tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16741673653753035912024-03-13T22:31:34.034-06:00Sanctuary of TranquilityThoughts and Reflections on My Journey with JesusLori Svobodahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774451486909537110noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674167365375303591.post-39268889744862397322020-09-04T12:01:00.001-05:002020-09-04T12:01:22.955-05:00Sanctuary of Tranquility: Do We Truly Understand What's Going On?<a href="https://lgsvoboda10.blogspot.com/2020/09/do-we-truly-understand-whats-going-on.html?spref=bl">Sanctuary of Tranquility: Do We Truly Understand What's Going On?</a>: One would have to have their head buried in the sand to be oblivious of the evil and corruption in the United States of America. As we appr...Lori Svobodahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774451486909537110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674167365375303591.post-69181749027121066732020-09-04T11:59:00.000-05:002020-09-05T11:46:25.399-05:00Do We Truly Understand What's Going On? <br />
One would have to have their head buried in the sand to be oblivious of the evil and corruption in the United States of America. As we approach the November 3rd Presidential election that corruption and evil is being supercharged by the tension and hate stemming from current events and the events of the last six months.<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gWOGo2WlrmE/X1JqwCk-K_I/AAAAAAAAC_M/3l-IlcdNr0w45h69ajBkz37VQhPkAm4KgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/F356B61F-8F5C-40D3-8D4A-3A4C8B4E1E78.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="541" height="191" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gWOGo2WlrmE/X1JqwCk-K_I/AAAAAAAAC_M/3l-IlcdNr0w45h69ajBkz37VQhPkAm4KgCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/F356B61F-8F5C-40D3-8D4A-3A4C8B4E1E78.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
On the 12th of February the Holy Spirit told me that my life was about to change. Four days latter, on Monday, the 16th of March, my daughter called me and told me she had just been laid off from her job as a server at a popular chain restaurant and she was on her way home. Her place of employment was one of thousands of businesses shut down that day around the country because of the Corona Virus. A virus, which had been created illigally in a lab in China had been infecting the Chinese people for some time, and was, at that time, beginning to show up in metropolitan areas near airports that provided International travel.<br />
<br />
President Trump, who after seeking the advice of the WHO (World Health Organization); a group who he felt confident he could trust, along with the CDC (Center of Disease Control) was advised to "shut the country down" (United States) in an effort to stop the spread. He also took the initiative; and halted all flights to and from China leaving people stranded in both countries, something that angered many but saved millions from becoming victims of the virus.<br />
<br />
By Monday, the 23rd of March people were in full panic mode. The only businesses that remained open at that point were grocery stores and gas stations. Panic stricken shoppers were purchasing unrealistic amounts of groceries and cleaning supplies. Grocery stores began limiting the amounts of meat and produce customers could purchase. Smaller stores and shops, as well as family owned restaurants and small businesses were all forced to close yet <i>Big Box Stores </i>such as Walmart, Target, Costco, and Sam's Club were oddly enough allowed to remain open.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Essential became the word of the day! Can people do without it or not?<br />
The NOT list grew larger as the days went by, shutting down not only restaurants and bars, but gyms, hair salons, barbers, tanning salons, movie theaters, as well as any and all other businesses that provided services or entertainment that had the potential of drawing large numbers of people including all public offices; city, state and governmental. People were trapped in their homes and were instructed to go out for the <i>essentials only. </i>Church was deemed non essential, leaving millions of people alone and afraid with no place to turn for comfort. Fear was thick in the air.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ieMLJsrFfTA/X1LPFgAfWxI/AAAAAAAAC_o/73Gr6CkW2sweeQDFk0s7vfPR9_VFXReiACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/491C81B9-F854-4D87-83F4-B9C8604DB308.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="672" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ieMLJsrFfTA/X1LPFgAfWxI/AAAAAAAAC_o/73Gr6CkW2sweeQDFk0s7vfPR9_VFXReiACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/491C81B9-F854-4D87-83F4-B9C8604DB308.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
On Wednesday, the thirteenth of May, my daughter finally got a call from her boss, restaurants with drive through windows or were capable of offering curb side pick up could reopen. Businesses considered non essential remained closed, although many of the larger corporations had required their employees to work from home. Parents of all economic and educational background were suddenly required to turn themselves into teachers overnight and begin home schooling their own children.<br />
<br />
If you needed to go to the doctor; unless it was an emergency, you were required to set up a video chat. The only exception was abortion, you could still have an abortion.<br />
<br />
After weeks and weeks of being trapped inside of their homes, rarely going anyplace, Easter Sunday was deemed nonessential. Community Church Services and Easter Egg Hunts planned months in advance were canceled forcing people to either gather secretly for a quiet meal or spend the day alone.<br />
To stimulate the economy, taxpayers were each gifted $1200.00 checks, signed by the president. People were anxious for stores and restaurants to open up yet most remained closed leaving that same previously mentioned group of <i>Big Box Stores </i>the recipient of peoples stimulus money. Shoppers were desperate to return to their old way of life, however, <i>the masks </i>had created an invisible wall between those who were afraid of the virus and those who were not. Without a friendly smile to soften interactions, people remained frightened and angry and were forced to literally <i>mask </i>their emotions. A decision to go out mask free meant being treated like s leaper, and in some areas it also meant, no service.<br />
<br />
I have never doubted that the <i>Corona Virus </i>is a serious illness, one that has taken many lives, <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
however, after listening to the daily press conferences with President Trump, the WHO and the CDC day after day, and week after week, I couldn't help but notice that their recommendations changed daily. This past week, the last week of August, six months after this all began, the CDC very quietly adjusted the total number of deaths from 153K to just under 10K. One would think that would be news worthy, a time for celebration, but evidently not. Naturally the news and social media called it a lie. That very same news and social media who bent over backwards banning videos of well respected doctors offering legitimate treatment advice. If that didn't demonstrate the communistic tactics they will use when given the opportunity, nothing will!<br />
<br />
People, it's time to open your eyes! We have been played by a very evil group of people who insist you wear a mask and stay home so you won't have a social life and contact with your friends.<br />
A group of people who threaten you in public statements stating that the rioting, looting and murders we are seeing now will not only continue, but will increase if their candidate is not elected president. A group of people so evil that within the last year not only voted to allow small businesses to fail, leaving millions of people bankrupt and homeless, they also voted to kill babies fresh out of the womb.<br />
<br />
We are being pushed around, and it must stop! We must not allow them to take our country!<br />
<br />
The Democratic Party of John F. Kennedy is long gone. If that was your party, and you came from a long line of Democratic voters, you must realize by now that the <i>New Democrats </i>do not value life on any scale, they value Communism and everything that goes with it including the Abortion Industry. Christianity and liberal thinking do not go hand in hand, and abortion has long been something Christians have battled to end. A year ago when we started hearing words like <i>late term abortion (right up to delivery) </i>or even more horrific, <i>after birth abortion (baby is either murdered or left to die after birth), ANYONE</i> who calls themself a Christian who is still voting for Democrat Candidates should have been awakened!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-89f5cZ5PSBM/X1Js6QhkRRI/AAAAAAAAC_Y/rj5IY023Ikw0jA1wp2_lf5TrCrJNh_V-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/9BBF1555-1E53-4C7F-ABA2-CCF930E64C32.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="826" height="313" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-89f5cZ5PSBM/X1Js6QhkRRI/AAAAAAAAC_Y/rj5IY023Ikw0jA1wp2_lf5TrCrJNh_V-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/9BBF1555-1E53-4C7F-ABA2-CCF930E64C32.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So Much Hypocrisy </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you're still asleep, and hanging with the liberals, and you think for one minute that you are a Christian, I wish you well because you are not! Liberal politicians are notorious for their belief that abortion is every woman's right and lately they have made it sound like having them makes you part of some cool club. If you know anything about Abortion, you know that nothing could be further from the truth.<br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;">On October 16, 1916 Margaret Sanger opened the first birth control clinic in the United States. </span><span style="text-align: center;">Ms. Sanger may have been a strong advocate for women's rights, however, she was best known for her racist thinking, and the idea that black </span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;">lives matter was the furthest thing from her mind. She courted black pastors and ministers with the hope of convincing them that abortion was the answer for the poor black families in their churches. The truth is, Planned Parenthood was never intended for good! Don't let anyone try to convince you that they care about you, there are plenty of other birth control providers! Planned Parenthood is the heart of the abortion industry, they could care less about anyone, all they care about is the money!</span><br />
<br />
Back in 1973, just months before I graduated from high school, there was a lengthy lawsuit known as Row vs Wade <a href="https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/roe-v-wade" target="_blank">https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/roe-v-wade</a> As a result of that lawsuit, abortion became legal. In those days, Satans minions worked overtime to convince people that the tiny thing growing inside of a woman's uterus was nothing more than a <i>clump of cells. </i>As I reflect on it now, I can't believe people were so naive, or perhaps it was a matter of wishful thinking. Many seek advise from people who will tell them what they want to hear. It dulls the guilt felt when we do things we know we shouldn't do.<br />
<br />
I've heard all of the reasons in the book to have an abortion; not married, can't afford it, he says he'll leave me if I don't, I have too many kids already, my parents will cut me off, I am going to school, it is not part of my plan, and on and on. I am not pointing fingers here, I can't because I was part of the club. The summer after my senior year in high school, I became pregnant. My mother was very upset with me! She told me that having a baby was a terrible idea, it would not only embarrass her, but it would ruin my life! She told me that she had no intention of being a full time baby sitter so I could go hang out with my friends. She was committed to the idea that my having an abortion was the best way to deal with the <i>situation. </i>In the end, she had me convinced it would probably be as she described. As I reflect on all that transpired, all I can think of is how selfishly motivated we both were. What we had done was take an inconvenient situation and made it go away in the physical. The most tragic thing is this, I believe that if I would have had the brains to stand up to her she would have eventually come to love the granddaughter we never knew.<br />
<br />
Thankfully, I was able to recover from being part of the 81% of females who suffer from at least one mental health issue as a result of having an abortion, and I was never one of 45% who have thoughts of suicide, or the 3% who have actually gone through with it. I was sickened when I read that teen aged girls who have an abortion are 10 X more likely to attempt suicide than other girls their age and 4X more likely than adult women who have the same procedure. Two out of every three women who have a late term abortion (past 12 weeks) suffer a PSTD like ailment. These stats are prior to the legalization of full term or after birth abortion, with that in mind, can you even imagine what would happen to the mind of someone who was part of something like that.<br />
If the stats I have presented don't convince you, <a href="https://healthresearchfunding.org/19-shocking-post-abortion-depression-statistics/" target="_blank">You can read more here</a>, or search it out independently.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1DdTmV9Xcns/X0rp1U0qe0I/AAAAAAAAC8w/eQafi8HVRsIC3pMvl9FYfeYLyKjsv26NACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/EE68A77A-4F45-4693-A9E2-F28C46013A67.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="367" data-original-width="510" height="230" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1DdTmV9Xcns/X0rp1U0qe0I/AAAAAAAAC8w/eQafi8HVRsIC3pMvl9FYfeYLyKjsv26NACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/EE68A77A-4F45-4693-A9E2-F28C46013A67.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
In 2016, researchers at Northwest University in Chicago were able to capture the moment when sperm fertilizes an egg at the microscopic level.<br />
Their discovery was nothing short of a breathtaking display of our creators hand at work. The video they released reveals what appears to be a florescent display of fireworks at the moment of conception. The 'flash of light' is created when zinc is released and binds to tiny molecules the emit a fluorescence only visible by microscope.<br />
<br />
<br />
It is amazing! Check out the video below. God's miracle making hands are all over everything!<br />
<a href="https://faithit.com/flash-light-moment-conception-discovered-scientists/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://faithit.com/flash-light-moment-conception-discovered-scientists/</a><br />
<br />
<i style="color: blue;">"For you formed my inward parts: you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works, my soul knows it well.Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them." Psalm 139:13-14, 16</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Four short weeks after that absolutely incredible conception, what was previously thought of as a clump of cells is now legitimately an embryo. An actual human being the size of a poppy seed with his or her very first set of nerve cells. Yes, they can feel pain. At about that exact same time, mom will miss her first period and although she's a bit suspicious, she may think to herself, "maybe I am just late, " so she waits until week five or week six and she then notices other subtle changes such as nauseous or vomiting at which time she decides she better buy a pregnancy test kit. By this time a primitive circulatory system have formed, and his or her heart is already beating.<br />
<br />
This is about the time most women decide they better call the doctor, and when they do they are typically told that they must miss two mensural cycles before the are seen by a doctor. While mom waits the required time, baby continues to grow at a rapid pace, acquiring a face and a functioning brain. His facial structure is now becoming more and more visible and there are now tiny buds where the arms and legs will be.Within a few more days, fingers, lips and nose have formed and by the end of the eighth week, the embryo has grown to about half the size of a US Quarter.This is only week eight, a new life is well on it's way! It should be a time of celebration, not stress or abortion planning. If you are not seeing it that way, yet you consider yourself a child of God, you need to know that God loves you and he loves that life you are carrying within you and he won't let you down. Have faith in Him and choose life. Know that murdering that baby at six weeks, eight weeks or anytime after is an invitation to partnering with Satan himself. Please don't allow yourself to fall into his trap!<br />
<br />
Please join me in prayer for those who are on the fence. Heavenly Father, Please open the eyes of those who have been swept up in the evil and are caught up in this very dark and delusional place. Allow them to see that your son came to bring life and love to all of those who are his. I ask you, precious God to open their eyes so they can see the truth before it is too late for them.<br />
In the marvelous name of Jesus,<br />
Amen<br />
<br />
<br />
I want to share this very special film with you. If after watching it, you still believe that abortion is ok, you have made your choice and Christianity is not for you. <a href="https://youtu.be/fKyljukBE70">https://youtu.be/fKyljukBE70</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Lori Svobodahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774451486909537110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674167365375303591.post-42210179737369226422020-07-15T10:18:00.001-05:002020-07-15T10:18:29.787-05:00Sanctuary of Tranquility: Silly Posts We Like Without Thinking<a href="https://lgsvoboda10.blogspot.com/2020/07/silly-posts-we-like-without-thinking.html?spref=bl">Sanctuary of Tranquility: Silly Posts We Like Without Thinking</a>: Our Almighty God possesses three amazing qualities that no other God is, was or could ever be capable of. There qualities make Him uni...Lori Svobodahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774451486909537110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674167365375303591.post-67288695269384859752020-07-15T10:16:00.002-05:002020-07-15T10:16:27.794-05:00Silly Posts We Like Without Thinking <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kG55O_WXiZI/Xw4C_Pi02WI/AAAAAAAAC5w/Yirpdivnq0czQsB1URUHbxtOo8yQihBCQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/81088368-982A-4309-AC75-695B9DF78B95.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="1123" height="242" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kG55O_WXiZI/Xw4C_Pi02WI/AAAAAAAAC5w/Yirpdivnq0czQsB1URUHbxtOo8yQihBCQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/81088368-982A-4309-AC75-695B9DF78B95.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
Our Almighty God possesses three amazing qualities that no other God is, was or could ever be capable of. There qualities make Him uniquely who he is. They are referred to as the Omni's, a word that when translated from Latin means all, everywhere, everything. He is<br />
Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent, making him powerful, ever knowing and everywhere at the same time. Wrap your mind around that. <i>That's who he is! </i><br />
<br />
His incredible Omnipotent nature allows him to be in total control of not only himself, but the entire universe which <i>he </i>created. Such power is only attributed to a deity, hence God himself.<br />
<br />
“Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.” Revelation 19:6 ESV<br />
<br />
His Omniscience proves that He is <i>the </i>ultimate criterion, or judge of truth and lies. We can argue with him, but his ideas are always right and true. There is nothing or none capable of the Omnipresence he possesses, it enables his power and knowledge to extend to all parts of the universe, placing him everywhere at the same time.<br />
<br />
<i>Some examples of his magnificence can be found in the following scriptures. All taken from the English Standard Bible Version unless otherwise noted. </i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Omnipotence:</b></i><br />
“For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”<br />
Romans 1:20<br />
“<i>Jesus looked at them and said, "With man that is impossible, but with God all things are possible" </i>Matthew 19:26 <br />
"For <i>Nothing </i>is impossible with God" Luke 1:37<br />
“Also henceforth I am he; there is none who can deliver from my hand; I work, and who can turn it back?” Isaiah 43:13 <br />
"For his eyes are on the ways of man, and he sees all his steps". Job 34:21<br />
<br />
<i><b>Omniscience: </b></i><br />
“for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.”<br />
1 John 3:20 <br />
“For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.” Job 28:24 <br />
"Where is their God?” Our God is in the heavens; <i>he does all that he pleases</i>.” Psalm 115:1-3 <br />
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8 <br />
“But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.” Matthew 10:30 <br />
<br />
<b><i>Omnipresence: </i></b><br />
“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” Proverbs 15:3<br />
“Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord.”<br />
Jeremiah 23:23-24 <br />
“All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made" John 1:3<br />
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 <br />
“And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:17 <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOUnuSveStc/Xw4K6aTensI/AAAAAAAAC6A/sQY2zlEV-l0ESt0KVyYeCmasGwArQSBogCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/AD2B89DB-8981-4F4A-B2B7-684E67005211.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="449" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOUnuSveStc/Xw4K6aTensI/AAAAAAAAC6A/sQY2zlEV-l0ESt0KVyYeCmasGwArQSBogCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/AD2B89DB-8981-4F4A-B2B7-684E67005211.jpeg" width="251" /></a></div>
We serve an incredible God, certainly not one who would wimp out and allow a bunch of knuckleheads to kick him out, lock him out or truly ban him from anything! It can't be done! When I see posts with this message it makes me disappointed in, and sad for the people who believe it even possible.I propose that the only place Our Almighty God has been kicked out of is the hearts of the people.<br />
He's always been everywhere and no one can change that!<br />
He wants to be in the hearts of all of the people. It was never his desire for anyone to go to hell, but it will happen if we don't change immediately for change is his desire.<br />
<br />
“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,” Psalm 24:1 <br />
<br />
Yes, that includes you, you and I belong to him too and right this minute during the strangest, saddest, creepiest time most of us have ever experienced, he needs each of us to repent.<br />
<br />
“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 ESV<br />
<br />
If you don't believe you have anything to repent from, ask Him to search your heart and ask His forgiveness for all that he brings to your mind. It is a refreshing, and healing process. Rid yourself of all of the feelings of hate, anger, resentment, or lack of forgiveness towards yourself or any other. He knows about it all anyway, you may as well talk to him about it now instead later, because we all will have that later, that time with God. "Every knee shall bend"<br />
<br />
Perhaps you're thinking, "I don't need this God you're writing about."<br />
Oh, yes you do! More than you can and will ever imagine.<br />
<br />
“Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” Deuteronomy 8:17-18<br />
<br />
When Matthew spoke these words he believed them to be true, and right at this moment in time, they are only closer than when spoken: "Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand" Matthew 3:2<br />
<br />
How to truly fix America? 🇺🇸❤️ Make Jesus top priority in your life.<br />
Put God back in your heart, make him the most important thing you think about every day!<br />
Don't be too late, to get your priorities straight.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fvG4NzbxzjU/Xv889YHcLfI/AAAAAAAAC4k/gklqeM3mLJExfq71__NUYR5VU0gZSdRHACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/BD39C159-9AE4-4849-8BB4-BEA7E71BE558.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"></span></a></div>
<br />Lori Svobodahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774451486909537110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674167365375303591.post-70163169132813706252020-02-12T10:53:00.154-06:002023-08-29T12:57:34.865-06:00Jesus Loves Me<blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DZnnUuXIx00/XkQXSc7zpgI/AAAAAAAAC1Y/FGKuBA6dhhEspMk8gEbjmsXDCDex-b8zgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/084C5C01-4C0B-4244-9988-1643D51D9CC4.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="753" height="234" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DZnnUuXIx00/XkQXSc7zpgI/AAAAAAAAC1Y/FGKuBA6dhhEspMk8gEbjmsXDCDex-b8zgCLcBGAsYHQ/w230-h234/084C5C01-4C0B-4244-9988-1643D51D9CC4.jpeg" width="230" /></a></div></blockquote>
<blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"> I</span> have<span>0</span>truly enjoyed it. If you’re not familiar with </blockquote><div><i><span style="color: #0b5394;"> You Version</span></i> you should be! It is not just another Bible </div><div> App, it is one of the original apps that encourages and </div><div> provides plans to assist in reading the Bible in one year. </div><div><i> Y</i><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><i>ou Version </i></span>is free of charge and has literally hundreds of </div><div> reading plans, devotionals as well as short videos. </div><div><div> Some of the devotionals are brief, and can be read in</div><div> 2-3 days and others last a year or more. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> There are reading plans geared for people of all walks of life; those who are new to faith, dating, </div><div> engaged, married, divorced, dealing with grief, leadership, seeking prayer, worship, the work place, </div><div> forgiveness and so much more. Some of the plans require deep thought and others are light and fun. </div><div> The writers of the plans include both the infamous, and the unknown. Some plans rock your world, </div><div> others will stimulate reflection and growth, and some will make you cry.</div><div><br /></div><div> This morning I completed day twenty two of a forty day plan from Pastor Bill Johnson as well as a five</div><div> day plan about the Book of Ruth, which I loved as it is such a good story. It’s not unusual for me to </div><div> work on three or even four plans at a time. Whats really cool, is that if you’re not enjoying a plan you</div><div> select, or you don’t feel like it pertains to you, you can end it at any time without pressure. If you’re</div><div> loving the plan and want to read more than one day at a time, or if you get busy with life and miss a </div><div> day or two you can select, “Catch me up” and it will extend or correct the length of your plan. You can</div><div> also invite others to read a plan with you and share your thoughts in a comment section.</div><div><br /></div><div> About two years ago, I discovered Shelia Walsh’s devotionals and spent the better part of a month</div><div> reading all of them. They were so good and really spoke to the person I was at that time. <span style="text-align: center;">One Sunday </span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"> morning I woke up feeling really blue, it was all I could do to get myself dressed and out the door to </span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"> church. When I got there, I lacked focus and struggled to take part. When the service ended, and I was</span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"> collecting my belongings, a woman who was also a regular, made a </span><span style="text-align: center;">bee line over to me and asked me if </span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"> was ok. She said I looked out of sorts, and she asked me if she could pray for me about something in </span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"> particular. </span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"> We visited for a few minutes and prayed about my circumstances right then and there; which in my humble opinion is the very best way, why wait? </span><span style="text-align: center;">We then walked out together, she </span><span style="text-align: center;">gave me a big hug and I headed home. </span><span style="text-align: center;">As I drove along, </span><span style="text-align: center;">I begin to cry, tears made of pure frustration, combined with doubts of my future and concerns for my family. </span>When I got to the place I called home, I kicked off my shoes and threw myself on the bed for a much needed healing rest.</div><div>
<br />
I woke up, well over an hour later to the sound of my phone ringing. I could see by Caller ID that the person calling me was the woman who had prayed for me before I left church. She asked me if the song <i><span style="color: #0b5394;">Jesus Loves Me </span></i>was of any significant to me. I told her it really didn"t. She went on to explain that she had been praying for me while she was preparing lunch for her husband and herself, and while she was praying, the tune for that particular song filled her head. I searched my mind and I knew I had absolutely no idea what that song had to do with me.<div>
<br />Later that afternoon, I remembered that I hadn’t read my <i><span style="color: #0b5394;">You Version </span></i>devotionals yet, so I opened the app on my phone and began reading. One of the devotionals I as doing at that time was written by a wonderful Christian author named Sheila Walsh. This particular devotional had a special message for five days in a row. I was called ‘<i><span style="color: #0b5394;">Quiet Time for Your Soul’</span>, (really good stuff by the way)</i>. </div><div>I was on day two, which Sheila had entitled, ‘<i>Does Jesus Love Me?’ </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Before I even read the first word, the Holy Spirit instructed me to read the devotional out loud. The request came with such love and gentleness. I was overwhelmed with emotions</div><div><div>Towards the end of the devotional the author questions the reader by asking,</div><div><br /></div><div> <i>“Do you wonder sometimes if God loves you? </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Close your eyes, still your heart, and hear him as He says<i>,</i></div><div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
“<i>This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>You are my friends.” </i><br />
<i>John 15:13</i></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
I continued reading: “He loved you all the way to the cross. He loves you in this moment, and He will love you all the way home to heaven!”</div><div>
<br />
By the time I read those last few words I was weeping, and through my blur of tears, I read the final words of the devotional aloud:<span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><i style="color: #0b5394;">Jesus Loves Me, this I know. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>
<b>❤️ </b>The renowned theologian, Karl Barth, wrote volumes of dense theology. In fact, some would consider him the greatest theologian in four hundred years, since the time of John Calvin. He was once asked to sum up, in one sentence, the thousands of pages of theology he had written. </div><div><br /></div><div>He paused and then replied, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. </div><div><br /></div><div>Jesus is Love</div><div><b>#truestory</b><br />
<a href="https://www.youversion.com/">https://www.youversion.com/</a><br />
<br /></div></div></div></div>Lori Svobodahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774451486909537110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674167365375303591.post-70336409970544987442020-01-30T16:07:00.001-06:002020-01-30T16:07:06.372-06:00Sanctuary of Tranquility: The Seasons of Our Lives<a href="https://lgsvoboda10.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-seasons-of-our-lives.html?spref=bl">Sanctuary of Tranquility: The Seasons of Our Lives</a>: I was visiting with a friend the other day, and after explaining my current situation to her, she told me that it sounded like I am livi...Lori Svobodahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774451486909537110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674167365375303591.post-61832631795366040692019-12-13T13:07:00.001-06:002019-12-13T13:07:12.651-06:00Sanctuary of Tranquility: Blessing One Another<a href="https://lgsvoboda10.blogspot.com/2013/11/blessing-one-another.html?spref=bl">Sanctuary of Tranquility: Blessing One Another</a>: Creating a Culture of Honor is something I’ve been hearing great things about! As a society, we have built walls around ourselves. Maybe...Lori Svobodahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774451486909537110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674167365375303591.post-14956702845315354182019-04-26T05:37:00.048-05:002020-06-16T16:46:17.955-05:00Gods Way <i>One late summer morning, about eight years ago I had just dropped my daughter off for work and I was driving down road; music was softly drifting from the radio, when suddenly the Holy Spirit spoke to me saying, “I do not know your son”</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i> I was a bit taken back by the comment, and not fully prepared to respond. He was obviously trying to bring something to my attention, but I wasn’t certain how to proceed. Was this a cautionary statement, or an invitation or perhaps even a warning? Whatever it was, it certainly gave me </i><i>something to ponder. </i><br />
<i><br /></i><span style="color: #3d85c6;">“<b><i>But Mary treasured all of these things in her heart, and often pondered what they meant” </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><i>Luke 2:19 TBT</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<i>In retrospect, although I am certain that he had been talking to me for a very long time, our relationship was shifting. The voice I had always thought of as my own, personal ”Jimmy Cricket” like friend, was in actuality the Holy Spirit. </i><i>I was hearing the voice of God. </i><br />
<i><br /></i><i>My gift of the prophetic was very slowly budding and I had no idea what it meant nor how I was even supposed to respond, so I just kept praying and storing and pondering the things he spoke to me. </i><br />
<i>His words to me concerning my son were not the first that made me realize it wasn’t my very own thoughts that I was hearing. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Roughly two years earlier, and 350 miles east of where I sit now, I stood in my shower one cold Spring day, and </i><i>that very same soft, gentle, and somewhat breath like voice told me that cancer would take my mothers life. </i><i>I recall that I didn't wonder, even for a moment who was speaking to me. </i><i>I didn’t get overly excited, or emotional, however I did have the presence of mind to ask Him if my moms death could wait until my youngest daughter </i><i>was released from prison. Because He knew it was important to me, my request was honored. My daughter</i><i> was released from prison roughly two years later, the Monday the 25th day of April, the day after Easter. My mother, who had never told a soul; that I am aware of, about her cancer, left this world late Friday evening the 20th day of May, less than a month later. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>During the months directly following her death, </i><i>God whispered promises and plans for my future into my heart and soul. I awoke one August morning confident that I was supposed to move back to my home town. Some friends and family thought I had lost my mind, asking me why</i><i> in the world would I move back home when my mom was no longer even there? </i><i>God alone held the answer to that question, all I know was that wild horses could not have stopped me, I couldn’t wait to be obedient and put </i><i>his plans into motion. I began planning immediately! Nothing</i><i> or no one could have changed my mind or stopped me, I was on a mission! </i><i>People wonder if they will know when God wants them to make a change. I fully believe that if he is serious about the change, you know. </i><br />
<i><br /></i><i>It took me about two weeks to pack, and get prepared to move. Finding an apartment and renting it sight unseen didn’t even phase me, I was that determined! One of my daughters wanted to come with, and agreed to drive the moving truck, so I drove </i><i>the car with her dog curled up in the seat next to me. Oddly enough, the radio in the car failed after about two hours of the six hour drive, providing much needed prayer time which was necessary as I headed west into the setting sun. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The morning after I got home, an old friend from high school and a buddy came to my new apartment to help me unpack the moving van. Although we were friends on </i><i>Facebook, we had never, even as students in the same high school been formally introduced. The two of us, who shared similar thoughts and values, however, we had never, ever been introduced. </i><i>We hit it off nicely and a few days later he messaged me and asked if I had any coffee brewing. One cup of coffee led to another and our friendship flourished.</i><br />
<i>Aside from coffee, we frequently chatted on Facebook, which was fun.</i><i> I found him interesting, kind and funny. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Aside from that, my focus for reasons I would discover soon enough was </i><i>finding, not a church so much, but a Bible Study, and for some reason, it had to be a Beth Moore Bible Study, nothing else would do. </i><i>I finally found a Wednesday evening Beth Moore study of the Book of Daniel that I could get into right away. The </i><i>instructor and I hit it off right away.She was a very kind, older woman, who I came to cherish. She displayed a true warmth with each individual in the study and displayed a great sense of humor and kindness. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Meanwhile, my new </i><i>landlord and I were not seeing eye to eye in several areas, so I decided to find a different place, or so I thought. I searched and searched and I couldn’t find a thing. (I have since figured out that if God doesn’t want you to find something, you wont,), so during the next </i><i>Bible Study I gave a brief description of my difficulties. After class ended, the instructor and I decided to indulge in some hot tea before heading home. As we sipped the hot goodness, she told me that she was the owner of a three bedroom house that had some problems which made it difficult for her to rent. Winter was well on its way and she didn’t want to pay for heat on a vacant house. She told me that if I liked it, </i><i>my family and I could live there until other things opened up in the spring rent free, as long as we paid the utilities. God is so good!! </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<i>Eight years later:</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>It was a cool Fall </i><i>evening and I had attended my usual Wednesday night Bible Study. As I stood worshipping with my pastor and his huge family, i noticed I was standing a little to close to one of the women and her husband, who had come</i><i> in late didn’t have a place near his wife to stand. As </i><i>I </i><i>reflected on the awkwardness of my situation, the Holy Spirit; in a voice I could hear well over all of the voices singing </i><i>said to me, “This is not your family”. </i><br />
<i>I quietly, and very humbly, whispered</i><i>, “I know”</i><br />
<i>His immediate response was, “It’s time for you to make your own family.”</i><br />
<br />
When God decides it’s time for a change, he doesn’t mess around. I had been cooking breakfast and lunch at a golf course at the time. The politics, drinking and ethics which were nothing like my own, made it real clear to me that I didn’t belong. The head chef / food and beverage manager ignored my questions and excluded me from conversations which made me very uncomfortable. After a weekend off arrived at work I one morning and spotted a new cook through the kitchen window. I knew immediately that she was my replacement. Later that morning I was in the bathroom silently praying about my situation when the Holy Spirit told me to quit my job. I joked with him that i thought my demise was emanate anyway. The next morning I called the club to resign, my supervisor answered the phone. I told him that i was quitting and he sarcastically responded, “Good! I’m glad you finally figured out that you don’t belong around here.” So just like that, I was jobless.<br />
Now what?<br />
Although i immediately began looking for a different job, I knew God was up to something, so a couple of days latter when he asked me if I trusted him, it didn’t come as a surprise, it typically means things are going to get a little crazy. But when his next instructions to me were for me to stop paying my rent, I knew it was time for a little adventure. When he decides that you’re going to do things his way, there is no other way. Sometimes God doesn’t want us in action mode, and this was definitely one of those times.<br />
My youngest daughter called so I brought her up to speed. She strongly suggested that I go to county and see if I could get help with my rent. In an effort to please her, I made an appointment even though I knew in my heart it was a waste of time. God watched as I nervously waited for others to go into co<br />
their meetings at county and come out with their vouchers. It was no surprise to either of us when I came out empty handed. When I got in my car, I called my daughter and gave her the news, she promised to send money, even though I knew that it wouldn’t save me from eviction, but just to be sure, the Holy Spirit whispered, “No matter what happens, do not spend the $80.00 your daughter is sending. He’s such a know it all. <br />
On the way home, I stopped at McDonalds and pulled some french fry boxes out of dumpster and headed home to finish packing. It took me several trips, but I finally placed most of my stuff in my well used storage. Then I returned to clean and say my goodbyes to neighbors. I had absolutely no idea where I was going next, so after driving around for a while, I headed back to McDonalds for some hot coffee, free internet, and hopefully a word from God.<br />
<br />
By 9:30 that night, the early October sky was pitch black and there were snowflakes fluttering in the breeze. I was getting a bit frantic at the idea of sleeping in my overloaded car. I frantically cried out to Jesus! “What are you doing? Please help me.”<br />
His response was immediate, “I’m working on something”<br />
As promised, within about half an hour, my youngest daughter; who had been trying to help me find a place to go, called to let me know that a friend of hers about an hours drive away had a spare bedroom and was looking forward to my company and arrival the next day.<br />
By this time I was dirty and both physically and emotionally shot. My daughter had found a motel room for me, so With hopes of a hot shower and a comfortable bed, I headed that direction . Oddly enough, I had for years been a cash only kind of customer, but a month or so earlier, for some reason, I knew I should apply for and get a credit card. I broke it out, activated it, and paid for my room, hanging on to the cash my daughter had sent as instructed.<br />
<br />
The next morning, I returned to my storage for some odds and ends and hit the road. As I traveled west on I-90, the Holy Spirit announced that he had a plan for my son.<br />
<br />
I arrived at my destination about lunch time. Katy and I had a wonderful conversation over salsa and chips and took a drive through Spearfish Canyon. Later that evening she told me that the previous evening she had been depressed and was sitting in her house all alone when my daughter called her. I silently recalled how God had told me that he was working on something.<br />
<br />
“So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God’s perfect plan of bringing good into our lives, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose.” Romans 8:28 TPT<br />
<br />
Within a few days, Katy revealed that she is prophetic as well. The Holy Spirit told me that when it was time for me to leave, she would know where I was supposed to go. I enjoyed my time staying with her, while she worked, I took advantage of the quite time to enjoy Bible reading and listening to my favorite Bethel artists and speakers.<br />
On a Friday morning six weeks after I had arrived to her home, she called me and said, “Lori, I think I know where the next part of your journey will take you, the Holy Spirit told me that you were suposed to go to church in Rapid City on Sunday morning.” That was initially confusing because I didn’t always attend the same church, but because it was not his intention to be confusing, the Holy Spirit whispered “Destiny” in my ears.<br />
Sunday morning rolled around and once again I packed up my car and headed to my appointment at Destiny, who offers two Sunday morning services, so I hit both of them up. The topic of the service was appropriatly enough, being homeless. At the end of the second service, I was confused and fairly upset because <i>nothing </i>had happened. As I headed to my car I asked the Holy Spirit what I should do next, and he responded, “Go have some lunch!”<br />
I drove around and finally settled on a place where I could read and plug my phone in to charge. I made several phone calls and as the daylight grew dim, I still had no idea where I was going. I made one last call, this time to my son. He told me he had gotten rid of his room mate the week before and that he had room for me at his house. The guy who was living in the basement agreed to come upstairs and let me in and help me with my belongings, so I paid my bill and stepped outside into the cold, dark snowy night. I stopped at Safeway and grabbed some essentials as I was fairly certain the cupboards where I was headed would be sparse and headed to my sons. The neighbor, Josh, was standing in the driveway when I pulled in and he helped me with my stuff.<br />
<br />
A new portion of my journey was about to begin.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hB_v7Pb9f7s/XPXiTJUljEI/AAAAAAAACug/wC9Fz4Fuu_QrgIApCEKQJh6VCovjYynkwCLcBGAs/s1600/E2043A30-ED91-4063-AA93-BC05C0D04D1A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1079" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hB_v7Pb9f7s/XPXiTJUljEI/AAAAAAAACug/wC9Fz4Fuu_QrgIApCEKQJh6VCovjYynkwCLcBGAs/s320/E2043A30-ED91-4063-AA93-BC05C0D04D1A.jpeg" width="215" /></a></div>
<i>A little bac</i><i>kground information. I got divorced when my children were seven, nine and thirteen. </i><i>We had been living in California and the cost of living there would have been insane, so the kids and I boarded an Amtrak train </i><i>and traveled fifteen hundred miles to a small town in rural South Dakota to live near my family. </i><br />
The owner of the home my son was renting had made an apartment for himself over the garage, the only thing he was lacking was running water, so he had no toilet and no way to wash dishes or clean up. The guy living in the basement was drinking so much cheap vodka that he was either clueless or cared less when the guy barged into his basement apartment to wash his dishes or shower. It didn’t take me long at all to see that the three of them were all drinking way too, much and partying way too hard. They were all co dependant on one another and my son was the only one with a job.<br />
The landlord was a <i>supposed</i> friend, who was at the very most, an aquaintance who was making enough money off of my son that he didn’t need a job himself. I bartended for enough years that I have seen plently of sober bartenders ripping off intoxicated customers and that was exactly the senerio. My son paid a specified amount for rent, and one third of the utilities, although no one ever saw the utility bills but the landlord. When I moved in the utilities were divided immediatly into quarters and my sons rent went up two hundred dollars per month. The landlord wanted all this paid in cash on the first. If it wasn’t paid on time, he tacked on late fees of whatever he desired...and they were paying it! The first time I witnessed the transaction, I thought it was sketchy, but when the landlord showed up a few days and suggested there was still money owed, he could see by my reacvtion that I was on to his game. Thankfully, he took off for about six weeks and was gone for the holidays. When e returned, he evicted the guy in the basement because he didn’t have any rent money for January. The guy dragged his feet, but eventually got packed up and as he was moving out he told me that the landlord was going to ‘hang on’ to his laptop and a couple of other things in lue of the rent money owed, I tried to tell him that the landlord could not do that, it was illigal, but he didn’t want a fight.<br />
With that, he was gone, and his apartment was vacant, so in an effort to save a buck the landlord turned off the basement heat. Within a few days, I could feel the dofference up stairs. I mentioned it to my son and he told me it wasn’t really our problem. I knew it would be soon. Old furnace that had was probllematc already with its pension for blowing thermocuples. By the end of January the weather was calling for negative twenty below chill factors in the upcoming weeks. Friday morning, the 15th of February the furnace rumbled a mighty rumble and gave it up. I called the landlord, he brought space heaters and ordered a new thermocouple. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the problem. The pipe that ran water to the furnace ruptured. The frozen apartment kitchen below filled with water and I quietly went and bought myself a new space heater for my bedroom and settled in. I battled ten dreadful days of a horrible flu bug. I took antibiotics that made me terribly sick to my stomach, i cried and the Holy Spirit told me he would heal me and He did. I was being advised to sue the landlord. My son wasn’t for it. He said his the guy was in a jam and he was certain he would fix it as soon as he could. I wasn’t happy about it, so I went downtown and consulted with the city, who informed me that if i filed a complaint against him, the city would come out within fourtyeight hours and inspect. If what I told them was true, we would be evicted. I consulted with the sherrifs department who advised taking him to court, and the fair housing commission who suggested that I write him a letter explaining the areas he was breaking the law.<br />
I prayed about it and God told me that vengance was his and he told me that he wanted me to have a personal conversation with the landlord. I asked him what he wanted me to say, and he said, “Represent Me” God is so good, he knows we will fail but he asks that we at least give it a try.<br />
I prayed about more and discussed what I would say to the landlord with God. I went back to the sherrifs office and picked up a copy of the South Dakota renters / landlord guidlines, and I wrote the landlord a letter. In the letter I pointed out the areas of the laws he was violating, explained to him that we had been without heat for over a month, and that we were being patient and continued to pay our bills. I folded the letter and pit it in the guidelines handbook and put it aside for the next time he showed up.<br />
On the 15th of March, he knocked on the door, he was looking for my son. We had gotten quite a bit of snow the day before and he was out front shoveling snow. I asked him if we could visit for a few minutes. He sensed that something was up, and asked me what was up. I asked him if he knew what empathy was, and he squirmed a bit before asking me what I thought empathy was. I explained to him that my son had thought of him as a friend and that we and had shown him a great deal of empathy after the furnace broke. We were trying to be patient with him because we understood that his insurance didn’t cover plumbing issues. I told him that I had somethings for him to read and I handed him the letter and the handbook. He took one look at the handbook and said, “I own this, i know the entire thing by heart.” He then knocked it out of my hand and headed outside to tell my son that our portion of the hest was $400, and he needed that plus the rent and other utilities on the first of April. He then told him that we needed to replace the subfloor in our bathroom at our cost as well. When My son walked into the house, i took one look at him and knew he was mad. He had to go to work, and the minute he left, the landlord tore our toilet apart and left, leaving us without heat or a toilet. He also taped a note on the washing machine that advised ME, by name that my laundryroom privliges had been revoked.<br />
I took a picture of the note and sent it to my son. We laughed and decided we needed to make a plan. I had been looking for a place or two for us to move without any luck and then suddenly, out of no where (God is so good) i found an add for a one bedroom apartment a few blocks from my sons workplace. I sent him the phone number and we both called. The person moving out told me that the landlord was very particular and had already shown it to a lot of people. My son called and they agreed to talk to him. He went and looked, and loved it! The owner said it was between my son and a lady with a little girl and he would let him know one way or the other. They called the next day, my son got the apartment. Thats favor. Praise God!<br />
My son found out he could move into his new place the last day of March; which was less than a week away, and I was a stressed out women with a heaping pile of dirty clothes, no toilet and no idea of where I was going. I gave my son a ride to work and looked for apartments, but could find nothing! When i got home there was no place to park because the landlord, who couldn’t afford to fix the furnace, had the driveway filled with his pick up, his Harley and his Corvette. I wasn’t very happy about it, so i went to i went and ran a few errands. When I got back, the landlord walked over to my car and for some strange reason I said to him, “I am moving out on Saturday” He wished me the best of luck and waled away. When I picked up my son later that evening I told him about all the vehicles in the driveway and what I had said to the landlord. He went next door and taled to the neighbor and a plan was formed. I rented a U-Haul for Saturday morning and we started packing. Saturday came and we loaded all of my stuff in the van and took it to storage. Then we went back to the house for my sons stuff. There were only two or three things left to load when the landlord looked out of his window and saw my sons leather sofa.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
"Perhaps you were born for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
To think about the divine timing of how God placed us HERE on this planet, our specific places and homes and work and schools in 2019. God wants to use us fully in this culture and time period. And He made us for such beautiful and good work. "For you are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good work." Ephesians 2:10<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
In thinking about being a "Confetti Esther", I want to walk with a brave heart and new joy and that's why I made Confetti Esthers.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I think confetti shows JOY and Delight in such a fun way! And the confetti is a reminder of how God delights in us. And we shine out his hope and confetti joy to the world!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Happy Day to you!<br />
Love,<br />
Tricia<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
P.S. These Confetti Esther prints are available in my online store- www.triciarobinson.com/store<br />
<i>Talk about culture shock! </i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>My son had a crazy haircut, wore Niki Air Jordans and cruised around town on a skateboard. Needless to say, he stuck out like a sore thumb. The farm kids made fun of him and the cowboys wanted to kick his butt. He lasted about six months before I sent him back to his dad. His dad had already remarried so sadly his vision of picking up with his dad where they had left off never stood s chance. Less than two </i><i>years later he got back on an airplane in California and flew back to me. </i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Divorce is never easy for children, which is one of the reasons . God frowns upon it. However, God is also close to the brokenhearted. so he doesn’t want precious children to grow up in a battleground, or with parents who have little or no respect for the sanctity of marriage, much less family. </i><br />
<i>Children draw their very own; often misguided conclusions about their parent's divorce. Their lack of understanding causes them to place blame and carry misplaced anger and resentment because of it. Without an awakening, it can change the course of their life and affect their relationships with others. </i><br />
<i><b>God’s Plan For My Son </b></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>I spent six with a friend who had invited me to come visit for a few days. While I was staying in her guest room, God was positioning me to learn what my own son’s conclusions were about his parent's divorce. The friend I was staying with and I shared one basic trait, we are both prophetic. Towards the end of the sixth week of my stay, the Holy Spirit told me where he wanted me to go to church on the upcoming Sunday. He told her as well. So that morning I packed up my little car and headed back to my home town. Church was interesting, as I knew it would be. The message pertained to the homeless.</i><br />
<i>After church, as I headed to my packed car, I asked God just where I was suppose to go next. He suggested that I go have some lunch and ask for help. I spent the next several hours sitting in a restaurant drinking tea snd phoning friends without any success. It was getting near dark when my phone rang. </i><i>It was my son. I told him that I was trying to find a place to stay without any luck. I prepared myself emotionally for some attitude, and instead he said, “I just kicked my roommate out, you can come stay at my house if you want.”</i><br />
<i>I am fairly certain that was an invitation he came to regret on several occasions during the next four months. Together we fought some major battles and slayed a few dragons. It wasn’t easy, but in the end, it was awesome. </i><br />
<i>My ex husband and I got divorced when he was thirteen, and his sisters were eight and ten. When your kids are that age, there is truly no need to burden them with </i><i>the true reasons for your breakup, especially when there were extenuating circumstances. Butheir he was, some twenty years later... and it was time to talk. The first few days went fairly well. The Holy Spirit evidently has other plans for me because he told me to go to my storage and fill my sons home with anything he needed. My actions made him nervous enough that he lashed out at me concerning my vagabond lifestyle, which ended up with the big question. ” Why did you divorce my dad and destroy our family?” </i><br />
<i> The following two hours were </i><i>full of accusitory statements and angry questions, but after the facts were kindly and lovenly laid down, he cried. ” Mom, why didn’t I know this? It would have. changed so much!” </i><i>God was doing his marvelous thing, He turned an ugly conversation into a </i><i>wonderful experience that I will always cherish! Someone very wise once said, ”The truth shall set you free.” </i><br />
<i>The truth certainly changed the dynamics of our relationship, but there were other areas of his life that were in need of change as well. </i><br />
<i> </i><i> </i><br />
<i> </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>Lori Svobodahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774451486909537110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674167365375303591.post-73269406946214964032018-04-12T09:36:00.009-05:002019-12-30T14:41:09.876-06:00Forgive and Forget: Are they one and the same? What if you forgive someone who doesn’t seem to want to forgive you? What if someone claims to be a repented Christian yet is unforgiving and refuses to change their thoughts? I believe that forgiveness is a decision, yet it is also something God expects from us. Not only does he expect it, He is very firm about it. He even commands it! Even if the offender doesnt desire forgiveness, and / or has no desire to forgive and forget himself, God demands that we do!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jaOlI-uBwEA/XfGfxC-_-fI/AAAAAAAACyY/L5WkARDlWKY3pRoLVuS5OKLEDwHd2TdtwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ED1FE94E-7687-4857-BB2F-B0F948842ECA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="1128" height="206" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jaOlI-uBwEA/XfGfxC-_-fI/AAAAAAAACyY/L5WkARDlWKY3pRoLVuS5OKLEDwHd2TdtwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/ED1FE94E-7687-4857-BB2F-B0F948842ECA.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
According to Matthew 18:21, we are expected to forgive seventy times seven, a number that symbolizes boundlessness. A friend of mine told me that the best way to handle forgiveness is to do it immediately. Don’t allow things to have any time to fester. That may be easier said than done for many. <br />
<br />
<i><br /></i><i>Matthew 5:44 But I say to you, Love your enimies, bless those who curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use </i><i>you, and persecute you</i><i>. </i><br />
<i>A </i>Christian who refuses to forgive will find his fellowship with God hindered in more ways than one. <br />
<i>Matthew 6:15 But if you fail to forgive someone for their tresspasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive yours. </i>There are other consequences as well, such as bitterness and loss of reward.<br />
<br />
Hebrews 12:14-15 in the Passion Translation sums it up nicely: <i>14 In every relationship, be swift to choose peace. (It doesnt say some, it says every) and run swiftly towards holiness, for those who are not holy, will not see the Lord. 15.Watch over one another to make certain that no one misses the revelation of God’s Grace. And make certain no one lives with a root of bitterness sprouting within them which will only cause trouble and poison the hearts of many </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
The Bible says all is forgiven, God does not remember our wickedness. <i> </i>However, as humans we can’t always selectively delete specific things from our memories or forget hurtful things people do or say to us, but we can make that truly important decision to forgive them without making excuses for not doing so. And we do make excuses.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v7t1vfQCqu4/XfGiF8GdBgI/AAAAAAAACyk/6mv1WhefiEA_n1xr-YOJQPSkCQSorymJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/A1ED8072-5B9A-4F94-A9E8-2DA3ADB0A9F7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="1032" height="227" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v7t1vfQCqu4/XfGiF8GdBgI/AAAAAAAACyk/6mv1WhefiEA_n1xr-YOJQPSkCQSorymJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/A1ED8072-5B9A-4F94-A9E8-2DA3ADB0A9F7.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
(Hebrews 8:12) Although we strive to be more and more like God, we fail miserably. (Fall short, Romans 3:23)<br />
<br />
Here are a few excuses that come to mind, some I’ve thought myself: “Maybe I could forgive them if I understood why they did it”. “What is the point of forgiving them when their not even sorry” “They could care less if I forgive them or not” “They refuse to forgive me, so what good does it do for me to forgive them?”<br />
<br />
God may not remember our wickedness, but he is still All Knowing! He forgives our sins, and having been forgiven, we are justified (made right with God, or declaired righteous)<br />
<br />
Heaven is ours as if we never sinned. If we belong to Him, through faith in Jesus Christ, God does not condem us for our sins. So in that sense, God “forgives and forgets”.<br />
<i>Romans 8:1 Therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ </i><br />
<br />
<b><i>Be in Christ </i></b><br />
If by “forgive and forget” we chose to forgive and forget for the sake of Jesus and move on with that individual, then we are making a wise and Godly decision. However, if we “forgive and forget” thinking that it means we can forget what happened to us, (this is applicable in cases of rape or a violation of trust by someone in your work or home; for reasons such as infidelity or theft); and behave as if it never happened we’re making a mistake. It did happen and although God asks that we forgive them, He most certainly doesn’t expect us to behave as if nothing happened. Don’t confuse forgiveness with trust. They are two very different things.<br />
<br />
<i>Proverbs 22:3 </i><br />
<i>The prudent see danger and take refuge but the simple keep going and pay their penilty. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i> </i>Jesus told his followers that when they found themselves in the company of unrepentant sinners to be “<i>shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” Matthew 10:16 </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jKar4dCXRG4/XfHGL3pPwnI/AAAAAAAACy0/LsFMh3LT460XhVi7aSct5dJxvceSvc2-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/24B9E085-DE60-4230-AC04-913927629A8F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1032" height="247" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jKar4dCXRG4/XfHGL3pPwnI/AAAAAAAACy0/LsFMh3LT460XhVi7aSct5dJxvceSvc2-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/24B9E085-DE60-4230-AC04-913927629A8F.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
In other words, we must be be willing to forgive, yet cautious. Being cautious doesnt mean we haven’t forgiven, it simply means we are not God and we can’t see what is inside of another persons heart. We’re feeling our way through life and we all make mistakes. Mistakes made by people in our everyday lives should be forgiven for their sake as well as for the sake of our own hearts.<br />
<i>Proverbs 4:23 Guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. </i><br />
<br />
<i>On a more personal note, </i>Anytime I write a blog, I approach it as a ‘learning experience’ that I desire to share. I pray it never comes acrossed in anything close to “a know it all’ perspective” In fact, often times this old heart of mine is learning as I write.<br />
Be BlessedLori Svobodahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774451486909537110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674167365375303591.post-47802299244974658192018-01-14T08:38:00.001-06:002018-01-14T08:38:11.085-06:00Sanctuary of Tranquility: When God Calls Us Into Seclusion<a href="http://lgsvoboda10.blogspot.com/2018/01/when-god-calls-us-into-seclusion.html?spref=bl">Sanctuary of Tranquility: When God Calls Us Into Seclusion</a>: There are times in our lives when God knows that the only way we will become what he wants us to become is by isolating us; by pulling us...Lori Svobodahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774451486909537110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674167365375303591.post-33068214388551033622018-01-14T08:36:00.009-06:002019-12-13T23:22:05.955-06:00When God Calls Us Into Seclusion <div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xo6p4ybcvOs/WlmLOmWREDI/AAAAAAAACoE/tpYOU1vEFRslNF7m9duJL2EPz0YrigptgCLcBGAs/s1600/26730626_10212806602213421_4334850589846348287_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="195" data-original-width="258" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xo6p4ybcvOs/WlmLOmWREDI/AAAAAAAACoE/tpYOU1vEFRslNF7m9duJL2EPz0YrigptgCLcBGAs/s1600/26730626_10212806602213421_4334850589846348287_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There are times in our lives; especially </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">if we’re truly blessed, when Jesus knows that the only way we will become what he wants us to become is by isolating us; by pulling us away from the influence of others and putting us in a position where the only true answers we get concerning our lives come from him. During this process, he allows us to discover a few of the details he’s aware that need our attention. It can be overwhelming to discover the very fine details concerning our lives that he brings to our mind. Things he wants us to recall, things we have shoved deep inside of our hearts and minds, the very things that shaped our personalities and characteristics, both good and bad. It is his intention to help us work through these things so that we can move on with the plans he has for our lives. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 ESV<br />
<br />
These are very important times; some of which can be painful, but he is right there with us every moment to get us through, and in the process he changes us, making us more and more capable of his goals for our lives. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He rotates people in and out of our lives </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">for seasons and reasons that we may never understand. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He knows exactly where we need to live, why we need to have specific jobs or join organizations or groups. There’s a reason for everything, as he has </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">a master plan for each of us with experiences we need to endure that will change our attitudes and beliefs, and he works with the decisions we make, both the good and bad, making </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">them all into something benificial for our lives. He knows exactly who will provide the perfect encouragement to us when we are close to giving up, and who will be around to open our eyes to the truth about our own thoughts and behavior. He whispers things to us that become part of our own thoughts, and he can and will answer any question we ask him in </span><i style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">his</i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> time. If he allows something to hurt us for a season, it is because he has a plan that will turn that pain into something beautiful.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span class="passage-display-bcv" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-right: 10px;">Ecclesiastes 3:11</span>11 He has <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-17371A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-17371A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-17371B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-17371B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>find out what God has done from the beginning to the end</span></i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I sometimes struggle to fully understand the free will thing. Although we have Free Will, when we belong to Jesus we long to please him, so we seek his face </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">constantly to ask him for direction, as </span><i style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">his ways, are higher than our own, thus </i><i style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">always perfect. </i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You see, that old expression, "There's no turning back" is true. You can't change your devotion to him and you wouldn't change it even if you could, and the reason is simple.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You know that he knows e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g and he would never steer you wrong. He may allow certain difficulties if he believes we will benifit, but he loves us and wants our lives to be full of joy.</span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He is not only your very best friend, </span>He is God Almighty.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Being isolated with God can be lonely if you allow it to be, but if you press in and treat him like the best friend that he truly is, you will experience changes and miracles that will draw you even closer to him and you won't ever want it any other way ever again.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's kind of crazy in a fantastic way!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Things will begin to happen and things will change; unexpected things. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Always expect the unexpected with God.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When they happen, you will know it's him. There is no explaining it to anyone who doesn't know him, so you just smile, knowingly and keep it to yourself. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">God is so amazing.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There will be, however, moments, hours and days when he is trying to make a point with you. Sometimes the things he wants us to learn are not easy, and anything but fun.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Often times they are even very painful. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yet, painful with the knowledge that he is forcing you to open your eyes and see things, do things his way, instead of your own.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Good luck getting mad at him or trying to make him see things your way. He will listen and he will see, but that won't change his mind unless and until he is good and ready. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When he is determined to change something about you, <i>he wont give up until its accomplished! His </i></span><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">perfect will <i>will be done </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He is always successful in every single one of his endeavors</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Always! So you can do things the easy way, or you can </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">do things the hard way, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">that choice is ultimately</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> yours. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BIfmTRJudG4/WlteDBuq0mI/AAAAAAAACok/rQumY4lXfK0fXjx8_K09XiSzDY89j4JkwCLcBGAs/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="309" height="105" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BIfmTRJudG4/WlteDBuq0mI/AAAAAAAACok/rQumY4lXfK0fXjx8_K09XiSzDY89j4JkwCLcBGAs/s200/images.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He is destined to change us if we belong to him. asking him to change you is a brave request! He listens and is more than ready to take you up on your request. Be ready for some amazing transformations to occur. You will look back and shake your head when you think about how different you have become. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>1 John 5:14-15 </i></span></span><i style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #660000;">14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him</span>.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Don't let that scripture fool you, God is not Santa Claus. Santa may be described as having a few of God's characteristics but they are worlds apart. The one characteristic that truly defines Jesus is that "if we ask anything according to HIS will, He hears us". </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It must be his will for he doesn't hand out <i>perfect gifts</i> unless they are his <i>perfect will</i>. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Believe me when I tell you, receiving that perfect will is tougher than it sounds.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If he has placed you in a difficult situation, it's all yours until he is ready to change it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Have you ever asked for something and been told 'No'? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have, more times than I can count. Don't pout, Father knows best. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Remember, No request to God comes back void. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You will receive what he determines to be the perfect response when he is good and ready, and it's not always what you thought you wanted, but it always comes and it's always perfect. God is not going to just hand you something without it being precisely what he wants it to be and you can rest on that. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Because he created us, he can use his finely tuned wisdom and knowledge to plant dreams and ideas into our minds and without a second thought we come to believe that those thoughts and dreams were our own idea. We are so determined to believe we are in charge of everything that we fail to give him the credit he deserves. That is the pure and simple truth.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u8LAy6Gqinw/Wlti3sirf8I/AAAAAAAACow/STYNLXHulzcVbhd7WXU1e86jRaZ9qBxtQCLcBGAs/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="290" height="188" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u8LAy6Gqinw/Wlti3sirf8I/AAAAAAAACow/STYNLXHulzcVbhd7WXU1e86jRaZ9qBxtQCLcBGAs/s320/download.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Don't misunderstand what I just wrote; "He did not make us to be mechanical robots that just march around doing preordained things. Our Father God created us to have fellowship with him. It is our birthright to have an actual relationship with our God."(From the book Hearing God by James W. Goll) But it takes two to complete that relationship and the more time you spend alone with him, the greater that relationship will become. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Go into seclusion with God. Talk to him. read the Bible, listen to podcasts from good teachers and ask him to change anything about you that he knows needs changing and you are guaranteed to see miracles</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> in your own life. I promise. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
Lori Svobodahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774451486909537110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674167365375303591.post-43115986018762472332017-12-30T12:10:00.007-06:002017-12-30T12:10:33.338-06:00Sanctuary of Tranquility: He Leaves the Ninety Nine<a href="http://lgsvoboda10.blogspot.com/2017/12/he-leaves-ninety-nine.html?spref=bl">Sanctuary of Tranquility: He Leaves the Ninety Nine</a>: As this year draws to a close, I can't help reflect on my current situation and the circumstances of countless of others in this world...Lori Svobodahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774451486909537110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674167365375303591.post-91393812849704197942017-12-30T12:08:00.009-06:002020-01-03T15:07:58.366-06:00He Leaves the Ninety Nine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As this year draws to a close, I can't help reflect on my current situation and the circumstances of countless of others in this world who are struggling, yet have something </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">in common... a</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> tremendous faith and love for God. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have traveled a rough and ragged road in the past year, as have so many others that I know. T</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">here have been days when I have been angry with God for putting me through such a season; a season that has been trying, and some days has even felt like a punishment, even though we know better. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Our difficulties may not be evident from the outside in all cases. For some can hide it well, yet others show signs of wear and tare, eithe way, Jesus knows my truth, for He has been with us through all of it. </span><br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c74W5wLV18Q/Wkg_eWhdlhI/AAAAAAAACnw/PSDKmTLOq30jkmsDq_mQeBAmwry9xhp8ACLcBGAs/s1600/6a00d8341ce4a653ef01b8d1db09b8970c-600wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c74W5wLV18Q/Wkg_eWhdlhI/AAAAAAAACnw/PSDKmTLOq30jkmsDq_mQeBAmwry9xhp8ACLcBGAs/s320/6a00d8341ce4a653ef01b8d1db09b8970c-600wi.jpg" width="284" /></a>One thing I know for sure is this; although the road has been difficult, but I am here, alive and writing this. There are blessings in every <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">season of our lives. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Always things to be thankful for. </i></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Those blessings can be something as simple as the fact that God woke us up this morning, he gave us a breath, a drink of water, a roof over our head, and a comfortable place to sleep. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It doesn't matter what we have or don't have...the </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bible says when we have God, we have all we need. </span>That being said; I believe that Our <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Father God is one tough customer. His expectations of some us can be very difficult, almost too difficult sometimes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He expects us to get through situations we are certain we haven't the strength to accomplish; hard things that make us want to give up, quit and move on. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I can't tell you how many times I have felt like my giving up day is drawing very near and I have even told him so. I </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">have given him deadlines, making pretend alternative plans so in case things don't change soon, or his promises don't pan out, I will have something to fall back on. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Something, quicker and easier so that I can pretend I never heard his voice. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I bet He thinks I am quite amusing, perhaps even funny, especially when I joke with Him about His version of the word ‘soon’ being nothing like mine. But the Bible says that God is not a liar and he always comes through! </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He has a keen sense of humor and loves to be praised. He knows us each very well, and he is </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">always one jump ahead of any foolish, or stubborn plans we make on our own.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I can not lie and say that </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have never doubted God. I </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">must be honest and say that I have </span><i style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">foolishly doubted Him </i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and He has shown me time and time again that He is not like a human who will lie and use and abuse us for his own gain and then walk away. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So if I l were to be the one to up and walk away; call it quits (which I could never really do because that would mean I would be failing him), it would be about me, not Him. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And that right there is what keeps me going. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You see, although I am no saint, I do want to be a tough customer just like him. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's true what they say, there is no turning back. Once you love him and feel his mighty love for you, turning back is not an option, and t</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">here is only one way... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">His way. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So the best thing to do is rest in that, and be as patient as you possibly can be. </span><br />
<br />
I <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">am blessed to wake up many mornings with some truly great music playing in my head. I </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">know it is Jesus who provides that very music, for the songs I am hearing reflect not only his knowledge of me but also his great love for me. He knows my go to’s, so sometimes when </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am sad, mad, frightened or frustrated and cry out to him, I wake up knowing He has been right there by me all night and I feel blessed and very content. </span>“<a href="https://youtu.be/mBwXHpKVS5I" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;" target="_blank">Good Good Father</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">" from Chris Tomlin is one of his favorites, he plays for me it frequently. Other mornings I hear Steffany Gretzinger telling me that Jesus is and should be <a href="https://youtu.be/g6_BLuhr0HQ" target="_blank">The King of my Heart</a>. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When a song pops into my head during the day, I know he is reassuring me, especially when I am having a rough day and I am exhausted or frightened. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It is his way of telling me to keep going, and not to give up. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He whispers, "I know I'm making you fight a tough fight, walk a tough walk but you can do it. You have this, this is cake." or “Greater things are yet to come” </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And I know then that I have it. I can do it. I can deal with any and all personal or financial struggles, get up before dawn and drive through any storm, deal with the most difficult of situations and be kind to the most difficult of people. I know I can overcome whatever I have to... </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">because He Loves me. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He loves music and is aware of the music we like. One</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> of his favorite songs is </span><a href="https://youtu.be/PKooXwwk6bs" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;" target="_blank">Reckless Love</a>. Its such an amazing song that <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">explains his mighty love for us in a way our tired, worn out brains can understand. When I hear the song and feel his great love, I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Read these words to him, (or better yet sing it, he loves to be sung to). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UCYH786mn4A/WkdfZft6P2I/AAAAAAAACms/DkTRidp7p4kPg_Am5v09CkZIbgt1aED_gCLcBGAs/s1600/Jesus-black-lamb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="610" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UCYH786mn4A/WkdfZft6P2I/AAAAAAAACms/DkTRidp7p4kPg_Am5v09CkZIbgt1aED_gCLcBGAs/s320/Jesus-black-lamb.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i></i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></span></i></span></span>
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Before I spoke a word, you were singing over me. You have been so, so good to me. </i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(61, 133, 198);"><i>Before I took a breath, you breathed your life in me. You have been so, so kind to me. Oh, the overwhelming, never ending, reckless love of God.</i></span></span><br />
<i style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6;"><i style="background-color: transparent;">Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til </i></span></i><i style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6;"><i style="background-color: transparent;"> I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine. </i></span></i><i style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6;"><i style="background-color: transparent;">I couldn’t earn it, I don’t deserve it, </i></span></i><i style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6;"><i style="background-color: transparent;">still you give yourself away. </i></span></i><i style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6;"><i style="background-color: transparent;">Oh, the overwhelming, never </i></span></i><i style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6;"><i style="background-color: transparent;">ending, reckless love of God. </i></span></i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6;"><i style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></i></span></i></div>
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6;"><i style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></i></span></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6;"><i style="background-color: transparent;">When I was your foe, still Your love fought for me, You have been so, so Good to me.</i></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6;"><i style="background-color: transparent;">When I felt no worth, you paid it all for me. You have been so, so kind to me. </i></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6;"><i style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></i></span></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6;"><i style="background-color: transparent;">Oh </i></span></span></i><i style="color: rgb(61 , 133 , 198); font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">the overwhelming, never-ending, </i><i style="color: rgb(61 , 133 , 198); font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">reckless love of God. </i><i style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Oh, it chases me down, </i><br />
<i style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine. </i><i style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">I couldn't earn it, I don’t deserve it, still you </i></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(61, 133, 198);">give yourself away. Oh, the overwhelming, </span></span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">never ending, reckless love of God. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There's no shadow You won't light up, </span></i></span></i><i style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mountain You won't climb up, </span></i></span></i><i style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Coming after me.</span></i></span></i></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There's no wall You won't kick down, </span></i></span></i><i><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">No lie You won't tear down, Coming after me.</span></i></span></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i></span></i></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, </span></i></span></i></span><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">reckless love of God. </span></i></span></i></span><i style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Oh, it chases me down,</span></i></span></i><br />
<i style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine. </span></i></span></i><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I couldn't earn it, I don't deserve it, still </i></span></i></span><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">you </i></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">give yourself away. </i></span></i></span><i style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: right;">Oh, the overwhelming, </span></i><i style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: right;">never-ending, reckless love of God</span></i></div>
<br />
<i><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">The lyrics to this song reference the Parable of the Lost Sheep as told by Jesus, and recorded twice in Scripture, first in </span><span style="font-size: 16px;">Matthew 18:12-14 and again in </span><span style="font-size: 16px;">Luke 15:1-7</span></span></i></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<blockquote style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1rem 0px 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; position: relative; quotes: none;">
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 1rem; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 So he told them this parable</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">: </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1rem 0px 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; position: relative; quotes: none;">
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 1rem; padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">4 “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Source: Bible Gateway</span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>That says it all right there... </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>it doesn't matter who you are, what you've been through, or what you've done. </i></span>You are one of those 100 sheep and if you get lost, even for a minute, He is coming after you. He is only a call away; <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic;">"Jesus, please help me. I need you!" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic;">Boom! Done! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have been like Peter on the lake; I looked away for a split second and lost sight of him and found myself calling, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Please help me! I can't make it without you my dear, sweet, Father." </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He always knows where we are and what we're enduring and he always has his eyes on us. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So please, keep your focus on Him and <i>try</i> <i>not to take your eyes off of Him</i>, but if <i>and</i> when you do; </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and it does happen just like it happened to Peter, Jesus will find you and he will rejoice and never let you go.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So remember...</span><br />
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: center;"><b><i>T</i></b></span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: center;"><b><i>here's no shadow You won't light up, Mountain You won't climb up coming after me. </i></b></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: center;"><b><i> There's no wall You won't kick down, No lie You won't tear down coming after me </i></b></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: center;"><b><i> </i></b></span><b style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; text-align: center;"><i>Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, </i></b></span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(61 , 133 , 198); font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Oh, it chases me down, fights </span> </span><b style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine. </span></i></b><i style="font-size: small; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">I </b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>couldn't</b></span><b style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> earn it . I don't deserve it. </b></i></div>
<i style="font-size: small; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Still You give yourself away...</b></i><br />
<div class="lyrics" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.7em; margin: 1.5rem 0px 0px; padding: 0px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<section class="" ng-hide="lyrics_ctrl.editing" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" text-selection-changed="lyrics_ctrl.update_selection_range(ranges[0])">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NVf2ZoUQGYQ/WkdiOXBx99I/AAAAAAAACnE/FYuLO25mvS88N5YX8oQGfI4UhhaT1egYACLcBGAs/s1600/images%2B%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="262" data-original-width="193" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NVf2ZoUQGYQ/WkdiOXBx99I/AAAAAAAACnE/FYuLO25mvS88N5YX8oQGfI4UhhaT1egYACLcBGAs/s400/images%2B%25284%2529.jpg" width="293" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We might not be able to see the end of our current situation, or understand why he is allowing it, but he can and does. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Remember always that His ways are nothing like our ways, and His thoughts are nothing like ours...we tend to forget that, and it's a good thing to remember. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Don't try to put him in a box, because first of all, there are none like him and secondly, there aren't any boxes that can hold him. N</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">o matter what your circumstance or situation is...know this, if you keep </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">your eyes on him and make him your number one priority...you will see the blessings, even if they are invisible to those around you. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Blessings for a Joy filled New Year...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Keep your eyes on Him, His are on you! </span></div>
</section>
</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="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Jeremiah 23:3-4 </i></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>"But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where </i></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I have driven them and bring them back to their folds and they shall be fruitful and increase. I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they will fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking." says the LORD</i></span></div>
<blockquote style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1rem 0px 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; position: relative; quotes: none;">
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 1rem; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Lori Svobodahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774451486909537110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674167365375303591.post-5623459475457093342017-10-19T08:17:00.018-05:002019-09-24T11:16:47.155-05:00Paul to the Corinthians <p>About a month ago I picked up a counted cross stitch kit while out shopping and began working on it. I thought it would be something fun to revisit as the weather cools off, plus as it is a great passtime. The kit I selected is based upon 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13 to be specific; It is based on the message from the Apostle Paul to the people of Corin. It has provided me with a wonderful opportunity to truly focus on Paul’s words. Although these verses are most frequently associated with wedding vows, Pauls thoughts were far from weddings or ceremonial vows, It was Paul’s intent, to teach the people of Corin how to treat one another...with charity or love. </p>
<p>Charity is defined as goodwill, compassion, consideration, concern, kindness, kindheartedness, tenderness, tenderheartedness, sympathy, indulgence, tolerance, leniency, and caritas which is Latin for Christian love of human kind, ‘charity’ <br><br><br>
In todays world when we hear the word charity, many people clutch their wallets tightly as their brains immediately go to those whom request, ask for or beg for money. This includes the poor, broken, unfortunate, helpless, diseased, aborted, beaten, abused and on and on.<br>The true meaning as well as the joy that comes in the giving is eluded, the very last thing on many peoples minds. Charity is in fact, the voluntary giving of help, and isn’t that what we all deeply desire from the people in our lives? Not only from our families, significant others, children and friends, but a generous flow of kindness from people in general. </p>
<p>Although I am uncertain which Bible version my cross stich used, I have chosen to use the King James; where the Apostle Paul refered to love as ‘charity’ in his original writings and the Message, which is quite contemporary and has a lovely and interesting view and flow.<br><br></p><p>The Way of Love. </p>
<p>Though I speak with human eloquence; the tongue of men and angelic ecstasy, but have not ‘charity, I am as sounding brass or a tingling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy (I speak Gods words with power, revealing his mysteries and knowledge) and though I have faith that I can say to a mountain, “move” and it moves, without charity (love), I am nothing. If I give everything I own to help the poor, and even give my body to be burned at the stake like a martyr, if I don’t love, it has been of no profit to me. So no matter what I say, what I believe and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love. Charity suffereth long (never gives up), is always kind (never me first) nor does it want what it does not have (never jealous) Charity never behaves irritably (flys off the handle) It doesn’t ever keep score, it puts up with everything, (endures all things). Is always honest (speaks truth in all things) and fair, (never rejoicing in wrong but always rejoicing in right) Love Trusts God Always and Always looks for the best and never looks back but keeps on going to the end (love never ends)</p>
<p>A good excercise that only takes a few minutes is to read this again and replace the words love or charity with “I” See how that feels. God will test your heart, (he’s really good at that) and it will serve as a good starting place for all of us when we ask God to help us be more like him.</p>
<p><br><br>
<img alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cK3e4OSsJCA/Wgxn6IlNWSI/AAAAAAAACl0/R9ySTCzDpCYotSyNRIRTMRjCzuBNK2PNgCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D"><br><br><br> Keep Paul’s words close to your heart, not only as we enter the season of holidays and gift giving, but throughout the year. <br><br><br>
Blessings for a truly wonderful Holiday Season.</p>
Lori Svobodahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774451486909537110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674167365375303591.post-53871860253806224052017-10-10T16:16:00.000-05:002019-12-15T01:07:43.686-06:00What you allow, defines you. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hju_Sy-iG18/WX9v5tAQjVI/AAAAAAAACig/rd35u4rGgI0BGWdSuPiv7vOVEyu8CdQ7ACLcBGAs/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="263" height="232" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hju_Sy-iG18/WX9v5tAQjVI/AAAAAAAACig/rd35u4rGgI0BGWdSuPiv7vOVEyu8CdQ7ACLcBGAs/s320/download.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We've all heard this expression; "Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car". Most of us pretty much just giggle at it and decide it applies to someone else, right?<br />
The truth is harsh.<br />
It has everything to do with us, especially when we tell people, including ourselves, that we belong to Christ thus making us Christians.<br />
What does that mean, anyway?<br />
<br />
<br />
If we believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that he rose from the dead and is seated in heaven at the right hand of his father that should be enough, right?<br />
The only way to the Father is through the son, right?<br />
There is a little more to it than that.<br />
<br />
Titus 1:16 tells us that if we profess to know God, but deny him by our works (actions), we are detestable, disobedient and unfit for any good work.<br />
<br />
There's that harshness again.<br />
So what can we do that will show our good works?<br />
We can start with our behavior. God is watching us, he misses nothing.<br />
<br />
1 Peter 2:9 says we are to be a peculiar people. That means we’re different, we don’t behave like pagans. We behave differently, we are no longer attracted to heathen thinking. We are new in Christ, we are also described as a <i>chosen generation, a royal priesthood. </i>We are to show forth the praises of him who called us out of darkness. into the marvelous light. We are to be representatives of Jesus and conduct ourselves accordingly. God will be there for us, and that is a promise.<br />
<br />
A few months ago, I was working part time processing clothing at a department store. I really enjoyed the work, although I needed more hours. My community was preparing for the annual motorcycle rally when I came across a job for a part time cook for one of the vendors at the local Harley Davidson Store. I applied, was hired and given a schedule. The next day, the person who interviewed me called me and asked me if I would be interested in something more permanent.<br />
It seemed her daughter was the GM at a local hotel which was in need of a breakfast cook.<br />
It all happened so fast I felt like I just fell into the job. It was kind of odd. I accepted the position, and began questioning my decision to do so almost immediately. My immediate supervisor was a hothead, prone to temper tantrums; during which he would say some very unkind and insulting things to others. The hotel brought on yet another chef, this time with a very impressive degree from the Cordon Blue. She had no intention of putting up with the hot head, it only took him insulting her twice before she threw down her apron and walked out the door.<br />
In the meantime, the Holy Spirit told me that I would not be there much longer myself. His words provided me with much food for thought and I began to wonder what was going to happen that would bring on my demise. .<br />
Silly me. We can never, ever out think God!<br />
Soon yet another Food and Beverage Manager was hired, the third in less than six months. This guy hailed from New York. His self adoration left very little room for the need for anyone else to grow fond of him. He was prone to angry outbursts complete with some of the most foul language I have ever endured. He claimed that foul language, fits of rage and occasional flying objects were all par for the course in restaurant land. Once foul language came out of his mouth, it was as if the staff took it as license to go crazy with him at the lead. I knew then why my papa God didn't want me there to deal with it.<br />
<br />
The next morning I was pushing a char grill out of the way so I could roll in my flattop, something I did every day. On this particular occasion, for some crazy reason, the grill tipped over.<br />
I was shocked and beyond flabbergasted! How in the world?<br />
<br />
The boss came out of his office to see what the crash was and began yelling and screaming obscenities at me. He then grabbed his phone and began to "document the incident".<br />
It all seemed so surreal. I knew exactly what was going to happen next and it did. I got fired<br />
God is so good. The word that he gave me not only prepared me mentally for something to happen that would end my job, but also provided me with a peace that surpassed all understanding and the knowledge that I have a father in heaven who loves me so much that he doesn't want me to be subjected to the heathen behavior and language that was going on at that workplace.<br />
<br />
We are a peculiar people. In this world of filthy language, lies and trickery He defends us and allows us to show that we are different, we are indeed peculiar. We don't take part in pagan behavior. We are His. So do not be afraid to be different! Don't be afraid to be Godly and worthy of the seat in Heaven next to Ashua. We ARE different and our works show it, or at least they should. We are a cut above because we belong to Him.<br />
<br />
In a side note, when I went in to pick up my final paycheck, the front desk associate informed me that the new executive chef had been fired.<br />
Gods a busy man!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Lori Svobodahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774451486909537110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674167365375303591.post-22034945087626633722017-09-05T17:25:00.001-05:002017-09-05T17:25:04.463-05:00Sanctuary of Tranquility: As Christians, Are We Allowing Fear of the Truth t...<a href="http://lgsvoboda10.blogspot.com/2017/09/as-christians-are-we-allowing-fear-to.html?spref=bl">Sanctuary of Tranquility: As Christians, Are We Allowing Fear of the Truth t...</a>: For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 t...Lori Svobodahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774451486909537110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674167365375303591.post-17111204821874288782017-09-05T17:11:00.001-05:002017-09-05T22:40:45.445-05:00As Christians, Are We Allowing Fear of the Truth to Divide Us?<h1 class="passage-display" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><i>For I want you to know <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29479A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29479A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>how great a <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29479B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29479B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, <span class="text Col-2-2" id="en-ESV-29480" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">2 </span>that <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29480C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29480C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>their hearts may be encouraged, being <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29480D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29480D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29480E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29480E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>God's mystery, which is Christ,</span> <span class="text Col-2-3" id="en-ESV-29481" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">3 </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29481F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29481F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:1-3</span></i></span></h1>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1bohTXd9aTw/WaNBWQa-GfI/AAAAAAAACjw/LK6vBEijgHggnt4y3BCDfQ5XDL6_3nHEgCLcBGAs/s1600/4035ac15c504b4ca562a44c7b661bf0d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1bohTXd9aTw/WaNBWQa-GfI/AAAAAAAACjw/LK6vBEijgHggnt4y3BCDfQ5XDL6_3nHEgCLcBGAs/s320/4035ac15c504b4ca562a44c7b661bf0d.jpg" width="320" /></a>Because I was on a small vacation, I attended church this past Sunday with a friend in her hometown. The church we attended was one I had previously attended for several years. It has become one of many churches that are struggling to capture and keep a steady congregation.<br />
It started small and then moved into a huge venue with all the bells and whistles; coffee in the lobby, trendy flooring, a very cool paint job and steampunk decor. Sadly, all of those things weren't enough to keep people coming and they have now gone back to a small venue.<br />
What are people seeking?<br />
Whatever it is, it was obviously not found there.<br />
During the sermon, an associate pastor was teaching that Jesus should always be first and foremost in our minds, hearts, and lips, except in places like our jobs, as we don't want to mention his name, annoy someone, and run the risk of losing said job, right?<br />
That offended me.<br />
My mind went immediately to John the Baptist and I felt as though this pastor was advising people to deny Christ. No! As Christians, we can't ever do that! There's no turning back, remember?<br />
O.K., so granted, our jobs are important. No one is asking you to jump up on a break room table and deliver a sermon; (unless it's in your heart and Holy Spirit led), and then if you want to do that, it would be great! Living in fear of annoying someone because of your adoration of Jesus Christ is no way to live, no one to show that adoration.<br />
<br />
<i>Matthew 10:30-31 But even the hairs on your head are numbered. 31. Fear not, therefore: you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also acknowledge before my Father who is in Heaven. </i><br />
<br />
<div class="singleverse-version" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; display: table-cell; padding-right: 15px; padding-top: 10px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Fairtrade is it not? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Remember, God always has contingencies. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If you value and honor Him, </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
He will never forsake you...not ever.<br />
</div>
</div>
<div class="singleverse-text text-html" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; display: table-cell; padding-top: 10px; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text Col-2-4" id="en-ESV-29482" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">4 </span>I say this in order <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29482G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29482G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text Col-2-5" id="en-ESV-29483" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">5 </span>For <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29483H" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29483H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29483I" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29483I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>good order and <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29483J" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29483J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>the firmness of your faith in Christ. </span></span></i><i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="text Col-2-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">6 </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29484K" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29484K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,</span><span style="background-color: white;"></span><span class="text Col-2-7" id="en-ESV-29485" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">7 </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29485L" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29485L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>rooted and <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29485M" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29485M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>built up in him and <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29485N" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29485N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>established in the faith, just <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29485O" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29485O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>as you were taught, abounding <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29485P" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29485P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>in thanksgiving. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text Col-2-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;">Colossians 2:4-7</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text Col-2-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></i>
I understood what that young pastor was saying. ...honoring Jesus before others can present a risk. However, sugar coating the Bible is lying...it's misinforming and that presents an even bigger risk.<br />
When we are reluctant to be a teacher of the truth we are misinforming the flock.<br />
Advising people that it is ok to deny Christ to keep your job is first and foremost a lie.<br />
Put God first and he will see that and you will always be taken care of.<br />
<br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high sounding nonsense that comes from the spiritual powers of this world rather than from Christ. Colossians 2:8</i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></i>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Before I left for vacation I had coffee with a friend who has a twenty-seven-year-old son who is a homosexual, in an active relationship. This scenario was making his mom a tad bit uncomfortable so she set up an appointment with one of the pastors from their church; which is a huge, very popular church in my home town, and discussed her son with him. The pastor gave her a book to read which defends homosexual behavior, stating that as long as both parties have good relationships with Jesus not to worry about them. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Whoa!. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The look on my face when she said that made her quite defensive. I am sorry if that is the case, but read your Bibles, my friends. Don't seek the truth from some paper back book that someone gives you that will support your version of that truth. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Don't read books about the book, read the book!!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Discover what it says for yourself and then believe it. Don't run from the truth, you are only fooling yourself. Face the truth, even if it makes you </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">squirm in </span><span style="background-color: white;">your seat. Even if it causes you to deal with your family and friends differently and harder yet, even if some of them walk away. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Choose Christ. Choose the truth. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"><span class="text Col-2-9" id="en-ESV-29487" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>For <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29487E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29487E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>in him the whole fullness of deity dwells <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29487F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29487F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>bodily,</i></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="color: black;"> </span><span class="text Col-2-10" id="en-ESV-29488" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">10 </span>and <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29488G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29488G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>you have been filled in him, who is <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29488H" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29488H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>the head of all rule and authority.</span><span style="color: black;"> Colossians 2:9</span></i></span></span>Lori Svobodahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774451486909537110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674167365375303591.post-58349951699004627762017-08-20T22:11:00.001-05:002017-08-20T22:11:08.690-05:00Sanctuary of Tranquility: Our Walk With God is Unequally Ours<a href="http://lgsvoboda10.blogspot.com/2017/08/our-walk-with-god-is-unequally-ours.html?spref=bl">Sanctuary of Tranquility: Our Walk With God is Unequally Ours</a>: In one of my way too many recent emails, I read the fictional account of two women who had both passed on to heaven. As the first woman ap...Lori Svobodahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774451486909537110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674167365375303591.post-50765524015258608702017-08-20T22:07:00.000-05:002018-02-25T08:45:36.036-06:00Our Walk With God is Unequally Our Own <div class="vk_ans" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-weight: lighter; margin-bottom: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mYv4SEM57QE/WZI5cnKt_CI/AAAAAAAACjI/T-pjt_hZxcYc400d9UQ64BvnC7ADU_Y8wCLcBGAs/s1600/20621784_10155847523422313_4916230506952565777_n.png" style="clear: right; direction: rtl; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="477" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mYv4SEM57QE/WZI5cnKt_CI/AAAAAAAACjI/T-pjt_hZxcYc400d9UQ64BvnC7ADU_Y8wCLcBGAs/s320/20621784_10155847523422313_4916230506952565777_n.png" width="256" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In one of my way too many recent emails, I read the fictional account of two women who had both passed onto heaven. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-weight: lighter;">As the first woman approached the throne of the Lord and knelt before him, he commended her for all of her earthly accomplishments. She had opened and operated an orphanage, financially sponsored countless children from all over the world and had been </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-weight: lighter;">an inspirational speaker reaching countless people. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-weight: lighter;">The next woman who had been patiently waiting, lowered her eyes as she knelt before the King and wept silently. When He asked her why she was weeping, she asked him to please forgive her for not accomplishing more during <i>her</i> own lifetime. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-weight: lighter;">After hearing of all the wonderful things the woman before her had accomplished she was certain she was a huge disappointment. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-weight: lighter;">The Lord studied her for a moment before reaching out and wrapping his arms around her. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-weight: lighter;">"What are you talking about?" he asked, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-weight: lighter;">"Why you are a wonderful wife and a beautiful mother. You raised four remarkable young men who each went through very difficult periods, yet are excellent, hardworking grown men who honor my word and laws. That, my daughter, is an accomplishment few can master." </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-weight: lighter;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="vmod" style="background-color: white;">
<div class="vmod">
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This little story made me stop and think of all the times when I feel like I have fallen short and have done things all wrong, or not done what I was supposed to do at all. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It filled my heart with a deeper love for the one I pray to and adore.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A God who is loving, kind and fair. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> A God who created us each to be beautifully unique in every way, including our walk with Him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We each have our own journey with </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">assignments and instructions to fulfill that lead us to our own destiny. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The first woman may have had access to a great fortune and multiple connections at her fingertips. She may have also battled alcoholism or lost a child. Yet she may have known just the right people to ensure that everything she wanted to accomplish would flow smoothly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Her stumbling blocks were unique to her, and her path her own. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The second woman, whose accomplishments may have seemed more mundane had her very own struggles as well. Perhaps difficulties giving birth, or raising and nurturing her boys. She may have had to make many personal sacrifices along the way that no one was even aware of... except Jesus. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Both women completed the assignments given, and pleased God and that is all that mattered. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For anyone to try </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and compare one with another is foolish. </span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When my children were growing up, they asked me why certain classes; that didn't really make sense, were required to graduate from high school or college, There were times when I didn't fully understand those reasons myself. I did, however, understand that often times what we were taking or studying isn't nearly as important as that we were following directions and completing the required material.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Following directions that are given to us by the Holy Spirit is much the same; it is not up to us to determine if those instructions make sense, or if we agree with them or even want to carry them out. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It is simply our job to do what we have been asked to do without </span><i style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">too much</i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">whining. </i></div>
<div>
<div style="color: black;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Certainly, some of the things he has asked <i>me to do</i> didn't make sense nor did it seem like they really mattered, and sometimes I even thought to myself, this is really silly or he must be joking, right? </span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But in retrospect, I am certain that they were all important, for even if they seemed silly, or inconsequential at the time to me, they were requests from my Lord, Jesus Christ, and he wanted to see if I was listening, being obedient and having faith. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As Christians, we have each had our own experiences with the Holy Spirit and we </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">have heard testimony from others concerning their experiences as well. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have met people who have made great sacrifices to be obedient. People who have been asked to move to destinations that make no sense to them or their family and friends and I have met people who have been asked to give up things or do things that our earthly minds feel are crazy or even wrong. </span>In some cases, their livelihood and finances were jeopardized and in extreme cases, they were arrested and placed in jail or prison<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But because they believed they were being obedient to God, it didn't really matter what other people thought or what the consequences were. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YcRHPD6BoZc/WZNWpCR1-2I/AAAAAAAACjY/lmaVrfrrxUg8oEwLJoZ5XMF3AnoVKSH9ACLcBGAs/s1600/7c3d03efd3cd1e85c527f970980e8005--faith-quotes-scripture-quotes.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YcRHPD6BoZc/WZNWpCR1-2I/AAAAAAAACjY/lmaVrfrrxUg8oEwLJoZ5XMF3AnoVKSH9ACLcBGAs/s320/7c3d03efd3cd1e85c527f970980e8005--faith-quotes-scripture-quotes.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Meeting and sharing with these various people has shown me that we have no business ever doubting any one's personal testimony concerning the Holy Spirit. Most of the time, what we think we know about someone else's life is not even close to the truth. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It is never a good idea to second-guess or doubt someone's testimony unless it is evil or against the scriptures. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Doing so is calling the Holy Spirit a liar and we all know that nothing could be further from the truth. </span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 class="passage-display" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 20px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><i><span class="passage-display-bcv" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-right: 10px;">Numbers 23:19</span><span class="passage-display-version" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline;">(KJV) </span></i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?</span></i></span></h1>
<h1 class="passage-display" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Telling someone that God doesn't speak like that, or that he wouldn't ask them to do something which may seem far-fetched to them such as giving up their job or home or lifestyle, indicates a huge lack of understanding of Our Lord. Advising someone that the things prophesied over their lives are not possible or are unlikely is wrong as well, doing this is not an assumption we are not qualified to make. It creates an unnecessary division among Christians, which is getting to be all too common. When someone offers us their testimony it is good to listen, have faith and offer prayers and support. Never ridicule or judge. </span></h1>
<h1 class="passage-display" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">We may have made up our minds that we have it all together and that our life is cake until God asks us to turn that all upside down to do the things for our own good or things he knows we were born to do. He knows all things. and He is nothing like us. </span></h1>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="color: #444444;"> </span></span><i><span style="color: #444444;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"His thoughts are not our thoughts and H</span>is<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> ways are not our ways. </span></b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b> For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are his ways higher than </b></span></i><i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>our ways and His thoughts higher than our thoughts."</b></span></i></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Believing anything less indicates a lack of faith and trust in him. For he is God Almighty and if he wants to throw diamonds down from heaven or sprinkle us with gold dust when he is pleased with us, who's going to stop him? Believing anything less than that about him is putting him in a box and you can't put God Almighty, the maker of the Universe in a box.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's time we all press in closer to Our Father instead of second-guessing or judging what he is telling someone else to do. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Allow their walk to be theirs and yours your very own. </span>Busy ourselves listening for his voice, his instruction in our own lives. Be alert and without one single worry or concern about the things he asks us to do. So what if we are inconvenienced or our lives get tossed around for a season. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">His plans for our lives are exactly what we need to transform us into who He wants us to be. They are for our own good and the good of the kingdom. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></b></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b><span style="color: #444444;">"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13</span></b></i></span><br />
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So why not start right this very moment by encouraging to others and focus on the prize...remember that our rewards are in heaven and that God knows every little detail of our lives. and we never know what he might have for us right here, right now if we only just listen and obey. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It might just blow your mind. God is that good!</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Lori Svobodahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774451486909537110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674167365375303591.post-45272960822599219282017-06-28T19:06:00.001-05:002017-06-28T19:06:19.342-05:00Sanctuary of Tranquility: A Little Blog About How We Grow & Change<a href="http://lgsvoboda10.blogspot.com/2017/06/a-little-blog-about-how-we-grow-change.html?spref=bl">Sanctuary of Tranquility: A Little Blog About How We Grow & Change</a>: O nce, in a little pond, in the muddy water under the lily pads, there lived a little water beetle in a community of water ...Lori Svobodahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774451486909537110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674167365375303591.post-80485300392865339802017-06-28T19:03:00.002-05:002019-12-17T06:36:10.023-06:00A Little Blog About How We Grow & Change <i><br /></i>
<br />
<div>
<table align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" hspace="0" vspace="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="left" style="padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 46.3pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: column; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-linespan: 3; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: dropcap-dropped; mso-height-rule: exactly; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; page-break-after: avoid; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting"; font-size: 60.0pt;"><i>O<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";"><i>nce, in a little pond, in the muddy water under the lily pads, there lived a little water beetle in a community of water beetles.</i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";"></span><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";">They lived a simple and comfortable life in the pond with few disturbances and interruptions. Once in a while, sadness would come to the community when one of their fellow beetles would climb the stem of a lily pad and would never be seen again. They knew when this happened; their friend was dead, gone forever.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WGMgueCVWW4/WVMhPEsS-9I/AAAAAAAACh4/mqeooRCDZU8_alvWGwWK5YggowOIr5QRwCEwYBhgL/s1600/images%2B%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="240" height="161" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WGMgueCVWW4/WVMhPEsS-9I/AAAAAAAACh4/mqeooRCDZU8_alvWGwWK5YggowOIr5QRwCEwYBhgL/s200/images%2B%25283%2529.jpg" width="200" /></i></a><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";"><i>Then, one day, one little water beetle felt an irresistible urge to climb up that stem. However, he was determined that he would not leave forever. He would come back and tell his friends what he had found at the top.<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";"><i>When he reached the top and climbed out of the water onto the surface of the lily pad. He was so tired, and the sun felt so warm, that he decided he must take a nap. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";"><i>As he slept, his body changed and when he woke up, he had turned into a beautiful blue-tailed dragonfly with broad wings and a slender body designed for flying. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";"><i>So, fly he did! </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";"><i>And, as he soared he saw the beauty of a whole new world and a far superior way of life to what he had never known existed.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rdKlAEqmLQw/WVMhkECvTgI/AAAAAAAACh8/vLy0py8SM_0kijBNjukxexx7Yje1E8CwACLcBGAs/s1600/images%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="256" data-original-width="197" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rdKlAEqmLQw/WVMhkECvTgI/AAAAAAAACh8/vLy0py8SM_0kijBNjukxexx7Yje1E8CwACLcBGAs/s1600/images%2B%25282%2529.jpg" /></i></a><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";"><i>Then he remembered his beetle friends and how they were thinking by now that he was dead. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";"><i>He wanted to go back to tell them and explain to them that he was now more alive than he had ever been before. His life had been fulfilled rather than ended. B</i></span><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";"><i>ut, his new body would not go down into the water. </i></span><i style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";">He could not get back to tell his friends the good news. </i><br />
<i style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";">Then he understood that perhaps their time would come, when they, too, would know what he now knew. So, he raised his wings and flew off into his joyous new life!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";"><i>— Author Unknown And Greatly Appreciated!<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";"><i><br /></i></span><i><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "lucida handwriting";">This is a very powerful prayer we sing at my church...</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "lucida handwriting";"><br /></span></i> <i><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "lucida handwriting";">Change Me, Lord, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "lucida handwriting";">Change Me, Lord, </span></i><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";">Don't Let Me Stay the Same, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";">Lord, I want to be just like you. </span></i></span><br />
<i><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "lucida handwriting";">Take My Heart, Make My Heart, Just What You Want it to be</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "lucida handwriting";">Lord, Please Change Me, Change Me, Dear Lord.... </span></i><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";"><i><br /></i></span><i><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";">If we spend enough time with Him, God will change us just like He changed the little water beetle. We become a new person in Christ. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";">We become the person He intended for us to be before all of the religious training we engaged in messed up our thinking and before all of the ideas and values were dispensed by friends and even family members.</span></i><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";">I can honestly say that although I often wish I had known God sooner, I am thankful for the fact that I never experienced very much of that other stuff in my life. Not ever learning it certainly simplified my transition from Gentile to Christian. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";">I seldom wonder where the old me went, I am just very thankful for the changes.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";">Thinking about this brought to mind the little story of the water beetle. </span></i></div>
</div>
<h3 style="background-color: white; color: #625529; font-family: Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">
</h3>
<i><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "lucida handwriting";">Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "lucida handwriting";"><br /></span></i> <span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";"><i>If only we could each grasp the concept that we are all much like that little water beetle. All capable of changing into something as beautiful as the blue-tailed dragonfly. Capable because of the great love of Our Father, God.</i></span><br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SYsGtp25JpU/WVQrnAzodrI/AAAAAAAACiM/0WtCyVFvmso8_vfvWBYBW7Pc5yRFD810wCLcBGAs/s1600/Celtic-Dragonfly-Tattoo-Designs-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="900" height="136" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SYsGtp25JpU/WVQrnAzodrI/AAAAAAAACiM/0WtCyVFvmso8_vfvWBYBW7Pc5yRFD810wCLcBGAs/s200/Celtic-Dragonfly-Tattoo-Designs-1.jpg" width="200" /></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";">We may not be water beetles living underneath lily pads, but we are all c</span><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";">haracters in the Book of Life, and our story has already been beautifully written by Our Father; who wants nothing more than to bless us and fill us with joy.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "lucida handwriting";">2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold new things have come. </span></i><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<i><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";">E</span><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";">ach and every moment of our lives, both the good and the not so good were observed by the author and the finisher Himself, and used to draw us closer to Him, and be a part in turning us into human versions of the beautiful blue-tailed dragonfly. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: "lucida handwriting";"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "lucida handwriting";">I hope this little dragonfly story blesses you as much as it did me. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "lucida handwriting";">We should always be seeking ways to be more like God and asking Him to change us and make us more like Him. He will introduce us all of the things we have been missing and show each of us that new world to explore so that we too can be fulfilled.</span></i><br />
<br />Lori Svobodahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774451486909537110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674167365375303591.post-2424950566887640642017-06-05T07:52:00.001-05:002017-06-05T07:52:00.640-05:00Sanctuary of Tranquility: Sins We Take For Granted<a href="http://lgsvoboda10.blogspot.com/2017/06/sins-we-take-for-granted.html?spref=bl">Sanctuary of Tranquility: Sins We Take For Granted</a>: My church was reading in 1 Corinthians Chapter 10 last Sunday about the reminder from Paul of the sins the people were committing as Moses...Lori Svobodahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774451486909537110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674167365375303591.post-35419690917807957682017-06-05T07:48:00.005-05:002019-06-09T20:48:27.516-05:00Sins We Take For Granted<p><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uPQALhBgVzs/WS2rLrzyGDI/AAAAAAAACgQ/esm2zmccZuYwK1vCz2CHP4S9YK2HqLilwCLcB/s1600/IMG_6063.large_.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #660000;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uPQALhBgVzs/WS2rLrzyGDI/AAAAAAAACgQ/esm2zmccZuYwK1vCz2CHP4S9YK2HqLilwCLcB/s320/IMG_6063.large_.jpg" width="320"></span></a><br><br>
<span style="color: #660000;"><br></span> <span style="color: #660000;">My church was reading in 1 Corinthians Chapter 10 last Sunday about the reminder from Paul of the sins the people were committing as Moses lead them out of the wilderness.</span><br><br>
<span style="color: #660000;">Verses 1-4 remind us of how they were all under the cloud, they all passed through the sea, they were all baptized unto Moses, and they all survived forty years in the dessert </span><span style="color: #660000;">eating only mana; (John 6:49-50) and drinking only from the Spiritual Rock of Christ.</span><br><br>
<span style="color: #660000;">In verse 5 Paul reminds us of the things they did that were displeasing to God as a reminder that we should not commit those same sins ourselves. He let the reader know that many were </span><span style="color: #660000;">struck down (some versions say overthrown) because of their sins.</span><span style="color: #660000;"> Verse 6 lets us know that these things should serve as an example to us and also as a reminder for us to not desire evil as they did. </span><br><br>
<span style="color: #660000;"><br></span><br>
<span style="color: #660000;">In verse 7, we are warned </span><span style="color: #660000;">"Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, </span><span style="color: #660000;">"The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play." </span><span style="color: #660000;">I wasn't totally clear on the whole idolatry thing so I did some research and discovered that most idolatry in our world today is </span><span style="color: #660000;">our self.</span><br><br>
<span style="color: #660000;"></span><span style="color: #660000;">The core is in the </span><span style="color: #660000;">three elements of lust found in </span><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i>1 John 2:16 </i></span></span><i style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life-is not of the Father but is of the world." </span></i><br><br>
<span style="color: #990000;"><i><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br></span></i></span> <span style="color: #660000;">The more I researched, the more disillusioned I became. </span><span style="color: #660000;">Although I already had some idea, I was </span><span style="color: #660000;">disturbed by the fact that <i>m</i></span><span style="color: #660000;"><i>illions</i> of people, <i>mostly women</i> work sixty to ninety hours per week so they have more money for stuff. </span><span style="color: #660000;">Self-worship propels some to <i>work weekends as well as vacation time</i> so they can buy; to name a few things; n</span><span style="color: #660000;">ewer cars, more expensive toys, luxurious vacations and nicer homes. </span><span style="color: #660000;">In the meantime, children are shoved into daycare and are starving for attention and love. </span><span style="color: #660000;">We fool ourselves into believing that we are doing it for others when in fact it is to feed our own self-esteem. </span><br><br>
<span style="color: #660000;"><br></span> <a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ozmPLOE__JI/WS260ZeAb6I/AAAAAAAACg8/MC89IS7m0KAJZUs0BdahEwdVLDc7wObQgCLcB/s1600/081306_M.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="387" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ozmPLOE__JI/WS260ZeAb6I/AAAAAAAACg8/MC89IS7m0KAJZUs0BdahEwdVLDc7wObQgCLcB/s320/081306_M.jpg" width="320"></a><br><br>
<span style="color: #660000;">We fancy ourselves to be more clever than our creator by rejecting God's word and his description of how he created the heavens and earth and believe instead what scientists tell us. We convince ourselves that we can preserve the earth as it is for perpetuity when God has made it very clear that </span><span style="color: #990000;"><i>the earth and everything on it will be laid bare (2 Peter 3:10-13).</i></span><br><br>
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #660000;">And last but not least, we are so obsessed with fulfilling our own selfishness that we overlook the needs and desires of those around us, including the people we love. We have become a world filled with self-indulgent people who take advantage of unlimited amounts of drugs, alcohol, and food to make us happy. </span></span><span style="color: #660000;">We expose our children to those same addictions and wonder why they are obese, suicidal, and have the addiction, and attitude problems that they have. </span><br><br>
<span style="color: #660000;">We are making every effort to be the God of our own lives.</span><br><br><span style="color: #660000;">This has its origin way back in the Garden of Eden when Satan (I hate using a capital form of the letter 's' for his name) tempted Eve, assuring her that if she ate the apple </span><i style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: #660000;">she would be just like God. (</span><span style="color: #660000;">Genesis</span><span style="color: #660000;"> 3:5) </span></span></i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #660000;">This has been man's desire for all time; to be God. </span></span><span style="color: #660000;">How tragic. </span><br><br>
<span style="color: #660000;"><br></span> <span style="color: #660000;">Verse eight tells us point blank that we must not be involved in sexual immorality of any kind as it says "Many of those people were, and it is told that twenty-three thousand people all died in one day as a result of this kind of behavior." </span><br><br><span style="color: #660000;">I have included the list of the top four excuses people attempt to use for their sin and the scriptures that explain why they are not valid excuses. <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/sexual-immorality.html">https://www.gotquestions.org/sexual-immorality.html</a></span><br><br>
<span style="color: #660000;"><br></span> <span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1.</span><u style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It's not wrong if we love each other.</u><br><br>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nEvFQ_NT14c/WTSX10yNY9I/AAAAAAAAChM/vK81sS2Q7gYTeUp9gsNEksuxiyrMguBnQCLcB/s1600/korah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #660000;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nEvFQ_NT14c/WTSX10yNY9I/AAAAAAAAChM/vK81sS2Q7gYTeUp9gsNEksuxiyrMguBnQCLcB/s320/korah.jpg" width="320"></span></a><span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Sex within marriage is blessed (</span><a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Gen 1.28" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Gen%201.28" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Genesis 1:28</a><span style="background-color: white;">); sex outside of marriage is “fornication” or “sexual immorality” (</span><a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="1 Cor 7.2–5" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Cor%207.2%E2%80%935" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">1 Corinthians 7:2–5</a><span style="background-color: white;">)</span>. </span><br><span style="color: #660000;"><br></span></p><p>2. <u style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Times have changed, and what was wrong in Biblical times is no longer considered sin today.</u><span style="background-color: white; color: #660000; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><u> </u></span><br><br>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #660000; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Most of the passages condemning sexual immorality also include evils such as greed, lust, stealing, etc. (</span><a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="1 Cor 6.9–10" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Cor%206.9%E2%80%9310" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">1 Corinthians 6:9–10</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #660000; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">; </span><a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Gal 5.19–21" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Gal%205.19%E2%80%9321" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Galatians 5:19–21</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #660000; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">). We have no problem understanding that these other things are a sin. </span><br><br>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #660000; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">God’s character does not change with culture’s opinion (</span><a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Mal 3.6" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Mal%203.6" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Malachi 3:6</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #660000; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">; </span><a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Num 23.19" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Num%2023.19" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Numbers 23:19</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #660000; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">; </span><a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Heb 13.8" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Heb%2013.8" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Hebrews 13:8</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #660000; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">).</span><br><br>
<span style="color: #660000;">3. <u>We're married in God's eyes.</u></span><br><br>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #660000; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">This argument implies that God is cross-eyed. </span><br><br>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #660000; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The fallacy of this idea is that the God who created a marriage in the first place would retract His own command to accommodate what He has called sin. God declared marriage to be one man and one woman united for life (</span><a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Mark 10.6–9" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Mark%2010.6%E2%80%939" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Mark 10:6–9</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #660000; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">). The Bible often uses the imagery of a wedding and a covenant marriage as a metaphor to teach spiritual truth (</span><a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Matt 22.2" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matt%2022.2" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Matthew 22:2</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #660000; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">; </span><a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Rev 19.9" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rev%2019.9" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Revelation 19:9</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #660000; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">). God takes marriage very seriously, and His “eyes” see immorality for what it is, regardless of how cleverly we have redefined it. </span><br><br>
<span style="color: #660000;">4. <u>I can still have a good relationship with God because he understands</u>.</span><br><br>
<span style="color: #660000;"><a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Prov 28.9" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Prov%2028.9" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Proverbs 28:9</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> says, “If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.” We fool ourselves when we think that we can stubbornly choose sin and God does not care.</span></span><br><br>
<span style="color: #660000;"><a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="1 John 2.3–4" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20John%202.3%E2%80%934" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">First John 2:3–4</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> contains a serious challenge for those who persist in this line of thinking: “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.”</span></span></p>
<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Verse nine warns us not to test Christ. Testing Christ means to deliberately continue doing something after you have a full understanding that it is wrong. However, v</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #660000; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">erse ten is the one that really opened a few eyes at my church that day and the one that has been following me around all week.</span><br><br><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><span class="versenum" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">10 Do not </span><span style="background-color: white;">grumble, </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28561P" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28561P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white;">as some </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">of them did and </span><span style="font-size: 0.625em;"><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28561Q" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28561Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">were destroyed by </span><span style="font-size: 0.625em;"><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28561R" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28561R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">the Destroyer.</span></i></b></span><br><span style="background-color: white; color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It doesn't matter if you whine, snivel, or grumble; it all adds up to the same word, complainer. </span><br><br>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When translated from the Greek, it means one who is discontented with their lot in life for that </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">is certainly not a Fruit of the Spirit.</span><br><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #660000;">The first complainer on record was Adam, who was less that pleased with his wife after she ate from the forbidden fruit and went whining to God that it was all Eve's fault because she gave him some of the fruit to eat. (I can envision the entire thing, can't you? Eve sat on him and forced it down his throat.) </span></span><br><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #660000;">From that moment on, complaining seemed to be a fairly common thing to do. </span></span><br><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #660000;">Cain was obviously displeased even though there is no record of his saying so. </span></span><br><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #660000;">Moses was not very happy about the burning bush situation, or the trials during the Exodus. </span></span><br><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #660000;">David complained to God in several Psalms.</span></span><br><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #660000;">The prophets complained about the idolatry of the Jewish nation, and </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Job, well Job...he complained all the time about everything. Although, despite his complaining, he was able to sanctify his complaints to the Lord, <i>and that</i> took more humility than most people will ever have. </span><br><br><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i>Philippians 2:14-15 says </i></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Do all things without murmuring or complaining that you may be blameless and innocent children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among whom you shine like the lights of the world" </span></i></span></span></p>
<p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jOEOt4YXKGc/WTSesdS5j0I/AAAAAAAAChY/cg7xRVpK5IYxwGgr4x8V00doy1rzgGuYwCLcB/s1600/602128_557141670982851_1360163359_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="741" height="260" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jOEOt4YXKGc/WTSesdS5j0I/AAAAAAAAChY/cg7xRVpK5IYxwGgr4x8V00doy1rzgGuYwCLcB/s320/602128_557141670982851_1360163359_n.jpg" width="320"></a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #660000;">I </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #660000;">must confess that I wasn't the only person in the church that day who squirmed in their seat during the discussions, especially those about idolatry and complaining. </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">After church that same day I had lunch with my pastor and his family at their home. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">My pastor always asks each and every person at his dining-room table what they took from the morning's sermon. </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; background-color: white;">As we went from person to person, the overwhelming response was our surprise that God was as disenchanted with complaining as he is with the other sins. </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #660000;">This </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">made me stop and think about how quick we are to put sins on some imaginary list we have developed in our own mind that classifies them from the worst to the least offensive, something very human that we are all guilty of. </span></span></p><p><br>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"><br></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #660000;">Needless to say, complaining was </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #660000;">certainly at the front of my mind all last week. </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Especially when the traffic was slow and backed up and it inconvenienced poor little me, and then there was the day that my job was monotonous and the next day how there was so much to do I couldn't keep up, and sadly </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #660000; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">I can think of several other times as well.</span></p>
<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px;">I knew I was as capable of sin as anyone else, so I have asked for forgiveness and added complaining to the list of traits I need to work towards truly repenting from. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px;">Praise God for His Mercy & Grace for they are new every morning. </span><br><br>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px;"><br></span> <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <i> </i></span></span><br><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text Luke-19-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #134f5c;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: "oswald" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont";"><i>2.5 BILLION PEOPLE HAVE NEVER HEARD THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST ....</i></span></span></span><br><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text Luke-19-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #134f5c;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: "oswald" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont";"><i>IN TODAY'S </i></span></span></span><i style="color: #0b5394; font-family: oswald, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;">WORLD OF INSTANT COMMUNICATION, FAST TRAVEL AND GLOBAL MEDIA, THAT IS JUST SHOCKING.</i><br><br>
<i style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: oswald, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;">WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. TOGETHER, HAND IN HAND FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST CAN TAKE A STAND ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER HEARD THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST.</i><br><br>
<i style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: oswald, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;">JOIN ME IN PRAYING, ADVOCATING AND TAKING THE GOOD NEWS TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH. </i></p>
<h1 style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; line-height: 32.5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
</h1>
<h1 style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: helvetica; line-height: 32.5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: #fcb03a; font-family: "oswald" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: #fcb03a; font-family: "oswald" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 47px;"> </span></h1>
<p><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"></span></i> <i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br></span></i> <i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br></span></i><br>
</p>
<div>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><i><br></i></span></div>
<div>
<h1 class="passage-display" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">
</h1>
</div>
<div class="vmod" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<div class="vmod">
<ol class="lr_dct_sf_sens" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px;">
<li style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
</li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
Lori Svobodahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774451486909537110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674167365375303591.post-17598773686341493482017-05-12T11:10:00.001-05:002017-05-12T11:10:22.168-05:00Sanctuary of Tranquility: I saw you....<a href="http://lgsvoboda10.blogspot.com/2017/05/i-saw-you.html?spref=bl">Sanctuary of Tranquility: I saw you....</a>: My first truly memorable encounter with Jesus was during the winter of 2007. I had been attending a church my oldest daughter had discovere...Lori Svobodahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774451486909537110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674167365375303591.post-28767617344040281182017-05-12T10:46:00.002-05:002018-02-25T01:18:10.673-06:00I saw you....<i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>My first truly memorable encounter with Jesus was during the winter of 2007. I had been attending a church my oldest daughter had discovered , </b></span></i><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">a church we both truly enjoyed. </span></b></span></i><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">The music was uplifting; the congregation, super friendly, and the pastor and his family were wonderful.</span></b></span></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></b></span></i><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">This was where I gave my heart to Jesus Christ.</span><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></b></span></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></b></span></i>
<b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One particular cold, snowy Saturday evening my daughter and I attended the candlelight service. As I glanced around at the familiar faces in church that evening, </span></i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">my eyes fell upon a very beautiful, very pregnant woman. </span></i></span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><b><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="color: #073763;">I watched as she juggled a young child in her arms and kissed him sweetly on his head. I couldn't help but notice the proud and loving husband sitting next to her with his arm draped over her shoulder. </span></i></span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="color: #073763;">The love they shared was overwhelming to me and brought on a tremendous feeling of sadness over a child I had never known. A child who was aborted when I was very young. </span></i></span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span></i></span></span></b></span>
</span><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XEnLV0a0A9k/WO-d1FosLJI/AAAAAAAACd8/CZzVlwU8jTojbXPqymRCwAY7yYdV1UGHgCLcB/s1600/9897045_orig.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #073763;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XEnLV0a0A9k/WO-d1FosLJI/AAAAAAAACd8/CZzVlwU8jTojbXPqymRCwAY7yYdV1UGHgCLcB/s320/9897045_orig.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #073763;">Towards the end of the service, the pastor asked that we close our eyes, and without looking at others, raise our arms if there was anything in our heart we wanted to confess to Jesus. </span></span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #073763;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">With no thought of condemnation, my arm shot right up. </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I </span>didn't realize until much later that on that cold winter night, I was saved from a very painful burden by a Grace only God could deliver. </span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text John-3-2" id="en-CJB-26136" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">John 3:2-3 </span></span><span class="text John-3-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">2 </span>This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know it is from God that you have come as a teacher; for no one can do these miracles you perform unless God is with him.” </span><span style="background-color: white;"></span><span class="text John-3-3" id="en-CJB-26137" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">3 </span>“Yes, indeed,” Jesus answered him, “I tell you that unless a person is born again from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”</span></span></b></i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><b><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>It took some time for me to comprehend what happened to me that evening but my </b></span><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">reaction and confession were </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">certainly not news to Jesus who had known of my sin and what was going to happen that night in that church since before time began.</span></b></span></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b></i>
<i style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><b>That evening may have been the first time I encountered Jesus, but He had encountered me many, many times before without my realization. </b></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><i style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><b>In fact, as I reflect on my life, there were a great many times when I dismissed fortunate things that happened to me, and simply considered myself to be lucky when the truth was simple, Jesus had me in his scope and He was watching over me. </b></i></span></div>
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C7hySQIjbiA/WQvvCXjdv2I/AAAAAAAACfo/C7gYAH1ZUUMmdot-XYYFoZ_Hpx972xaUQCLcB/s1600/under-the-tree-edited.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #073763;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C7hySQIjbiA/WQvvCXjdv2I/AAAAAAAACfo/C7gYAH1ZUUMmdot-XYYFoZ_Hpx972xaUQCLcB/s200/under-the-tree-edited.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span></b> <span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>John 1:48 Nathaniel said to him, "</b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i>How do you know me?"</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">Jesus answered him...</span></i></b></span><br />
<b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">"Before Phillip called you. </span></i></b><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">When you were under the fig-tree,</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> I saw you." </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></i></b></span> </span><br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pMlSSFhY4Wg/WQ3m9T31TpI/AAAAAAAACf8/jRfNkiEBlncg98Se1d5SSsug9wVAKyvIACLcB/s1600/18274725_988146297987164_8626236513009527974_n.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #073763;"></span></a><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></i></b></span><b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i>Whoa! </i></b></span><br />
<b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i><span style="color: #073763;">"I saw you." </span></i></b><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i>Spoken by Jesus, those are some really powerful words. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i>He knows everything about us. We have absolutely no secrets from Him.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i> </i></b></span><b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i>In fact, he knows more about us than we know about ourselves; we're only</i></b><b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i> fooling ourselves when we pretend he doesn't know what's in our hearts and why we do and say the things we do.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i><br /></i></b>
<b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i> </i></b><b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i>Matthew 10:31 tells us that we are worth more than many sparrows and not one of them can fall to the ground without being noticed. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><br /></span></i></b><b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i>He loves us so much, s</i></b><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i>o </i></b></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i>why would we ever lie to him or pretend that he doesn't know what our needs are and exactly what we are doing? </i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #073763;"><b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i> Jesus knows everything. </i></b><b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i>He knows about that time you stuck your tongue out at your sixth-grade teacher, how many times you skipped school in the 11th grade. He knows all about that pack of gum that you stuck in your pocket at the mom and pop store and he knows that you lied to your husband about how much you paid for that new dress and he knows what you do in the dark of night. Because of his great love, he understands why you did it and why you lied. </i></b><b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i>So, instead </i></b><b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i>of lying to him or pretending he doesn't know and understand us, we need to realize that he is the very best friend we could ever have in our lifetime and just start talking to him. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i><br /></i></b>
</span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pMlSSFhY4Wg/WQ3m9T31TpI/AAAAAAAACf8/jRfNkiEBlncg98Se1d5SSsug9wVAKyvIACLcB/s1600/18274725_988146297987164_8626236513009527974_n.jpg" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #073763;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pMlSSFhY4Wg/WQ3m9T31TpI/AAAAAAAACf8/jRfNkiEBlncg98Se1d5SSsug9wVAKyvIACLcB/s200/18274725_988146297987164_8626236513009527974_n.jpg" width="186" /></span></a><span style="color: #073763;"><b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i>Tell him everything. Even if He knows it already, he wants to hear it directly from us. There is absolutely nothing you or I can tell him that he won't forgive. He won't gossip about you on Facebook and he won't ignore you the next time you cry out to him. He loves you, </i></b><b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i>and he loves me, and he has a great big plan for our lives. </i></b><b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i>He has an adventure specifically designed for each and every one of us and it doesn't include dragging around guilt and being miserable or feeling unloved and un-forgiven. </i></b></span><br />
<b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i><span style="color: #073763;">We are ALL very much both loved and forgiven. </span></i></b><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i><br /></i></b>
<b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i>In Luke 19 we read a story of a man named Zacchaeus who lived in the town of Jericho. He was the </i></b><b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">chief tax collector and according to verse 2, he was also un deservingly rich. </span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One day Jesus was passing through Jericho and Zacchaeus wanted most desperately to get a glimpse of him but since he was very short in stature, he decided to run ahead on the street Jesus would be coming down and climb up into a Sycamore tree so he could see Jesus when he passed by. </span></i></b><b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When Jesus got near the tree, he looked right up and said to him</span></i></b></span><br />
<b style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i></b>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">5 </span></i></b><i style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b><span class="text Luke-19-5" id="en-ESV-25727" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">“Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-25727D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-25727D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>I must stay at your house today.”</span></span> <span class="text Luke-19-6" id="en-ESV-25728" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">6 </span>So he hurried and came down and <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-25728E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-25728E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>received him joyfully.</span></b></span></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><b><span class="text Luke-19-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0b5394;"> 7. All that saw it grumbled, "He has gone to be the house guest of a sinner." </span></b></i></span><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b><span class="text Luke-19-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #073763;"><br /></span></b></span></i></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span class="text Luke-19-6" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b>Jesus knew Zacchaeus was in the tree without even looking up. He also knew that the man was a thief, </b></span></i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="text Luke-19-6" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b>scoundrel, and a sinner; but most of all, Jesus knew Zacchaeus had a heart problem that nothing in the world could fix but his own special kind of love.</b></span></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span>
<i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="text Luke-19-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #073763;"><b>He knew that about me and he knows the same thing about you.</b></span></i><br />
<i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="text Luke-19-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #073763;"><b><span style="color: #0c343d;">Trust him, love him and he will rock your world</span><span style="color: #134f5c;">. </span></b></span></i><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="text Luke-19-6" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><br /></b></span></i>
<i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="text Luke-19-6" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b>Blessings to you! </b></span></i></span><br />
<i style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span class="text Luke-19-6" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "oswald" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont";"><br /></span></span></i>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text Luke-19-6" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: "oswald" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont";"><i>2.5 BILLION PEOPLE HAVE NEVER HEARD THE NAME OF JESUS....</i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text Luke-19-6" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "oswald" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont";"><i>IN TODAY'S </i></span></span></span><i style="font-family: oswald, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;">WORLD OF INSTANT COMMUNICATION, FAST TRAVEL AND GLOBAL MEDIA, THAT IS JUST SHOCKING.</i></span><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: oswald, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. TOGETHER, HAND IN HAND FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST CAN TAKE A STAND ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER HEARD THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST.</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: oswald, sans-serif, serif, emojifont;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">JOIN ME IN PRAYING, ADVOCATING AND TAKING THE GOOD NEWS TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH. </span></i><br />
<h1 style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; line-height: 32.5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
</h1>
<h1 style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; line-height: 32.5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #fcb03a; font-family: "oswald" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "oswald" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 47px;"> </span></span></h1>
<h1 style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 26px; line-height: 32.5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
</h1>
<h1 style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 26px; line-height: 32.5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
</h1>
<span style="color: #073763;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="text Luke-19-6" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><br /></b></span></i> <i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="text Luke-19-6" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><br /></b></span></i> <i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="text Luke-19-6" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><br /></b></span></i> <i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="text Luke-19-6" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><br /></b></span></i> <i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="text Luke-19-6" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><br /></b></span></i> <i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="text Luke-19-6" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><br /></b></span></i> <i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="text Luke-19-6" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><br /></b></span></i> <i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="text Luke-19-6" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><br /></b></span></i> <i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="text Luke-19-6" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><br /></b></span></i> <i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="text Luke-19-6" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><br /></b></span></i></span> <i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="text Luke-19-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #134f5c;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div>
Lori Svobodahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774451486909537110noreply@blogger.com0