tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55535662076382062812024-03-05T16:57:57.038-05:00Speaking TimelyWelcome to any new visitors to my little corner of the world.
There is a time to be silent and a time to speak. For me, now is the time to speak. There are various offerings here, like the Psalm 139 Project. The Warrior Bride project is a bit longer, but worth the read. Romans 12 is ongoing (and has been for a while!) Reverberations is a new addition, reflections of my daily reading. Feel free to let me know what you think. Thanks for dropping by.Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074441810396086395noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553566207638206281.post-72768446550141596102017-03-23T20:32:00.000-04:002017-03-23T20:32:49.845-04:00It's Been A While......<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I Took A Hiatus....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's fitting that after taking some time away from the blog and the writing, my first foray back into the public realm would be a TV interview. Yesterday I was part of a panel discussing how to be more inclusive to the disabled.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://100huntley.com/watch?id=225253&title=how-can-we-be-more-inclusive-of-the-disabled" target="_blank">http://100huntley.com/watch?id=225253&title=how-can-we-be-more-inclusive-of-the-disabled </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's been a year since I wrote here and posted things and had reverberations to share.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A year of introspection, of change, of depth, of learning,....a year of many things. A year away from sharing in the social world is a lifetime in Twitter years, and it feels a bit like a lifetime has passed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What has transpired was necessary for me to gain some depth and perspective, which we all need from time to time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyone who has read this blog previously knows that this is a place for me to share the things that are becoming clearer, and moving deeper into my heart. To write the words that won't stay inside.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the resounding themes of the silences of the last year surrounds my involvement on various levels with people who have varying degrees of disability.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last August, for example, I spent four days in Toronto, soaking up all the genius and vision of Augmentative and Alternative Communication, at the ISAAC Conference. This is a conference for those who use devices to speak, like Stephen Hawking. It focused on new research for ways to make communication easier for those who are non-verbal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.isaac-online.org/english/conference-2016/" target="_blank">https://www.isaac-online.org/english/conference-2016/ </a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shortly after that, I found myself spending all of my days at the hospital bedside of a dear, dying, disabled, non-verbal friend. Two months, every day, I had a glimpse into the mind of a world traveler, prolific speaker, spiritual giant and biggest goofball I've ever had the pleasure to encounter. Advocating for him each day, in some of the most horrific moments of his life, was both a blessing and an honour, and I am still trying to find words to capture what the experience meant to me. Paul Marshall was a life-changing connection this year and I am forever grateful for him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.pressreader.com/canada/the-hamilton-spectator/20161115/281870118020831" target="_blank"> https://www.pressreader.com/canada/the-hamilton-spectator/20161115/281870118020831 </a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since January, I've also been trying on a brand new hat,...that of 'webmaster', for a site devoted to the Blissymbolics language, for those who are non-verbal. Blissymbolics is a picture language that is used by those who are non-verbal. Most of the users have Cerebral Palsy, and the website is a way for many of them to get their message out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://blissymbolics.ca/" target="_blank">http://blissymbolics.ca/ </a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During these different events and encounters and episodes, I've felt like I wanted or needed to put pen to paper and see what came out. Nothing seemed to want to surface, however. It almost felt like all the emotions and thoughtfulness each connection produced needed to settle inside for a while. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To percolate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Percolating, for now, is complete.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lately, I have felt the distinct privilege to have made, and continue to make solid connections with so many people, from so many walks of life, from vastly different economic and social stations and structures. People have become much more important to me over these last months. Engagement and community, pain and happiness, ...these all cross so many boundaries and borders, and I have found that pain and grief is no respecter of persons, no matter age, race, social standing or depth of character. I have been overwhelmed with the amount of pain some people carry and yet still march on, with grace and dignity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have also witnessed a monumental amount of people all around me who seemingly have no voice. There have been those who physically cannot speak who have surrounded me with their wisdom and humour and grace until I'm left speechless myself. Then there have been those who carry so much pain and heartache inside, but their social standing does not allow their voice to be heard, so they continue to carry their ache in silence.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been profoundly moved. Over and over and over again. In the midst of every day. In the shadows of the regular world passing by, I have been deeply moved.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am sure it will all pour out on these pages in the days and months ahead. Somehow the message of community and togetherness and each of us finding our voices, it needs to be heard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One thing seems abundantly clear to me. My personal challenge has been whittled down, taken from the broadness of my rhetoric, and laser-defined into ten simple words.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>They will know I am a Christian by my love.</i></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My question these days is.....how can I love you best? How can I love you best, if you have no voice? How can I love you best, if you have just lost your son? How can I love you best, if you have no place to call home? How can I love you best, if you have all the money in the world, but you cannot find your soul? How can I love you best, if you will never step foot into a church? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How can I love you best?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Clearly, the percolating is perhaps not over yet....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074441810396086395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553566207638206281.post-11448612924453048232016-04-05T08:54:00.003-04:002016-04-05T09:06:58.372-04:00Reverberations - On Doubt<i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On Doubt</span></span></b></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It surprises me sometimes how often I need to be reminded of God's love. As in, truly reminded. As if His love could change based on something I do or do not do. As if His love could all of a sudden become withheld from me because my heart was weaker than it should have been.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Today in my reading, I am reminded again, of just how much God loves me. Stories I have heard since the beginning of time, it feels like, become new in the hour I need to know who God truly is. They go from being mere stories in an old book, to the words of Life they were created to be. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Such is today's offering.</span></span><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But Thomas,
one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
So the other disciples were saying to him, "We have seen the Lord!" But
he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails,
and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His
side, I will not believe." After eight days His disciples were again
inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut,
and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." Then He
said to Thomas, "Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and
reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving,
but believing." Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my
God!" Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed?
Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed."</span></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, once again I am taken to the period of time just after the Resurrection. Jesus is making His appearances, assuring all those who believed in Him while He was alive, that He had indeed risen as He said He would. Christ appeared to His disciples....and Peter...(for those keeping up with the blog!!). Well, all His disciples except Thomas. Thomas wasn't with them. Perhaps Thomas was grieving, off on his own, dealing with his own private pain. It doesn't say why Thomas wasn't with them. All we know for sure is that Thomas does not believe them. All this excitement, all these wild proclamations, all this renewed vision and hope among the believers. And Thomas won't believe it. He makes his grand statement about not believing until he can touch the Master Himself.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Eight days. Jesus made him wait eight days. That is eight days of listening to them all make plans. That is eight days of sitting on the outside looking in. That is eight nights going to sleep in the knowledge that all the rest of your company is feeling something that he can't manufacture, even if he tried. That is eight days of doubt instead of belief. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Jesus, of course, shows up, as He always does, and declares that Thomas can feel free to touch Him, because that is who Jesus is. I don't see Jesus adding any guilt or shame to Thomas. I don't see Him handing out condemnation because Thomas' belief system needed something a little more than the others. I think Jesus may have been a bit saddened at Thomas's response, but there is no guilt heaped on him in that moment. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In my world, I see these times where God has promised to show up. He has given encouragement, and support and love to get me through the tough stuff. Only in my humanity, I doubt. In my humanity, I somehow can't seem to trust that His promises are 'Yes and Amen'. In my humanity, I need Jesus to fix my times before I can believe. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thomas lost eight days before Christ came to him. He lost eight days of building faith, of restored joy, of living in the promise. In my mind, Christ could have come to him at the same time He came to the rest of the disciples, He could have found Thomas wherever he was grieving on his own, and put an end to Thomas's doubt right then. But He didn't. He waited eight days.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I think that's sometimes what He does with me. In my mind, I know the words He has spoken. I know that He has plans for me, plans for my good. In my mind, I know that He will show up in the exact moment I need Him to. But I doubt. I try not to. I hold on to that hope, but the difference between what my mind knows and what my heart believes sometimes is a great chasm. He waits. While others are believing and moving in His peace and walking in His joy, I am waiting. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As I write this, I'm chuckling to myself, because I can see myself, like Thomas, on that eighth day, when He does show up,....'My Lord and my God.....I knew you were God all along....really, I did! Of course I knew it!'</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Again, God just shakes His head at me. Today, though, instead of feeling that heaping guilt and shame for my doubt, I sense His love. I sense His knowledge of who I am. He knows what I need. He knows when I need it. Perhaps, as time goes on, the time it takes for my heart to catch up with my head will be less than my traditional 'eight days'...or whatever that usually looks like.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It moves me so much that Jesus was so gracious to those who messed up. Peter and Thomas....I see myself so clearly in them. My natural responses are met with His unwavering love. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I think it says something about Thomas that even after those eight days, he was still hanging with the disciples. He was still with them. In my heart, I want to believe that the fact that Thomas was still there, in that closed room with the door shut, showed that he did have enough faith and belief to at least still be there with them at all. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For me, there's a lesson in that. Not only about believing without seeing, but when my faith is low, when my belief system is not what it should be, when I'm having trouble with my chasm.....I need to keep hanging out with those who are 'getting it'. I need to seek out those ones who are stronger in their faith. I need to still be around those ones who God is speaking to. At the end of the day, that will spill out on me and my faith will grow just by being around those people. Myself, if I had been Thomas, after one day of hearing all those disciples talk about what they saw and how excited they were, I probably would have pulled away in a bitter sulk, pouting at God, like a petulant child. I know myself, and that's what I tend to do. I'm sure God would appreciate it if I grew up in my faith a little bit and behaved a little more like Thomas in those insecure days. Keep showing up. Keep hanging out with those passionate souls whose faith is strong. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Because one day, He's going to need me to be the eyes of faith for someone who happens to be in the middle of their 'eight days'.</span></span></div>
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Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074441810396086395noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553566207638206281.post-46076719157209962432016-04-04T11:21:00.002-04:002016-04-04T11:28:52.096-04:00Warrior Bride - Re-posts - Warrior Bride - Pt 2 - Nehemiah, The Watchman<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;">Today, I'm a bit nostalgic. Rummaging through past writings, past thoughts. I am re-posting something posted back in 2011. It's part of a bigger work, called The Warrior Bride. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif";">Warrior Bride is</span> a complete essay, but posted on the blog in individual sec<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif";">tions<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif";"> </span></span>so people could read it in chunks. When I wrote it, it was extremely powerful for me,....all of it. Starting with the Introduction, all the way<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif";"> through to the Conclusion. </span>I think it's worth the re-read, if you have the time, or introduce yourself to it for the first time. </span></span></b></i><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;"><i>Originally posted 14/07/2011 </i></span></b><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;">Nehemiah, The Watchman</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Nehemiah
was a cupbearer. His position was of great importance to the king. He
was also a Jew. His people were in recovery, a remnant trying to
comprehend what had happened to them and how to move on. The symbol of
their worship, the House of their God, had been destroyed. It lay in
charred ruins, just like their hopes and dreams.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Nehemiah
was a cupbearer. A cupbearer with a heart for how things should be and
how God intended for them to be once again. A cupbearer whom God
equipped for the job to which he was called.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
story of Nehemiah is a very personal account about the struggle one man
has against the despondency and hopelessness of a nation. Amid ridicule
and impossible situations, this man’s commitment to reestablishing the
Temple and the Law was astounding. He is a cupbearer who becomes a
Watchman. In my personal opinion, being a Watchman is a vital component
to becoming the Warrior Bride. It would seem that Nehemiah’s willingness
to respond to each situation with fortitude and resolve, must be
something that we have in our every day responses.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
Watchman is a protector. They are people with an eagle eye, who are
acutely aware of the weaknesses of the defense systems surrounding those
they are to protect. A Watchman is a navigator. They are people with a
strong sense of community, having the ability to maneuver protective
forces around the weak links, without sacrificing the work already
accomplished. A Watchman is a wise and firm leader. They are people with
a powerful determination to set things right, and can enlist the
support of all those beneath them without segregation. Finally a
Watchman is a force to be reckoned with. They are people who can
recognize where the enemy is attacking, and move to deal with that
attack swiftly and competently.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>All
these things are displayed through the eyes of Nehemiah. His competent
and organized leadership in the face of much difficulty led the people
to make him their governor. His ingenuity in dealing with the attacks of
their enemies led the people to respect his opinion and follow his
leadership to the letter.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Nehemiah’s
purpose was two-fold, to re-build the wall around the Temple and to
reestablish the Law. In doing this, Nehemiah fulfills his commission. He
is not sidetracked nor do the smoke screens sent by his enemies to take
his attention off of the job at hand, deter him. In a swift manner,
Nehemiah places protection at the weak spots along the wall, and
continues on.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
is such a powerful example for us. How often do things that get our
attention off of the job to which we are called, sidetrack us? How often
can the enemy place smoke screens in our path to cause us to lose our
focus? Nehemiah was a man of careful planning, for even during the
sleeping hours, the wall was protected.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>With
so much in our lives clamoring for our attention, how is it possible
for us to find balance, but stay in complete focus? I would say it is by
clinging to the Commander. It is by ‘laying aside the weights that so
easily beset us’. It is by keeping our hearts clear of the things that
pull us aside from our calling.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Examining
the heart of Nehemiah, the thing that perhaps strikes me the most is
that he chose to identify himself with his people. The remnant was
trying to salvage any bits of pride they had left when he came and chose
to get dirty with them. They needed someone who could motivate them and
believe in their ability to rebuild the wall. Nehemiah somehow
understood that with the rebuilding of that structure came the
rebuilding of their national and personal pride in who they were. It was
his choice. He had lived in the palace and he had served the king.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Choosing
to leave our palaces, pulpits or our soapboxes to get dirty trying to
restore personal pride in our people is the work of a Watchman. It is a
noble and valiant effort, and one cannot choose that road lightly. It
means protecting the weak links. It means navigating protection on the
night watch, when all those around are sleeping. It means leading
through ridicule, difficulties and insurmountable odds. It means
rallying a remnant together who have perhaps lost their sense of
identity and personal pride, and need the chance to re-build.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
Watchman has a keen eye. Watchmen are people with a powerful ability to
see the enemies advances and thwart those opportunities. They do not
just see, however, they have a sword to fight with in one hand and a
brick to work with in the other. They do not live in a world of their
own, not getting dirty or building up themselves.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
would seem that Nehemiah has the true nature of a leader. He is one who
works for and with the people he serves. His job is important, but his
eye is never far from the weak spot in the wall. He is touched by his
people, he is ridiculed on their behalf, and he puts himself in the
place of hazard for the sake of those he loves. He does not ask for them
to carry out one task which he himself is not willing to perform.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Nehemiah’s
story is not unlike some of our churches today. Complacency slips in.
Casual sin settles on congregations like a comfortable blanket. Watchmen
are sometimes frustrated and weary souls. Nehemiah had brought reform,
the people repented. Nehemiah has choreographed the rebuilding of the
wall, only to have to close those gates for those who began to disregard
the Sabbath. He had helped to rebuild the pride that they had lost
through exile and evil leadership, only to have them intermarry once
again.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>His
was neither an easy road nor an easy choice, but through all of it,
Nehemiah remained true to the calling of his heart. He bucked the
complacency, he battled disloyalty to God, and he struggled through the
ridicule of the Law he had worked so hard to maintain.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
Watchman has a somber heart as they must relinquish control and watch
loved ones flounder that no longer want protection. Watchmen must fight
to the bitter end to do what they can for those who become complacent,
but cannot change their message in order to win back those who walk
away. They must plead on behalf of those loved ones, those sheep who
have wandered off, but must maintain the focus of their calling.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Nehemiah
could not allow casual sin to re-enter the camp of his people. He could
not turn a blind eye to those ones who began disregarding the Sabbath.
No matter how many times they had been warned, forgiven, warned again,
forgiven again, they still chose to allow the enemy into the camp. And
Nehemiah still chose to get dirty on their behalf, all without
sacrificing his own personal mandate.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Perhaps
to the remnant, the little things didn’t seem to matter. They probably
crept in undetected, or shushed away as insignificant. However, little
things when they are heart issues never stay little very long. “Lusts of
the flesh, lust of the eye and the pride of life’ seems to encompass so
much of what we deal with. If we allow the enemy a place in our mind,
our homes, our lives or our churches, even with the seemingly
insignificant things, pretty soon our focus will evaporate.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
is possible to imagine that no one would have thought twice about
Nehemiah taking a foreign wife, as others had, even though at that time
it was against what God’s law established. He still made the choice to
remain true to the calling of his heart. His focus remained rock solid,
in spite of many smoke screens the enemy threw his direction to catch
him off guard. We need our focus grounded and steady. Little things slip
in faster than we think. Lust finds a playground in our minds. Pride in
the fact that we do not think we sin, swells our chest and has us
believing we are above all of that weakness. Whatever we see that we
want, we must have, disregarding any call to financial stewardship and
materialistic balance. These are issues of our character that don’t make
any difference to anyone but our Commander/Bridegroom. No one else see
that playground in our minds, or our credit card bills. No one sees our
chest swell with pride as we watch our peers confess the sins of their
heart.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
is my belief that Nehemiah made the choices to be true to what God was
calling him to. I believe that he chose to not disregard the Sabbath,
just like once before he chose to leave the palace. It is our choice as
well. If our focus or vision is blurry, it is our heart that needs to
become clearer.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A Watchman is careful to guard himself as well as those he loves.</span></div>
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Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074441810396086395noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553566207638206281.post-30180639758076308562016-04-02T12:17:00.001-04:002016-04-02T12:36:25.339-04:00Reverberations - On Grace<i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On Grace....</span></span></b></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's always fascinated me, the fluidity of grace. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Always moving, always necessary, always foundational, always absolute.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I receive grace from the Lord. I am to bestow grace upon others. In turn, they then can receive the Lord's grace AND bestow grace on their others. Always in motion. It amazes me really.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Like I said earlier, I have a number of reading plans on the go at the moment. I read from all of them every day. I have a number that I chose to start that specifically devote scripture, prayer and discussion to the subject of refugees, displaced peoples and those without a home. They are really extremely powerful portions, and surprisingly so much time in scripture showing the love God wants shown to those ones.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In one of those plans this morning, I read this:</span></span><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1 Samuel 23:16-18 NASB</span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And Jonathan,
Saul's son, arose and went to David at Horesh, and encouraged him in
God. Thus he said to him, "Do not be afraid, because the hand of Saul
my father will not find you, and you will be king over Israel and I will
be next to you; and Saul my father knows that also." So the two of
them made a covenant before the Lord ; and David stayed at Horesh while
Jonathan went to his house.</span></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, the reason this passage is in my reading about refugees is because at this point in David's life, he has already been anointed and told he will become King, but Saul is still on the throne and looking to kill him. David has no home. He's living in the 'strongholds' in the wilderness. There's so much about this story. David, himself, is a mind-blowing character to study. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today, however, what moves me is the other guy. The guy we hardly ever hear sermons about. I remember my Youth Pastor talking about this guy's disabled son, whom David took care of in later years, but since those days, I don't hear much about this guy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This guy, in the natural, would have been next in line for the throne. This guy, in the natural, should have fought for the family honour. This guy, in the natural, should have been eaten up with jealousy over David. David had the ear of the king, this guy's father. David played the harp, sang and eased the king's troubled mind before sleep, hence spending a lot of time with the man. David had received a direct word from the prophet Samuel that eventually he would be king. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What does this guy do??</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">No jealousy. No self-service. No immaturity here. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Jonathan seeks David out in the wilderness. He leaves his home to go where David is hiding. He finds a weary and worn soldier, who must feel like he's being attacked on every side,....because in truth he was being attacked that way by armies against Israel. On top of that, being hunted down by the king to be killed. Weary and worn. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I had to reread what Jonathan said to David about five times to let it sink in to me. This son, this guy, this Jonathan, who doesn't get a ton of airtime, he encouraged him in God. He hunts him down in the wilderness. Jonathan reminds him of who he is, who God has called him to be, and reminds David of his belief and support. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hmmm.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">No jealousy of someone else's position. No self-service. No immaturity. Just brotherhood. Support. Encouragement to a brother who is down. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I look around me, there are many who are working very hard at their calling. Doing the best they can, actually. When I look around me, I see lots of friends who get weary and worn. I see those who feel like there is attack happening on every side. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ashamedly, I must admit that I am no Jonathan. I have not made that effort to seek out those who God has placed in positions, who maybe could use some encouragement, who maybe could just use someone to remind them who they are, who God has called them to be, and just maybe, God is asking me to support them. Not for any personal gain. But just because I am their sister. Because we sometimes need reminding of who and whose we are. Because that's why God gave us to each other in the first place. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We live in an 'every person for themselves' world. This is not Christ's way. This was never God's way,....even back to this guy's day. This should not be my way. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And then, in another plan today,......this:</span></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1 John 3:16-18 NASB</span></span></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b>16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. </b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Showing love in deed and truth. Not jealousy at someone's position or journey towards that position. Showing love in deed and truth. Not self-service just to gain attention.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Showing love in deed and truth. In maturity and grace.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The amazing thing about grace, to me, is its fluidity. It flows to me in spades from the Father. Then it SHOULD flow out, in fact OVERFLOW from me to others. </span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Father, please let me pour out the enormous grace you've shown me, all over someone else. Let me heap your goodness and kindness and prayer and support and love all over someone in leadership, or on their way to leadership, or just in the background quietly working out their calling. Forgive my jealousy, my self-service, my immaturity. Lead me to them and help me to hold nothing back.</span></span></i></div>
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Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074441810396086395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553566207638206281.post-36755432579168217932016-04-01T01:31:00.002-04:002016-04-01T01:38:57.298-04:00Reverberations - On Seeing<div class="moment-divider ng-binding ng-scope">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>ON SEEING.....</b></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Earlier this week I mentioned that I was knee-deep in Numbers. Lots of movement by the Children of Israel, lots of instruction from the Lord about priests and duties, and so on. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Then, this..... </b></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Numbers 22:27-31 NASB</b></span></span></i></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When the
donkey saw the angel of the Lord , she lay down under Balaam; so Balaam
was angry and struck the donkey with his stick. And the Lord opened
the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to
you, that you have struck me these three times?" Then Balaam said to
the donkey, "Because you have made a mockery of me! If there had been a
sword in my hand, I would have killed you by now." The donkey said to
Balaam, "Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden all your life to
this day? Have I ever been accustomed to do so to you?" And he said,
"No." Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the
angel of the Lord standing in the way with his drawn sword in his
hand; and he bowed all the way to the ground.</span></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b> This is actually quite a remarkable story. Balaam was, for all intents and purposes, not a man of God. He is described as a sorcerer. As I'm sure was standard for the day, one king wanted to curse another king or people or land. He would ask for a sorcerer to come and speak a curse over his enemy. This was what the leadership of Moab wanted Balaam to do. Curse the Children of Israel. God had come to Balaam and told him not to speak the curse. At first Balaam was fine with that. It was the second time that he was asked, that did him in. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>He was on his way to speak his curse, to do his job, even though God had spoken to him directly and given instruction against this action. Then, in the remarkable and unique way that God sometimes does, <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">when</span> He need<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">s to </span>get someone's attention, <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span>He place<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">s</span> an angel in Balaam's path. Irony abounds as the only one to actually see the angel is the donkey, who turns to the side to avoid the angel in the way. Balaam hits the donkey, trying to get him back on course. This happens two more times, two more beatings, the last one being the account above. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The poor donkey just lies down,....gives up. It can't go forward because of the angelic being in front of it, and whenever it swerves to avoid said angel, he gets a beating and a mouthful of angry threats from Balaam. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>It's an interesting story. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Today, as I'm reading, that donkey and this story seems to speak right to me. </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>It's as if I can see myself riding along on a path, while decent in my own mind, even doing what would be acceptable, but it is not God's path. God's probably already told me not to go that way, but I have ignored that. In my mind's eye, I can see myself standing over some brutish donkey of an idea, taking my switch to it, giving it an earful of all the reasons it should keep carrying me to my destination. OBVIOUSLY a defective donkey! Seriously, I can see myself doing that, in my heart. </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Then, suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, comes the angel of the Lord. The AHA moment. The clarity. Of course I'm not to go this way. I see it now. I wasn't seeing the angel blocking the path. Blocking for whatever reason, for my safety, for someone else's safety, and, Lord help me, even for th<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">at wild, talking </span> donkey's safety. </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>I never seem to see those roadblocks in my way as the Lord. I always see that my donkey, or whatever dream I happen to be riding on, is swerving to frantically get off the current path. That's all I see. That's all I want to see. Easier for me to blame t<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">he</span> journey, or the road, or the irritating donkey. It's so much harder for me to actually acknowledge I might be on the wrong road. I ask for direction, for Him to lead me. Irony abounds again when I buck against any change in direction. He must just shake His head at me. I can almost hear Him sigh...'Which is it Pam, do you want to go in the direction I have for you? Or shall I unblock this path and you just carry on your own way?' </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>When I finished reading the chapter, I had a fleeting thought about how sad it was that Balaam couldn't see properly and the donkey paid the price.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Then I went on to my next reading......</b></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Mark 10:51 NASB</b></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And answering
him, Jesus said, "What do you want Me to do for you?" And the blind
man said to Him, " Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!"</span></span></i><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yes, Teacher, Rabboni, Jesus.....please help me see. Sometimes I am so blind. </span></span></b><br />
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<br /></div>
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Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074441810396086395noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553566207638206281.post-69631024971264873362016-03-29T18:31:00.000-04:002016-03-30T01:17:26.229-04:00Heaven<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Taken from 'In Her Own Special Voice'</span></u></i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">written by: P.S. Ferguson</span></u></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></u></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">The 'Heaven' poem was the third that came at the beginning of writing Wendy's story. </span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">When we were children, most of my memories have a backdrop of home renovations. I have recollections of plastic sheeting over doorways as my father added an addition to the back of the house, to enclose a wheelchair ramp. Another home had an enclosed elevator to allow for Wendy's wheelchair to get in and out of that house at ground level. I remember walls being knocked out, rooms opened up,.....all in an attempt to accommodate life with a wheelchair. </span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">When we talk to Wendy today, it is clear that this earth is not her home. This earth is only a temporary dwelling, as is her chair, and her body. Her very alive hope is what awaits her when she sees Jesus face to face. More than anyone I know, she lives that hope every day. Even this morning, I met her at the church for bible study. She was all smiles for those she hadn't seen in a long time. She has a bothersome tooth and a back that is still irksome. Somehow though, everyone gets a smile. This never ceases to amaze me. </span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">When this poem started coming to me, I was remembering all those renovations to accommodate her paraphernalia and apparatus. Her 'Heaven' home, however, is not being designed for wheelchairs. There will be no ramps, or hospital beds to fit in. There will be no need for any restructuring to that dwelling. </span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">What there will be, is room to run. What there will be, is a choir to join. What there will be, are people to be held and touched and felt at will. There will be no more waiting until someone touches her. No,...those arthritic-ridden hands will reach out, all on their own, and touch the face of the one who prepared this place. </span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Perfectly designed for her,.....perfection.</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></u></i></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></u></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></u></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></u></i></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></u></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Heaven</span></u></i></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
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<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Heaven is my home</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Heaven is my hope</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">He is there</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Waiting for me</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
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<br /></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">My home is being prepared</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">For me</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
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<br /></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">For me</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
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<br /></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Not for a chair</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Or a lift</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Or a hospital bed</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">But for me</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Me and my new body</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
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<br /></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">He is there</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Waiting for me</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">To walk with me</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">And talk with me</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Using my new legs</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Using my new voice</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
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<br /></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">He is there</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">And He will tell me</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">You have cried enough</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">There are no tears here</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">He will tell me</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">That I don’t have to sit</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">That I can stand</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">With my new body</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I have sat long enough</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
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<br /></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Heaven is my home</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">It is where I belong</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">He will let me sing</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">With the angels</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">With my new voice</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">He will let me dance</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">With loved ones</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">With my new legs</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">He will let me</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
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<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Heaven is my home.</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Available for purchase on Amazon.ca</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Click here:</span></span></b></div>
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<img alt="In Her Own Special Voice by Pamela Ferguson" border="0" height="75" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/515hg6pUjSL._SL500_SS75_SS75_.jpg" width="75" /> </div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b>In Her Own Special Voice</b> <br />
by Pamela Ferguson
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b>Permalink: https://www.amazon.ca/Her-Own-Special-Voice/dp/1483561038/</b> </span></div>
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Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074441810396086395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553566207638206281.post-29262495110184119212016-03-28T12:42:00.004-04:002016-03-28T12:42:55.338-04:00Reverberations - Humility - Part Two<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I mentioned in the previous post, two men showed up for me today, to teach me about humility.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In my reading through the Pauline writings, I have come to 2 Peter 1. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's really a powerful chapter, but what got highlighted today, and is mixing in with all these thoughts, is Peter's recipe for life. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am paraphrasing a bit here, but in verses 5-8, <b><i>this is how we are neither useless nor unfruitful. Applying all the diligence we can muster, in my faith supply moral excellence, and in my moral excellence, knowledge, and in my knowledge, self-control, and in my self-control, perseverance, and in my perseverance, godliness, and in my godliness, brotherly kindness, and in my brotherly kindness, love. </i></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I read these words, I am struck by this progression. Faith to moral excellence. Then knowledge. Then self-control. And perseverance, and godliness, and brotherly kindness and then finally, love.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Okay. I can get behind that progression for spiritual growth. Because in my heart of hearts I really don't want to be useless or unfruitful for God. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, that's great. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What is incredible came for me when I was finishing up my reading plan for Lent. I was a day behind, and the last reading came today instead of yesterday. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When Jesus rises, and speaks to the women, He specifically asks them to tell <b><i>the disciples and Peter</i></b>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tears started flowing down my face as I read that. It speaks volumes of love to me. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Knowing what I know about Peter. Knowing Peter's progression. From stepping out of the boat, to his denial, to Christ revealing Himself and asking Peter specifically to 'Feed my sheep'. The progressions of Peter's belief system are amazing to watch. Lots of people have mentioned it and written about it, but today, what is like a loud church bell ringing in my heart is how much love Jesus had for this very human, humble man who made many mistakes. Peter's last encounter with Christ was to deny Him. And yet, speaking to those faithful women, Peter is singled out. I almost felt like Jesus was saying....'Make sure Peter knows.....don't forget to make sure he knows....I have risen.' </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Maybe it's just me today. Maybe I'm just feeling the strain of the times I have let Him down, but I can feel His love in that statement. 'Tell my disciples....and Pam'. This moves me beyond words. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This same day, I am reading from this man, Peter, who God loved so very much, about how to not be unfruitful and useless, I am so reminded of Christ's incredible love and patience with a man who had this giant learning curve. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Gratitude doesn't even begin to cover that feeling. I don't know how Peter felt that day, when those women came to him. I don't know how he felt in the great disappointments of his own weaknesses and humanity. But when I read this letter, from this same man, I see his journey. I see his progression. I see his humility. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Powerful stuff.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><b>Father, continue to lead me on this journey with you. Continue to remind me that it's not in my perfection that you are pleased, it is in my trying, my wanting to not be useless. Continue to show me how to walk humbly with you. </b></i></span></span>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074441810396086395noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553566207638206281.post-37293164254443452962016-03-28T12:42:00.003-04:002016-03-28T12:42:34.235-04:00Reverberations - Humility - Part One<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">These days, I have been reading a variety of plans. Two, in particular, seem to be interesting to be reading together. They are strictly just reading scripture. One is called 'As It Happened', the chronological Bible. The other is called 'New Testament Epistles and Acts'. The assignment is usually 2-3 chapters from each plan each day. No devotional attached to either. I wanted to read through the Bible chronologically, but I also wanted to read the Pauline writings as well. Reading them both simultaneously has been interesting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In todays offerings, two very different men have showed up for me to learn from.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am mid-way through Numbers right now. So much depth, so much richness in the journeys of the Children of Israel once they leave Egypt. Their responses. Their quarrels. The miracles. The unbelief. The jealousy. The unhappiness. All on the shoulders of one man. One man who had to stand in the presence of The Almighty, but also face all the thousands of people who just didn't 'get it'. How did he do that? What was inside him that gave him that kind of strength? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here's the funny thing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">God took the vast multitude of people around Philistine specifically so they wouldn't get discouraged when they saw war. He took them another way for their own sake. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">They got discouraged anyway. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">They took it out on the man God chose. Railing against him, casting blame, cursing God to him. Over the last few days, I've been settled into Numbers 11-17. What speaks to me is just what kind of man Moses is. Not perfect. Certainly frustrated. But seemingly content to believe the God who was doing the work. When confronted with the angry mob, it says on three different occasions, he fell on his face before them. (14:5, 15:4, 16:4). Twice with Aaron and once on his own. He also begged God to be merciful. Seriously. He begged God on their behalf.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This stuns me. In his leadership position, he had every right to call on heaven to rain fire down on those he was frustrated with. He could have asked God to wipe them out, leave them to die, forget them all. After the release from Egypt, the miracles, the protection....after everything, nothing was going to be good enough for them or make them happy, ...not ever. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">But he didn't. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What he did do, was stand up for them in front of the Almighty. He prayed for them. <b><i>He asked for mercy for them when they didn't even understand that they needed mercy.</i></b> In his humility, he saved them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now, I understand that he is given to us to be a 'type of Christ', and clearly he is. Many very good scholars have written at length about that. But what strikes me today, what is pinging so loud in my heart is he was just a man. A human man. In my humanity, I wouldn't have responded that way. I don't respond that way now. When someone insults me, when someone doesn't respond the way I think they should, when someone is less than I think they should be, .....whether they know what effect they had on me or not, it is probably my LAST thought to plead on their behalf. In my thinking that I am okay, or that placing my bitter and angry judgements over someone, I am actually placing myself in the midst of that crowd of Israelites. I am actually putting myself in with those who need mercy. When I am thinking that I am more spiritual than so-and-so, because of this-or-that,....all I am really doing is removing myself farther from where the voice of God is speaking. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wonder what would happen in my heart, in my life....if I was humble. What would happen if when met with disappointment in others, I very quickly turned to lift those very ones up to Him who loves us all. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Because the truth is, I actually am just one of the crowd. How many times I have forgotten God's mercy and grace? How many times have I preferred to complain and moan and become bitter, instead of embracing the truth that God is a good, good Father. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Father.....please embed this in my spirit. Humility speaks loudly in Your ear. And when I bring those who have also forgotten Your grace and plead for mercy on OUR behalf, this is what saves both of us from our endless wanderings. </i></b></span><br />
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Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074441810396086395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553566207638206281.post-51551093332918570072016-03-28T12:42:00.001-04:002016-03-28T14:14:58.616-04:00Reverberations<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Reverberations.....</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Interesting word.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="oneClick-link">A</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">reechoed</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">sound, or</span><span class="dbox-italic"> </span><span class="oneClick-link">the</span> <span class="oneClick-link">persistence</span> <span class="oneClick-link">of</span> <span class="oneClick-link">a</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">sound</span> <span class="oneClick-link">after</span> <span class="oneClick-link">its</span> <span class="oneClick-link">source</span> <span class="oneClick-link">has</span> <span class="oneClick-link">stopped,</span> <span class="oneClick-link">caused</span> <span class="oneClick-link">by</span> <span class="oneClick-link">multiple</span> <span class="oneClick-link">reflections</span> <span class="oneClick-link">of</span> <span class="oneClick-link">the</span> <span class="oneClick-link">sound</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">within</span> <span class="oneClick-link">a</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">closed</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">space.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">This is what it has begun to feel like for me during my daily reading. Reverberations of His Word, throughout the day, within that closed space that is my heart, and my mind, and my spirit. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">I've been itching to write about it all. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">All the reflections that turn into reverberations. All the nuggets that turn into full meals I'm feasting on through my day. Not really connected, per se. But...connected indeed, for me. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">So, I turn to this place. This place where I've posted writing. Poetry. Essays. And now, reverberations. I have resisted this for quite some time, as there is already plenty of noise 'out there'. There are scholars and wise souls who provide much in the way of daily living offerings. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">Me? I just need a place to record it. I find my reading has become my imperative. Every day. And every day something new surprises me. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">My treasured Bible is locked away in a storage locker thousands of miles away. I have become dependent now on my tablet and YouVersion to be the place where I am heading these days. It took me a very long time to embrace reading that way - Electronically. I only wanted my Bible. It was a gift, given to me when I was 18 and I have cherished it ever since. I love the feel of it, the notes in the margins, the underlined passages from years back. Dated promises, highlighted passages. All locked away. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">So, I forced myself to start fresh.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">I must say, I have become very dependent on my 'electronic' version of the Word. I can read it anywhere I am, anytime I want - day or night. Lighting is not an issue, although power sometimes is, but I try and plan for that. I love the fact that I can highlight passages, and then transfer them to a beautiful and meaningful backdrop. New images are added and inspiring me daily. I browse those images sometimes, remembering what God showed me through them. Those scriptures have become a lifeline in these days. I love that there are reading plans embedded right in the system. Not ever having been one to embrace daily devotionals, I am loving where these plans take me. All over Scripture. Seriously, I have many plans on the go at the same time usually, and read from all of them every day. Some days they all dove-tail together amazingly. Those are amazing days. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">So, these new offerings here are just that - offerings. Ramblings really. Thoughts on what I'm reading, and how it's speaking to me. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">No polish. No biblical scholars here. No perfectly designed posts. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">Just me.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">And what's reverberating. </span></span></span><br />
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Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074441810396086395noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553566207638206281.post-14925223163157650092016-03-07T18:26:00.001-05:002016-03-25T20:23:08.504-04:00Broken<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Taken from 'In Her Own Special Voice'</span></u></i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">written by: P.S. Ferguson</span></u></i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></u></i></b></span>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></u></i></b></span>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">By way of introduction, this is the first poem that came to me for this new project. I wanted to share some of the initial thoughts that settled in my spirit surrounding how it came to be.</span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></i></span></span>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">A few years back, my mother and I were spending some time with Wendy, working on a presentation for the church. We spent a couple hours together, chatting back and forth. Actually, we were asking questions, and she was searching on her Blissboard for symbols that might actually present the answers she was looking for. Throughout this process, I had been talking to Wendy about worship, about how she thinks God feels, about how she feels in relation to her worship of God. </span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><img class="irc_mi" src="http://idsgn.org/images/bringing-bliss-to-non-speakers/bliss5.jpg" height="150" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="200" /><a href="http://www.blissymbolics.org/" target="_blank">More about the Bliss Symbol language</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Her answer was 'I'm sorry'. </span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></i></span></span>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">After many 'yes and no' questions trying to get down to the meaning behind her choice, it was clear that she felt that because she could not stand with the congregation, because she could not raise her hands in worship during the singing, because she could not sing.......she felt her worship was less than what God deserved. </span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></i></span></span>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">It truly was one of the most monumental moments of my life, hitting me very hard. To know Wendy is to know someone who loves God. She loves worship. You can see it in her during every worship service she's ever been in. I just expected that she understood how precious she was to God.</span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></i></span></span>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">It showed me that we are all the same. We are just simply broken people, coming as we are, however we get there, to the foot of the cross. </span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">This poem, written years after that encounter with Wendy, was written to try to convey that brokenness that Wendy has felt. That insufficiency of her own worship attempts. Half-way through writing it, came the picture of Christ on the cross, also unable to move, to worship, to stand......the Christ who completely understands hands and arms and legs that are not free to do our bidding. </span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></i></span></span>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">I had hoped that when Wendy, or any others like her, read the <b>Broken</b> poem, they would see Him. And how He understands. And how He was broken too.</span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></i></span></span>
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<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Broken</span></u></i></b></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">When I speak, I waste no words</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">When I pray, I have no perfection</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I am broken</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">My God deserves better</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">My arms won’t rise in worship</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">My legs won’t stand to revere Him</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">My voice cannot utter one syllable – even of halting praise</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I am broken</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I am not stupid or blind or deaf</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I am not unfeeling</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I am not careless with my emotions</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I see and hear and feel</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Everything</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I am a woman</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Simply</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">A broken woman</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">In days past</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The pain was not constant</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">And blinding</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">In days past</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">My body’s betrayal</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Was quick and jerky and spasmodic</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Today</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">My body wars with my soul</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Today </span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The pain screams to drown Him out</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Today</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">My soft, fleshy heart is torn into a</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Million pained pieces</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">In days past</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">My hope was in</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Tomorrows</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Down the road</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">That glorious</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Someday</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Today</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">As my angels</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Have gone before me</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The fragile hope is</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Today</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Release must be</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Today</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">For I am broken</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">My body betrays me</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Every waking minute</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">My hope is</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Him</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Him – who has loved me</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Him – who has seen me</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Him – who has carried me</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Him – who cares not about voices</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Him – who cares very little about flailing arms and legs</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Him – who cares a great deal about my hope</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I cannot speak – therefore I waste no words</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">My prayers are little more than noises</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">But my heart …my heart is Him</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">He is the One</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Who has been broken too</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">He is the One</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Whose arms were nailed and could not lift in praise</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">He is the One</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Whose legs were nailed so He could not rise in reverence</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">He is the One</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Who lost His voice when He was broken on a cross</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I am broken</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">But He was broken too</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I will continue today</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">To hope</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I will continue today</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">To love</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Love Him</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Who loves me right back</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Me and my brokenness</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074441810396086395noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553566207638206281.post-74700752908321533322016-03-07T17:52:00.000-05:002016-03-07T17:52:19.315-05:00Some New Words<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Some New Words</b></span> <br />
<br />
As was mentioned in a previous post, the beginning of this year marks the beginning of a different kind of journey for me.<br />
For the first time in a very long time --think back to grade school days-- something I have written will have some permanence, other than this world wide web.<br />
For the first time, something I have written will stay around longer than the story itself.<br />
<br />
This blog was specifically created to be a place to house some writing.<br />
Writing that I had worked on previously...<b>The Warrior Bride</b>.<br />
Writing projects that I had assigned myself....<b>Psalm 139 Project</b>.<br />
<br />So far, it's lived up to its intended use. There have been some visitors who come and go, visiting from all over the world.<br />
<br />
And now, a new phase.<br />
<br />
I have self-published a book. ...Can I get a soft drum-roll, perhaps a slight clinking of glasses, maybe a modest cheer?? :)<br />
<br />
It started with poems. Poems that poured out of me, on one random day, in the voice of my middle sister. My middle sister who is non-verbal and quite disabled. Four poems....one by one. Emotional things, they were. I cried through the writing of them.<br />
Then came a fictional story to cushion the existence of emotional poems in my sister's voice and become a vehicle to tell a bit of her story.<br />
<br />
So now, in this new leg of the journey, I am an Amazon author.<br />
I have a shiny book, with my picture on the back, saying that the words created inside came from my pen.<br />
These are incredible days.<br />
I am proud, and excited. Hesitant and cautious. Optimistic and praying.<br />
<br />
Over the next few days, I will share some of the poems from the book. I want to give account to the process that happened over listening and writing and crying.<br />
<br />
Hopefully you will find this new chapter in this writer's life meaningful and intriguing.<br />
Please feel free to comment. I welcome the new voices here.<br />
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<a href="http://amzn.com/1483561038" target="_blank">In Her Own Special Voice </a><br />
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<br />Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074441810396086395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553566207638206281.post-52994606843977813442016-02-10T18:00:00.005-05:002016-02-10T18:09:10.796-05:00Romans 12 Project - Vs. 6<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><sup class="versenum"><span style="font-size: large;">Verse 6</span> </sup></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Since
we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of
us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the
proportion of his faith;</span></span></b></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Grace for the <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">gift</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Faith for the pro<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">phet</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Differing</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Proportional</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Each of us</span></span></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How to know</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How much</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Actual faith</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The prophet has</span></span></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The prophecy is not</span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The indicator</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Of great faith</span></span></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Faith is worked out</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In today</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Fa<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ith is</span></span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">..... <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Grown</span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> ......<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Steeled</span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> ...... Honed</span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">By walking</span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Walking beside</span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The just <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and the unjust</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As it rains</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Walking beside</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The joyful and the mourn<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ing</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As the sun shines</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Walking beside </span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The healthy and the sick </span> </span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As the ground quakes</span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The prophecy is not</span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The measure</span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The proportion of our faith</span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Is relative</span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To the Walk</span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The prophet</span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">....Us.....</span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">G<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">rows the grace</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That we have</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Residing</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In us already</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Grace for the gift</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Faith for the prophet</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Differing</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Proportional</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Only measured</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">By the <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Walk</span> </span> </span> </span> </span> </span> </span></b></span></div>
Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074441810396086395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553566207638206281.post-55921017075834094452016-01-20T00:14:00.002-05:002016-03-07T13:22:10.833-05:00New Year... New Vision... New Words<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>New Year....</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How many New Year's blog posts have been written over the last 4 weeks? A multitude, no doubt, both before and after the 1st. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, no talk here of resolutions and goals and life changes. There is a plethora of blog postings counting out ways for all of us to re-capture our passion, our lives, our dreams. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What this is, for me, is a stark reminder of how quickly time is flying by. It hardly seems possible to me that my last posting was in 2013! How has that happened? Apparently my creative bent has been leaning more to the hands-on, and less on the written word over the past couple of years. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I left a writing project open-ended back then. Romans 12. Time to pick it up where I left off. So, that will be coming. Verse by verse, day by day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>New Vision.....</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">During the last half of 2015, a renewed passion was ignited. These are important days, .....for all of us really. Time to step up, own who we are, and walk out whatever vision we carry. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One of the best parts of the last six months is the falling in love with Paul, and Peter, and Timothy, and John, and Jude, and Luke, and ....well a multitude of others. As a self-confessed 'Old Testament Girl', it is safe to say that I've now fallen in love with those New Testament believers. I'm not gonna lie, when I need to visit old friends, David, Ruth, Ezra and lots of others are always waiting in the wings to continue to inspire. These days though, the lives of those who took a world by storm, faithful through the tough times, - these are the inspiring folks for me in those 'middle of the night' readings. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It will be interesting to see where this leads us all. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>New Words......</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The other gift of the last half of last year came in the form of a new book. A book that I never thought I'd write, in fact, never actually wanted to write. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">God, however, has made the first book that has my name on it as author, is one that points everyone who reads it in His direction. He allowed me to take a cherished story, a family story - my sister's story, and blanket it in His grace. I am more than grateful. More about this will be coming over the next few days, but these are exciting times. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My hope is that as you peruse the words written on these pages, both from the past and the present, that you would feel something stir inside. Something that moves you. Something that carries you. <i><b>Something from Him, that in this new year, gives you new vision, wrapped up in new words. </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blessings on you all,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Pam</span>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074441810396086395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553566207638206281.post-28993297705585247622013-05-03T10:10:00.000-04:002016-03-07T13:17:46.841-05:00Defining Moments<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b>This post, coming in the middle of a series of posts, is dedicated to a man I respect very much. This is a link to his upcoming celebration.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<a href="http://www.mcmasterdivinity.ca/convocation"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b>http://www.mcmasterdivinity.ca/convocation</b></i></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b>To every Youth Pastor/Youth Worker who feels tired and weary, let me tell you that it all matters. All the little defining moments. No matter where you are. No matter how big or small the work. When you think no one is looking, it all matters. In the long run, great faith is shown in a lifetime of defining moments. </b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Defining Moments</u></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have a memory</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A memory of a young man</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It is a memory</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Of a defining moment</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A moment when a</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Young man</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Decided</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What kind of responses he would give</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What kind of message he would send</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Whose countenance he would reflect</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It is a memory in the quiet</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A moment when not many noticed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But the</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> responses</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and the messages</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and the countenance</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Would define</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Him and his heart</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Always</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have a memory</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Of being shielded from arrows of apathy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">By his responses</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That same memory</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Is one of being spurred on</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">By his messages</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The memory of the countenance he chose to reflect</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Did not fade nor fall to shadows</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It is in the defining moments y</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ou decide</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What kind of Christian you are</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What kind of man you will become</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What kind of person you will be</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">His defining moments </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Came when as a young man</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He chose</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To love through complications</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To hope in the eternal</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To have faith in the miraculous</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To trust against the odds</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All in the quiet, defining moments</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have a memory</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Of a young man</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Making the defining choices</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the quiet moments</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When no one seemed to notice</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have a memory</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Of a young man</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Who taught me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">By example</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How to make</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The defining choices</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the quiet moments</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I think no one notices</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">No matter how lofty the goals</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Nor how many hundreds notice the choices</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">His responses are still the same</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The message remains clear</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And the reflection</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Is one of practised submission</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The lesson, in the end,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Is that</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Great faith</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Is made up of</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A lifetime</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Of defining moments</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Thank you Pastor Dave, your defining moments are greatly appreciated.</i></b></span><br />
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Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074441810396086395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553566207638206281.post-14371112863545794002012-07-22T00:49:00.001-04:002012-07-22T00:49:30.644-04:00Romans 12 Project Vs. 5<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Verse 5</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>So we, who are many, are one body in Christ,</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>and individually members one of another.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If every </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Musician, singer</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And composer</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Used </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>One note</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To express</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The message of the melody</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>One single note</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every player</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every blower</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every jammer</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Used only</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>One</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There would be </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No message</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No melody</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No harmony</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No beauty</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There would be</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No notes</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And rests</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And clefs</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And sharps</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There would be</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No arrangements</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No voices</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No symphonies</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If every musician</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Songwriter and singer</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Used only</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>One note</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There would be</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No music</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There would only be</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>One note</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No matter</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The passion</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The purity</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Or the intensity</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With which</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That note was played</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Still no music</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>One note.</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However with</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Many members</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All singing and playing</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The same song</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Different notes</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And tones</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And styles</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And forums</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Come together </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And agree</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Music</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Universally</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Cannot be simply</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>One note</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Played loud and long</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Being a part</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of a bigger body</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Makes us all</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Connected</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gives us all a part</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A bigger meaning</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A grander scale</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Simply one body</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Weaving together</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Like music.</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074441810396086395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553566207638206281.post-10244069061427295702012-07-18T16:15:00.002-04:002012-07-18T16:15:34.991-04:00Romans 12 Project Vs. 4<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Verse 4</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>For just as we have many members in one body</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>and all members do not have the same function</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>The intricacy</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Of individuality</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Presumes that</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>When the creation</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Intention</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Came into being</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Every iota</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Was significant</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Every atom</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Created </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In sync</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In design</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In deference to one another</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>The intricacy </i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Of individuality</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Presumes that</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>When the intention </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Of creation</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Came into being</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Every flutter</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Every breath</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Every movement</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Was</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Specific to</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The individual</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>The intricacy</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Of individuality</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Presumes that</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>When creation</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Was intended</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Every single</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Piece and part</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>All work in harmony</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>All together</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>To serve</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>The </i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Intricate</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Individual</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Who is</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>The Creator</i></b></span></div>
<b><br /></b><br />
<br />Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074441810396086395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553566207638206281.post-11157651064829575662012-07-17T08:36:00.000-04:002012-07-17T08:37:09.840-04:00Romans 12 Project Vs. 3<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Verse 3</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>For through the grace given to me I say to every man among you not to think more highly of himself then he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgement as God has allotted to each a measure of faith</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An honest assessment</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That's all</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Simple</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Honest</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The tightrope </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of honesty</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Between the land of</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Where we used to be</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The land of our promise</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Between guilt and shame</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And pride and vanity</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Is where </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our honest assessment</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lives</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Simply honest</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We aren't what we </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Used to be</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nor are we where we</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Should be</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are somewhere</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In between</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fighting doubt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And guilt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And shame</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And self-promotion</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And blind ambition</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And pride</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even in the name of the faith</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our measure</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Is only our measure of</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Faith</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The work done </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In us</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The work still left</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To do</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An honest assessment</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of what grace</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Has done</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of what victories</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have been won</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of what work</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mercy has wrought</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our measure of faith</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Will help us</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Make</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An honest assessment</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That's all</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Simply </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Honest</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No higher</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No lower</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Than we really are</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Honestly</span><br />
<br />
<br />Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074441810396086395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553566207638206281.post-69867156790142771502012-07-16T07:19:00.000-04:002012-07-16T09:07:34.464-04:00Romans 12 Project Vs. 2<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Verse 2</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There has to be a change</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A change</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> On the inside</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A change</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> In how we think</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A change</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> In what moves us</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A change </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> In what we want</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i>Otherwise</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i>You, God, are unnecessary</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i>Otherwise</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i>We live for ourselves</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i>Like we always have</i></b></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There has to be a change</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A change</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Of choices</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A change</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Of dreams</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A change</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Of desires</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A change</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Of life itself</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i>Otherwise</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i>Proving Your will</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i>Becomes unnecessary</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i>Otherwise</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i>We continue </i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i>To drown in ourselves</i></b></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There has to be a change</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A change</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> For good</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A change</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> For what is acceptable</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A change</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Toward Your perfect will</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Change begins</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> In our choices</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> In our habits</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> In our lifestyle</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> In our heart</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> In our mind</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There has to be a change</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There must be renewal</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i>Otherwise</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i>We live for ourselves</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i>Like we always have.</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074441810396086395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553566207638206281.post-36499276429280824432012-07-15T00:59:00.000-04:002012-07-16T09:07:34.458-04:00Romans 12 Project Vs. 1<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Verse 1</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>The truth is</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We all</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Serve somebody</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We all</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Serve something</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>The truth is</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We all </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Present</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Our bodies</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For service</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Somewhere.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We present ourselves</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In service</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To what</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Serves us best</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To what</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fills our needs.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At the gym</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At the restaurant</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At the dealers house</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At the store</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At work</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At home</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At church</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To be</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Alive</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And holy</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And acceptable to God</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As a sacrifice...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It takes</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The mercies of God.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Because </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>The truth is</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Our natural </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Inclination</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Is to </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Serve</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ourselves</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>The truth is</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A spiritual</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Service of worship</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Is the very least</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But the very best</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We can offer</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Because </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>The truth is</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Our natural </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Inclination</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Is to</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Serve</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ourselves.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<br />Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074441810396086395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553566207638206281.post-77841644195181901772012-07-15T00:23:00.001-04:002012-07-16T09:07:34.471-04:00Romans 12 Project Introduction<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>It is confession time.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>I am an Old Testament woman. I am a 'picture person' which makes the Old Testament work really well for me. Stories and pictures of people and tribes and nations, kings and priests and travellers, ... well, the words jump off the page to me. I find myself in those people, those stories. I am drawn to those old friends time and time again to receive inspiration, to see myself, to see mercy, ... to see all the things I so desperately want to be evident in my experience.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>These days I am finding myself drawn more often to the instruction of the New Testament. In my world, both the Old and the New become the perfect balance. The balance of story and history and experience, with instruction and wisdom and guidance. It took me longer to warm up to the New Testament, but when I started reading them together, embracing the balance they both bring to my life, it all comes alive.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Apparently this writing project is not complete yet. With a couple of fairly clear confirmations, Romans 12 is the next passage that is burning in my heart. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>It will come the same way as Psalm 139, a verse a day.</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Thanks for taking a look. Feel free to drop me a note, speak.timely@gmail.com if you like. I'd love to hear from you.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>So this is how it speaks to me ...</i></b></span>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074441810396086395noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553566207638206281.post-38241391037607305802012-07-04T06:11:00.001-04:002012-07-04T06:17:13.978-04:00Psalm 139 Project Closing ThoughtsAs I write this, it is early in the morning where I am. I have just posted the final verse of the chapter, and my thoughts (in verse) on the final verse.<br />
<br />
When I began, when the idea struck me, I had no idea how it would take shape. To be honest, it was unlike anything I have done up to this point.<br />
<br />
This is such a popular chapter. We quote it to ourselves to remind us of our security and our significance to God, our Creator. We quote the final verses in an attempt to have God search out the hidden areas, the trouble spots, in order to get rid of them. Those were interesting. I love those verses. Over many years, they have brought me and millions of others comfort. During these days, I found myself thinking of them in new ways. New thoughts about cherished passages.<br />
<br />
And then there were the 'hate' verses. I'm smiling now as I write this because now that they are passed and posted, I can see the evolution in them, why they are there. When I stumbled upon them in the process of the individual verses, it was extremely challenging to wrap my head around. Such an intensely personal passage, what with God knowing us and creating us and weaving us before we were born. How does this intense hatred and loathing fit into that picture? It took some time to wrestle with those passages. As I remarked in my opening statement for this project, we all come to the Scriptures at different times in our lives, and the amazing thing is that it speaks to us all in different ways. I am grateful for that. Beyond words, am I grateful for that.<br />
<br />
Thank you to anyone who has stopped by to read the writing here. Whether one time, or whether you've repeatedly come back, I appreciate that you have.<br />
<br />
It is my prayer that something has spoken to the deep places inside you and left a mark.<br />
<br />
You and I are His Grand Intention. On purpose. Every day.<br />
<br />
PamPamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074441810396086395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553566207638206281.post-11664526996139619532012-07-04T05:46:00.000-04:002012-07-04T06:17:13.965-04:00Psalm 139 Project Vs. 24<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Verse 24</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">And see if there be any hurtful way in me,</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">And lead me in the everlasting way.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>My tomorrows </b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Are set before me</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>The path I am</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Set to walk</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Lies ahead</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I do not want to walk</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My tomorrows</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Flailing for </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Direction</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And meaning</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And definition</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My tomorrows</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Need to be on purpose</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Destiny</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Faith in</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My tomorrows</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And faith in the Love - the One</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Who designed them</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Anything hurtful</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Inside me</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Needs to go</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Needs to be stamped out</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Any injustice</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Anything that is an enemy</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Of love</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If it is inside me</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Then You must search it out</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You must help me</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Leave it behind</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The everlasting way</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Has no room</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For the motives</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Which trip me up</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The excuses</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The traps</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The lies</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I hand myself</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To get by</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My tomorrows</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And my heart</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Are already known </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">By You</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Grant me focus</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>When I become unclear</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Grant me peace</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>When I turn the corner</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>To find myself facing fear</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Grant me hatred</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Of what goes against</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>The Love of forever</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Grant me the security</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Of knowing</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>You see me</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>You know me</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>You made me</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>And you love me</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My tomorrows </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Are set before me</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Walk with me</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ahead </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And behind me</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My tomorrows</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Are Yours</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>You are</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>My grand intention.</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074441810396086395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553566207638206281.post-61141736897790670432012-07-03T09:41:00.000-04:002012-07-04T06:17:14.000-04:00Psalm 139 Project Vs. 23<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Verse 23</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Search me, O God, and know my heart,</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Try me and know my anxious thoughts.</span></b></div>
<br />
<b><u>Contemporary English Version</u> - Look deep into my heart, God and find out everything I am thinking.</b><br />
<b><u>Easy-To-Read Version</u> - God examine me and know my mind. Test me and know all my worries.</b><br />
<b><u>The Message</u> - Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I'm about.</b><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The biggest hurdle</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The grandest gesture</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>For us</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Is to be willing</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>To be known.</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>He knows anyway</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It is our willingness</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>That sets it apart</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Acknowledging His access</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>To the depths</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>And deep, dark corners</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>That no one else sees.</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It is our trust</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In what we know</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>To be true</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>About Him</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In His love</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In His grace</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In His mercy</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In His light</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>We have so much good</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Inside</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>So much to be proud of</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>And He is</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Proud to know us</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Intimately</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>We have some</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Not so good</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Inside</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>So much to hand over</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>To the</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Love</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Light</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>And hope</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Of who He is</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Our grandest gesture</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Is protected </b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>By the security and warmth</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Knowing </b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>That He will</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Steady our hearts and heads</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>And hands</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Knowing </b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>That He will</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Steady our fears</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>And insecurities</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>And weaknesses</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>He will steady us</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>On the solid footing </b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>That is security</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In Him</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>All that He requires</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Is for us to </b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Jump the big hurdle</u></b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>To</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Make the grand gesture</u></b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It is for us</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>To be willing</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>To be known</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>He knows anyway.</b></span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074441810396086395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553566207638206281.post-25096783588497671932012-07-02T08:34:00.001-04:002012-07-04T06:17:13.970-04:00Psalm 139 Project Vs. 22<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Verse 22</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">I hate them with the utmost hatred,</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">They have become my enemies.</span></b></div>
<br />
<b><u>Easy-To-Read Version</u> - I hate them completely! Your enemies are also my enemies</b><br />
<b><u>Good News Translation</u> - I hate them with a total hatred; I regard them as my enemies.</b><br />
<br />
<b>Injustice abounds</b><br />
The news attests<br />
Containers of people<br />
Like cattle<br />
Innocents slaughtered<br />
Lives bought and sold<br />
Commodities<br />
To be owned<br />
Children hungry and starved for<br />
Food and attention<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Injustice abounds</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Enemies of</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>What Love stands for</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>What Love died for</b></div>
<br />
<b>Injustice abounds</b><br />
And creates<br />
A fire<br />
Inside<br />
A call<br />
To respond<br />
To stand up<br />
To fight the enemies<br />
Of Love<br />
<br />
<b>Injustice produces</b><br />
A holy wrath<br />
Which catches<br />
My weakness<br />
And strengthens<br />
My weakest heart<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Injustice abounds</b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
Bringing injustice</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
To its knees</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
Requires a hatred</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
Of all that is against</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
Love</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
Requires a hatred</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
Of all that allows</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
Abuses and violations and</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
Purposeful oppression</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b>That holy wrath</b><br />
Fuels<br />
<b>Change</b><br />
Fuels<br />
<b>Liberty and Freedom</b><br />
Fuels<br />
<b>Light and Love</b><br />
Fuels<br />
<b>All that injustice can never be</b></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Becoming an enemy </b><br />
<b>Of injustice</b><br />
<b>Strengthens</b><br />
<b>Loves </b><br />
<b>Resolve</b></div>
<br />
<br />Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074441810396086395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553566207638206281.post-46326811614294788892012-07-01T09:58:00.000-04:002012-07-04T06:17:13.989-04:00Psalm 139 Project Vs. 21<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Verse 21</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Do I not hate those who hate Thee, O Lord?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>And do I not loathe those who rise up against Thee?</b></span></div>
<br />
<b><u>Amplified Bible</u> - Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You? And am I not grieved and do I not loathe those who rise up against You?</b><br />
<b><u>Contemporary English Version</u> - You know I hate anyone who hates You, Lord, and refuses to obey</b><br />
<b><u>The Message</u> - See how I hate those who hate You God, see how I loathe all this godless arrogance?</b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am not supposed to hate</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am supposed to love</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And serve</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And reach out</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My head knows this</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My heart, however,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Has difficulty</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Reaching that end</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For those who feel</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They are above</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Or for those </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who pillage and plunder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In Your name</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Or for those </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who bring others down</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To their level</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Misleading </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Abusing</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Overpowering</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Those who are weak</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Those who question</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Those in need.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Instead of preserving</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And defending</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They defile</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And damage.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My head knows</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am supposed to</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Extend grace</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My heart, however, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Has a harder time</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Reaching that end</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For those whose</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Intention</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Is chaos</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> And subversity</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> And pain</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Creating prisons of souls</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Disabling freedom</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of spirit</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> In those who trust</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> In those who love</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> In those caught unexpected.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am not supposed to hate</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My head knows this</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My heart, however,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Takes its time getting there.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For those immoral ones</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whose conscience is</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Non-existent</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>I am not supposed to hate</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>But my head</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>And my heart</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Knows that</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Sometimes I do.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Honestly.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Sometimes I do.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074441810396086395noreply@blogger.com0