tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801305650768145582024-03-18T22:32:51.113-05:00Captured Bits of BeautySharing the beauty I find through faith and photography. . .Julie Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047378662620833264noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280130565076814558.post-78715383151764753932017-03-07T23:56:00.000-06:002017-03-08T07:48:37.470-06:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Julie Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047378662620833264noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280130565076814558.post-71310792836693701372016-03-07T20:33:00.000-06:002016-03-07T20:33:50.240-06:00Singing Bowl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.15pt; margin-bottom: 10.2pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 16.15pt;">Begin the
song exactly where you are,</span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 16.15pt;">Remain within the world of which you’re made.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 16.15pt;">Call nothing common in the earth or air,</span></div>
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.15pt; margin: 0in 0in 10.2pt; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 16.15pt;">Accept it
all and let it be for good.</span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 16.15pt;">Start with the very breath you breathe in now,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 16.15pt;">This moment’s pulse, this rhythm in your blood</span></div>
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.15pt; margin: 0in 0in 10.2pt; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 16.15pt;">And listen
to it, ringing soft and low.</span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 16.15pt;">Stay with the music, words will come in time.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 16.15pt;">Slow down your breathing. Keep it deep and slow.</span></div>
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.15pt; margin: 0in 0in 10.2pt; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 16.15pt;">Become an
open singing-bowl, whose chime</span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 16.15pt;">Is richness rising out of emptiness,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 16.15pt;">And timelessness resounding into time.</span></div>
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.15pt; margin: 0in 0in 10.2pt; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 16.15pt;">And when
the heart is full of quietness</span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 16.15pt;">Begin the song exactly where you are.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 16.15pt;"> </span></div>
</span><br />
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.15pt; margin: 0in 0in 10.2pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">- Malcolm
Guite<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.15pt; margin: 0in 0in 10.2pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -</span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 11pt;">Shout for joy</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 11pt;">to
the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 11pt;"> <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 11pt; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 11pt;">, all
the earth,</span></span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 11pt;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 11pt;">burst into jubilant song with music;</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 11pt;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" />
<span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span id="en-NIV-15496" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">make music to
the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">with the harp,</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" />
</span></span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 11pt;">with the harp and the sound of singing</span></span>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Julie Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047378662620833264noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280130565076814558.post-60827718665604529262016-01-18T00:08:00.001-06:002016-01-19T12:07:04.697-06:00One Word<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Long before January 1 rolled around I had chosen my one word for the New Year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The one word I wanted to make mine for 365 days, plus one for the leap year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The one word that I hoped would become a revolution in my life rather than just a positive thinking, try-hard resolution.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The one word was, and is. . .</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Intentional.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Intentional may seem like an odd word, certainly not very spiritual like many friends I know tend to choose, but this word was so strong on my heart and mind as 2015 was waning to a close, I knew it was the change that my life sorely needed. (And oddly enough, my word for 2015 was change)!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I’ve always been the type of person to live life as it comes and not worry too much about tomorrow. It makes me crazy to have more than two events on the calendar in one week. I think this is partly due to the fact that I’ve been working mostly full-time outside the home since I was 18, so those 40 hours make up the majority of my time during the week and if I have too many other things going on I feel like I don’t have enough time to breathe, then suddenly, it’s Monday again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It’s always worked better for me to just go-with-the-flow rather than fill up every minute of my day and week with things to do. Well, I don’t know if “worked better” would be the right terminology though, since I’ve never really tried it any other way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As I look back on my life now, however, I see how this way of living has often filled my days with good intentions, but for so many reasons, (not any good ones I might add), through doing things this way I’ve unintentionally let all kinds of things fall through the cracks and it seems, with them have slipped tiny pieces of my heart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Much too often I intend to send that card, to clean that closet, to pay that bill, to read that book, to be a better friend, wife, mother, worker, co-worker. . . I’m sure you get the idea, but I fail to follow through and just intend to do it another day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And thus, I acknowledge with every missing piece of my heart that has fallen through those cracks filled with good intentions, I need to become more intentional.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I knew this was not going to be easy for me and so I prayed, asking God if this should even be my word for this year. I wondered if He might choose a different word for me, one more spiritual perhaps --- like peace, or hope, or grace, but He made it abundantly clear to me that this was indeed to be my word.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Change is hard, but I also know that regrets are harder and in the end, more painful.</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So with God’s help, my intent for 2016 is to be more intentional.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I’ve already found this is not going to be easy. I’ve failed many times in just these few weeks of January, but I will not get discouraged. This is what my Father in Heaven wants for me and He knows what is very best for me. He always wants to bless us and grow us in our faith and knowledge of Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And when I think of it, I realize that God is so intentional. Everything He does is for a reason, a very good reason!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So I will pray every day that this year He will help me to be more intentional.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It actually is a really good word</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>and the one He has intended for me.</i></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; font-family: "papyrus"; font-size: 14pt;">Do not conform</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "papyrus"; font-size: 13.5pt;">to the pattern of this
world,</span><span style="font-family: "papyrus"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; font-family: "papyrus"; font-size: 14pt;">but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; font-family: "papyrus"; font-size: 14pt;">Then you will be able to test and approve</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; font-family: "papyrus"; font-size: 14pt;">what God’s will is</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">—<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; font-family: "papyrus"; font-size: 14pt;">His good, pleasing</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "papyrus"; font-size: 13.5pt;">and perfect will.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; font-family: "papyrus";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">- Romans 12:2</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Linking this post in a monthly blog circle with some fabulous friends!</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The theme we are writing about this month is: Beginnings.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>What kind of new beginnings are you discovering in this first month of a new year?</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Please click on the links below to visit each of my friends </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>and feel free to leave comments.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Connie at: <a href="http://livelovelaughhope.blogspot.com/2016/01/rooted.html" target="_blank">Live, Love, Laugh, Hope</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Marty at: <a href="http://www.whatmartysees.com/2016/01/things-to-remember-in-new-year.html" target="_blank">What Marty Sees</a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Patricia at:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://pollywogcreek.blogspot.com/2016/01/beginningsnot-summer-on-pollywog-creek.html" target="_blank">Pollywog Creek</a></span></span><br />
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Julie Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047378662620833264noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280130565076814558.post-58864725117350120802016-01-01T23:41:00.001-06:002018-11-08T22:37:12.015-06:00Born Again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQL9DLKceafHt029RGUsgYcfQ346z9s0dDZCjI16FYBp9zgEQSaCyWkMeJHTzXh8l4rl9zgi1Yk2qPBSLni8A2PfWl3936edsEYfPGm7O7WX1UGDkMXLTc1k-swfDdDPqI3XEsdaJF6FXl/s1600/Born+Again+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQL9DLKceafHt029RGUsgYcfQ346z9s0dDZCjI16FYBp9zgEQSaCyWkMeJHTzXh8l4rl9zgi1Yk2qPBSLni8A2PfWl3936edsEYfPGm7O7WX1UGDkMXLTc1k-swfDdDPqI3XEsdaJF6FXl/s640/Born+Again+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It is a
wonder…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How new life
sleeps silently below the surface, just waiting...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Just waiting
for the day when bright rays of sunlight reach deep into the soil to touch the tiny face of each slumbering seed with an awakening kiss.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Something
stirs within…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And soon,
there’s a twisting and turning and then a breaking through.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Slowly,
determinedly, a tiny shoot reaches up through the darkness to a place that’s
full of light.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b>Hope rising.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Just
beginning its journey to become what it was always meant be.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b>Fully alive.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Always reaching
up to the Light.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To bring
glory to the One who is the very giver of Life.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>* * * </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And so it is
with us, when we wake up from the dark winter of our lives and awaken to new
life in Him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Touched by
His Light.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Moved by His
Spirit.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b>Wonderfully ~ mercifully ~ born again.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "papyrus"; font-size: 14pt;"><b>We were therefore buried with him <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "papyrus"; font-size: 14pt;"><b>through baptism into death in order that,
<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "papyrus"; font-size: 14pt;"><b>just as Christ was raised from the dead <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "papyrus"; font-size: 14pt;"><b>through the glory of the Father,</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "papyrus"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>we too may live a new life.</b></span></span></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; font-family: "papyrus";">- Romans 6:4</span><span style="font-family: "papyrus"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "papyrus"; font-size: 14pt;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - </b></span></div>
Julie Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047378662620833264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280130565076814558.post-31845949098303965082015-12-20T11:36:00.000-06:002015-12-20T11:36:03.626-06:00Mystery In The Manger<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7JQAfASe5_6Tbs0XsIq6ednsEjl3GHc5K4meIScwZflcbAqDFNzy5f0IbYJxEqoKIU3vL11TuaXjisNzXaUHcAxDk-uhRsbAILwxxBA9D5N4-ohM2pakFAT3FWDqrkMtX7x5AAnVnkTU/s1600/060615+065lre2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7JQAfASe5_6Tbs0XsIq6ednsEjl3GHc5K4meIScwZflcbAqDFNzy5f0IbYJxEqoKIU3vL11TuaXjisNzXaUHcAxDk-uhRsbAILwxxBA9D5N4-ohM2pakFAT3FWDqrkMtX7x5AAnVnkTU/s640/060615+065lre2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Christmas Joy is never-ending</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">When humble hearts receive</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
The gift of cradle and the cross</div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
The moment they believe</div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span class="textexposedshow" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">The Mystery in the
manger</span></span></div>
</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Was truly God made known</span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="textexposedshow"><div style="text-align: center;">
The eternal gift of heaven</div>
</span>
</span><span class="textexposedshow"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Through the cross of Christ alone</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: xx-small;">© Julie Jablonski</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus;">. . .an angel</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus;">of the Lord appeared to him in a dream</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus;">and said,<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Joseph son of David,<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife,<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus;">because what is conceived in her is from the Holy
Spirit.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">She will give birth to a son,<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus;">and you are to give him the name Jesus,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">because he will save his people from their sins.”</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus;">- Matthew 1:20-21</span></span><span style="font-family: Papyrus;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;">* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *</span></div>
<o:p></o:p>Julie Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047378662620833264noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280130565076814558.post-37499075272959962542015-12-13T18:58:00.000-06:002015-12-22T12:57:22.264-06:00Mary's Son<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxNfN4OyQ4oreUzXRmNlHOqi-7s_ZWk9xQokJIg0PIKBpdKU_XRndTdXDJoBZ54QNALtpzGsQujwajKPZ_Pl5YBFso-wcp4vC2dFJTAwraTgr70iFeCGU1YuZg0g0VT4Yp49G_QNZHLR2/s1600/Silent+Snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxNfN4OyQ4oreUzXRmNlHOqi-7s_ZWk9xQokJIg0PIKBpdKU_XRndTdXDJoBZ54QNALtpzGsQujwajKPZ_Pl5YBFso-wcp4vC2dFJTAwraTgr70iFeCGU1YuZg0g0VT4Yp49G_QNZHLR2/s640/Silent+Snow.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Silent snow
so gently falling<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Peace
within my spirit calling<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Remembrance
of a winter night<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">So long
ago, star shining bright<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Leading to
a manger low<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Winds of
change began to blow<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">In heavenly
peace, an infant sleeping<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Adoring
mother, softly weeping<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Holding close
the Holy Child<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Blessed
Savior, meek and mild<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">One day her
heart will ponder why<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">For her
sins too, her Son must die<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Songs of angels
fill the night<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Lifting up
their praise in flight<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Holy, Holy
is God of Heaven!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Unto man
His Son is given!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Truth that
echoes through the years<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Transforming
hearts, calming fears</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Mary's Son, born to be<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">The
Sacrifice to set us free<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">© </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"> Julie
Jablonski</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTC7xuTRNSiUfAriV3F2nHQlc070QbsECIGTfm400QEzqDgKOLRC6QZNY1quy0pSp9btSvo3581XR1ecJp30d_Bni2rwX1o2syg822nBevKX5eRArelxYpm0yvkretOBIioG4LZOEcNkO/s1600/Mother+and+Child.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTC7xuTRNSiUfAriV3F2nHQlc070QbsECIGTfm400QEzqDgKOLRC6QZNY1quy0pSp9btSvo3581XR1ecJp30d_Bni2rwX1o2syg822nBevKX5eRArelxYpm0yvkretOBIioG4LZOEcNkO/s400/Mother+and+Child.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">keeping watch over their flock by night. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and the glory of the Lord shone around them, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and they were greatly afraid.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Then the angel said to them, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">“Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">of great joy </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">which will be to all people. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For there is born to you this day in the city of David </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And suddenly there was with the angel </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">a multitude of the heavenly host </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">praising God and saying:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> “Glory to God in the highest,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">that the shepherds said to one another, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">“Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">which the Lord has made known to us.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and the Babe lying in a manger. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">the saying </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">which was told them concerning this Child. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And all those who heard it marveled </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">at those things which were told them by the shepherds.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">- Luke 2:8-19</span></span></div>
Julie Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047378662620833264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280130565076814558.post-63231614267629619072015-12-06T23:51:00.001-06:002015-12-09T12:35:59.603-06:00His Arriving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Christmas is a time that always finds ways to inspire me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Often that inspiration comes from witnessing more peace, more love, a little more goodwill toward men in the days of December, and the repeating sound of joy all around us as we walk through the weeks of Advent.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>There’s a whisper that comes on the wind gently reminding, </i></b></span><b style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i>“He’s coming.” </i></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A whisper, that brings a thrill of hope to me and to so many in this tired and weary world.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The hope, joy, and songs of the season can cause many thoughts to whirl around in my heart and mind and sometimes I just feel the need to release them – to piece them together in a way that gives at least a glimpse of the wonder that was stirring deep inside.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Quite a few years ago, I began to think deeply about these words from a favorite Christmas hymn…</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Joy to the world, the Lord is come!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Let earth receive her King.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Let every heart prepare Him room,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">and heaven and nature sing."</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Can you imagine the wonder of it? Of the earth that God created, receiving her King once again with joy, and then all of heaven and nature singing and rejoicing along with her? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The thought of it just makes my heart beat a bit faster and sends so many pictures tingling through my mind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>God is such a beautiful mystery! </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The unexpected wonder of Him becoming small, coming to live with us, so that He could die for us, to rise again, and then <i>live</i> <i>within us? </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That is jaw-dropping, heart-stopping, amazing truth, that will for all ages cause men, including me, to fall down on their knees to worship Him and to continue to sing all about the “wonders of His love.” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are so many of these wonders we love to sing about at Christmastime and it was the words of the song “Joy to the World”, that were the inspiration for this poem:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">With His glorious
arriving<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">On the first
Christmas night<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">The earth must
have been glowing<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Renewed by His Light<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">And radiantly
beaming<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Through the dark
midnight mist<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">So long she’d
been waiting<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">For her face to
be kissed<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">With the light of
His Love<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">As again God came
down<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Not to Garden of
Eden<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">But to a small
town<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">On this night
like no other<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">She welcomed her
King<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Every mountain
and valley<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Lifting voices to
sing<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Their praises to
God<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">The Almighty
Creator<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">The Light of the
World<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">And the One who
had made her<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">With a joy
bursting forth<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">From the rocks
and the trees<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">And sweet music
from heaven<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Carried soft in a
breeze<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Oh so gently – she
held Him<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">As only earth can<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">So amazed by her
God<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Who had made
Himself man<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Coming to save<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Men He’d made
from her dust<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">The Savior and King<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Immanuel<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">God with us</span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: xx-small;">© Julie Jablonski </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i> </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Joy to the world ~ the Lord has come!</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Immanuel ~ God with us!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I’ve written many poems relating to Christmas over the years and I'm hoping to share one here each week during this season of Advent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you missed the new short poem I posted last week, </span>you can click here to read: </span></div>
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<a href="http://capturedbitsofbeauty.blogspot.com/2015/12/love-child.html" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Love Child</a></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This week’s post is also part of a monthly blog circle</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Circle of Faith in Words and Image" </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've had so much fun linking up with this wonderful group of friends and y</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ou may have guessed that our theme this month is Christmas. :)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For more Christmas wonder please visit their pages too:</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Connie at: <a href="http://livelovelaughhope.blogspot.com/2015/12/oh-christmas-tree.html" target="_blank">Live, Love, Laugh, Hope</a></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Patricia at: <a href="http://pollywogcreek.blogspot.com/2015/12/circle-of-faitha-florida-christmas.html" target="_blank">Pollywog Creek</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Marty at: <a href="http://www.whatmartysees.com/2015/12/dpp-day-7.html" target="_blank">What Marty Sees</a></span></span><br />
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Julie Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047378662620833264noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280130565076814558.post-39863772126971807552015-12-03T22:03:00.003-06:002015-12-06T23:55:01.948-06:00Love Child<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic;"> </span></span></span><b style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: x-large;">* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *</b></div>
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<i style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"> Starlight ~</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"> On a silent night<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"> Piercing the dark<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"> Lighting a path<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"> To where wonder lies<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"> Sleeping<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"> Breathing<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"> Heart-beating love, love, love<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"> For God so loved<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"> Extravagantly <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"> Magnificently<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"> Loved<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"> That He gave<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i> </i>Himself</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><i> Wrapped Himself</i></span></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"> Small enough <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"> To be held<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"> To behold </span></span></i><br />
<i style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"> His glory</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"> In the face. . .<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"> Of a child. </span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"> © 2015 Julie Jablonski</span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">For God so loved the world that he gave<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">His one and only son, that whoever
believes in him<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">shall not perish but have eternal life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">- John 3:16</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Word became flesh and made his
dwelling among us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">We have seen his glory, the glory of
the one and only Son,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">who came from the Father, full of grace
and truth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">- John 1:14</span></div>
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Julie Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047378662620833264noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280130565076814558.post-83032096113679412092015-11-27T23:18:00.000-06:002015-11-27T23:18:34.996-06:00Be Still<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we enter into the season of Advent,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This slow walk to Bethlehem where a brilliant star will soon appear over a lowly little manger pointing us to the greatest gift ever given,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I want these words to continue to resonate in my heart:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Be still . . .</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Be still . . .</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him.</span></b></i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-small;">(Psalm 37:7)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Beautiful words ~ ancient and true ~ and I pray they will sink in deep --- so very deep.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>How I long to be still this year and wait patiently for His coming.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And I will try to be still, but inside my heart there’s an increasing angst as I’m reminded that Christmastime can be so very loud.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The world will constantly tell me to shop, buy, wrap, add lights and bows and garland and tinsel, to bake sweet treats, and make the first 25 days in December sparkle like the prettiest things I can find on Pinterest.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sadly, it can be a convincing voice, but I hope for this year to be different.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I pray that I will not give ear to this beckoning call to chaos, but will allow the sacred call to stillness to overwhelm me instead.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I wrestle with this inner struggle, (that I feel guilty about having at all), I’m reminded of the story of Mary and Martha of Bethany, found in Luke chapter 10.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>“you are worried and upset about many things, </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>but few things are needed—or indeed only one. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Mary has chosen what is better, </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>and it will not be taken away from her.”</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(Luke 10:38-42)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On this day after Thanksgiving, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The biggest, craziest shopping day of the year, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>I did choose to be still. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I did not leave my house at all, but took time to sit in quiet devotion, to read His word and listen to His voice, and I did not worry one bit about all of the preparations.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>But this is just one day. </i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are many more days to come before I’ll be singing Silent Night by candlelight at Christmas Eve service, and Christmas morning is sure to arrive as well, when I do plan to have gifts to give my family and a lighted Christmas tree to place those gifts beneath.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Honestly, I know there will be times from now until then when I will be much like Martha, “distracted by all of the preparations”, and surely there will be instances when I’m, “worried and upset about many things”, but I pray I will still find many moments to be like Mary.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To choose the one thing that is needed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sitting still at the feet of Jesus and waiting patiently for Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For that alone is the one thing that can truly satisfy.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>And it will never be taken away.</i></b></span></div>
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Julie Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047378662620833264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280130565076814558.post-40548399240091247902015-11-21T08:00:00.000-06:002015-11-21T08:26:24.909-06:00My Ever Hope<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiklbmBaMBZ9fsxcijWxuQZPn-3zxAgbZCPrau7jR_I-IEntVNZ5mcf46h8g7z2520_yUjrj8h74UU_dOyDn3xqlx5UPpalv6dNA7oYi6O5ty3btfWSmAQK5lb-WGxDGjE0MpoZ4tm0DFJS/s1600/My+Ever+Hope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiklbmBaMBZ9fsxcijWxuQZPn-3zxAgbZCPrau7jR_I-IEntVNZ5mcf46h8g7z2520_yUjrj8h74UU_dOyDn3xqlx5UPpalv6dNA7oYi6O5ty3btfWSmAQK5lb-WGxDGjE0MpoZ4tm0DFJS/s640/My+Ever+Hope.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">No matter the dark days that may lay ahead,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">there is a Light shining ever-bright, ever-true.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A Light that will guide my path.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A Light that warms me from the inside-out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A Light that can never be extinguished.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Because God, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">who is the source of that Light ~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Always is,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Always was,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Always will be.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And He is living in me.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He is my Ever Hope who I fall into </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">again and again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And forever I am caught in the</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">unending glory </span></b><b><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">of His Love.</span></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The quote in the photo above is from a wonderful book which </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i>I highly recommend</i></b>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><em style="background-color: white; font-family: europa; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 25.6px; text-align: start;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Longing-More-Reflections-Finding-Rhythms/dp/0764212052/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Longing For More: </a></em><em style="background-color: white; font-family: europa; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 25.6px; text-align: start;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Longing-More-Reflections-Finding-Rhythms/dp/0764212052/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Daily Reflections </a></em></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><em style="background-color: white; font-family: europa; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 25.6px; text-align: start;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Longing-More-Reflections-Finding-Rhythms/dp/0764212052/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">for Finding God in the Rhythms of Life.</a></em></span></div>
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by: <a href="http://www.timothywillard.com/my-books/" target="_blank">Timothy Willard</a></div>
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If your heart longs for beauty and a closer walk with the God who created it all,</div>
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you'll want to hold this book in your hands </div>
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and let the words Tim has written</div>
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spill all over your heart.</div>
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Julie Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047378662620833264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280130565076814558.post-16740573685714325312015-11-15T22:54:00.001-06:002015-11-16T21:47:46.823-06:00Thank-full --- A Family Tribute<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgluu0IwOawXLcecDRFPACOjn5sLhx-iNIcF6TP1YOGNlUwe2NeAwEvVm13CuKAXirzk6FvsPkU135IRHQZLAuL1W6aQ_Q5yyAQofx37Lo_3x4gYGerDlBYnqfo1_du35xtAosCV8kvWOzg/s1600/103115-020lre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgluu0IwOawXLcecDRFPACOjn5sLhx-iNIcF6TP1YOGNlUwe2NeAwEvVm13CuKAXirzk6FvsPkU135IRHQZLAuL1W6aQ_Q5yyAQofx37Lo_3x4gYGerDlBYnqfo1_du35xtAosCV8kvWOzg/s400/103115-020lre.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefTmSp6EeZs5OGHNuFJXgFgFyhzl9dJND-peRce5MlErsJdyS5Ub8yP96mZEmrj9hkFeErwqsghc9Uwo-HAUXIWq0uZSu5w0JMja1ISq1hqDyeuXL8ZCfzZQps8HQdEpI4E2-y6AoHAu6/s1600/103115-115lre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefTmSp6EeZs5OGHNuFJXgFgFyhzl9dJND-peRce5MlErsJdyS5Ub8yP96mZEmrj9hkFeErwqsghc9Uwo-HAUXIWq0uZSu5w0JMja1ISq1hqDyeuXL8ZCfzZQps8HQdEpI4E2-y6AoHAu6/s400/103115-115lre.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was a grey October day, the day you left us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Gentle rain was falling in short little bursts, much like our tears that fell with each wave of sorrow, knowing that soon you would be gone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As we made the short drive from our home all four of us sat mostly silent, staring far off through the window, holding our breath, holding each other’s hands, holding you so close in our hearts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Just moments before we had each lifted you, held you tight to our chests, whispered our love into your ears, kissed your nose, and your sweet little head --- your soft little head that you could barely lift anymore. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yes, sweet-one, you were so weak and tired --- it was time to let you go.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b>For 16 years you showed us unconditional love --- such a gift you were to us and for that we are forever grateful.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We are thankful that you were ours to have and to hold for all of those years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thankful for each snuggle and kiss.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thankful for the joy you brought to our family and for the joy you showed each time one of us walked through the door.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thankful for how you loved to play and how much you could make us laugh.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thankful that you were part of our world, and that really, we were your whole world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thankful can seem like a small word sometimes, not quite big enough to convey the depth of gratitude, but where words fail, hearts feel, and because of you, our hearts are full. . .</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Thank-FULL.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Madison Brooklyn Black</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Maddie"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’m linking up this post in a blog circle with a wonderful group of friends. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our theme this month is “Giving Thanks”. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">‘Tis the season to give thanks and I am ever grateful for each one of these </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">brave and beautiful people and how they have blessed my life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Please click each link below as they get added to visit their blogs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I know you will be blessed by all of their thoughtful words </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and beautiful photographs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Marty at: </span><a href="http://www.whatmartysees.com/2015/11/in-every-thing-give-thanks.html" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;" target="_blank">What Marty Sees</a><br /><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">Connie at: <a href="http://livelovelaughhope.blogspot.com/2015/11/giving-thanks.html" target="_blank">Live, Love, Laugh, Hope</a></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Julie Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047378662620833264noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280130565076814558.post-88728403022443005942015-10-11T23:43:00.001-05:002015-10-23T21:16:18.028-05:00Seasonal Goodness - Counting Gifts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’ve noticed that I tend to write a lot about the seasons, so I hesitate to write one more post related to a certain time of year, but this one may be more about the changing of my heart, rather than the changing of the seasons.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’ve said it before…</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>I’m not a big fan of fall. </i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The daylight hours growing shorter, the breezes that blow becoming colder, once bright flowers have dried up and blown away, and the obvious notion that the long sleepy winter will soon cover our part of the world with frozen blankets of white?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, its coming can make me want to throw down on the ground in a full-blown tantrum like a spoiled child and then pout about the fact that I was born in the South in the middle of summer, but here I am now living in place where it’s possible to get some measure of snow 9 months out of the year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Winter can be absolutely stunning in its beauty, but around these parts the deep bone-chilling cold can last way, way, waaayyy too long.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m pretty convinced that there was no winter in Eden since Adam and Eve had no need for clothes, but then came. . .</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i> the fall. </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And look, there’s that word again – <i><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">fall.</span></b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">* * * * * * * * * * * * *</span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s silly, I know, and I just need to get over it! And lately, I’ve been feeling very convicted regarding my attitude towards it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was struck by these words I saw posted by a pastor on Facebook the other day, </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“Grumbling and complaining is anti-Christian.” - Scott Sauls</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And I’m also reminded of these words I saved many years ago from the wonderfully wise <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/" target="_blank">Ann Voskamp</a>,</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“Does my life testify to my belief in the power of complaint — </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">or the power of Christ?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ouch! I sure hope the people in my life do not see my complaining spirit before they see Christ in me. That would be devastating.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I’ve decided in these beginning days of autumn, I’m going to change my tune from low grumblings, to songs that lift up praise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And as <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/" target="_blank">Ann</a> so graciously taught me as well, the easiest way to do that is to start counting gifts – <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0310321913?keywords=1000%20gifts%20by%20ann%20voskamp&qid=1444599817&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1" target="_blank">1000 gifts</a> and more. . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I will begin with the ones I found just today on a lovely walk.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Vibrant red leaves set against a pale blue sky</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWfM14J4DfGM-CumHeHn9z9z1TMNulBBUW3H07r5oA_F8Jm8INYJceysR7Id2Sz_u1o7JDpK8uVArbbsaKkg7lPBqG2MYL3q-DegE9GHojO44Ege0-s9byBgWN4bGoly9R-7BPgbzph-F/s1600/101115-019lre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWfM14J4DfGM-CumHeHn9z9z1TMNulBBUW3H07r5oA_F8Jm8INYJceysR7Id2Sz_u1o7JDpK8uVArbbsaKkg7lPBqG2MYL3q-DegE9GHojO44Ege0-s9byBgWN4bGoly9R-7BPgbzph-F/s320/101115-019lre.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The reflecting beauty of a still pond</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-wXUuOeriHFR7nTX3GjQ5nAMGYgf2lO6nzFmOmkoo_IJwM0kZjIhheHUeVpRYQIyi54G0nD6qQYEaCIO7AKbDXsk9j4k0KrpKeCzxmWOpMJyaR7dlJPNh3kfBcgfTziDynUpR6DKzaLL/s1600/101115-094lre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-wXUuOeriHFR7nTX3GjQ5nAMGYgf2lO6nzFmOmkoo_IJwM0kZjIhheHUeVpRYQIyi54G0nD6qQYEaCIO7AKbDXsk9j4k0KrpKeCzxmWOpMJyaR7dlJPNh3kfBcgfTziDynUpR6DKzaLL/s320/101115-094lre.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Flower remnants – exquisite bronze sculptures</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyaGb9C7k-pCXNFu30yflscCAU331p1HH2s3_X24S_AWiBgnUiKwVcn5Pi6itjIe6OJlubeFPLBdv8IHXKodU2FgjhjCg6fiN1QOVjnwvL4los6RWaPYjQQFAs62eqrXMNHvOjGMkuYMDY/s1600/101115-117lre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyaGb9C7k-pCXNFu30yflscCAU331p1HH2s3_X24S_AWiBgnUiKwVcn5Pi6itjIe6OJlubeFPLBdv8IHXKodU2FgjhjCg6fiN1QOVjnwvL4los6RWaPYjQQFAs62eqrXMNHvOjGMkuYMDY/s320/101115-117lre.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCOPDLEuvxCQFA6nNmZZjw7ka2hNmg1mj_dI7gV0cnZ-bgFMqW56pZ3zyndjbOjlWNOlBLXF6vkdBJTRx9oOskNFIu91SoRw16AW0XcUj_7jUpOkHQMIidSR0-ObddGM4MT3HbIk19Aw2/s1600/101115-120lre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCOPDLEuvxCQFA6nNmZZjw7ka2hNmg1mj_dI7gV0cnZ-bgFMqW56pZ3zyndjbOjlWNOlBLXF6vkdBJTRx9oOskNFIu91SoRw16AW0XcUj_7jUpOkHQMIidSR0-ObddGM4MT3HbIk19Aw2/s320/101115-120lre.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Silky white milkweed seeds blowing in the breeze</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQwjJVRmKg8-utRzYN_CnF0TTB9Ck5o_usJTOMyT1_HnFDjfYtH3fAtgc9CQbhyphenhyphen4diX2KCUnpCLZQLYuDOBnzGqZ-z-rzmvCrpqlt7CC8rkugLwXq1WtqbBH1DDiukzNVZFuHGlBpYKiK/s1600/101115-073lre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQwjJVRmKg8-utRzYN_CnF0TTB9Ck5o_usJTOMyT1_HnFDjfYtH3fAtgc9CQbhyphenhyphen4diX2KCUnpCLZQLYuDOBnzGqZ-z-rzmvCrpqlt7CC8rkugLwXq1WtqbBH1DDiukzNVZFuHGlBpYKiK/s320/101115-073lre.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A sleepy bumble bee atop a purple aster flower</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnfbKU-uh5AdLbEPPhBo4CUxUP3OmMTqVInFHZFfF_QHxnbWCjbFBOPbHm0w_6MuFAocSwqZAIgRARJXMcih-yO7Z4KrFMcxAjd8RLpjZF91wmNVmx837U-aIizxoR6wCCeyDv2fh7wyb/s1600/101115-122lre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnfbKU-uh5AdLbEPPhBo4CUxUP3OmMTqVInFHZFfF_QHxnbWCjbFBOPbHm0w_6MuFAocSwqZAIgRARJXMcih-yO7Z4KrFMcxAjd8RLpjZF91wmNVmx837U-aIizxoR6wCCeyDv2fh7wyb/s320/101115-122lre.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A symphony of praise rising up in my heart </span></div>
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And the list will continue to go on and on and on, because really, </div>
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<span style="text-align: right;">the gifts of God are endless.</span></div>
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And no matter the season, there is always a reason to be grateful and to count</div>
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<i><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">each wonderful gift!</span></b></i></div>
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<b style="background-color: white; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: x-large;">- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus;">Come,</span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus;"> </span></b></span><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus;">let us sing for joy</span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus;"> </span></b></span><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus;">to the</span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus;"> <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span></b></span><span class="small-caps"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></b></span><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus;">;</span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: Papyrus;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" />
</span></b><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus; line-height: 115%;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;"> </span></span></b><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus;">let us shout aloud</span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus;"> </span></b></span><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus;">to the Rock</span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus;"> </span></b></span><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus;">of our salvation.</span></b></span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: Papyrus;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span id="en-NIV-15457" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">Let us come
before him</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">with thanksgiving</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" />
</span></span></b><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus; line-height: 115%;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;"> </span></span></b><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus;">and extol him with music</span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus;"> </span></b></span><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus;">and song.</span><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">~ Psalm 95:1-2</span></span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: Papyrus;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: large;"><b>- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -</b></span></span></span></div>
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I am linking up once again with a talented group of photographers, writers, and friends </div>
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in the <span style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">"</span><span style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">Circle of Faith in Words and Image", blog circle.</span></div>
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Our theme for this month is, "Seasonal Goodness".<br />
Please click on the links below to visit each one:</div>
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<a href="http://www.whatmartysees.com/2015/10/tis-season.html" target="_blank">Marty @ What Marty Sees</a><br />
<a href="http://sandraheskaking.com/2015/10/there-is-no-hurry/" target="_blank">Sandra @ Focusing.Still.</a><br />
<a href="http://livelovelaughhope.blogspot.com/2015/10/autumn-splendor.html">Connie @ Live, Love, Laugh, Hope</a></div>
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Julie Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047378662620833264noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280130565076814558.post-46953646095904533982015-10-04T17:19:00.002-05:002015-10-04T17:19:45.947-05:00Rejoice!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><em><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"><b>There is not
one blade of grass, </b></span></em></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><em><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"><b>there is no color in this world </b></span></em></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><em style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 17.1pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"><b>that is not intended </b></span></em><em style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 17.1pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"><b>to
make us rejoice.</b></span></em></span></div>
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<em style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 17.1pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">~John Calvin</span></b></span></em></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>You know I'm gonna miss you, Summer.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I always do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But I'm thankful for a camera, that I may capture bits of your bright-colored beauty. . .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Beauty that God Himself painted right into your days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Beauty that He imagined and carefully designed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Beauty that I can look back on,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">vibrant colors that I may behold again,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">hold so very close in my heart again. . .</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>and with every beautiful memory, give Him thanks and</b></i></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Curlz MT'; font-size: 48pt;">R E J O I C E !</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hallelujah! Thank God! Pray to him by name! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tell everyone you meet what he has done! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sing him songs, belt out hymns, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">translate his wonders into music! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Honor his holy name with Hallelujahs, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">you who seek God. Live a happy life! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works; </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">be alert for signs of his presence. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Remember the world of wonders he has made, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">his miracles, and the verdicts he’s rendered— </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">O seed of Abraham, his servant, O child of Jacob, his chosen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>~ Psalm 105:3 (The Message)</b></span></div>
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Julie Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047378662620833264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280130565076814558.post-85871147450032353342015-09-13T23:14:00.000-05:002015-09-21T23:03:40.320-05:00September<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There’s a coolness in the air now as the daylight dims a bit sooner each day. The morning dew lies thicker on the grass and the busy buzz of bumble-bees has slowed to a quieter hum. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It comes quietly, this changing of seasons, but for me, </span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>this one never comes without a fight. </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Summer is the season where I feel most alive --- when the flowers are fully blooming and the sun is shining bright, all the birds are happily singing, and everything seems just right. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love to sink my bare feet into the thick green grass of summer and pluck dandelions that have gone to seed, giving a quick blow to watch them fly up and disappear against the fluffy white clouds. The blue of the sky seems so much brighter in the summertime, much like the color of the sweet forget-me-nots that spread out in a favorite corner of my garden. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The morning sun taps early at the window to wake me to this beauty, </span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>and I hate to see it all end.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Where I live, summer goes by so quickly, and as it fades a little more with each setting sun I want to hold it just a little longer, </span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>begging it to stay and keep me warm.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But the leaves only know it’s time for their colors to change, and whether I like it or not, autumn does come as the calendar turns another page. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">September sinks in and stills the playtime, and soon the bright yellow buses make their way down most every street, picking up kids in their fresh new clothes and favorite-colored back packs. There’s excitement in the first days of school as the kids meet new teachers and get settled into new classrooms, wondering just what the year ahead will bring. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At least, that’s how it was for my kids who went to public school.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My children are grown now, young adults learning more about themselves these days and finding their own way in this world. It’s been quite some time since I’ve needed to get them up in the morning and get them ready to begin another school day, a while since I rallied them after dinner to help with the homework.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But this fall there is a back-to-school of sorts happening in our house, and there will definitely be homework to go with it. Not for them, but for me, when in one more week I will once again begin leading a women’s bible study group.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had taken a break from that role for more than a year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I felt the need to step away for a while, to be still in His presence, gather my thoughts, take a hard look at my heart, and to decide why I was leading in the first place. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes, when you do something for so many years you lose sight of the reasons why you are there and that’s where I found myself… </span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>increasingly unsure of my abilities, </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>wandering and a little bit lost.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anxiety and insecurity had found its way into my spirit with each weekly meeting. I worried much about what others were thinking of me and looking back now, I can finally see where that was coming from. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had begun to do all things in my own strength, failing to rely upon the One who I was there for, failing to obey Him fully in His command to love God above all else, and to love others as myself <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Matthew 22: 37-40)</span>.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>I read these words just this morning – and they sting:</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“At the root of insecurity – the anxiety over how others think of us – is pride. This pride is an excessive desire for others to see us as impressive and admirable. Insecurity is the fear that instead they will see us as deficient. As King Saul shows us, insecure pride is a dangerous fear because insecurity can lead to great disobedience.” </span>(based on 1 Samuel 15)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">- Jon Bloom, <u>Things Not Seen</u>, </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">pg. 51.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, insecurity can lead to a great many things including disobedience and </span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>pride always comes before the proverbial fall.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I do believe those falls are needed though. None of us is without sin, but so often I think we fail to recognize our own sin, becoming desensitized while repeating the same patterns over the years. We need to fall down to find our face pressed hard against the simple dirt that we are made of. We need to fall right down at His feet so that <i>HE</i> is the one who picks us back up again, and not our own selfish, prideful selves. We need to repent and ask for forgiveness once again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So that’s where I’m at in this current back-to-school season, humbled for sure, but oh so grateful for His amazing, lavish, undeserved grace. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Grateful that His mercies are new every morning, that He forgives my sinful pride, and He gives me yet another chance to meet together with beautiful women to sing out His praise, encourage one another, and learn how to better follow His ways.</span><br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He is the one I am serving.</span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s not about me. </span></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He is the one whose opinion matters and I pray that as I enter into a new season of leading this fall, that my pride, my insecurities and anxieties will be left behind just like the thick summer heat. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m praying that even now new flowers will begin to bloom, flowers that will produce much beautiful fruit, and that the growing will continue even long after the fall.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hmmm, flowers blooming in the cold Wisconsin winter? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">Oh yes! I do believe there will be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">For my heart knows very well. . .</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Nothing is impossible for God!</b></i></span></div>
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Linking up once again with a talented group of photographers, writers, and friends.</div>
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The theme for this month is, "Back to School".</div>
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Please click on the links below to visit each one in the blog circle:<br />
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<a href="http://spyjournal.biz/back-school" target="_blank">Tim at: Spy Journal</a><br />
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<a href="http://livelovelaughhope.blogspot.com/2015/09/back-to-school.html" target="_blank">Connie at: Live, Love, Laugh, Hope</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.whatmartysees.com/2015/09/back-to-school.html" target="_blank">Marty at: What Marty Sees</a><br />
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<a href="http://pollywogcreek.blogspot.com/2015/09/circle-of-faithback-to-school.html" target="_blank">Patricia at: Pollywog Creek</a><br />
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<a href="http://breathedeeply.org/2015/09/18/back-to-school/" target="_blank">Cindee at: Breathe Deeply</a></div>
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Julie Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047378662620833264noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280130565076814558.post-67625469343180756092015-08-29T23:08:00.000-05:002015-08-29T23:08:40.554-05:00Breathe on Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipm59VKm5BCV6SRxKWl5K3S7jQ1zNO3EtRTS9qU9Cqt5qYQ0Wt8bz4g9FUTIsyRi0i8mSNfxqXe78ebAlXV3PGVdOJQ5Tj439f_7SP1jSCjtOq-L0ASJ9uMifLvR05YdvJ5ZVEYGwLAfsY/s1600/The+Stars+Were+Born.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipm59VKm5BCV6SRxKWl5K3S7jQ1zNO3EtRTS9qU9Cqt5qYQ0Wt8bz4g9FUTIsyRi0i8mSNfxqXe78ebAlXV3PGVdOJQ5Tj439f_7SP1jSCjtOq-L0ASJ9uMifLvR05YdvJ5ZVEYGwLAfsY/s640/The+Stars+Were+Born.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;">LORD, I confess…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;">I don’t stand in awe of You<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;">As often as I should.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;">I forget<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;">That You spoke the heavens<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;">And the earth<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;">Into existence,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;">And I am merely made of
dust.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;">Mighty Star-breather,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;">Sovereign Heaven-maker,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;">Please <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;">Take my dusty heart into<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;">Your holy hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;">Breathe on me again,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;">And I will be<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;">Made new.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;">---------------------------------------------------------------</span></div>
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<b><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16pt;">From now on I will
tell you of new things,</span></span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16pt;"></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16pt;">of hidden things unknown to you.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16pt;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span id="en-NIV-18622" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">They are
created</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">now,
and not long ago;</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" />
</span></span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16pt;">you have not heard of them before today.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16pt;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">So you cannot say,</span></span></span>
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16pt;">‘Yes, I knew</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16pt;">of
them.’</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus; line-height: 115%;"><b>- Isaiah 6-7</b></span></span></div>
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Julie Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047378662620833264noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280130565076814558.post-71557498783697943592015-08-09T22:57:00.000-05:002015-08-10T19:14:41.143-05:00Where I Live<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I guess I’ve always been somewhat of a homebody – preferring the comforts of familiar, rather than seeking adventure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s not that I don’t like to explore new places, I do.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b>Just not for very long.</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I definitely enjoy getting away on vacation, sightseeing, relaxing, visiting with family and friends, but it doesn’t take long before my heart and mind start thinking about home, and soon, I can’t wait to be there again.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>* * * * *</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Home is so much more than walls with windows and a roof overhead, and more than a series of rooms with places to sit.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b>Home is the place where I belong, where I am loved and needed.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's the place where I read bedtime stories to my children and tucked them in at night with a kiss and a song, it’s where I’ve watched them grow, where my husband and I have grown this family together, and where our love has grown deeper for one another.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Home is where memories have been made, where meals have been shared, where beloved pets have lived and died, and where many, many tears have been cried.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Home is holidays and holy-days, holy moments spent in quiet devotion, reading the Word, and pouring out my heart in prayer to God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Home to me, is a little bit of heaven here on this earth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But as much as I love my home, and give thanks to God for all that He has given me, it’s not my true home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This world is not where I, or any of us, truly belong.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were made for more. . .</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>So much more!</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Father’s house has many rooms; </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">if that were not so, </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">would I have told you that I am going there </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to prepare a place for you? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And if I go and prepare a place for you, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will come back and take you to be with me </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that you also may be where I am.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">– John 14:2-3</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is a home waiting for me in heaven – a place that Jesus is preparing especially for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think of that place often and wonder just what it will be like.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He knows my heart, my desires, all of the things that bring me joy. He made this heart in me that longs to be home, this homebody heart. . .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And one day, He will delight to show me my beautiful, everlasting. . .</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>forever home.</b></i></span></div>
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*Joining a wonderful group of photographers and writers this month in the Circle of Faith in Words and Image blog circle as we explore the topic, <em><strong>Where I Live</strong></em>. Find all the links here:<br />
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<a href="http://spyjournal.biz/where-i-live">Spy Journal</a><br />
<a href="http://breathedeeply.org/2015/08/10/where-i-live/" target="_blank">Breathe Deeply</a><br />
<a href="http://livelovelaughhope.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/where-i-live.html" target="_blank">Live Love Laugh Hope</a><br />
<a href="http://pollywogcreek.blogspot.com/2015/08/circle-of-faithwhere-i-live.html" target="_blank">Pollywog Creek</a><br />
<a href="http://www.whatmartysees.com/2015/08/where-i-am-living-these-days.html">What Marty Sees</a><br />
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Julie Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047378662620833264noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280130565076814558.post-29143307485905112872015-06-04T23:07:00.000-05:002015-06-04T23:07:02.154-05:00Sweet Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6Tc9VA74brfENqlHjNI3yZDVV3cJgjD7mWY3M8arv4W_vw2TNNK-LVDXvMF0eHFLzcf4j5mAc-MN_Mzbq671Uj1s5xVyJypGvNeNkeuwH4cY1pQiBJjOeJ4xxym2t_LN3mlBDq8UD4Yf/s1600/07-21-14+111-lre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6Tc9VA74brfENqlHjNI3yZDVV3cJgjD7mWY3M8arv4W_vw2TNNK-LVDXvMF0eHFLzcf4j5mAc-MN_Mzbq671Uj1s5xVyJypGvNeNkeuwH4cY1pQiBJjOeJ4xxym2t_LN3mlBDq8UD4Yf/s640/07-21-14+111-lre.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">LORD,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Thank You for the painted skies,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">For summer breeze</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And fireflies,</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepNYyXfOyiFBYBopJVpqab4v1ckMveb7foWuUTM4kqLMIIc_P8nsCBzCI08O9swYm4dCEazVWwYIlxnaJeigylUy32hNe_JAoH-7a1_6OsB7l7DbMSHx47RHdGAEfNvs10VOlZW8Y1bhu/s1600/051-cr-orton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepNYyXfOyiFBYBopJVpqab4v1ckMveb7foWuUTM4kqLMIIc_P8nsCBzCI08O9swYm4dCEazVWwYIlxnaJeigylUy32hNe_JAoH-7a1_6OsB7l7DbMSHx47RHdGAEfNvs10VOlZW8Y1bhu/s400/051-cr-orton.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">That dawn again</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">When days grow dark,</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXpHRn1dKVLy3XBT89UMdkSBcrFJbcsXxgtjnByge5bYHd1wiYir0zybz35CkIGwnov1qdtJSwH5LQNzCC01t_RlfqlAOgVD0LtcTEnYv84mGLFWLMvx_xM8umnT8X-WRJih9HhLGvMDb/s1600/052115+018lre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXpHRn1dKVLy3XBT89UMdkSBcrFJbcsXxgtjnByge5bYHd1wiYir0zybz35CkIGwnov1qdtJSwH5LQNzCC01t_RlfqlAOgVD0LtcTEnYv84mGLFWLMvx_xM8umnT8X-WRJih9HhLGvMDb/s400/052115+018lre.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Sweet summer weather</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In my heart. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">♥</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">--------------------------------------------------------</span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">The <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span></b></span><span class="small-caps"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></b></span><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;"> is my strength and
shield.</span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" />
</span></b><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;"> </span></span></b><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">I trust him with all my heart.</span></b></span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">He helps me, and my heart
is filled with joy.</span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" />
</span></b><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;"> </span></span></b><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">I burst out in songs of
thanksgiving.</span></b></span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">-
Psalm 28:7</span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br />Julie Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047378662620833264noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280130565076814558.post-65464030043293790652015-05-04T06:31:00.000-05:002015-05-04T06:31:18.693-05:00My Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYKzFm0mTk3vs95ZgU9O6mj87gIfDKjRwtFoCB5yNdZz_2ouwMQbytqsb008Xga7hFJzpEjcUn2cjWtJKwLn-w0iH7mXC0ACtooThlfIh097-5QD4qQGf0iJFvc9kQ2u9521dhr8y_peT/s1600/042615+142lre2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYKzFm0mTk3vs95ZgU9O6mj87gIfDKjRwtFoCB5yNdZz_2ouwMQbytqsb008Xga7hFJzpEjcUn2cjWtJKwLn-w0iH7mXC0ACtooThlfIh097-5QD4qQGf0iJFvc9kQ2u9521dhr8y_peT/s400/042615+142lre2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In honor of my husband's birthday today, sharing this short poem that I wrote for him many years ago. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I pray that our children will find the kind of love that we have found in this life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God has blessed us so richly with a love that endures. . .</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b>And for that, I am eternally grateful!</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank You God for David</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The other half of my heart,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Made one flesh in Your eyes</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Until death do us part.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank You for his smile</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That brightens my whole spirit.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank You for his voice</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That brings me comfort</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I hear it.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank You for his hands</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That touch me tenderly.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank You for the love we share</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That’s such a part of me.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love that runs so deep</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It could only come from You…</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The One who has the power</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To make one heart out of two.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: xx-small;">© 2008 Julie Jablonski</span></div>
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Julie Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047378662620833264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280130565076814558.post-35642010329233286782015-04-19T22:44:00.001-05:002015-04-19T22:44:51.866-05:00Longing. . .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagpzdCGQTOe4lTsFWN5l87HRJcQf96kwk9PTikdbY5iTO_HuoYWh9WidCHGHaf0ZMggTltyvQdkiye5Il-G9Ix9ZCn_034_i0lubJDTh5vYD9sQ-Ce0jpcFHG4YycViy_bxIVd0FEwENq/s1600/0827+090-lre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagpzdCGQTOe4lTsFWN5l87HRJcQf96kwk9PTikdbY5iTO_HuoYWh9WidCHGHaf0ZMggTltyvQdkiye5Il-G9Ix9ZCn_034_i0lubJDTh5vYD9sQ-Ce0jpcFHG4YycViy_bxIVd0FEwENq/s1600/0827+090-lre.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 18.0pt;">How I long to touch Your face<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 18.0pt;">Alight with glory, full of grace<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 18.0pt;">Trembling as You fill my soul<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 18.0pt;">Forever changed and finally whole<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 18.0pt;">I long to look into Your eyes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 18.0pt;">Ablaze with all-consuming fire<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 18.0pt;">Holy fire burning through<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 18.0pt;">My spirit that was made by You<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 18.0pt;">I long to worship at Your feet<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 18.0pt;">And experience joy made complete<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 18.0pt;">My heart will find new wings to soar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 18.0pt;">With feelings I’ve never felt before<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 18.0pt;">In Your holy presence I long to be<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 18.0pt;">In the place that You’ve prepared for me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 18.0pt;">Eternal home, eternal life<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 18.0pt;">Never another tear to cry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 18.0pt;">For Your precious hand will wipe away<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 18.0pt;">Every tear, from every face<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 18.0pt;">And all will be revealed by You<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 18.0pt;">A fallen world will be made new<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 18.0pt;">Angels, Saints, and all creation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 18.0pt;">With eternal praise and adoration<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 18.0pt;">Will find every longing satisfied<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 18.0pt;">In Your presence, </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 18.0pt;">Precious Lamb of God<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; line-height: 115%;">© </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">2010 Julie Jablonski</span></span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So often, this poem has been my prayer and the very cry of my heart, and even more so as of late.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">There's a sadness that enters in sometimes, slow but steady, and it tends to linger long </span></span><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">—</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><i><b>much too long.</b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">There is so much evil in this world. So much wrong with this world. There are so many things that just shouldn't happen and yet, they do.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">The seemingly endless bad news can leave us stunned and bewildered, stumbling in the darkness, just trying to steady our way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">And if it were up to each of us, and our own strength, who could stand?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">But thankfully, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><i><b>there is Strength beyond this world.</b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Strength that overcame sin, and death, and darkness by being executed on a horrible wooden cross.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Mercifully, Jesus took every sin upon Himself so that death would not have the final say and </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">our guilty stains could be washed away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">He took EVERY sin. The sins of every member of ISIS and every evil regime that has ever sought power on this planet. The sins of hatred, murder, child abuse, adultery, gossip, slander, prayerlessness, deception, indifference...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">This endless list that everyone of us adds to every day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Thank God, He did not come to condemn us. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">He </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">came to be </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">The Way.</span></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><i><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><i><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">The better Way. </span></b></i></span></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></b></i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">The narrow Way.</span></b></i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></b></i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">The only Way.</span></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><i><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">And for every person who has, and who will, repent and give their whole heart to Him, He will wash clean, cover with His righteousness, and welcome into His Kingdom.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">He is the Hope that we have, the beauty we long for, the holiness we were made for </span></span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 13.8000001907349px; text-align: center;">—</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">And it will be ours someday, when He says it's time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Not by our goodness. Not by our strength. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">But by His grace </span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 13.8000001907349px; text-align: center;">— </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">His most amazing grace!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Though until that perfect day...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><b><i>this longing will remain.</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 24px; text-align: center;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Julie Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047378662620833264noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280130565076814558.post-82693075372847265422015-01-31T22:31:00.000-06:002015-01-31T22:31:51.096-06:00Count as lost . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamG3D31X7J81pmyWC-DMOOLonTSA2UHDxVRz0XykNtI-GpsL7DPUqUAV8yjmGUPw-iZryVbGNkLlTtzDENfDs3EkI6xMZehVI3iGK_-MjKZn8EMBXsPZUlQQw1seZw70atvZZyN5ntKrX/s1600/Count+as+lost+-+unsigned.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamG3D31X7J81pmyWC-DMOOLonTSA2UHDxVRz0XykNtI-GpsL7DPUqUAV8yjmGUPw-iZryVbGNkLlTtzDENfDs3EkI6xMZehVI3iGK_-MjKZn8EMBXsPZUlQQw1seZw70atvZZyN5ntKrX/s1600/Count+as+lost+-+unsigned.jpg" height="454" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Julie Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047378662620833264noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280130565076814558.post-28964367216349742682015-01-14T22:16:00.000-06:002015-01-14T22:16:14.136-06:00The Work of His Hands<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHsaAFzqrLGrknkTJx1LeLZ1UbfN_XO58qw105Fmbo5PlGEyjWgKMNNn8MIaDCGJyQcY3f-1r0QZ-NIe66yHU-3q9r-LbSpYg14lm-S7mKp4atRqhrZEZy2baT7xk89ttOe6gnitoZbyE/s1600/The+Work+of+His+Hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHsaAFzqrLGrknkTJx1LeLZ1UbfN_XO58qw105Fmbo5PlGEyjWgKMNNn8MIaDCGJyQcY3f-1r0QZ-NIe66yHU-3q9r-LbSpYg14lm-S7mKp4atRqhrZEZy2baT7xk89ttOe6gnitoZbyE/s1600/The+Work+of+His+Hands.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Tempus Sans ITC'; font-size: 14pt;">The heavens declare the
glory of God;<br />
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.<br />
Day after day they pour forth speech;<br />
night after night they reveal knowledge.<br />
They have no speech, they use no words;<br />
no sound is heard from them.<br />
Yet their voice<sup> </sup>goes out into all the earth,<br />
their words to the ends of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Tempus Sans ITC'; font-size: 14pt;">~ Psalm 19:1-4</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Tempus Sans ITC'; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Julie Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047378662620833264noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280130565076814558.post-76500992949603831232015-01-01T17:02:00.000-06:002015-01-01T17:02:06.291-06:00Happy New Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtwD27oDjbekaxjbzwB2ylZNrwBDMvdJLeBNOtT0NmNnf2DWjIjuituiOndnLmflgKyfSwup8SgcKXE1wh1NuHwPonY_0T3zZkCeaFt8b1Xc6mRURD7AF0h4-cwlJv3tUbJKIIpxVpukX/s1600/Happy+New+Year+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtwD27oDjbekaxjbzwB2ylZNrwBDMvdJLeBNOtT0NmNnf2DWjIjuituiOndnLmflgKyfSwup8SgcKXE1wh1NuHwPonY_0T3zZkCeaFt8b1Xc6mRURD7AF0h4-cwlJv3tUbJKIIpxVpukX/s1600/Happy+New+Year+2015.jpg" height="466" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy New Year, friends!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope that 2014 has been good for you. I’m sure we can all look back and remember much that has been good and bright, but also recall the shadows of things that were anything but. Each year brings its own challenges and triumphs, and as long as our lives continue through it, the New Year to come will offer many similar ups and downs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are not living in paradise, at least not yet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But that is the HOPE that we have!</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Because Jesus did come! He came small and vulnerable and shared in our humanness. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Christmas story is still fresh in our minds, as we’re just days passed the celebration of His birth, but there’s so much more to see and believe as we move past the wood and hay in the manger, and look to the stark reality of a hard wooden cross. The cross He carried to the place He would die. The wood from a tree He was nailed to, to save our sinful lives.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Truly, this is why He was born.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He came and lived a sinless life, to show us that ALL things are possible with God. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He took every sin upon Himself at the cross, so that we could be clothed in His righteousness. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And with the deepest love and humility, He promises to be the fullness of God with us.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoY3Z7M9j1ea2CEq6e0jyBCuuKfcwpYpbc5pKZSdvYEFZrVSVmYFvo9UF4rXdyJjwojjNe_BGNM0Jl4J6elrmmN_S5sfWZvT9CgyVET-sDQHpzjy8RG_0AuUKsia_P2P_BffBO1eTlW6c/s1600/1-4-14+064-lre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoY3Z7M9j1ea2CEq6e0jyBCuuKfcwpYpbc5pKZSdvYEFZrVSVmYFvo9UF4rXdyJjwojjNe_BGNM0Jl4J6elrmmN_S5sfWZvT9CgyVET-sDQHpzjy8RG_0AuUKsia_P2P_BffBO1eTlW6c/s1600/1-4-14+064-lre.jpg" height="241" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>There is no greater gift </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>than receiving the forgiveness of God, </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>by embracing the Son that He gave.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we look to a new year, sparkling with new hope and possibilities, may we know in our hearts the truth of His grace, the depth of His love, and the hope of our future, all because He came to save us who were hopeless and lost without Him. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">May we let go of the guilt of the past, and allow Him to lead us wherever He wants us to go.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And let's remember, though we are not living in paradise yet, </span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>eternal LIFE has already begun . . .</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>as long as we know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: 'Segoe Print';">For God so loved</span><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';"> the world that he gave his one and only Son, </span><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: 'Segoe Print';">that whoever believes</span><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';"> in him shall not perish</span><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: 'Segoe Print';">but have eternal life.</span><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: 'Segoe Print';">- John 3:16</span><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">“Each year, when we talk about resolutions, </span><span style="background-color: white;">I'm reminded of this </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">amazing God we worship, </span><span style="background-color: white;">who made His resolution and KEPT IT. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">He resolved to save us, and He did. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then He doesn't require us to add to it, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><b>only to receive it.</b></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Live in that astonishing freedom in 2015!</span></span>” </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">- <a href="http://jenniferdukeslee.com/" target="_blank">Jennifer Dukes Lee</a></span></div>
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Julie Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047378662620833264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280130565076814558.post-43487708096953507042014-11-30T21:00:00.003-06:002014-11-30T21:00:56.468-06:00Heaven Around Us<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUt7rREC7MZOfpVzLJE8FEFbpdE0l3YyjNUHh0yZDcC1HKOgQeKKcdylA9lxUSvQ-sFkY6XHNFN7RNXfNl2ImhB7ng2mhHZcJyEzA_1pCDfB2ZJfLy8tYbYsQ_QACY27IgrVr2oJIFcYOG/s1600/Heaven+Around+Us+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUt7rREC7MZOfpVzLJE8FEFbpdE0l3YyjNUHh0yZDcC1HKOgQeKKcdylA9lxUSvQ-sFkY6XHNFN7RNXfNl2ImhB7ng2mhHZcJyEzA_1pCDfB2ZJfLy8tYbYsQ_QACY27IgrVr2oJIFcYOG/s1600/Heaven+Around+Us+-+2.jpg" height="466" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Julie Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047378662620833264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280130565076814558.post-32667834391378563982014-11-22T16:21:00.001-06:002014-11-24T21:25:34.171-06:00Clothed in Splendor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEV1tDhJnJwhOWayQUwlgnXk3NnH1QvQJBNXOodsnw_Np_fanSVZd4EF4eVOtWORDp2b4a0qP9Y1ETmSdKjwZtOBkgsvUDbg40iPrLvTTFBoKhV2-H_-r4vdP5Jd4e2MOVTmUXMjd5SiJ/s1600/Clothed+in+Splendor+-+signed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEV1tDhJnJwhOWayQUwlgnXk3NnH1QvQJBNXOodsnw_Np_fanSVZd4EF4eVOtWORDp2b4a0qP9Y1ETmSdKjwZtOBkgsvUDbg40iPrLvTTFBoKhV2-H_-r4vdP5Jd4e2MOVTmUXMjd5SiJ/s1600/Clothed+in+Splendor+-+signed.jpg" height="432" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have few words to share today, but wanted to share this image.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am always in awe of the quiet beauty that God places all around us…</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Beauty, that drips from the heavens, and springs up from the earth, a continual telling of the glory of God in a language not heard, but felt by the heart. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Beauty, beheld with the eyes that softly reaches in, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></b></i></span>
<i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>to touch the very soul.</b></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These crystalline beads of ice strung on thin threads of grass speak that language to me. A love language from God Himself, reminding that if He places sparkling jewels on dried up grass in the field, how much more does He care for me? For you? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How much more beauty does He have waiting for me, if I will be surrendered to Him like the flowers, and trees, and each tiny blade of grass?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can scarcely imagine…</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>But, oh… </b></i></span> </span><br />
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<i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>how I want to find out!</b></span></i></b></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-8YBHiJOQS7UM4RNbU_U4Re2Pp2dQ_rMpm7iPE1up_NClabaqQS1ku9mUAzMKgFNnlNxdv_uAEAzpel4Odnz1sMM3hHJryUCSKRwgmt2u_XVKn-4UU26dHAdnc_L3aBsHRQgKtJhSYBO/s1600/12-22-13+068-lre2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-8YBHiJOQS7UM4RNbU_U4Re2Pp2dQ_rMpm7iPE1up_NClabaqQS1ku9mUAzMKgFNnlNxdv_uAEAzpel4Odnz1sMM3hHJryUCSKRwgmt2u_XVKn-4UU26dHAdnc_L3aBsHRQgKtJhSYBO/s1600/12-22-13+068-lre2.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Linking up again at the beautiful place called <a href="http://jasonandkelliwoodford.blogspot.com/2014/11/a-person-i-used-to-be.html" target="_blank">Unforced Rhythms</a>.
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Please click on over and be blessed!</span></div>
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Julie Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047378662620833264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280130565076814558.post-1820379954180543382014-11-03T22:33:00.001-06:002014-11-03T22:33:45.359-06:00Singing His Praise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjKRimoNkxQ-4bRwrycymhApGW6v9bp4rrAyd03y63psh-0uCYHymNaJCrW9mPVrLJqDuXmCN681iIP0HncggEbBX37DYGFCH1lO9zfReYkF8IfIkrDt2M6svGTq8nYT9mGpj3b6En5I9/s1600/The+Whole+Earth+Will+Worship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjKRimoNkxQ-4bRwrycymhApGW6v9bp4rrAyd03y63psh-0uCYHymNaJCrW9mPVrLJqDuXmCN681iIP0HncggEbBX37DYGFCH1lO9zfReYkF8IfIkrDt2M6svGTq8nYT9mGpj3b6En5I9/s1600/The+Whole+Earth+Will+Worship.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love to take walks on a sunshiny day, camera in hand, and prayers on my heart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just to walk alone in nature and lift up my prayers and my praise is such a special time, and when I stop to take a closer look, and snap a picture or two, (or four hundred as I’ve been known to do in one outing – ha!), I’m always amazed at the discovery of tiny, intricate details, that God has lovingly placed in His creation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Does it ever make you wonder, why He took great care to place such incredible beauty in hidden places where most eyes will never see it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I mean for thousands of years, before there were microscopes and macro lenses, there were undiscovered worlds of wonders inside the most delicate flowers, and even still, there are places all over this planet that have never had human eyes look upon them. Just imagine what untold artistry is on display that we will never see in our lifetimes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Though our eyes will never gaze upon some things, God sees it all.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He sees everything.</span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"> He </span><i style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;">MADE</i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"> everything!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But if not just for us, and our enjoyment, then what did He make everything for?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love how this verse reads in the Names of God bible translation:</span><br />
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<span class="text"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: 'Tempus Sans ITC';"><span style="font-size: large;">“The whole earth will worship You.</span></span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: 'Tempus Sans ITC';"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">It will make music to praise You.</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-2-breaks"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">It will make music to praise Your Name.”</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></b></div>
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<span class="text"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: 'Tempus Sans ITC';">- Psalm 66:4<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The whole earth ~ </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> <i><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">worshiping! </span></b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just dwell on that thought for a moment . . . </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All of the time, all of His creation, making music and singing praise to God!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And if that is so, don’t you wish you could hear all the songs the earth is singing?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What kinds of voices do the flowers have? Does it make a difference what color they are? Do the rocks and stones sing in deep baritone? Are the trees singing tenor and the wispy clouds in falsetto? What kind of harmonies float up to heaven on a sun-soaked day or in the darkest of nights?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, what a wonderful world He has made! All for His glory and praise!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How much do we miss every day, in our busy little lives? How much beauty do we just pass by?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don’t want to take it for granted. I want to marvel at every bit of beauty in this world and tune my heart to sing right along. I want to join with all of creation making music to praise His Name!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let’s all join the glorious chorus when we step out into this great-big-beautiful world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Each of us using the unique voice He has given us ~</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>making beautiful music to His Name.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.0774993896484px;">Linking up once again with Kelli and the beautiful community that gathers at </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://jasonandkelliwoodford.blogspot.com/2014/11/she-talks-to-angels.html" target="_blank">Unforced Rhythms</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please click the link above visit there too!</span></div>
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Julie Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047378662620833264noreply@blogger.com4