01189827741877609521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195100567699162639.post-58180046874393492772016-08-25T03:30:00.000-06:002016-08-25T03:30:00.226-06:00The Big DayThe Unveiling is only 7 days (or less if you're reading this after Thursday) away.<br />
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The all new Echoes of Grace can be found at its new address on Thursday, September 1 ...<br />
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http://suetell.com</div>
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Do <u>update your address book</u> and <u>subscribe</u> to the new Echoes of Grace. Then you won't miss out on any new posts.</div>
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See ya' soon,</div>
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<i>sue</i></div>
Sue Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01189827741877609521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195100567699162639.post-62990128884183289762016-08-18T03:30:00.000-06:002016-08-18T03:30:05.395-06:00A Gift for YOU<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Okay, I'm not going to reveal this surprise now ...<br />
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but you'll for sure want to check out Echoes of Grace's new home in September.<br />
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New look.<br />
New offerings.<br />
New information.<br />
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And a special gift for you.<br />
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As of September 1<br />
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http://suetell.com</div>
Sue Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01189827741877609521noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195100567699162639.post-30866614016630498962016-08-11T03:30:00.000-06:002016-08-11T03:30:07.120-06:00Echoes Is Growing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Monday Quotes </i>is joining the Echoes of Grace website on October 3. Words like this will offer thoughts to ponder throughout the week.<br />
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"Sabbath isn't about what you do, it's about the attitude of your heart. And Sabbath isn't a day off, it's time set apart."</div>
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Shelly Miller, <i>The Sabbath Society</i></div>
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Do remember, Echoes, the blog returns on September 1 at this new address,</div>
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Looking forward to seeing you then. </div>
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Sue Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01189827741877609521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195100567699162639.post-87639193598973995392016-08-04T03:30:00.000-06:002016-08-04T03:30:00.214-06:00I Can Hardly Wait ...<b></b>
<b><span style="background-color: white;">... <span style="color: #38761d;"><u><i>for YOU to join me this September for the almost all new Echoes of Grace!</i></u></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">Echoes is moving to a new home. You are invited to the <u>Grand Opening, Thursday, September 1!</u></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"> It will look different.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"> It will offer new opportunities ... more than a blog.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"> It will have a new address,<span style="color: #0b5394;"> http://</span><span style="color: #0b5394;">suetell.com</span>. Please update your address book.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">Echoes of Grace, the Thursday words you look forward to returns <u>Thursday September 1.</u> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">For the month of August, Echoes is on its yearly vacation-sabbatical. Not only will it return refreshed, rejuvenated, refueled (and whatever other <i>re </i>you can conjure up) but with an all new look.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">I can't wait to show you around. <i>Sue</i></span><br />
<br />Sue Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01189827741877609521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195100567699162639.post-56635280204538947572016-07-28T03:30:00.000-06:002016-07-28T19:54:58.382-06:00A Time to Pause<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you, Nancy Ruminski for sharing this picture from your blog, A Little Dash of Love.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Psalm 23 is perhaps the first scripture I ever memorized as a child. Back then it was only words, important words - they were in my Bible, but words. I hadn't yet been introduced to The Word who is God, who is life, who came and lived on this earth. John 1:1,4,14.<br />
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This Word is now my foundation for my relationship with God; he calls me his child. John 1:12. And this Word is full of grace and truth. John 1:14.<br />
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But grace is only grace, and truth is only truth, until I learn to trust it.<br />
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My Bible now is not merely a book of words, it is an invitation to live my relationship with God as his child. It is my opportunity to trust truth. I open my Bible to enjoy my son-ship with God, to experience the reality that is mine.<br />
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"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want."</div>
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In my single teaching days, Ellen was my roommate. She has a lovely singing voice. One of my favorites from her repertoire was Psalm 23. She voiced the first words as <i>Because the LORD is my shepherd, I have everything that I need. </i>Now, because the Lord is my shepherd, I am able to experience his care, his guidance, his protection, his provision, everything that I need. Words come to life.</div>
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My days have been full, wonderful, and tiring. In August my shepherd is providing a time to pause, to rejuvenate, to listen for his love. This is what I need.</div>
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"He makes me lie down in green pastures.</div>
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He leads me beside still waters.</div>
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He restores my soul."</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MBhGvZUu_sQ/V4_xioaMNmI/AAAAAAAAF1I/46NXE7DwetsPAkv5v23lUWrgVlLUPqatACLcB/s1600/Restoration%2BArea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MBhGvZUu_sQ/V4_xioaMNmI/AAAAAAAAF1I/46NXE7DwetsPAkv5v23lUWrgVlLUPqatACLcB/s320/Restoration%2BArea.jpg" width="320" /></a>My green pastures are the Wet Mountains; the still waters are the gurgling brooks sliding over the rocks in Colorado streams. I look forward to soul restoration.</div>
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Long-time friends, visited this morning. The wife told the story of a spiritual conversations she had with some friends.<br />
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One day she asked them, <i>what is the most important thing I can impart to you? </i>There answers were many and varied. It was obvious they respected her. Then it was her turn. She said, <i>you know, I think the most important thing I can leave with you is the you know<u> how much God loves you!</u></i><br />
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YES! That's what I want too, a new dose of God's love!</div>
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So for the month of August, <i>Echoes of Grace</i> is pausing, taking its annual vacation. It will be a time of simple living, of focusing my attention on God and experiencing his gaze on me. It will be sleep-in days, reading days, hiking days, Scrabble nights or movie nights with Bill. </div>
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<b><u>Echoes of Grace will return September 1.</u></b></div>
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And it is returning with a SURPRISE! There will be hints during the month of August.</div>
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So check in each Thursday, so you won't miss anything.</div>
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See you in September,</div>
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<i>sue</i></div>
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"He leads me in the path of righteousness for his name's sake."</div>
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Psalm 23:3b</div>
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<br />Sue Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01189827741877609521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195100567699162639.post-86383454088076442482016-07-21T03:30:00.000-06:002016-07-21T03:30:00.150-06:00Neediness ... Weakness?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Have you seen this crazy movie? (You just learned my opinion.) Bob, Bill Murray, is pictured above with his therapist, played by Richard Dreyfuss. Bob is neurotic, phobic, obsessive-compulsive, and much more - <u>majorly needy</u>! Not literally, but inside crying for attention.<br />
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Do you ever have <i>Bob-moments? </i> <br />
What is the path they lead you down?<br />
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Bob experiences attention deficit that he tries to fill with the wisdom of a professional; neediness exudes. Some see, and Bob feels, weakness.<br />
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<b>Our needs are NOT weaknesses.</b></div>
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"It is the nature of the soul to need." <i>Soul Keeping</i>, p.81. </div>
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God created us with needs so He can be our provider, so He can meet those needs. My friend, Bill Thrall says it this way, "Love is the process of meeting needs." </div>
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<b>Needs invite us to experience God more deeply.</b> </div>
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Needs are not weaknesses; they are opportunities to receive and experience love, the love of God and the love of others.</div>
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We all came into this world with a <i>Bob complex,</i> with <u>the need for attention</u> ... among other needs. When I admit it, I have the opportunity to deepen relationships. Needing attention is not a weakness.</div>
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As a young wife and full-time missionary, I didn't get this. Yes, I knew I wanted attention, but if I had been brave enough to voice that, I would have learned I was seeking the attention in all the wrong ways. I thought wanting attention showed neediness, weakness, and I sure didn't want to own those descriptors. My self-esteem suffered, I began to believe lies like <i>I'm not good enough. </i>SHAME!<i> </i>It never, NEVER occurred to me to take my neediness, my desire for attention to God. </div>
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I'm discovering that my attention needs are met in relationship, relationship with God and relationship with others.</div>
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God created me; he knows me and the needs he put in me to draw me to him. When I pay attention and listen to the words he whispers to me, I experience his attention; his love. </div>
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I was sitting on a sofa in front of the quiet fire reading one of Brennan Manning's books early one spring day. As I turned to the new chapter, Brennan opened with Song of Solomon 7:10, "I am my beloved's, and<i> his desire is for me.</i>" In those few words God's love exploded in my heart; I experienced his attention! I knew he called me beloved, but the thought that he had desires for me, WOW, that was overwhelming. <i>And if God is for me, who can be against me? </i>God gives attention by paying attention to the details, the desires of my life. In receiving his attention, I receive his love.</div>
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Often God meets the needs I have for attention through others, like my husband. Unlike God, he is not all-knowing. Sometimes I initiate and share my attention needs with him. In doing that I give him permission to meet those needs. And I experience his love.Sometimes I don't and the downward path begins. I experienced God meeting that need through Bill earlier this month when he publicly shared how I met one of his needs. It was humbling and affirming; God met that need through Bill.</div>
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On Sunday mornings, our pastor often brings our time of worship to a close with the familiar words from Numbers 6:24-26, "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace."<br />
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As I look down the pew, many are standing with hands uplifted. We want to receive this blessing.<br />
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The pronouns in this scripture are all personal. This is a blessing for us individually. And an accurate picture of this verse is of God stopping in front of you, focusing his eyes on yours, giving you his full, undivided attention, and offering his peace. <i>Shalom, </i>the most positive words he can offer for our well-being.<br />
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My need for attention is not weakness; it is an opportunity to experience the love of God.<br />
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How about you ... are you allowing God to meet your needs? To show you his personal love?<br />
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<br />Sue Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01189827741877609521noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195100567699162639.post-16800448098221247532016-07-14T03:30:00.002-06:002016-07-14T11:42:35.245-06:00Bordered By Love I have a special treat for you this Thursday.<br />
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Please meet my good friend and writing mentor Amy Nowak. Her creative word-weaving and winsome story-telling draw you in and gently communicate truth.<br />
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In this post, you'll likely learn a bit about the history of our nation which Amy uses to lead into a piece of her history and led me to remember a scary story from my history - the day I thought I lost my GRAND. But more importantly, this all connects to us and our sometimes reality. You can find her words <a href="http://us3.campaign-archive2.com/?u=d2e22fc8265da19fd14cab7d9&id=b2a0b2d77c&e=bccff78d" target="_blank">here.</a><br />
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At the bottom, Amy shares a book that has been meaningful to her. Perhaps it would be for you as well.<br />
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Sue Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01189827741877609521noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195100567699162639.post-76134599625325750052016-07-07T03:30:00.003-06:002016-07-07T03:30:15.015-06:00Questions Begetting Questions<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oNkyOC9t9lk/V32qqMBZtxI/AAAAAAAAFy8/1PoVxfnBBpMVxxTyfvHhnZRYrnZVpHtmACLcB/s1600/google%2Bquestions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oNkyOC9t9lk/V32qqMBZtxI/AAAAAAAAFy8/1PoVxfnBBpMVxxTyfvHhnZRYrnZVpHtmACLcB/s400/google%2Bquestions.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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YES! NOOOO! Maybe???? <b>I just don't know</b>.</div>
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Two months ago the email landed in my inbox. With one mindless click on the senders name I needed to think about something I didn't know existed. I was<i> invited</i> to consider joining the group of shepherds in our Sunday school community. <i>Invited. </i>This invitation was not the easy type, not the quick response type. It required more information, prayer, and reflecting on the questions this invitation surfaced.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-90aePnzLaAQ/V32uy_hfWmI/AAAAAAAAFzI/zDan1Q6kDV0jypYpFTkECxhwk5XY8qwcgCLcB/s1600/google%2Bimages%2Bquestion%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-90aePnzLaAQ/V32uy_hfWmI/AAAAAAAAFzI/zDan1Q6kDV0jypYpFTkECxhwk5XY8qwcgCLcB/s320/google%2Bimages%2Bquestion%2B4.jpg" width="304" /></a></div>
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I guess age doesn't make it easier.</div>
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The question, the invitation, begged more questions. I needed to allow myself to back up and view it not as an easy yes-no option, but in light of what I've been hearing from God. </div>
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"keep yourselves in the love of God,"</div>
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Jude 21</div>
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My mind has been swirling around God's personal, Sue-shaped love. The words of Ephesians 1:5, <i>"In love </i>he predestined us for adoption according to <i>the purpose of his will</i>." My life has purpose and it is soaked in his love for me. I want to follow Jude's admonition and keep myself cradled in God's love.</div>
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I glance over my shoulder at the path God has had me on. </div>
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I look ahead and ponder what trust would look like in this situation.</div>
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I focus on who God says I am ... His beloved child. </div>
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And</div>
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I ask ...</div>
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How does this opportunity help me to stay in God's love?</div>
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What does staying (keeping myself) in his love look like?</div>
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Will this allow me to live out of my identity as God's beloved child or be another hat to squeeze onto the hall hat tree?</div>
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Is this a people-pleasing opportunity or a God-trusting opportunity? Or both?</div>
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Who are my closest allies who might speak wisdom to me? What are they saying?</div>
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Does this opportunity fit with my values?</div>
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What is my spiritual journey needing at this juncture? Would this opportunity feed that or starve it?</div>
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Will I be able to live from my giftedness?</div>
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Will this enhance who I am? </div>
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What else does God want me to be asking?</div>
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As I sit in quiet and ponder questions like these, seeking God's guidance, I find myself experiencing peace. I find myself melting into obedience. And a light bulb goes on; I discover the answer. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OY6BPyApdvg/V32qlHwhLKI/AAAAAAAAFzA/hYsxmbRmVK0Z7q7lNGXjvmgXGAsqzm4QQCKgB/s1600/google%2Bquestions%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OY6BPyApdvg/V32qlHwhLKI/AAAAAAAAFzA/hYsxmbRmVK0Z7q7lNGXjvmgXGAsqzm4QQCKgB/s1600/google%2Bquestions%2B2.jpg" /></a></div>
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"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, </div>
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who gives generously to all without reproach, </div>
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and it will be given him."</div>
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James 1:5</div>
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<br />Sue Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01189827741877609521noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195100567699162639.post-15901816345378937602016-06-30T03:30:00.000-06:002016-06-30T03:30:02.969-06:00An Invitation - An Advertisement<div style="line-height: 150%;">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KtIfV0eaeZg/V3FW8NFh83I/AAAAAAAAFxQ/D_YfyjkTXb0xtJzldsTr3fHI96hHrZ1_gCLcB/s1600/Bench%252C%2BGlen%2BEyrie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KtIfV0eaeZg/V3FW8NFh83I/AAAAAAAAFxQ/D_YfyjkTXb0xtJzldsTr3fHI96hHrZ1_gCLcB/s400/Bench%252C%2BGlen%2BEyrie.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">"Humility is trusting God and others with me."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Three years ago the invitation arrived. <i>Sue, we'd like you to be part of the beta group for the brand-spanking new <u>High Trust Leadership Certificate.</u></i> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Interesting ... I'd been asking God, <i>what are my next steps for spiritual growth. </i>Not only asking, but researching, lots of researching; praying, lots of praying; and seeking counsel from many others. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Honored, surprised, and neutral. My neutrality surprised me too.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">But I took the plunge, paid the money, signed up ... still neutral. Was the HTLC the answer to my prayers?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>YES IT WAS!</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">"In a community of grace, who I am in God's eyes is not questioned --</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">it is affirmed."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The online course started in January. Placed in a cohort with a few other new-to-me women, we started the journey together. Communicating on the online news feed gave us glimpses into the lives of each other. Sharing how we met God through the bi-weekly exercises deepened our new friendships. <i>Truly, I have never participated in any other small group where the depth of vulnerability and humility was so well lived. </i>Even though we never met in person, I know our friendships are life-long. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">God opened my heart in new ways as I viewed the weekly</span></span> videos teaching the Bible through the lens of grace. Transformation was happening - a new Sue was emerging.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">"Understanding who I am is virtually impossible</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> without interacting meaningfully with others."</span></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Now I'm inviting you to share this journey with me. </span></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The next course starts August 1. </span></span></div>
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In the words of Trueface Ministries who sponsor this opportunity ...<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Grace
can only be experienced in relationship, ... </span>We have designed tools to help create and accelerate relationships of trust for you, b</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">ecause without trust: </span></div>
<ul style="line-height: 150%;">
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> I cannot experience love</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> I cannot experience truth</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> I cannot have relationship with God or man</span></li>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">We cannot be High Trust Leaders who build High Trust Environments without personally risking trust with people.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KPplolO3UZY/V3Gqf1fgIHI/AAAAAAAAFxg/Bq3fyW9d79sDAR0-lIezt6UoaImoM5CwwCLcB/s1600/trueface_logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="68" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KPplolO3UZY/V3Gqf1fgIHI/AAAAAAAAFxg/Bq3fyW9d79sDAR0-lIezt6UoaImoM5CwwCLcB/s320/trueface_logo.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">To learn more about the HTLC and experience a sample of the course, visit www.trueface.org/trustonecenter. I also encourage you to watch this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rfy03PEVUhQ" target="_blank">youtube video</a>. The Two Roads represent choices we make every day, and reveal to us our understanding of grace.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><u><i>Please, let me know of your interest. I want to share a few more details with you.</i></u></span><br />
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"The righteous flourish like the palm tree</div>
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and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.</div>
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They are planted in the house of the LORD;</div>
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they flourish in the courts of our God.</div>
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They still bear fruit in old age;</div>
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they are ever full of sap and green,</div>
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to declare that the LORD is upright;</div>
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he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him."</div>
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Psalm 92:12-15</div>
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The quotes sprinkled throughout this post are all copyrighted by Trueface.</div>
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Sue Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01189827741877609521noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195100567699162639.post-31620204797852167052016-06-23T03:30:00.001-06:002016-06-23T03:30:11.276-06:00Privacy Behind the Hedge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Water is scarce in Colorado. And I love water. I love the waves of the oceans crashing onto the shore; I love the quiet of lakes nestled among trees; I love the sound of water careening over the rocks of the rivers. </div>
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"He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul."</div>
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Psalm 23:2b, 3a</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W-UYeMTH-ow/V2hku3JPx2I/AAAAAAAAFws/AlAZ4D5004YshQaOGAn3qkN09IZh19lnACKgB/s1600/Cultivated%2BBeauty%252C%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W-UYeMTH-ow/V2hku3JPx2I/AAAAAAAAFws/AlAZ4D5004YshQaOGAn3qkN09IZh19lnACKgB/s320/Cultivated%2BBeauty%252C%2B3.jpg" width="180" /></a>Not all water is still, but for me all water restores. Ahhhh. Did I say <i>I LOVE water?! </i>Even listening to the small fountain off the edge of our deck is a bonus these summer mornings.</div>
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Last week I headed to a small man-made lake, a beautiful spot on the south of town. Armed with my coffee, my Bible, my journal, and my camera, I was ready for a time of listening to God. The day was </div>
warm, blue, and cloudless. Perfect! I found an empty bench at the edge of the lake and settled in. These Ducks (hoping for a hand-out) kept me company bobbing up and down as the breeze ruffled their watery perch. They made me smile.<br />
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Occasionally someone passed by - morning exercisers, or strolling with their baby, or talking with a friend. Some greeted me, some didn't. </div>
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When the sun climbed higher in the sky, I moved in search of shade. And I found the perfect spot behind the hedge. </div>
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My view of the lake was not as clear, but the privacy was wonderful. Hidden behind the hedge, those exercisers, mamas, and friends passed unaware of my presence a mere few feet away. </div>
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I soaked in the words of Paul in his second letter to the Corinthian church. I journaled. I talked with God - silently, I wasn't all that far from people. It was good.</div>
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And I learned something ...</div>
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You might remember my post last September entitled <a href="http://suesgracechoes.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-message-of-picnics.html" target="_blank">The Message of The Picnics.</a> I spoke of how beauty and quiet were key ingredients for me to restore my soul. In my mind water was another ingredient. And it is. But I learned that even more important is a place, a space to be with God that is alone. That's what the hedge offered me last week. </div>
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What about you ...</div>
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What are the necessary ingredients to restore your soul?</div>
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Where are the places, the spaces that create the perfect environment for you?</div>
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"Incline your ear, and come to me;</div>
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hear that your soul may live;"</div>
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Isaiah 55:3a</div>
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<br />Sue Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01189827741877609521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195100567699162639.post-2802413191994198682016-06-16T03:30:00.000-06:002016-06-16T03:30:33.199-06:00Here She is To Save the Day - NOT!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A superhero, I'm not! Thank you to my friend Lisa Anderson for her <a href="http://www.boundless.org/blog/my-mom-is-killing-me/" target="_blank">insightful words</a> the week I stepped on the plane to visit Mom. It was the first of several <u>grace-sightings</u> I experienced while there.<br />
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Mom is 96 and lives in her home of 55 years - by herself for the past 19. She is an amazing woman who loves her 2-story home, loves having her daughters visit, loves puttering in the yard, loves her screened-in back porch, loves her freedom.<br />
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She doesn't move quite as quickly as she used to on the basketball court. Her hearing aids are a must. She swallows several pills a day. She sold her car.<br />
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She has her routine, the newspaper every morning after breakfast including doing the daily Bridge hand often beating the one who posts. She still manages her own finances and investments. Mom cooks for herself several times a week ... although we know she appreciates her breaks from that. She has her favorite TV shows.<br />
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I have much to be thankful for.<br />
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I also wonder. Is she safe? Is this home - that I love too - still the best place for her?<br />
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We disagree. Disagreements produce tension.<br />
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And I did <b>NOT</b> want tension on this visit!</div>
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I invited several friends to "come" with me, to pray for my time with Mom, and perhaps text a scripture that I can think on during the day. They "came"; it was a good week - not perfect but very encouraging. </div>
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My <u>grace-sightings</u> continued beyond Lisa's words and the support of my friends. </div>
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*The first day there, the Holy Spirit whispered, <i>Sue, you don't have to win. </i>I needed that.</div>
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Honor who Mom is and how she feels. We'll never agree on everything.</div>
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*My friend Kathy texted, <i>I'm praying you will be a blessing to your Mom. </i>Immediately Philippians 2:4 came to mind. It was a turning point that week.</div>
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*I thought about how she understands love. We spent much time just being with each other and chatting. (My knitting project appreciated that.)</div>
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*We talked about Psalm 23, her favorite scripture.<br />
I've been pondering it since and the phrase, "I will fear no evil" (verse 4) has been ministering especially as I thought about all the care Mom's house needs and the care Mom could enjoy. My sister Sara who lives in the same town admonished, <i>Sue, you just can't worry about it. </i>She's right.</div>
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*I can't compare Mom to Kathy's Mom who still takes regular cruises with her family.</div>
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I can't compare Mom to Carol's Mom who lives in the local Alzheimer's facility.</div>
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I can't compare Mom to Mary's Mom who is the family prayer warrior.</div>
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Kathy's Mom, Carol's Mom, Mary's Mom, and my Mom are God's unique creations even now</div>
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living in their 90s in very different places; the perfect places for each. </div>
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Several weeks previous to our visit, I read Proverbs 30:11, "... and do not bless their mothers." That day I started praying, <i>God, what would it look like to bless Mom today even across the miles? </i>Mom would agree this visit was a blessing.</div>
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<i>"and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with faith and love that are in Christ."</i></div>
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I Timothy 1:14<i> </i></div>
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<br />Sue Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01189827741877609521noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195100567699162639.post-56492657240890645022016-06-09T03:30:00.002-06:002016-06-11T18:40:05.538-06:00Ever GreenWe live in Black Forest, Black Forest Colorado that is.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our neighbor's home burned to the ground.</td></tr>
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Three Junes ago this very week wildfire threatened our forest consuming 14,000 acres of pines. Black sticks, once lovely Ponderosa Pines, a forever reminder. The 100 year fire left many of our roads including one we often drive a moonscape.<br />
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As I turn right onto our road, my breath catches, I inhale a deeply. The green still stands. Slowly I exhale and bow in awe. So very close!<br />
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Our road, our home, our view charred but spared.<br />
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<i>Mana's Writing Room, </i>the re-purposed bedroom on our main floor is my place. My desk, my computer, the bookshelves all claim their space. A writer can't write without tools. The pines close to the windows a piece of creation informing my creations.<br />
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My most essential piece of furniture, my comfy overstuffed chair is angled toward the triple windows framing those 80 year old Ponderosa Pines; tall, beautiful, cone-bearing evergreens. My fingers would never touch the keyboard if it wasn't for that comfy chair, the place where my writing begins.<br />
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One hundred miles south is our small cabin we call <i>*The Sanctuary. </i>It sits in an in-holding of the San Isabel National Forest. Evergreens abound.<br />
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Last week at The Sanctuary I sat in another overstuffed chair gazing out a sliding glass door at the cone-bearing Cedars and the Pines. The sky overcast; the temperatures more late fall the summer. The message the same.<br />
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Evergreens ever green. Small brown cones on some; others with cones encapsulating pine nuts we harvest in season, the fall.<br />
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"They still bear fruit in old age;" </div>
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Psalm 92:14</div>
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God's creation picturing my heart - to still bear fruit in old age.</div>
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"The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.</div>
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They are planted in the house of the LORD: they flourish in the courts of our God.</div>
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They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green,</div>
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to declare that the LORD is upright;</div>
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he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him."</div>
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Psalm 92:12-15 </div>
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What atmosphere fuels your creativity?</div>
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What are your pre-requisites?</div>
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What is your heart's desire?</div>
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How are you living that out?</div>
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* I penned my <a href="http://suesgracechoes.blogspot.com/2011/09/rubber-band-ball.html" target="_blank">first poem</a> at <i>The Sanctuary. </i>It carries an important message if you desire to stay ever green. </div>
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Sue Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01189827741877609521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195100567699162639.post-56377439012967998232016-06-02T03:30:00.000-06:002016-06-02T03:30:00.138-06:00Red Hot Buttons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It happened again.<br />
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The old familiar cycle repeated itself A-GAIN!<br />
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So frustrating. <i>Why can't I break this pattern?</i><br />
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The circumstances may be different; the contexts may be different; the pattern is the same.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Atychiphobia strikes again!</b></span><br />
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At least in my eyes.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AoC0wYyyNpQ/Vv74G9Y6L9I/AAAAAAAAFms/X1QHbyT8zA41N-H7O2h6CXjB6vDXH4qOQ/s1600/google%2Bnot%2Bgood%2Benough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AoC0wYyyNpQ/Vv74G9Y6L9I/AAAAAAAAFms/X1QHbyT8zA41N-H7O2h6CXjB6vDXH4qOQ/s1600/google%2Bnot%2Bgood%2Benough.jpg" /></a>Her husband commented to her, <i>When we go to visit your family in the city, you always turn into a different person. </i>I guess I'm not the only one.</div>
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A few months ago while visiting my extended family, it happened. That is sometimes fertile ground for my atychiphobia. But truly I've experienced many other contexts as well where my victim-hood shines, I'm not good enough.</div>
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Over the years I've tried different methods to reach my good enough goal. <i>What outfit might be just right for this occasion? How should I style my hair? What thoughts should I offer for this dilemma - what would sound really wise? </i></div>
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It boils down to people pleasing, and the cycle begins.</div>
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It starts with this unhealthy self thought, <i>I'm not good enough. </i>This is the fuel the feeds the cycle.</div>
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<i>But I can handle this</i>, I think. I review Psalm 139, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." (verse 14)</div>
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But even that truth is not quite enough. </div>
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I hide my feelings and paste on a smile.</div>
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I take cover away from others trying to erase my reality and protect myself.</div>
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These resistance techniques are digging me deeper into despair. </div>
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Now I'm tempted to act out, <i>No, I DON'T want to go shopping with you. No, I DON'T want to go to that meeting.</i><br />
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I justify that decision. I need time and space to lick my wounds.<br />
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Blame is easy, <i>they really don't know me</i> and <i>my opinions are not important to them anyway.</i><br />
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The shame sets in. <i>I'm a mature woman. I should know better than to be acting so foolish.</i><br />
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<i>Truly I'm not good enough. </i><br />
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My hope that it will ever change vaporizes.<br />
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And round and round the cycle I go.<br />
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David's cry in Psalm 30:2 gave me words, "O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me." I prayed for God to heal ... or at least give relief from this damaging cycle. Hope begins to surface. Awareness is huge.<br />
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1. Remember and review my primary identity, the beloved child of God. Be on the offense.<br />
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"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us ...</div>
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called children of God ... exactly who we are."</div>
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I John 3:1, The Message</div>
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2. Remember and review God's personal whispers to me concerning atychiphobia. Be on the defense.</div>
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"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you,</div>
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and before you were born I consecrated you."</div>
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Jeremiah 1:5</div>
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3. Be humble enough to invite my community, a few trusted friends to 'come with me', when I know atychiphobia could be knocking at my door. Ask them to pray; ask them to text scriptures. </div>
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"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,</div>
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we have fellowship with one another,</div>
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and the blood of Jesus his son cleanses us from all sin."</div>
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I John 1:7</div>
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"Therefore confess your sins to one another</div>
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and pray for one another, that you may be healed.</div>
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The prayer of a righteous person has great power and is working."</div>
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James 5:16</div>
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I'm thinking, this is the way of escape.</div>
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"Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.</div>
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No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.</div>
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God is faithful,</div>
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and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability,</div>
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but with the temptation he will also provide the<b> way of escape,</b></div>
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that you may be able to endure it."</div>
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I Corinthians 10:12, 13 (bolding mine)<br />
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Reviewing truth, walking in the light, inviting community - these are life-giving principles to overcoming atychiphobia. </div>
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<i>"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity,</i></div>
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<i>but of power, love, and self-discipline."</i></div>
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II Timothy 1:7 NLT<i> </i> </div>
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<i> </i>Sue Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01189827741877609521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195100567699162639.post-7321611388166316892016-05-26T03:30:00.000-06:002016-05-26T03:30:03.861-06:00Three Ways Hurry Hurts Me ... and You!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Memorial Day - the first picnic and parade and celebration of summer. Enjoy.<br />
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Summer is the beginning of a different schedule for Bill and me. Since I was 5 years old, my calendar rotated with the traditional school year.<br />
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Summer always brought a slower pace, a time for family, a time for camping, a time for rejuvenation.<br />
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This week, please enjoy a guest post by my husband Bill. When I read it, I knew I wanted to share it. It was just what I needed and thought it might help you too. </div>
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Bill also posts each Thursday. You may want to make his blog, <i>Laying It Down,</i> part of your Thursday reading. The address is <a href="http://billtell.com/">billtell.com</a> or if you prefer, just click <a href="http://billtell.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Three Ways Hurry Hurts Me…and You!</h1>
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<a href="http://billtell.com/wp-content/uploads/businessman-hurry-26388833-2.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-327" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="businessman-hurry-26388833 (2)" class=" wp-image-327 alignright" src="http://billtell.com/wp-content/uploads/businessman-hurry-26388833-2-217x300.jpg" height="178" width="129" /></a>Posted on <time class="entry-time" datetime="2016-02-18T22:21:57+00:00" itemprop="datePublished">February 18, 2016</time> Written by <span class="entry-author" itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><span class="entry-author-name" itemprop="name"><a href="http://billtell.com/" target="_blank">Bill Tel</a>l</span></span><br />
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<span class="entry-comments-link"></span> </div>
</header>Performance driven Christians live in a continual state of anxiety and fear. How? By <b>hurrying</b>. We have so much
to accomplish so God is pleased with us we push the accelerator to the
floor. We live by the lie that busyness equals importance…that my
accomplishments create my identity and my value to God lies in my
usefulness.<br />
I learned the hard way the destructiveness of busyness. Here are
three lessons living at warp speed taught me. I have more I will share
later.<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Busyness is the enemy of my soul.</b> Lance Witt says,
“You can’t live life at warp speed without warping your soul.” Not only
do I desperately need time with God, Jesus wants time with me. He tells
me he no longer knows me as his servant, but as his friend. He has made a
fire on the beach and wants me to come sit with him (John 21), and just
“Be still and know I am God” (Psalm 46:10).</li>
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<a href="http://billtell.com/wp-content/uploads/unfriend.png" rel="attachment wp-att-328" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="unfriend" class="alignleft wp-image-328" src="http://billtell.com/wp-content/uploads/unfriend-300x188.png" height="107" width="170" /></a>
<li><b>Busyness is the enemy of friendship</b>. Hurry always hurts relationships. Always. Hurry is a “Hi, how
are you” without stopping where you are going. Hurry is texting while
listening. Hurry is scheduling five minutes between appointments. It’s
not building in a buffer to have time for people. It creates resentment.
It demeans and hurts. Hurry believes there is no meaning in the
present, only in the next thing I have to do for God.</li>
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<li><b>Busyness is the enemy of love</b>. A common closing
blessing in many churches is taken from Numbers 6:26, “The Lord turn his
face toward you and give you peace.” This means he takes time to stop
and look right at us…full in the face. <i>He takes time</i> to pay
attention…to our joys, our hurts, our concerns, our anxieties. In His
stopping we know we are important – we are loved…and in His stopping we
find peace.</li>
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“God <i>takes the time</i> to do everything right – everything” (Isaiah 30:18, <i>The Message</i>). May we do the same.<br />
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<span style="color: #99cc00;"><b>QUESTION</b>:</span> Where do you need to slow down? How will you do that? Is there someone you need to turn your face toward?<br />
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<b><span style="color: #99cc00;">ACTIONS</span></b>: Become a part of our blog family and become a subscriber – it will help you slow down. Then share this with a busy friend.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #99cc00;">NEW!</span></b> Starting
this coming Monday, visit my “Monday Quotes” page. I’ll share with you
the best of the best quotes I have journaled over the years that help me
live in the freedom of the gospel and that I regularly take time to
review.Sue Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01189827741877609521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195100567699162639.post-2764205108248790222016-05-19T03:30:00.001-06:002016-05-19T03:30:04.926-06:00He Holds My Hand<br />
2016 opened a new chapter of my journey. Friend after friend after friend met Jesus face to face. My wonderings, my curiosity, my trust about heaven was stirred, a good thing.<br />
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Jerry Bridges titled his memoir, <i>God Took Me By the Hand. </i>Apt words for me as I've pondered familiar scriptures expanding my thoughts of heaven.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a17d9cE4uic/VzeeY_TVBrI/AAAAAAAAFtQ/mhTZgVlfsXEd0GkGZoySVvqgNPsY_QscwCLcB/s1600/google%2BJesus%2Bnail%2Bpierced%2Bhand%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a17d9cE4uic/VzeeY_TVBrI/AAAAAAAAFtQ/mhTZgVlfsXEd0GkGZoySVvqgNPsY_QscwCLcB/s1600/google%2BJesus%2Bnail%2Bpierced%2Bhand%2B2.jpg" /></a><u><b>I'm overwhelmed a-GAIN by the love of God</b></u><br />
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His nickname is Doubting Thomas. His faith challenged when his friends tell him they have seen Jesus after the resurrection. He retorts, "I won't believe unless I see the nail wounds in his hands ..." John 20:25 NLT<br />
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Jesus submits to his request.<br />
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Jesus has visible wounds AFTER his resurrection! Doesn't the Bible teach that our resurrected bodies will be new, whole, healed, well? It appears Jesus is an exception.<br />
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Wayne Grudem in <i>Systematic Theology</i> says, "The scars from Jesus' crucifixion are unique ...The fact that he retains those scars does not necessarily mean that we shall retain ours" page 616.<br />
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I wonder, if Thomas was the <i>only one </i>to ever want proof of Jesus' crucifixion by seeing the scars, would those scars have remained just for Thomas?<br />
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Yet those scars testify to us as well of God's amazing love, love big enough to send his son to the cross so we could have a relationship with him.<br />
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<u><b>Inner Renewal</b></u><br />
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My friend Larry met his Savior face to face on March 6. As a result of a horrendous car accident 39 years ago, Larry suffered a closed head injury that defined the rest of his days. Although his physical capacity (his outer self) was forever changed, it was obvious that his inner self was the same and being renewed. He loved God and his family and because of the few words he spoke, I believe he knew God loved him, his inner self not hampered by his broken body.<br />
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II Corinthians 4:16, 17, "... though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."<br />
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<b><u>Jesus never leaves us ... He takes us by our hand</u></b><br />
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Psalm 23:4 speaks of walking through the valley of the shadow of death. Physical death, our doorway to heaven. The Psalmist declares, "I will fear no evil," Why? "Because you (God) are with me."<i> </i><br />
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Hebrews 13:5 referencing Joshua 1:5, "I will never leave you ..."<br />
<i><br /></i><b><i>God never ever leaves His beloved children! </i>Never!</b><br />
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In the opening verses of John 14, Jesus tells us that he is preparing a place for us in his Father's house. When that place is prepared he will personally escort us there. (verse 4)<br />
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Even in those moments as we pass from our earthly life, Jesus has our hand. Never are we away from his presence.<br />
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<i>"Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling</i></div>
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<i>and to present you blameless</i></div>
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<i>before the presence of his glory with great joy,</i></div>
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Jude 24<i> </i></div>
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<br />Sue Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01189827741877609521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195100567699162639.post-4113274806997302016-05-12T03:30:00.000-06:002016-05-12T03:30:08.193-06:00Forgiveness and the Child of God<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">(The sentence I cannot agree with in the above quote is "the forgiving free spirit of children is our true nature." If it said<i> </i>that forgiveness is part of our nature as <u>children of God </u>then I would agree.)</span></b><br />
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It happened in the '80s. I remember the feelings it conjured up as if it were yesterday. We carpooled together, my friend and I, their two daughters, our two sons. Most of the time without incident.<br />
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But then there was this one day, and one disagreement leaving two estranged friends. Oh, it takes so little.<br />
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I laid on my bed and sobbed. She <i>was</i> a good friend; friendship <i>is</i> important to me. But I couldn't get past the hurt. Left up to myself, the pit was too deep.<br />
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Thankfully, God did not leave me up to myself. He brought another along side; another who was un-involved; another who loved enough to get involved and lead me to truth. This time it was my husband.<br />
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<i>Sue, is this hard worth losing your friend over? </i>His simple nine word question was the beginning of the turn.<br />
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Finally, repentance came, forgiveness happened, and a friendship was restored.<br />
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<b><i>Why is it so hard to repent and forgive?</i></b></div>
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<b>My identity </b>is at stake. Is this how a child of God behaves? My behavior and my incorrect theology are in conflict. As a beloved child of God, I still sin.<br />
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<b>Pride.</b> Repentance calls for me to agree with God for my piece of this mess. Asking forgiveness puts me at the mercy of the other. I forfeit control to God and my friend - that calls for humility.<br />
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<b>Fear. </b>that my asking for forgiveness will not cure the issue. <i>What if this wrong is held over my head? Will this incident always defines our friendship?</i><br />
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<b>Shame.</b> Admitting my wrong means to admit something is wrong in my thinking or in my perspective. <i>Is our friendship worth being the wrong one? </i><br />
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<b>Stubbornness. </b>Faulty thinking gets faultier and faultier the more I try to make it look different.<i> </i><br />
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<b>Trust. </b>In my pride, my fears, my shame, and my stubbornness<i> </i>the common thread is <u>I am not trusting God!</u><br />
<i> <span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;"> And the question became, how can I invite God in and trust him with this mess?</span></i></b><br />
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<img alt="bible-1440953-1279x852" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-71" height="467" src="https://thecontemplativewriterdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/bible-1440953-1279x852.jpg?w=1050" width="700" /><br />
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<i>"O God, you know my folly;</i></div>
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<i>the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you."</i></div>
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Psalm 69:8</div>
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Author and blogger, Ed Cyzewski writes, </div>
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"Perhaps this Psalm comes as bad news to
some. Some may read this as a kind of “surveillance God” peering into
our lives, seeking any kind fault or reason for judgment or exclusion.</div>
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However, what if God’s awareness of our
hidden faults is the best kind of good news, the good news we all need.
Jesus spoke of himself as a doctor who has come to heal, and the
prophets are filled with accounts of God mourning that Israel will not
turn back to him.</div>
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What if God is a lover who sees our
foolishness and faults and still remains enamored with us? God sees our
secret sins and wants nothing more than our healing and redemption.</div>
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There is grace and mercy for us before we
even acknowledge our failings. In many ways, confession is more for us
than it is for God. Confession convinces us that God has known who and
what we are all along and still wants to call us his beloved."</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0DZKF9SnB14/Vx4rq-zRL2I/AAAAAAAAFqk/Xu97GVMAwmQClhVhMW3HQr2bm1dM6ZtogCLcB/s1600/me%2Band%2BBarb%2BChevalier%2B2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0DZKF9SnB14/Vx4rq-zRL2I/AAAAAAAAFqk/Xu97GVMAwmQClhVhMW3HQr2bm1dM6ZtogCLcB/s400/me%2Band%2BBarb%2BChevalier%2B2016.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my good friend Barb, April 2016.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<i>"Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."</i></div>
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James 5:16<i> </i></div>
Sue Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01189827741877609521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195100567699162639.post-41530577892498105302016-05-05T03:30:00.000-06:002016-05-05T03:30:00.164-06:00My Mother's Heart<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mV_W1Hxy0lw/VyocXdaI7sI/AAAAAAAAFrM/4RxhMTQ_7gQKxQggSQOcUtJooKHVp9G7wCLcB/s1600/Mom%2Band%2Bme%2BMay%2B2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mV_W1Hxy0lw/VyocXdaI7sI/AAAAAAAAFrM/4RxhMTQ_7gQKxQggSQOcUtJooKHVp9G7wCLcB/s400/Mom%2Band%2Bme%2BMay%2B2016.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom and Me, May 2016</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rfycJtojMAk/Vyocuy8ac-I/AAAAAAAAFrQ/yNsU5Gh3fj0tpCYZui6gS-BhlST6pa-fACLcB/s1600/NJ%2B2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rfycJtojMAk/Vyocuy8ac-I/AAAAAAAAFrQ/yNsU5Gh3fj0tpCYZui6gS-BhlST6pa-fACLcB/s320/NJ%2B2016.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views in Mom's neighborhood</td></tr>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> My Mother's Heart knows no age,</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Inside she's still the same.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Her 96 years may show their ware,</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>But who she is does not change.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Mom loves her daughters, all 4 of us,</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>And wants the best for each.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>She still wants to spoil; she still wants to treat,</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Her strengths even stronger through the years.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>As Mother's Day comes again this May,</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I pause and ponder in wonder ...</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>My Mom is special.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>My Mom is unique.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>She lives who God created her to be.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>So, Mom my prayer for you these days</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>is summed up in Moses's words ...</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>"May the LORD bless you</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>and protect you.</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>May the LORD smile on you</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>and be gracious to you.</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>May the LORD show you his favor </i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>and give you his peace."</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;">Numbers 6:24-26, NLT<b><i> </i></b></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2IBWUcPy4-M/Vyoc-tP6ucI/AAAAAAAAFrc/qzHN61r-67ofGVZrf3pPD26yAo6b0CU3ACLcB/s1600/NJ%2B2016%2B8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2IBWUcPy4-M/Vyoc-tP6ucI/AAAAAAAAFrc/qzHN61r-67ofGVZrf3pPD26yAo6b0CU3ACLcB/s400/NJ%2B2016%2B8.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My personal favorite</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0bmskjpWnj8/VyqtiBwtI0I/AAAAAAAAFsE/TVWq-VNNbGENFmvA9yqNBcN2HU9l8xXMgCLcB/s1600/me%252C%2Bmom%252C%2Bmy%2Bsisters%2BJan%2B2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0bmskjpWnj8/VyqtiBwtI0I/AAAAAAAAFsE/TVWq-VNNbGENFmvA9yqNBcN2HU9l8xXMgCLcB/s320/me%252C%2Bmom%252C%2Bmy%2Bsisters%2BJan%2B2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barbara, me, Sara, Mom, Penny</td></tr>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i> </i> </b></span></span></div>
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Sue Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01189827741877609521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195100567699162639.post-10184127264932386162016-04-28T03:30:00.000-06:002016-04-28T03:30:19.302-06:00One-Upping and The Gospel of Grace<div style="text-align: left;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend Carolyn</td></tr>
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Welcome to a special Echoes of Grace. My friend Carolyn Eden and I collaborated on this post.Thank you Carolyn.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">And thank you to Julie Breuninger and her words in <a href="http://velvetashes.com/?s=competition+-+one+-+upped" target="_blank">Velvet Ashes</a> on one-up-man-ship that stretched my understanding of this concept.<i><b> </b></i> </span><br />
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Our words were friendly enough.<br />
The conversation flowed easily - perhaps too easily.<br />
It was subtle; not until I left and thought about it did I realize the one-upping.<br />
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An opportunity to affirm turned to competition. Woe to me!<br />
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<i>(Not the real conversation, but similar. You'll get the gist). </i><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="color: blue;">Hey Carolyn, thank you for dropping this off at church for me today.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: red;">No problem. I'm going to an <b>important </b>leadership meeting anyway.</span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: blue;">I'd do it myself, but I <b>need to bring lunch to Sandy.</b></span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="color: red;">I'm busy too. </span></b><span style="color: red;">My year end Bible study brunch is this week. Twelve ladies is a squeeze even in my dining room.</span></span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: blue;">Oh, and <b>I was asked</b> to help with a reception at church on Saturday. It was already a full weekend, but ...</span></span></span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="color: red;">We're hosting a missionary couple</span></b><span style="color: red;"> who are coming to town. They <b>always </b>stay with us. Clean the guest room again!</span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: red;"><u><span style="color: black;">One-<u>u</u>p-<u>m</u>an-<u>s</u>hip</span></u><span style="color: black;"> - the art or practice of outdoing or keeping one step ahead</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><b>of a friend or competitor.</b> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"> </span> </span> </span> </span><b> </b></span> </span> </span><i> </i> </div>
Do you see what is happening in the above exchange? We both are set on being the important one. The conversation overflowed with one-upping. We were not trusting Proverbs 11:25, "Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered." When I bless, God is able to enrich. One-upping not necessary.<br />
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This imaginary conversation could have been true. Both of us are committed to our friends and our local church. Both of us have strengths in hospitality and keep our guest rooms ready and clean towels in the bathroom.<br />
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<i><b>Because we have much in common, we are more susceptible to one-upping.</b></i><br />
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Stewarding our gifting in serving ... even with words ... is living God's grace.<i><b> </b>Thank you Peter for that reminder. </i>I Peter 4:10.</div>
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Instead the conversation highlighted our insecurities. We spoke as though our involvements equaled our significance. NOT TRUE!</div>
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We needed to cast our gaze on God to affirm our significance, the very significance he created in us, but we were silently begging the other to notice and affirm. BAD IDEA!</div>
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The unspoken desire actually accomplished the opposite - igniting the neediness of the other.<br />
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Paul reminds of the words of Jesus, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35. Most often I hear this reminder in terms of monetary giving. But could it not also refer to the giving of words of blessing and encouragement?<br />
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<i><b>We don't need to one-up to prove our worthiness</b></i></div>
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<i><b>or highlight our significance.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>We were significant enough for Jesus to go to the cross for us.</b></i><br />
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And because of the cross, "Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand ..." Romans 5:2. <i><b> </b></i></div>
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<i><b>"When I am living in God's grace,</b></i></div>
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<i><b>I receive all the validation I need from Him."</b></i></div>
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Julie Breuninger<i><b> </b></i> </div>
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Our listening was thwarted. Instead of blessing the serving of the other, we felt the need to insert ourselves into the story and be the important one.</div>
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We were acting as though our reputation was at stake in our doings. </div>
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Our reputation is God's responsibility. Our part is to live out who God created us to be. Perhaps we were doing that with our serving and our hospitality. But the emphasis in our words highlighted the one-upping.</div>
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Do you hear the pride? Reading even the pretend responses was mortifying!</div>
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God exhorts through Peter to humble ourselves and allow Him to exalt. Never are we called to exalt ourselves. I Peter 5:8. One-upping is exalting self.</div>
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<i><b>"If you want to really experience the flow of love as never before,</b></i></div>
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<i><b>the next time you are in a competitive situation,</b></i></div>
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<i><b>pray that the other around you will be more outstanding, more praised, and</b></i></div>
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<i><b>more used of God than yourself."</b></i></div>
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Dallas Willard</div>
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<i><b>"Grace liberates us to serve one another without the burden of competitiveness."</b></i></div>
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Julie Breuninger<i><b> </b></i></div>
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<i><b>"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up ..."</b></i></div>
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I Thessalonians 5:11</div>
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<i><b>"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, </b></i></div>
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<i><b>but in humility count others more significant than yourselves."</b></i></div>
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Philippians 2:3<i><b> </b></i><br />
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When do you find yourself vulnerable to one-upping?</div>
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What helps you experience God meeting your significance needs?</div>
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What does living in the environment of grace look like for you?</div>
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<i><b> </b></i></div>
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<i><b> </b></i> </div>
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<i><b> </b></i></div>
Sue Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01189827741877609521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195100567699162639.post-55324976530843942682016-04-21T03:30:00.001-06:002016-04-21T03:30:00.383-06:00David's Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XOGD40irXZ0/VwVo791upuI/AAAAAAAAFns/HMvGuADQHzg81CLe6B_p9PcwokJ_KoKGg/s1600/google%2Bonline.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XOGD40irXZ0/VwVo791upuI/AAAAAAAAFns/HMvGuADQHzg81CLe6B_p9PcwokJ_KoKGg/s200/google%2Bonline.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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My friend David is one of the directors of the Certificate in High Trust Leadership. <a href="http://truefaced.com/trustonecenter" target="_blank">CHTL</a> is an online course for which it is my great privilege to be an adjunct faculty. I invited him to share part of his story on Echoes this week. Thank you, David.</div>
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You'll be so glad you invested 5 minutes and 54 seconds to watch this video.</div>
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<i> </i><br />
<a href="https://truefaced.edu20.com/teacher_lesson/show/38454?lesson=1&thesection=16" target="_blank"> </a><br />
<a href="https://vimeo.com/user20289772/review/160747042/5aecdee6f3" target="_blank">https://vimeo.com/<wbr></wbr>user20289772/review/160747042/<wbr></wbr>5aecdee6f3</a><br />
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Are you interested in <i>living in the freedom of applied grace? </i>I think this is one of the best definitions of CHTL</div>
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"Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand ..."</div>
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Romans 5:2</div>
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Grace is more than a doctrine, it is an environment <i>in which we stand</i>, in which we can live.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9XMOYIzJ3kU/VwVpMoYqn5I/AAAAAAAAFnw/_doHG7wcjLcZQTd1I2GMVoBtk3gW6uu2A/s1600/google%2Bfriends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9XMOYIzJ3kU/VwVpMoYqn5I/AAAAAAAAFnw/_doHG7wcjLcZQTd1I2GMVoBtk3gW6uu2A/s1600/google%2Bfriends.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Men are welcome too.</td></tr>
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In this graduate level course, you are exposed to excellent teaching videos covering blocks of scripture helping you learn how grace works; regular exercises putting these principles into practice leading you to an increased ability to apply grace in all your relationships; stories (like David's) and practical illustrations enhance it all. I encourage you to check out the CHTL link above.<br />
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The next course starts in August. And YOU are invited. The value is both in the content and in the<br />
interaction with the others in your cohort.</div>
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What questions do you have?<br />
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I'd love to talk. <i>sue</i> </div>
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<br />Sue Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01189827741877609521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195100567699162639.post-82822839851722658312016-04-14T03:30:00.000-06:002016-04-14T03:30:00.193-06:00Temptation, Shame, Community<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TzAOXP-iJag/VvwY4a54xhI/AAAAAAAAFmQ/pJu2L1NYSrAtBT2kPd0BgWhmvVJp3xKdA/s1600/google%2Bshame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TzAOXP-iJag/VvwY4a54xhI/AAAAAAAAFmQ/pJu2L1NYSrAtBT2kPd0BgWhmvVJp3xKdA/s400/google%2Bshame.jpg" width="400" /></a>Because of a course we're taking together, our conversation revolved around shame. She said, <i>it's so hard to dig out. </i>And <i>when my shame is so obvious to me, it is so hard to connect to the grace of God.</i><br />
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I agree.<i> </i><br />
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Later, praying over our interaction, God brought Paul's words nestled in I Corinthians to mind, <i>the way of escape.</i><br />
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"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.</div>
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God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability,</div>
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but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape,</div>
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that you may be able to endure it."</div>
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I Corinthians 10:13</div>
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I noted:</div>
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* Temptation is a common issue.</div>
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* God has a fence around temptation.</div>
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* God provides a way of escape.</div>
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* It won't overpower me.</div>
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A friend once commented that holiness is living with nothing hidden. Holiness is living in the light. I'm thinking that is the message of I John 1:5-10.</div>
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Then my thoughts circled back to Paul and his testimony in Philippians 1. In verses 19 and 20, he declares, </div>
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"<u>through your prayers</u> and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ</div>
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this will turn out for my deliverance,</div>
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as it is my eager expectation and hope that <u>I will not be ashamed</u> ..." </div>
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Paul was living in the light with his Philippian community. He was asking for their prayers. And his hope was, he would not be ashamed. </div>
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Community was one key to him not being ashamed. Living in community involves humility.</div>
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Questions began to swirl ...</div>
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<i>What is more important to me my reputation (or what I think it is) or living in the light?</i></div>
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<i>What is more important, victory from the sin that is causing the shame, or living with it?</i></div>
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<i>Who is my community?</i></div>
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<i>Will I trust them with me, with my humanity, with my shame?</i></div>
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<i>Do I believe there is a way of escape?</i></div>
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What questions do these scriptures bring to your mind?</div>
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What is the shame you are in the midst of?<i> </i></div>
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Will you believe your community can help?</div>
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Will you risk living in the light?</div>
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<i></i><br /></div>
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If you would like, I'm glad to be a trusted community for you.</div>
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Next week my friend David shares his story in a powerful 5 minute video. You won't want to miss hearing this.</div>
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<i> </i> </div>
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<i> </i>Sue Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01189827741877609521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195100567699162639.post-36639582845983034752016-04-07T03:30:00.000-06:002016-04-07T03:30:01.523-06:00Hugged by a Doctrine<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dLKn-I9Wutw/VwKjK0NJTtI/AAAAAAAAFnc/vrullEoeJWQmCQnQSPtjNqY3RN23HT26A/s1600/google%2Bstiff%2Barm%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dLKn-I9Wutw/VwKjK0NJTtI/AAAAAAAAFnc/vrullEoeJWQmCQnQSPtjNqY3RN23HT26A/s200/google%2Bstiff%2Barm%2B2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't realize, "stiff arm" was a football term.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sitting across the table in a local eatery that night with our new friends, it was like I was holding my arm out straight, wrist bent back, my hand saying stop<i>. </i><br />
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<i>Let's not get too close. Do I really want to be friends with you?</i><br />
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These are not normal feelings for extrovert me. I was wise enough to pause, and silently, secretly ask God, <i>What is going on? Why am I responding this way?</i><br />
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I may have received one of my fastest answers to a prayer. <i>Sue, you are judging. </i>OUCH! <i>Sue, you have put limits on my grace. </i>OUCH, OUCH!<br />
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<i> </i><br />
<i> </i>You see, I know some of their story. And I was giving myself permission to judge; I was giving myself permission to limit God's grace. I was acting (hopefully without showing it) self-righteous. <i>After all my story is not quite so sinful. Hmmmm, since when is sin quantified?</i><br />
<br />
Steve Brown in his book, <i>A Scandalous Freedom, </i>asks this question ...<br />
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Have you ever been hugged by a doctrine?</div>
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Of course not!</div>
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Knowing doctrine and living from that doctrine are two separate things.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AR6yYWU0rXE/VvquEvWnAxI/AAAAAAAAFl4/eC4BX0NpIos1ofTmLxllAtyskTMk6AA2Q/s1600/google%2Brighteousness%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AR6yYWU0rXE/VvquEvWnAxI/AAAAAAAAFl4/eC4BX0NpIos1ofTmLxllAtyskTMk6AA2Q/s320/google%2Brighteousness%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a>Over the last few years I have been awed by the doctrine of righteousness.</div>
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With my faith came my righteousness. How did I miss this? I'm seeing it throughout the epistles these days. One of my favorites is ...</div>
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"And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly,</div>
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his faith is counted as righteousness,"</div>
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Romans 4:5</div>
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My faith is counted as righteousness - mind-boggling.</div>
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But knowing the doctrine did not change me. </div>
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I needed God to hold me close, and whisper into my ear, how I was twisting this wonderful doctrine into self-righteousness. </div>
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God prepared me. </div>
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The week before this evening, I heard two - not one, but two - sermons on Philippians 3:3-9. </div>
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In the first one, <a href="http://newlifeburbank.org/" target="_blank">my son (the pastor)</a> highlighted the <i>surpassing worth </i>of knowing Christ (verse 8). That is quite an expletive. And I'd been pondering that for several days. </div>
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In the second, <a href="http://v7pc.org/" target="_blank">our home church pastor</a>, focused on <i>repenting of our righteousness</i>. In verses 3-6 Paul laid out an impressive resume, but then he said, <i>but whatever gain I had I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. </i>He repented of his man-made self-righteousness. Some of Mark's words were, "our greatest spiritual danger is not our sin, but our righteousness".<br />
<br />
Jerry Bridges said it this way, "I believe that human morality, rather than flagrant sin is the greatest obstacle to the gospel today".</div>
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The doctrine of righteousness did not hug me. </div>
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But God hugged me as he used that night with our new friends to deepen my understanding of this wonderful doctrine, to live it out in my every day.</div>
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For me spiritual growth happens in community, in real life, with friends. This is the place that doctrines take on meaning.</div>
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I repented of my self-righteousness!</div>
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As we hugged good-by the next day, I knew I was a different person. The surpassing worth of living the righteousness of Christ, had changed me.<br />
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How do you experience doctrines changing your reactions to life? <br />
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"But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law ...the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:"</div>
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Romans 3:21, 22 </div>
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Sue Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01189827741877609521noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195100567699162639.post-66255267744124255712016-03-31T03:30:00.001-06:002016-03-31T03:30:01.515-06:00Volcanos and Lions and Easter<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3QQVPtwrXJs/VvMictlja8I/AAAAAAAAFkg/dSyLJJdSHTMruEPy1oGCxG-ldKdfBZMaA/s1600/google%2Bvolcano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3QQVPtwrXJs/VvMictlja8I/AAAAAAAAFkg/dSyLJJdSHTMruEPy1oGCxG-ldKdfBZMaA/s640/google%2Bvolcano.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Questions, thoughts spew like lava from an active volcano,<br />
<br />
Why?<br />
Not fair!<br />
How can this be good?<br />
So, so hard!<br />
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All around grey, hot suffocating ash,<br />
gasping for breath.<br />
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Tears turn to sobs, chest-heaving sobs ...<br />
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<i>I . DON'T . GET . IT!</i><br />
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I'm not mad, really ... but confused,<br />
and so very, very sad.<br />
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It's been said,<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7_lvBq21qSw/VvMZX-v_pZI/AAAAAAAAFj4/01s41tlGRsk6q7Hn6VwALUuqz3_bijnYA/s1600/google%2Bmarch.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7_lvBq21qSw/VvMZX-v_pZI/AAAAAAAAFj4/01s41tlGRsk6q7Hn6VwALUuqz3_bijnYA/s400/google%2Bmarch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. The words referring to weather. (BTW, not so in Colorado!)</div>
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It's like <i>life</i> this year. I would amend it - <i>2016 came in like a lion</i>, a dangerous, stalking lion.<br />
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In the Old Testament, David's testimony is that the Lord delivered him from the paw of the lion.<br />
I Samuel 17:34-37.<br />
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I can list the <i>hards</i>, the dangerous lion-like moments.<br />
The list is long.<br />
I can list the <i>I don't get its, this doesn't seem right</i>.<br />
The list is long.<br />
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<br /></div>
Each item on the list is real.<br />
AND<br />
<b>Then there is Easter! The excruciating cross. The resurrection.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>The hards intersecting with hope and the reality of resurrection.</b><br />
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"And David said, "'The LORD who delivered me from the paw of he lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.'"</div>
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I Samuel 17:37<br />
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David knew and trusted the character of God. God is a <b>delivering, rescuing</b> God. </div>
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My lions were the hards that swept through my life. Those things that could have devoured, could have killed. </div>
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But the LORD is delivering, the LORD is rescuing and redeeming. <b>There is Easter!</b></div>
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Re-covering, Redeeming,</div>
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Lord, please let it count.</div>
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Sue, don't force, don't pretend. </div>
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Slowly light is dawning,</div>
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creeping in,</div>
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warming,</div>
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shining on Truth,<b> resurrection truth.</b></div>
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I Peter 2:9 says, <i>I am God's possession. </i><br />
I think, <i>I belong to God. God loves his people. God cares for his people</i>.<br />
Each of these hards, another trust opportunity.<br />
They just don't match how I understand <i>good. </i><br />
But I am God's possession. He loves me. He cares about me and for me.<br />
<b>And I know there is Easter. </b><br />
<br />
C.S. Lewis, a much wiser man than I got this.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W0eoSFAk4w0/VvMhuhkTATI/AAAAAAAAFkY/Qf8qXTjvz2QoG9pMgI2LXgg697HyF06uQ/s1600/google%2Blion%2Bwitch%2Bwardrobe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W0eoSFAk4w0/VvMhuhkTATI/AAAAAAAAFkY/Qf8qXTjvz2QoG9pMgI2LXgg697HyF06uQ/s400/google%2Blion%2Bwitch%2Bwardrobe.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NWqzBdtrH-A/VvMf346yNSI/AAAAAAAAFkI/wZFK3_TiVrkTpQDhtFuptuzSP-VVb18sw/s1600/lion%2Bamy%2Bkozlarek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NWqzBdtrH-A/VvMf346yNSI/AAAAAAAAFkI/wZFK3_TiVrkTpQDhtFuptuzSP-VVb18sw/s320/lion%2Bamy%2Bkozlarek.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">https://amyspaintings.wordpress.com/2016/01/22/aslan/</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Thank you to my friend Amy Kozlarek for her painting of Aslan.)</div>
<br />
My neighbor and I stopped to talk yesterday. <i>How are you? </i>she queried. I told her of the many 2016 hards. Her counsel, <i>be good to yourself. Get a massage. </i><br />
<br />
Now, I love massages, but recovery is more than physical. Last September <a href="http://suesgracechoes.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-message-of-picnics.html" target="_blank">I penned these words</a>. For me beauty and quiet are key. But my prescription also includes ...<br />
<br />
Being with Jesus, enjoying his presence.<br />
Reviewing and reminding myself of the character of God.<br />
Listening for the voice of God.<br />
Journaling and praying.<br />
<b>Remembering Easter. </b><br />
<br />
As I practiced these disciplines, I Peter 2:9 led me to Psalm 34:8, "O taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!"<br />
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I might not get it, but I will trust it. I am going to take refuge in God. I want to taste and see his goodness. <b>Thank you God for Easter.</b> <br />
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I wonder, what is for you that refreshes and restores you after the hards of life? What does tasting and seeing look like for you?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s3ErBYblM_U/VvMf74PQ7eI/AAAAAAAAFkM/BY5dneh6j5sufrgc6fNbnE22qj4lF1JKw/s1600/Lion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s3ErBYblM_U/VvMf74PQ7eI/AAAAAAAAFkM/BY5dneh6j5sufrgc6fNbnE22qj4lF1JKw/s320/Lion.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture taken by my niece on her honeymoon in South Africa, January 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted<br />
and saves the crushed in spirit."<br />
Psalm 34:18</div>
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https://amyspaintings.wordpress.com/2016/01/22/aslan/Sue Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01189827741877609521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195100567699162639.post-42462108838804199472016-03-24T03:30:00.001-06:002016-03-24T03:30:00.742-06:00Manifesting the Life of Jesus<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KnHcmOCSlzk/VuiKinQOTEI/AAAAAAAAFi8/cEnUqGKuW2sC3yUK4hDN1E13Ty4Y4IKeg/s1600/google%2BEaster%2Bcross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KnHcmOCSlzk/VuiKinQOTEI/AAAAAAAAFi8/cEnUqGKuW2sC3yUK4hDN1E13Ty4Y4IKeg/s400/google%2BEaster%2Bcross.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "" "calibri" "" , serif;">My husband is prone to
depression. Those months in the fall of 1999 blindsided us; they were
difficult, adjusting, learning times. I hope we do not experience the depth of
their darkness again.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "" "calibri" "" , serif;">I remember our conversation over
dinner the night we received his diagnosis. “Are we going to tell our friends?”
I queried. Bill responded, “Let’s not use the word depression; let’s say, Bill
is exhausted.” While not admitting openly to the clinical diagnosis of
depression, I longed for friends with whom I could talk. I’m an extrovert; I
process out-loud.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "" "calibri" "" , serif;">Our initial attempts at
sharing—but not really—with others were comical. A pattern emerged. As we
(mostly me) communicated with others using our agreed on descriptor, the
response was always, “Oh Bill is depressed.” Well, yes. God pushed us to
vulnerability. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "" "calibri" "" , serif;">As the depression waned and Bill
began sharing his story another pattern manifested itself—a telling question
from others, “Are you on medication?” “Yes.” And then the admission from
the questioner (after carefully checking to make sure no-one else heard), “I’ve
never told anyone this, but I am too.” The underlying belief of many,
depression is something to be embarrassed about.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "" "calibri" "" , serif;">For us—as well as countless
others, depression is one of our crosses; a pain we carry in this life.</span><br />
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "" "calibri" "" , serif;">Give
your pain to God as a sacrifice.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-abIBrpPrAJY/Vux7xDVFQCI/AAAAAAAAFjg/Gl6rapOMvLkuvKL8BEEgF79I8ztNCrEww/s1600/Garden%2Bof%2Bthe%2Btomb%252C%2BIsrael.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="385" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-abIBrpPrAJY/Vux7xDVFQCI/AAAAAAAAFjg/Gl6rapOMvLkuvKL8BEEgF79I8ztNCrEww/s400/Garden%2Bof%2Bthe%2Btomb%252C%2BIsrael.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Garden Tomb in Israel. Thank you to my friend Carolyn Eden.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "" "calibri" "" , serif;"> The apostle Paul knew about
pain; he spoke of it in his letter to the Corinthian church as "a
thorn". (II Corinthians 12:8). He pleaded with God to take it away; it
remained. </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "" "calibri" "" , serif;">In a letter to the church at
Philippi written from his prison cell Paul says, “as it is my eager expectation
and hope that I will not at all be ashamed, but that with full courage now as
always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.”
(Philippians 1:20). </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "" "calibri" "" , serif;">Paul’s exhortation to the church
at Rome has a similar ring, “present your bodies as a living sacrifice” (Romans
12:1). </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "" "calibri" "" , serif;">Jesus lived with the painful
reality that every day brought him closer to Gethsemane and Mount Calvary. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "" "calibri" "" , serif;">The scriptures are filled with
stories of hard things: sickness, death, corruption, and more. Life is
pain-filled; life is full of crosses.</span><br />
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "" "calibri" "" , serif;">Give
your pain to God as a sacrifice; like Paul did, like Jesus did.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><u><span style="font-family: "" "calibri" "" , serif;">How do I do that?</span></u></b><br />
<div style="text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "" "symbol" "" , serif;">·</span><span style="font-size: 7.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "" "calibri" "" , serif;">Don’t be surprised by my pain.</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "" "symbol" "" , serif;">·</span><span style="font-size: 7.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "" "calibri" "" , serif;">Don’t hide my pain.</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "" "symbol" "" , serif;">·</span><span style="font-size: 7.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "" "calibri" "" , serif;">Allow my pain to bless; to be redemptive. </span></div>
<div style="text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Rf9chn40gU/VuiKijDJRtI/AAAAAAAAFi4/E6fjLs6nAfEV0oFFeTQyz6OmKJpEf-rAg/s1600/google%2BHe%2BHas%2BRisen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Rf9chn40gU/VuiKijDJRtI/AAAAAAAAFi4/E6fjLs6nAfEV0oFFeTQyz6OmKJpEf-rAg/s400/google%2BHe%2BHas%2BRisen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "" "calibri" "" , serif;">“We are afflicted in every way, but not
crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken;
struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus,
so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live
are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus
also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life
in you.” </span></i></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "" "calibri" "" , serif;">II
Corinthians 4:7-12</span></div>
<br />
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Sue Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01189827741877609521noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195100567699162639.post-13530377177655496822016-03-17T17:35:00.000-06:002016-03-17T17:35:08.191-06:00Jerry Knew the Surpassing Worth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FV1KtnFL1ow/VuiY2gY6iMI/AAAAAAAAFjM/fPMuGYsQpTA-At_jccgfjGimGW1u59dnQ/s1600/Jerry-Bridges-240x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FV1KtnFL1ow/VuiY2gY6iMI/AAAAAAAAFjM/fPMuGYsQpTA-At_jccgfjGimGW1u59dnQ/s320/Jerry-Bridges-240x300.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
The afternoon that Jerry Bridges was welcomed into the arms of Jesus, I was in California attending our son's church, New Life Burbank. Jeff was in the midst of a sermon series on Philippians. That Sunday he exegeted Philippians 3:8-11. I've been pondering the phrase <i>surpassing worth</i> (verse 8) since. I believe like Paul, Jerry knew the beyond-everything-else-value of finding his righteousness in Jesus. (verse 9)<br />
<br />
Five days later, Bill and I sat in our own church, Village Seven, in Colorado at Jerry's memorial service. Our pastor Mark Bates, following Jerry's request, spoke on the very same passage. Mark highlighted the references to righteousness. He spoke of sometimes needing to repent of our righteousness. Paul repented of his righteousness and found his true righteousness coming from his faith in Jesus, as did Jerry.<br />
<br />
For the past three years I've been pondering my righteousness that results from faith in God and the implications of that for me. Mark offered new insights to my pondering.<br />
<br />
My husband also penned two wonderful tributes to Jerry and the friendship they shared. So as a personal tribute to Jerry, I want to share Jeff's, Mark's, and Bill's words with you.<br />
<br />
<b>http://newlifeburbank.org/media.php?pageID=6 - </b>Jeff's sermon.<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://communications.navigatoremail.com/t/i-l-duldtud-kjlipurj-n/" style="color: #ef5a00; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">j.mp/Bridges-Homegoing</a></b><a href="http://communications.navigatoremail.com/t/i-l-duldtud-kjlipurj-n/" style="color: #ef5a00; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"> - <u><span style="color: black;">Jerry's memorial service. (Mark's message starts at minute 54).</span></u></a><br />
<br />
<u><span style="color: black;"> </span></u><a href="http://communications.navigatoremail.com/t/i-l-duldtud-kjlipurj-n/" style="color: #ef5a00; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"></a> <br />
<u><span style="color: black;"> </span></u><a href="http://communications.navigatoremail.com/t/i-l-duldtud-kjlipurj-n/" style="color: #ef5a00; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"></a> http://billtell.com/i-lost-a-hero-this-week/ - This is Bill's post from last week. This week's post also honors Jerry.<br />
<br />
A personal thought from the last few days:<br />
<br />
I do not need to Rehearse my righteousness.<br />
I do need to Reflect the righteousness I have because of Jesus.<br />
I need to Repent of my false righteousness.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh ... But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes form the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith ... "</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Philippians 3:3 and 3:7-9</div>
Sue Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01189827741877609521noreply@blogger.com0