tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63680773301348786712024-02-02T14:06:36.637-08:00EnchantingNikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085313745830902623noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368077330134878671.post-57520782259053189692023-02-22T22:39:00.000-08:002023-02-22T22:39:55.369-08:00Is Your Stomach Your god? <p> </p><p>I awoke this morning with a question echoing in my mind, "Is your stomach your god?" </p><p>It only later dawned on me the perfect irony that today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. I immediately grabbed my notebook and started writing down thoughts that I didn't want to forget. I'm not making this up, and I feel quite confident the Lord was speaking to me even while I slept. </p><p>I had already made the connection to fasting but I thought this concept of your stomach being your god sounded familiar, like something Paul said once in one of the epistles... I looked it up and bingo. </p><p><br /></p><span></span><span><a name='more'></a></span><blockquote><p><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">17 </span>Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. <span class="text Phil-3-18" id="en-NIV-29440"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">18 </span>For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. <span class="text Phil-3-19" id="en-NIV-29441"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">19 </span>Their destiny is destruction,<i><b> their god is their stomach</b></i>, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. <span class="text Phil-3-20" id="en-NIV-29442"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">20 </span>But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, <span class="text Phil-3-21" id="en-NIV-29443"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">21 </span>who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.</span></span></span></span></p></blockquote><h3>Philippians 3:17-21 NIV</h3><p><span></span></p><!--more--> <p></p><p>So, what does this have to do with fasting? I'm so glad you asked!</p><p>There are 2 ways to look at fasting and I think we should do both. </p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>How the ancient people of God understood and practiced it (Biblical and historical context).</li><li>How the themes and concepts apply to us today.</li></ol><p></p><p>I'm going to keep this as a brief overview, you can do a more in-depth study of fasting if this sparks your interest to do so. </p><p>For the first one, we know that fasting is in part a practice in self-discipline, denying yourself something you want and need. It is practiced as a personal act or in solidarity with others or even as a community (think Nineveh in the book of Jonah). It is often practiced as an act of mourning or alongside prayer in a desperate plea for help, a petition to God (shown in Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther to name a few).</p><p>The themes we see overall are embracing and (portraying outwardly) a feeling of weakness and lack (in mourning or petition). There's also the obvious implication of refraining from indulgence. We may also consider that for your average person who made their own food, before modern conveniences food preparation was all an all day thing. It took hours and hours out of their day. Therefore, if you are fasting then you suddenly free up a lot more time. Even those who don't prepare their own food (like queen Esther) are shown as freeing up their entire day to pray and focus on God when fasting. Desperate times call for desperate measures.</p><p>So, there's both a symbolic and a practical element to fasting. Practical things that free up our time or change our routines to help us focus on spiritual things. Reorienting ourselves, if you will. Consider also that food is highly personal because everyone has a unique sense of taste and people's bodies react differently to different kinds of food, in some cases with an allergic reaction. There's a very personal element to fasting in that sense. </p><p>Here I think the stomach represents in a very basic sense your most foundational self care. It's one of the elemental ways we care for our own bodies —by feeding ourselves. Then fasting, when you're talking about food, is a practice in denying ourselves by removing a basic need, but one that can easily become an indulgence. The stomach, or some translations say "belly," also represents carnal needs and desires (as opposed to spiritual), a source of inner strength (as food strengthens our bodies), and our own pleasures. Paul says right in this passage that those whose stomach is their god have their minds on earthly things. But we are to have our eyes on a future, glorified body. Our current body is not the end all be all. </p><p>Earlier in the chapter he says a few other important things. You'll notice he starts the section I shared above by admonishing the reader to follow his example, which he has been describing in the previous verses. The example he shares is to boast only in Christ and put no confidence in the flesh (v. 3-4), consider our physical gains as loss for the sake of Christ (v. 7-9), and that we should desire to know the power of the resurrection and share in his sufferings (v. 10-11). He then shares that we should forget what is behind and move toward what is ahead (v. 13-14) and that these are the qualities that are held by the mature in Christ (v. 15). </p><p>As we enter into the season of Lent (it is past midnight now that I had the time to finish writing this, so most of you will be reading this after Ash Wednesday) perhaps we can challenge ourselves in new ways to seek God. Obviously Paul isn't talking about fasting in this passage and when he says their god is their stomach he isn't just talking about food, he's using it as a metaphor for a way of life. </p><p>Is my stomach my god? How do I make my decisions? How do I prioritize my life? Is it based on what seems good to me? What feels right? Am I distracted by earthly things? </p><p>Fasting is a beautiful practice that can be used as a way to reorient ourselves spiritually, and challenge ourselves in ways that can help us determine where we are doing well (seeking first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness as Jesus taught in Matthew 6:28) and where we are falling short and becoming too focused on ourselves or things of this earth. </p><p>Maybe one of the things in my list of Paul's attributes of the mature in Christ stands out to you already. Are you struggling to leave the past behind and move forward? Is it challenging to think about sharing in Christ's suffering? Do you feel confident in the flesh -your own accomplishments or abilities? Is it hard to think about losing things or considering them loss for the sake of knowing Christ? Lay these things before God honestly and ask him to show you the way. </p><p>Following are some different ways to approach a modern practice of fasting that (I feel) accomplish the same goals as the traditional practice.</p><h4 style="text-align: left;">WORSHIP: Fast something you love (perhaps too much?)<br />SACRIFICE: Fast something you think you need.<br />DISCIPLINE: Fast something that makes you feel strong or in-control.<br />TIME: Fast something that frees up time to do spiritual things. </h4><p style="text-align: left;">Many things will satisfy more than one, if not all, of these categories. Fasting is <b>not</b> about checking a box or being more "spiritual". It's about self reflection, self discipline, and surrendering to God - wants, needs, desires. It's about making God a priority in your life in order to realign your spiritual walk. You could consider it like a spiritual detox. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I'm both dreading and looking forward to fasting the thing God has put on my heart to lay aside these next 40 days. I hope you will join me in your own way. The Lord has promised that "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Let's be intentional about seeking Him as a community during this time and expect Him to show up and move in powerful ways. </p><p><br /></p>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085313745830902623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368077330134878671.post-33950262610612240162023-01-17T10:57:00.002-08:002023-01-18T18:27:57.406-08:00An Ode to Vittles<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nBq2bJUfBk7RA7KwRig1nHMRkVCwyJXkgQr5akobTzqu1EnRm3jnv9y61zvkbSXeiJn_JELum2RIWEdVT0W7H_VyKZ_3KZnK1_B-X1iOZO6GPAAJyCo4HCTJaCZnZYUJGsLBdtY3UVAVnMhmgFMlDb5N5t3reyxVB7OtGPZVgxtn7LAwSMMrvdgAjA/s1920/4Cats1080x1920(vertical).jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nBq2bJUfBk7RA7KwRig1nHMRkVCwyJXkgQr5akobTzqu1EnRm3jnv9y61zvkbSXeiJn_JELum2RIWEdVT0W7H_VyKZ_3KZnK1_B-X1iOZO6GPAAJyCo4HCTJaCZnZYUJGsLBdtY3UVAVnMhmgFMlDb5N5t3reyxVB7OtGPZVgxtn7LAwSMMrvdgAjA/w285-h506/4Cats1080x1920(vertical).jpg" width="285" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DNY2-NizBwNknHPnRluRjgpq9UiNEYVr9pNNi5zufjWKWGnZ5PKn-Lj4B6c6LCnwnZdbEAXvrZl3qMUwSn7d0HeidHVTnkSJkxuI16oo3KQUBUmF2d1ydzZdUf0s6aAkLnTukjEr5tnxofLoGpzV9oqBTaZtyb9vti_PeTsOuyVbEA_orwLx2irU5g/s3264/PXL_20210530_004628019.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DNY2-NizBwNknHPnRluRjgpq9UiNEYVr9pNNi5zufjWKWGnZ5PKn-Lj4B6c6LCnwnZdbEAXvrZl3qMUwSn7d0HeidHVTnkSJkxuI16oo3KQUBUmF2d1ydzZdUf0s6aAkLnTukjEr5tnxofLoGpzV9oqBTaZtyb9vti_PeTsOuyVbEA_orwLx2irU5g/s320/PXL_20210530_004628019.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWi-93vBlRf9MPZNaDZCWwHFOZ3WYAGFmD2rIikOoWA-UNMbLlMJDLmWn6b2tOKr7EOG13rIZLmAQ4-u2kSEaLNarsRU1GrlhYrqG-HGzI1ymPaxB7p45aNrlNaA7fAdE15pxCwgL1VUlOpB9VBwoon7iworSHG70uZKAYPw9Wk0U4-xpiEbVsGuCPtQ/s2304/IMG_20180117_132550.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="2304" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWi-93vBlRf9MPZNaDZCWwHFOZ3WYAGFmD2rIikOoWA-UNMbLlMJDLmWn6b2tOKr7EOG13rIZLmAQ4-u2kSEaLNarsRU1GrlhYrqG-HGzI1ymPaxB7p45aNrlNaA7fAdE15pxCwgL1VUlOpB9VBwoon7iworSHG70uZKAYPw9Wk0U4-xpiEbVsGuCPtQ/s320/IMG_20180117_132550.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-cJuju9ugK2etF6crSThpHzfFU7jQkmw8pckDrN2gfKO2qmXrC8tgRfDVH8ZUhE0Y52uecrKkEwXMD3C_MtXoAi-5jMKzXhfiM0izz1KdkivkPgrkv0h1VyS29Ed2B7FAWrXSWqeunOoqPRKKxu9EwEFLiY299Yvwx9Pc7dZPe4g1dyHg7bnLHHKSA/s1080/IMG_20171231_213553.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: arial; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-cJuju9ugK2etF6crSThpHzfFU7jQkmw8pckDrN2gfKO2qmXrC8tgRfDVH8ZUhE0Y52uecrKkEwXMD3C_MtXoAi-5jMKzXhfiM0izz1KdkivkPgrkv0h1VyS29Ed2B7FAWrXSWqeunOoqPRKKxu9EwEFLiY299Yvwx9Pc7dZPe4g1dyHg7bnLHHKSA/w307-h307/IMG_20171231_213553.jpg" width="307" /></span></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;">My husband and I are grieving a tragic loss. It has hit our household hard and shaken the foundations of the peaceful and happy life we have built these 12 years together. Almost half of these years were filled with sweetness and joy by the presence of our beloved cat, Vittles. You may think it silly to speak so affectionately of a cat or describe such a heavy grief for the loss of one, but I can promise you it is not an exaggeration. Truth be told, words fail to express how precious Vittles was to us or how heavy the loss of him feels. Vittles was special in an inexpressible way, something I couldn't explain to you no matter how hard I may try. Fortunately, he was also special in describable ways, as well. Vittles was unlike other cats, and I can say that with some authority as we have had 5 and both grew up around cats. He was more loyal and friendly than any dog, but in a non oppressive way. He was sweet and kind and it may sound cliche or untrue but I can say with certainty that he took care of us just as much, if not more, than we took care of him.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9ytLTMVrsKdO9LW8zzwy_wk-oLBE9_Z618Pe1XtS4yuQBxxGtxsNoVfjxXXSzHt5XVpYZij5OAUuY1A4wJNxsbTPMwrWrAvOJLOLshNTf7JNQsuWf9svqK_PdO4sdN3nMVMTYXnK_IR14aa1euhqIg3p7whLNJUtJBMIV9Cq4JAOb4LofHwb5ZVlJA/s4128/20171216_162337.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="2322" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9ytLTMVrsKdO9LW8zzwy_wk-oLBE9_Z618Pe1XtS4yuQBxxGtxsNoVfjxXXSzHt5XVpYZij5OAUuY1A4wJNxsbTPMwrWrAvOJLOLshNTf7JNQsuWf9svqK_PdO4sdN3nMVMTYXnK_IR14aa1euhqIg3p7whLNJUtJBMIV9Cq4JAOb4LofHwb5ZVlJA/s320/20171216_162337.jpg" width="180" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCfSmZuPWMLe9pwkyb48b-h_peFvFqI7euWm0ihJNiAwA_-SbLOx43eorMWb8LiD0n0ZTNpKytLsppFe8V93YhjIpB5sKrUd4QyQkKTZSdTK7q45iOZ-kaRAT9_8hTnRjLTWp7Tmv1B4OAJPW1BQl5EH8zcOXIyfv94CM1jaPhY87cudwHIMuy0r_ew/s4032/PXL_20210618_213423591.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><p></p><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGhT5ZoBN8bYmUX8K_I7iWzAJqwSAdNSE00iYoESx5XgdYsY-rVBm_nUAQzUPLapA0-ufWRTvuvan2MPt-yrCnj3Wo7PXx6OQ32C7WHrDe02ZjYLZDHL82xO3mKFqdnAZ4dIRV5m7c7hgnaLgdejrnSjwxgdFVVme_RezfaduGIzsDezVLU2AvlL1iA/s1080/IMG_20190529_211605_922.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGhT5ZoBN8bYmUX8K_I7iWzAJqwSAdNSE00iYoESx5XgdYsY-rVBm_nUAQzUPLapA0-ufWRTvuvan2MPt-yrCnj3Wo7PXx6OQ32C7WHrDe02ZjYLZDHL82xO3mKFqdnAZ4dIRV5m7c7hgnaLgdejrnSjwxgdFVVme_RezfaduGIzsDezVLU2AvlL1iA/s320/IMG_20190529_211605_922.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCfSmZuPWMLe9pwkyb48b-h_peFvFqI7euWm0ihJNiAwA_-SbLOx43eorMWb8LiD0n0ZTNpKytLsppFe8V93YhjIpB5sKrUd4QyQkKTZSdTK7q45iOZ-kaRAT9_8hTnRjLTWp7Tmv1B4OAJPW1BQl5EH8zcOXIyfv94CM1jaPhY87cudwHIMuy0r_ew/s4032/PXL_20210618_213423591.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"></a><span style="font-family: arial;">I would never say a dog is man's best friend anyway but especially after seeing how Vittles loved my husband Gabe. Ever since he was a tiny kitten he would follow him around, shower him with affection, and stay by his side. He would often meow wanting to be picked up and held. I've never seen a cat who loved being held the way Vittles did. He would even let Gabe hold him belly up like a baby which anyone who knows cats will tell you is a no-no. He would purr loudly and rub his face and head in Gabe's beard. When he was small he would climb all over Gabe while he sat at his art desk and sit on his shoulders or head watching him draw, and later fall asleep on him. In spite of this special bond he never snubbed me. He would come up to me while I worked or did homework and want to crawl up in my lap. He loved to get under a blanket and would stay until he got so warm he would burst out and go lie on the hard floor to cool off. He preferred Gabe but if he wasn't home Vittles would sometimes meow until I picked him up and he would let me pet him, rub his belly, and sit in my lap like a human until he had his fill of affection and left my heart full of joy. Anxiety, stress and sadness melted away in the presence of Vittles. He was spectacular in that way. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: arial; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__DlCsPIC7vsByP1mhOOmgcFWuDooYeo2qUjst9D2U1P1Y2PmNwZcnLdBU7FYJSVHa1rg1x-6stll20AeJf8rE31EizxC_M3Lu_HlJzaNR4x2Gv_uFo_OEgoZaMUPX3ruKBQwfCfFy2EPmCgngWJU0EIM8csVo3rB5RhjI3Ni0Q9xl8APZzWyBLPnTQ/w150-h200/IMG_20200504_204120_01.jpg" width="150" /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__DlCsPIC7vsByP1mhOOmgcFWuDooYeo2qUjst9D2U1P1Y2PmNwZcnLdBU7FYJSVHa1rg1x-6stll20AeJf8rE31EizxC_M3Lu_HlJzaNR4x2Gv_uFo_OEgoZaMUPX3ruKBQwfCfFy2EPmCgngWJU0EIM8csVo3rB5RhjI3Ni0Q9xl8APZzWyBLPnTQ/s3264/IMG_20200504_204120_01.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRK9BRec95uuBIQ3u1hiBFJ5_U7qfIop9PX0JUaYzR4U1jdqUIShwiqLjVsvKa2-FWjxmZ0pTEQ9ZUXyMAcOlPpVCdMJOLF80r8kbb3yMXuSsSTBIdYfw83iD5RFRhl61YL5ZvhlLQ7mklVPhsmT_k1wd8pW8EurSKcoSuoFY54kGFxdeUsTESMVakQQ/s3264/IMG_20210506_121857_01.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRK9BRec95uuBIQ3u1hiBFJ5_U7qfIop9PX0JUaYzR4U1jdqUIShwiqLjVsvKa2-FWjxmZ0pTEQ9ZUXyMAcOlPpVCdMJOLF80r8kbb3yMXuSsSTBIdYfw83iD5RFRhl61YL5ZvhlLQ7mklVPhsmT_k1wd8pW8EurSKcoSuoFY54kGFxdeUsTESMVakQQ/w150-h200/IMG_20210506_121857_01.jpg" width="150" /></span></a><span style="font-family: arial;">Unlike other cats, even if you wanted to be with him and sought him out he would oblige. You could pick him up and move him to be in your lap or even spoon him on the couch or bed and he would stay, purring happily. He was a large cat, the seed of a big beefy Tom cat, but he was as gentle and sweet as teddy bear. He would let you pick him up and hug him and he would even hug you back. He would let me carry him on my hip like a baby, something I enjoyed more before he was fully grown and got extremely heavy. Our other cats are sweet in their own way but they can be needy and I find it, I'm ashamed to say, sometimes annoying. Crying when they want attention or pets and often distracting me from what I'm trying to do, something that is frustrating for someone like me who struggles with motivation and focus and mostly works from home. Vittles wasn't like that. He was content and happy. He rarely meowed for attention but even if he did, he was happy to just sit in your lap. If I was too engrossed in my work with my lap taken up by books or a laptop, whereas my other cats will fuss or try to walk on my stuff or head butt the monitor, he would sit right next to me with his paws gently resting on my leg. He would often sleep in a box we made into a cat bed on the floor next to Gabe's art desk. He was often content to just be near you. He would sometimes cry wanting us to fill the food bowl, but half the time we would fill it only for him to step aside and our more meek fur baby, Chai, to come and eat. We were convinced he was asking on her behalf. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEqFbwIJVMEqxuoR6ns_kiAgLYkYWdApGfPmmbwl-Bmn_eXV7OGBEhsMdIr8n81h3JJDAS9ZKLZNbDWO6Qk2-pKSsLAylxkWOwiMMeLRgsKzmjZVcL3m9j8k1mRQmxrFG1McW0ZXfgb4GegbAUEAbhxXCt-OzbefbSoTCelsciHSN4fBq0CNltdNvsg/s4656/20180920_165329.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2620" data-original-width="4656" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEqFbwIJVMEqxuoR6ns_kiAgLYkYWdApGfPmmbwl-Bmn_eXV7OGBEhsMdIr8n81h3JJDAS9ZKLZNbDWO6Qk2-pKSsLAylxkWOwiMMeLRgsKzmjZVcL3m9j8k1mRQmxrFG1McW0ZXfgb4GegbAUEAbhxXCt-OzbefbSoTCelsciHSN4fBq0CNltdNvsg/s320/20180920_165329.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">He and Chai were the best of friends. It has been even more heartbreaking to watch her grieve now that he is gone. He was her big brother from the moment we brought her home, a tiny feisty ball of fluff. Though he was scared at first, it didn't take long before they were running around the house playing together and snuggling in the most adorable ways. Though our other cats tolerate each other, every single one loved Vittles. The snuggle fests that were common in the window seat or on the sofa may be gone with him. He was the common denominator, the sweet and gentle glue that brought harmony to our little band of felines. He would defend Chai if Georgie played too rough, laughably at times merely sitting on her until she calmed down and stopped biting everyone. He was the only one Ani would let near her when she was awake, and he didn't mind if she was a little grumpy, which she often was. </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiYSeFmeqxxR2qEIijK0s-WMpMIPCWd-anMqQWy-WOSXYNJ881w5D9S_sWE3_Gq1DM9gBDbfO1yyd81ypMUFs64ZkLSqe-bd9Ky4S_hU0KB8vRBL7h6iex5b1K-C7mYL7o2qzJ5pwpwF2BbQcBDDdXQ7bx5Ek9VF6NL5XbVmRSwjGzhByiekewaSBVg/s1000/Episode%205%20V&C%20promo%20Webtoon-14.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiYSeFmeqxxR2qEIijK0s-WMpMIPCWd-anMqQWy-WOSXYNJ881w5D9S_sWE3_Gq1DM9gBDbfO1yyd81ypMUFs64ZkLSqe-bd9Ky4S_hU0KB8vRBL7h6iex5b1K-C7mYL7o2qzJ5pwpwF2BbQcBDDdXQ7bx5Ek9VF6NL5XbVmRSwjGzhByiekewaSBVg/s320/Episode%205%20V&C%20promo%20Webtoon-14.jpg" width="256" /></span></a><span style="font-family: arial;">It may sound cruel to say it, but any one of our other 3 cats could have passed, and while still sad, it would have been more bearable than losing Vittles. Our oldest Ani, is a loveable lap cat who will snuggle anyone and sleeps with us at night. She's very friendly and stays near us, always happy to have a lap if we want her with us. She's well behaved and calm but she's also getting old for a cat. She's now 15 and we've been mentally preparing not knowing when we'll have to say goodbye. She's a bit of a grump, too, in her old age and though she makes us laugh, it would be easy to comfort ourselves thinking she's in a better place and more at peace. She's had more health problems and issues and doesn't enjoy the company of the other cats. I've sometimes felt sorry that we couldn't wait until after she had passed to get more cats, that maybe she would have been happier, but I could never really regret getting Vittles because as I've been saying, he was the best cat. Chai is the next and though she is sweet and a beautiful fluffy cat with silky soft fur she often keeps to herself. Except for when she wants attention in which case she can be annoyingly persistent and breaks your heart with her adorable face if you don't drop everything to play with or pet her. She's your typical 'fraidy cat who hides from everything. She's more quiet and forlorn and is not much for snuggles with anyone but Vittles. We used to joke she was more his cat than ours. Georgie is the youngest and we've had her less than a year. She's had the most trouble adapting and appears to have experienced some kind of trauma. She's more aggressive, and we had to work really hard to tame her. She's a sweet cat now who will snuggle from time to time and stays near us but we've been more prepared should something happen since we don't know where she came from and she's had the most issues. She struggles with feeling anxious and afraid and she's more likely to bite, claw or hiss out of all the cats. Every cat hisses or grumps from time to time but not Vittles. He never hissed at us since his earliest days of being a tiny kitten hiding behind the toilet not knowing if he could trust us. But once we gained his trust he loved us unconditionally from that moment on. He never grumped or growled either, like I said, you could even pick him up and move him around without protest. The other cats not so much. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIclE-rWhQe6oHt-VofUCZ-UCz5lm32bv1BY-b2SGkyO5gHwUkEtTXYcteZqhuJNrV_aoO-YXvW1jXzE8ORIDT4cBozra7jiPWpr_ykVMpn5Ye8sQJNV95apPQ5YKDEH61sOcbGXugHGGMF0tGwICEii4EFJkx7yO9Zs-W5eUScFuC0-gGpsUN4m9wQ/s1319/Promo003.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1141" data-original-width="1319" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIclE-rWhQe6oHt-VofUCZ-UCz5lm32bv1BY-b2SGkyO5gHwUkEtTXYcteZqhuJNrV_aoO-YXvW1jXzE8ORIDT4cBozra7jiPWpr_ykVMpn5Ye8sQJNV95apPQ5YKDEH61sOcbGXugHGGMF0tGwICEii4EFJkx7yO9Zs-W5eUScFuC0-gGpsUN4m9wQ/w200-h173/Promo003.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: arial;">They all have their quirks and we love them all but no one was as friendly, lovable, and happy as Vittles. I can't say he's better off because he was happy and healthy. I can't say he's at peace now because I've never seen a cat more at peace than he. I can't say his suffering is over because he wasn't sick or suffering that we know of. We have very little comfort to offer ourselves. All we know is we had the most amazing, friendliest, sweetest cat we've ever seen or heard of for 6 sweet short years. Half our married life was shared with this precious friend. He made our house a home, greeting us whenever we arrived, especially Gabe, with pure joy at our presence. Contentedly sitting where we worked, just happy to be near us. Bringing us more laughter and smiles and happy sighs than I can count. Petting cats is scientifically proven to reduce stress, anxiety, and sadness but most cats have a limit to how much they will tolerate you petting their silky, soft coats. Not Vittles. He'd let you gently stroke him for hours, he was never bothered. But if you were busy and couldn't pet him, he didn't mind, either. He would just be on standby, happy to be with you. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">He had his idiosyncrasies, too. Occasionally he did annoy me with his mewing, if I was in the kitchen cooking. Especially if I was opening cans of tuna, or really any cans, and he happened to notice, or he smelled something promising. He would stand at my feet and loudly mew as if he hadn't eaten in days. All the cats would gather at the sound, sometimes joining in, sure there was something to be had. Gabriel would laugh at this, and then I would laugh too at his unquenchable hope no matter how much I scolded, that something good was coming his way. If he wasn't too naughty with his begging, we'd sometimes give them a treat. You're probably thinking that's why he did it but you didn't see his adorable hopeful face looking at me with such confidence. He just knew I always had something good for him. That simple confident faith was riveting, and irresistible. I couldn't disappoint him. He also used to dip his paws in the water bowl. No one knows where he got this idea but even Ani, our other cat, thought this behavior was weird. He would dip his paw in the water and lick it off. We would sometimes step in wet paw tracks he left behind which was frustrating, but you couldn't help but laugh. And now I only wish that loud, obnoxious meow would appear when I'm standing in the kitchen or a wet trail from the water bowl was the least of my sorrows. I would accept any amount of wet socks, distracted cooking, giant bags of food and cat litter, dealing with tracking and scooping and smell of cat boxes, the expense of it all, to have our furry friend back. Even at the pinnacle of my minor annoyance with any of these things I never begrudged him, because I loved him and I knew he was worth it. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglnHYrYYaRUhRcptWADL_HPtUzr_2ItZ9-MAQD07ZneL6bg649EZWclu75hpVR54B5ORoKDgbYpNFtg8Mpix9AhGDIAEIysGenQh5vqGfi9LkrLq_BI3Gfq_AafC7eL0ShpYXL_4hQV6-avv9gu_rf6fRF3qlXtdBQd0yMiwSvUrT5hL1DWIJ9DlBulA/s4032/IMG_20200418_094259.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglnHYrYYaRUhRcptWADL_HPtUzr_2ItZ9-MAQD07ZneL6bg649EZWclu75hpVR54B5ORoKDgbYpNFtg8Mpix9AhGDIAEIysGenQh5vqGfi9LkrLq_BI3Gfq_AafC7eL0ShpYXL_4hQV6-avv9gu_rf6fRF3qlXtdBQd0yMiwSvUrT5hL1DWIJ9DlBulA/s320/IMG_20200418_094259.jpg" width="240" /></span></a><span style="font-family: arial;">He was so big and our house so small that sometimes he would walk or stand in a tight but high traffic area and I would trip over him, always crying out, "Vittles!" in exasperation. He had this adorable ashamed look when he was scolded. Gabe and I would laugh and I would pet him, telling him to watch where he was walking and stay out from under my feet. Our other cats are too small and too quick to ever be tripped over. They are so spry and cautious they would weave through my legs or zip out of the way, in most cases without me even noticing. Ani may not be spry anymore, our old girl, but she's old and lazy so she never really gets in my way. She spends most of her time napping with very simple routes to the food bowl, litter box, and water. How I wish now that I were stumbling over that big furry lug again. That I would walk by the bedroom and see him lying on the bed like a cat loaf and the magnetism of his cuteness draw me in, as it always did, and divert from whatever I was doing for a short snuggle break with little Vittles. That I would step into the office to check on Gabe or ask a question and see him holding Vittles in his lap, laughing as the huge cat head butted him affectionately and aggressively stroked his face against his beard. I would laugh and be overcome with happiness at their adorable joy in one another, as I always was. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-Qihb-idaBmzHOdFFCOFAcodjYyHtmdbDorApFSBQr-tadUfblTVEcMihZVoj-A9WKTOMJPp0V1j5SpwNw383CI5RFQBt9KDytOqGGY9moka9rxZVv2jaO1HxMCSSOZvKUXyFbzNPoB5vzBuudrTnJSVh3OO3ZkFsbrLu-9i86_9Uq58tf6BOOH9Iw/s4032/PXL_20220603_183412989.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-Qihb-idaBmzHOdFFCOFAcodjYyHtmdbDorApFSBQr-tadUfblTVEcMihZVoj-A9WKTOMJPp0V1j5SpwNw383CI5RFQBt9KDytOqGGY9moka9rxZVv2jaO1HxMCSSOZvKUXyFbzNPoB5vzBuudrTnJSVh3OO3ZkFsbrLu-9i86_9Uq58tf6BOOH9Iw/s320/PXL_20220603_183412989.jpg" width="240" /></span></a><span style="font-family: arial;">All I know is we are here, in this suddenly quiet and lonely house, filled with sadness and bewilderment. Everywhere we look there is a trace of Vittles, no part of our home or our lives went untouched. We were proud cat people and loved telling people we had "4 cats in a 700 square foot house" and watching their various humorous reactions. We loved telling stories about him and showing any of the plethora of adorable pictures. The comic we create is named after and based on him, how he changed our lives for the better and is filled with funny stories based on real things he and Ani did. Our walls are lined with artwork from the comic, illustrations of Vittles. The background on my phone is a funny picture of him I snapped one day as I walked into a room and laughed at the way he was lying on his back and looking at me upside down with silly expression like "what?". His favorite places to nap. The giant box from a Christmas present he loved to climb into and play in. The bed he and Chai always snuggled in, now painfully sparse with just her small, lonely form. The closets he tried to sneak into when I wasn't paying attention. The front door he always loved to stick his nose out and smell the fresh air and see the sights every time we opened it until, in most cases, we had to shoo him out of the way when it was time to close it. The back door we could open and he'd sit staring out the glass storm door watching the squirrels and birds in the back yard. The food bowls that have barely been touched without his voracious appetite and Chai too sad to eat. My spot on the bed where I found him the night before he passed, and so I moved him but pulled him under the blanket and he stayed and snuggled me until I felt asleep, purring and happy and warm. The treats he loved so much he would do tricks like "shake" and "high five" to get. The empty box cat bed by Gabe's desk. The sadness in everyone's eyes. The piles of tissues in every room. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCa-AZV90uZfITjDSBnPJatFdxV18bjYB29BRCO8v9b8EjzB-e3T58ocwpLJLQr2gRYRMRlL_aa3X2rlmGX9cX91iuuS7ZYfEfk9ILKnccnxrIwmvy6pxf1eH-JvIr1kRJE8JLi8hshtqTRCrn2qbuel1p-xxm8z2zjIE64fRWoiHOPZURzNkAG1S0LQ/s4032/PXL_20220103_064511735.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCa-AZV90uZfITjDSBnPJatFdxV18bjYB29BRCO8v9b8EjzB-e3T58ocwpLJLQr2gRYRMRlL_aa3X2rlmGX9cX91iuuS7ZYfEfk9ILKnccnxrIwmvy6pxf1eH-JvIr1kRJE8JLi8hshtqTRCrn2qbuel1p-xxm8z2zjIE64fRWoiHOPZURzNkAG1S0LQ/s320/PXL_20220103_064511735.jpg" width="240" /></span></a><span style="font-family: arial;">Vittles, you were such a happy and sweet boy. You shared that happiness with everyone. Even the comics we based on you bring smiles to everyone who reads them. My lap is now cold and heart is empty without your warm, weighted snuggles to assure me everything will be okay. I don't know what happened and I'm sorry we couldn't save you, but please know that we tried. I thought we'd have so many more years to cherish and share your silly goofiness, your sweet kindness, and your comforting dependability. I'm glad we spoiled you with treats and special food often. I'm glad we worked from home and got to be with you most days. You were the best office mate, art assistant, and study buddy we could ever ask for. You were the star of every video call, the highlight of our stories, and the supermodel of our Google photos accounts. I never imagined our life without you, I thought we had so much more time, but it's surely more empty and sad than I ever could have. You brought joy to each of us that the lack of is vast and apparent. The gaping hole in our hearts is undoubtedly Vittles shaped.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71iQC4hXDtnjdPGw5QO3M2DxWjUpmrO-NJjWyi1YEuLLaMG2mnNE5-xuTtF6gNgMjgDi6abiGhQnM3mqPrijtfn-eYzjA_QWRlSzYYt5vMuz6M3kzWe9VcbavIlXyCpeAPfZjWGCrh3r_UDLITfFkA8NdgMypPF1Zd5RjWoBnlJhQEU1TwR2hggy3sA/s3000/IMG_09861.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71iQC4hXDtnjdPGw5QO3M2DxWjUpmrO-NJjWyi1YEuLLaMG2mnNE5-xuTtF6gNgMjgDi6abiGhQnM3mqPrijtfn-eYzjA_QWRlSzYYt5vMuz6M3kzWe9VcbavIlXyCpeAPfZjWGCrh3r_UDLITfFkA8NdgMypPF1Zd5RjWoBnlJhQEU1TwR2hggy3sA/s320/IMG_09861.jpg" width="240" /></span></a><span style="font-family: arial;">I guess you were such a big boy because you had such a big heart with so much love to give. Our life was sad and bland before we found you. We were struggling and everything seemed dreary and gray. I can't say that it was only you who brought the light and warmth that we came to know, but it was certainly in part from you. The shift is undeniable. My only comfort is that we loved you well and cherished you. We cared for you and let you care for us, and we relished every minute of it. I wish we had many more years to be together. I wanted you to be there in the future we are working towards. I wanted to keep writing Vittles & Co. for years to come and share your adorable sweetness with the world to bring some version of that happiness you gave us to others. I wanted to make a better life for all of us. I wanted you to be there in our next house with room to run and lots of windows that get the maximum sun. I wanted to enjoy our success by giving you the best of things. I dreamt of that. You would have loved the things I had planned. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm sorry I didn't do more to help you. I didn't know anything was wrong and there wasn't enough time. I wish we could have saved you. I wish you were still here. But I promise to finish your story, so people can still share in the happiness you brought. I promise to plant flowers on your grave so you can continue bringing life and joy to those around you. I promise to cherish the memories of those short, sweet years we had together. I promise never to forget you, you know I never could. I promise to take care of Gabe and do my best to fill your unbelievably large shoes. I promise to look after Chai and try to comfort her and make her happy. I'll take care of the grumps, Ani and Georgie, too. They loved you in spite of themselves and I know you loved them, too. I'll miss you, sweet boy. It may be silly and outlandish for a theology major to say, but I hope I see you again. You weren't just a cat. You were never just a cat. You were something special, indescribable and irreplaceable. We'll carry you in our hearts forever. Goodbye, sweet friend. I love you more than even makes sense. Thank you for everything. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfRSWQeE7UXnnBjk8_UPRFICVmr7xOSZPayzoRhCntEWOiHxl6_nAFRrbauyaevR_w4Ths9MwxtyCfiAgRmNcYQEXDTo72B2o0PtDsEvPDTJv14QFXDr6QoK4_mnOKA_l2gBZSF-w_OuFT54JiRIgp8PXvYI-g1NtoVMDquFf4LMLR0kvptiLMLI-Hg/s320/PXL_20210505_045252305.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="240" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8sSZSfCq1MoROA2UF8OF1chm5LBwe7qLamr7A6MuyWye-NM7W_gHTNEOFDG3EfJOYPbBWUVvmscVwQExIDx5cpBZyAK062GKGmgG8G3b5lk173wmhuZw5fcnui7JvyN5YR5E56n4hHcoHFMk9HjGJzV3_c3Qa1B4lnlmNPtAAM9Pyzk4BHwOewZn7g/s1892/PXL_20210415_215210959.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1892" data-original-width="1760" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8sSZSfCq1MoROA2UF8OF1chm5LBwe7qLamr7A6MuyWye-NM7W_gHTNEOFDG3EfJOYPbBWUVvmscVwQExIDx5cpBZyAK062GKGmgG8G3b5lk173wmhuZw5fcnui7JvyN5YR5E56n4hHcoHFMk9HjGJzV3_c3Qa1B4lnlmNPtAAM9Pyzk4BHwOewZn7g/s320/PXL_20210415_215210959.jpg" width="298" /></a></span></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: left; 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text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085313745830902623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368077330134878671.post-43148750875314513092023-01-01T16:55:00.002-08:002023-01-01T16:55:26.777-08:00A New Year's Message <p> We think of New Year's being like a fresh start, a new beginning, a turning of the page if you will. But what actually is the New year marking? We use a solar calendar so the New Year marks a full orbit of the earth around the sun, 365 days. So the New Year is actually a routine that repeats over and over throughout time, the earth just doing what it has done since the begining of time. Rather than "moving forward" we literally are "going around in circles". Now, don't hate me. You may be thinking "that's depressing! Don't tell me that!" But hear me out. We tend to resist monotony but there is actually something very comforting and blessed about routine, healthy rhythms if you will. God actually embedded rhythm into creation.</p><div><br /></div><div>I have a theory that we sometimes hate routine because it is a humbling process. We as humans are surrounded by tasks that must be done, only to soon after need to be done yet again. Bathing, for example. It should be done every day. (Some of us are surprised to hear this). Preparing food. Caring for children, pets, homes, and belongings. Even sleep is a routine that our body needs. God has designed us to live within rhythms of routine. We need it. And yet, isn't that just the reminder that we aren't in control? We can't even keep our body from getting hungry or thirsty. It also reminds us that life is really cyclical, which can be depressing since we like to think we are moving and building toward something. </div><div><br /></div><div>As hours, days, months and years continue to pass us by we are drawn to ask, "What is the point of all this?" Whether consciously or not, we are all seeking the meaning of life. The Westminster catechism is a famous summary of Orthodox Christian doctrine that is compromised of questions and answers. The catechism asks "What is the chief end of man?" And it answers, "Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever." </div><div><br /></div><div><span data-markholder="true"></span></div><div>Some of us are so busy we hardly have the time to stop and take a breath, we are barely keeping it together running from one task to the next. Some of us are struggling through a monotonous season of life, numbly the going through the motions every single day wishing something would change. Some of us feel bored and apathetic as nothing we do seems to matter much and days lie before us without excitement or purpose to energize us. Maybe we distract ourselves with screens and apps and other things. What is the meaning of life that could possibly be common to us all? </div><div><br /></div><div>Our passage today is a familiar one we've all heard many times, yet I challenge you to open your mind and try to hear it in a fresh new way. It's from Matthew chapter 6 toward the begining of Jesus' public ministry. In Matthew's account after Jesus was baptized by John and tested by Satan he calls his disciples and then begins healing the sick. Jesus draws a crowd and begins what is famously known as the sermon on the mount. Early in this sermon he tackles a daily struggle we all face. He says, </div><div><br /></div><div>"<span style="color: #fc1233;">‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? ‘And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you – you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.</span>"</div><div>Matthew 6:25-34 NIVUK</div><div><br /></div><div>It seems like he is talking primarily about a financial concern, and while that certainly is covered in this address, he is speaking much broader than that. The Greek word he uses that is translated here as "worry" is <i>merimnaó</i>. It means, "to be over-anxious; to be anxious about, distracted; to care for." Even the richest person in the world is guilty of that. I find it particularly interesting that this word also means distracted. It has long since bothered me that, just a few chapters later in Matthew's gospel, Jesus warns in his 'parable of the sower' that one of the "thorns" that can choke the good seed is "the worries of this life". Ah. Just trying to live our lives can be such a distraction from the truly important things. </div><div><br /></div><div>Let's look at that passage again but instead of just 'worry' think of it in terms of distraction. Think about yourself in your day to day life and reflect on the cares of life that often distract you. </div><div><br /></div><div>"<span style="color: red;">‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? ‘And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you – you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.</span>"</div><div>Matthew 6:25-34 NIVUK</div><div><br /></div><div>Jesus tells us the secret here. Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness. Scholar Tim Mackie of the Bible project summarizes biblical righteousness as "right relationship" with both God and man. So, we make our priority his kingdom, his way of life (the first will be last, leaders who wash people's feet, loving your neighbor as yourself, and so on), and right relationship with God and others which can only be accomplished through dependence on him and the work of the Holy Spirit. And we don't worry about tomorrow, we aren't distracted with what is yet to come, but live in the present moment so that in all the things we do we may glorify God and enjoy him forever. </div><div><br /></div><div>How do we make room in our lives to enjoy God? Really enjoy Him! How do we make that a priority? For each of us it will look different, but the temptation will be the same to allow life to become a distraction. Ironic since the meaning of life is truly found there. This year will you join me in making the priority not a destination or accomplishing goals, because you can be hitting your calorie goals, crushing it at work, and managing your money well but still missing the point. Rather, let's make our priority to find ways, big or small, to enjoy God in our every day life. </div><div><br /></div><div>I can't help but think that when we come to the end of our life and we see Jesus face to face we won't be thinking about all of the great programs we ran, projects we completed, or goals we accomplished. Likewise, we won't be worrying about all the dirty dishes we could never keep up with, the emails we forgot to send, or the list of to do's we didn't manage well. As the song says, "and the things of earth become strangely dim in the light of your mercy and grace". When we come face to face with Jesus will he feel like a stranger? Will he sound like a fan complimenting all our hard work he heard about and saw from a distance? Or will he say, "welcome home, my friend. I've been looking forward to your arrival." </div><div><br /></div><div><span data-markholder="true"></span></div><div>The fear of the unknown becomes overshadowed when we face the unknown with the comfort of a familiar friend. Let us invest in the relationship we will be reaping for all eternity, instead of things that pass away. Embrace daily rhythms and don't think of them as a waste of time just because you have to keep doing them, but rather part of life that is beautiful in it's comforting predictability. And in God's promise to take care of us, as our needs come up again and again, and as we imitate him in caring for others. Let us continue in our cyclical path with humility and peace, knowing that God is outside of time and yet he has offered to join us in our daily rhythms. </div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>A Prayer for the New Year:</u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div>God, thank you for the rhythms of life. Thank you for the constant reminders that we are not in control, that we are dependant on you for life. As we step into another year help us to embrace the daily, weekly and monthly routines and rhythms that ground us and remind us of these truths. Help us to resist the distractions of this life and to really truly seek your kingdom and right relationship with you and others. Remind us to enjoy you each and every day. Make us more aware of your presence as we go through our lives, busy or bored and everything in between. Help us to turn our eyes upon Jesus and to lock our gaze. We know that without you we can do nothing, help us to remember this. Teach us to walk in humility and grace. Let us taste and see that you are good. Give us the strength to resist the distractions and temptations all around us, and to rest in your goodness. You are good. We love you. Amen. </div>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085313745830902623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368077330134878671.post-67158757400236678352022-07-13T16:50:00.001-07:002023-03-18T20:38:09.709-07:00Nahum: Wrestling with the violence of Scripture<p></p><br />I had not previously done an in-depth study of Nahum. In fact, if I had to recite all 66 books of the Christian Bible I probably would have neglected this one. This stands as no huge surprise, a short 3 chapter book that is rarely mentioned in Bible studies, sermons, or quoted on home decor. But it stood out to me this time, as the author of my Old Testament textbook bragged on its literary craftsmanship saying "Nahum has no superior and few peers among Old Testament poets." (LaSor 319). That really caught my attention! Why haven't I heard more about this work of art, then? Reading on a bit further answered my query rather quickly.<br /><br />Nahum is really a violent book, describing and relishing in the destruction of the Assyrian capital, Nineveh. It stands in stark contrast with the rather popular book, Jonah. I suppose it would seem ironic to champion such a book when its counter is so commonly referenced, and has such an opposing story and message, God's mercy for Ninevah. Considering Jonah ends in an anti-climactic and somewhat depressing way, since Jonah is essentially throwing a childish tantrum without resolution, it's even more depressing to consider that he was actually somewhat right about the Ninevites. They eventually turned back to their wicked ways and had to be destroyed after all.<br /><br />I wrestle with the violent message of Nahum. Jonah is so much more comfortable and fits so much easier with the teachings of Jesus. The textbook asserts, "A man who is deeply and truly religious is always a man of wrath. Because he loves God and his fellow men, he hates and despises inhumanity, cruelty, and wickedness. Every good man sometimes prophesies like Nahum." (LaSor 322). While I'm not completely convinced this entire statement is true, I think I get the point of what they are trying to say. Loving God also means loving your neighbor, and if you really love someone it would be hard to see them mistreated in brutal and violent ways. I suppose it's much more difficult for people of my generation (who live in the comfortable West) to understand the type of justice people pray for when they've witnessed something truly horrific. <p style="border: 0px; color: #383838; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.57143em; margin: 0px 0px 0.714285em; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8ZNp-8irQ0t0sg5udZDqJej4N1KK0fCLk3uZEHBsjVrO9AlmXjQQl4Voej34yqHADm-33Is0os-b5iL1fzLH4W9seKIRoKUl2otuNGYDvh0r3sHQwCkSYkIQFgA_VEt8-mOF2jhLHHFQN_5UOtgZCJmyoFjRQM9jl0xEj5X3ZQvG7yBssDO52ya1gA/s3515/pexels-pixabay-53442.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2352" data-original-width="3515" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8ZNp-8irQ0t0sg5udZDqJej4N1KK0fCLk3uZEHBsjVrO9AlmXjQQl4Voej34yqHADm-33Is0os-b5iL1fzLH4W9seKIRoKUl2otuNGYDvh0r3sHQwCkSYkIQFgA_VEt8-mOF2jhLHHFQN_5UOtgZCJmyoFjRQM9jl0xEj5X3ZQvG7yBssDO52ya1gA/w400-h268/pexels-pixabay-53442.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Those who survived the holocaust, perhaps, may have an easier time relating. People who have lived among the brutality in North Korea or in the Middle East, perhaps, would feel differently. Recently, I sat across the table from a friend from South Korea who regaled me with stories of those who have escaped from the North and I was stunned into silence. It's horrible how humans can treat other humans. It's really terrifying how corrupt and wicked human powers can become.<br /><br /> I may not fully understand the intersection between God's mercy and his justice, but I recognize that there is a clear tension there presented in scripture. While we may feel more comfortable with messages like Hosea or Jonah, the voices of prophets like Nahum still reside alongside them in the canon -recognized by the people of God for thousands of years as inspired scripture. We must not give in to the temptation to ignore what is uncomfortable for us about God or His Word. We must not allow our own personal experience within history and culture to create a bias that prevents proper exegesis of God's word. Not if we want to become teachers of it.<span></span><p style="border: 0px; color: #383838; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.57143em; margin: 0px 0px 0.714285em; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #383838; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.57143em; margin: 0px 0px 0.714285em; padding: 0px;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span><a name='more'></a></span>Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness...</i><i>But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, <span style="line-height: 1.57143em;">impartial</span> and sincere. </i><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">—James 3:1, 17 ESV</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Works cited:<div style="text-align: center;"></div><p></p>LaSor, William Sanford, et al. Old Testament Survey: The Message, Form, and Background of the Old Testament. United States, Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1996.<div><br />English Standard Version. Bible Gateway, https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/English-Standard-Version-ESV-Bible.</div><div> <br />Photo by Pixabay from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-metal-train-rails-53442/</div>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085313745830902623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368077330134878671.post-63840307368786334222021-12-16T09:43:00.006-08:002021-12-16T09:44:32.053-08:0040% Maurice's coupon code for online orders <p>Enjoy this 40% referral coupon code on Maurice's website:</p><p>https://www.talkable.com/x/rfebUA</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085313745830902623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368077330134878671.post-27397417220372961402021-10-26T10:24:00.000-07:002021-10-26T10:24:10.609-07:00I thy true...son??<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0qjoZTijgLr5ZJrwqO8GYl74aQNBAeAWrocB7-o2cQ_i2oQlIaashlnZFnux6EesYArQycOxBRK50F7Il0ZTp_0g4x5TzoH8VnjZilst4a_R7y91li7yoPIrnXgdh8zQ1CbncI9T_7Oo/s3978/pexels-nataliya-vaitkevich-5291696.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2652" data-original-width="3978" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0qjoZTijgLr5ZJrwqO8GYl74aQNBAeAWrocB7-o2cQ_i2oQlIaashlnZFnux6EesYArQycOxBRK50F7Il0ZTp_0g4x5TzoH8VnjZilst4a_R7y91li7yoPIrnXgdh8zQ1CbncI9T_7Oo/s320/pexels-nataliya-vaitkevich-5291696.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I love the old hymn <i>Be Thou My Vision</i>, it's one of my favorite songs. And I don't feel weird singing "Thou my great Father and I thy true son" even though I'm a girl. <div><br /></div><div>Because of 1 John 3:1<blockquote><p>See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children (sons) of God!</p></blockquote><p>In the ancient world women could not inherit, and as Paul says in Romans 8:17 </p><blockquote><p>Now, if we are children (sons), then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ</p></blockquote><p>The Greek word for children in both verses is téknon, while it's technically gender neutral it's most often translated "son". I think using context we can confidently interpret Paul's use of téknon as "sons" because he makes the connection to a position as heirs, which in ancient Rome did not exist for women. Thus, the statement "if we are children, then we are heirs" would be poor logic to the original audience. Being a child doesn't constitute being an heir unless you are a son. Since téknon is often used as "son" it's likely the readers at the time would have understood both John and Paul's meanings to say 'you have been promoted in the family'.</p><p>Since ancient Romans lived within a class system this idea would not only have been good news to women! Men who were descendants of slaves or poor families would not be an heir to anything, only wealthy families have an inheritance to give. In our modern context, think of what we call a "trust fund kid" as someone who is an actually an heir, not necessarily your common man. Everyone in God's family has been placed on a level playing field, and for many of us we are promoted to the position of "heir". Even someone who has an earthly inheritance can surely also feel upgraded to a spiritual inheritance in God's Kingdom. </p><p>We can proudly accept the title as "son" for both men and women, rich or poor because in Biblical context it carries the connotation of heir (to God's Kingdom) and descendant of God. </p><p>So, next time you sing "I thy true son" as man or woman, sing it proudly with a smile on your face. Let it remind you of the great love the Father has lavished on you by welcoming you into his royal family and giving you a wonderful inheritance, the very kingdom of God and access to Himself in relationship as your great Father.</p><p><br /></p><p>♡<span style="font-family: Gochi Hand; font-size: large;">Nikki</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Gochi Hand; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"><i>Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich</i></span></p></div>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085313745830902623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368077330134878671.post-53197509676800158372020-04-11T16:39:00.002-07:002020-04-15T18:02:21.265-07:00It's Okay to Feel...In
times like these, we are each being bombarded with a thousand different
emotions every single day, most of them unpleasant. There is a lot of
fear going around, for obvious reasons. We might feel anxious, stressed,
overwhelmed. For those of us who struggle with anxiety and depression
in the norm, this is a whole new level. But even those of us who
generally feel pretty capable and level headed are being tested. Many of
us feel alone, unsure, and weary of the new burdens being placed on us.
But what do we do with all of these negative emotions? As Christians,
we are taught to be joyful at best, at the very least content. Our lives
should be marked with peace that passes understanding, joy unspeakable,
and the contentment of a sheep who knows they have a good shepherd
taking care of them. God is good. The Lord provides. He has the ultimate
victory.<br />
<br />
Even now in the season of Easter, a holiday marking the
greatest victory of all: the defeat of death and the grave! Jesus was
victorious, death couldn't hold him down. It rings true, but it's also
difficult to muster the typical enthusiasm when you are stuck at home
alone, away from your family and friends, and people all over the world
are sick and dying. We are stuck in the uncertainty of not knowing what
tomorrow will bring. We don't really know when this will all be over,
and phrases like "the new normal" sound scarily permanent.<br />
<br />
Am I
saying there is no power in the resurrection? Of course not! It holds
the same power as the day it commemorates, regardless of how we feel.
However, does that mean how we feel is irrelevant? Equally wrong. God
cares about how we feel. One of Jesus' closest friends, Peter, tells us
to "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that
at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him,
because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7). He invites us to share our
anxieties with him, why? Because he cares. <br />
<br />
Hear me, I'm not
saying things are hopeless. I'm not saying God isn't on the throne. I'm
not even saying that we shouldn't feel peaceful, hopeful, or joyful.
What I am saying is that IF and when we don't, it's okay. God has not
forsaken you. He is not disappointed in you because of how you feel. He
is not impatient with you, rolling his eyes or thinking "Get it
together!" He's not embarrassed by you, nor does he think you are making
him look bad. No, no, quite the contrary. He cares for you. He cries
with you. He wants to comfort you, not scold you. Sometimes the only way
to comfort someone in grief is to just be with them, to cry with them,
to sit with them in their sadness. God can do that for you, he longs to.
<br />
<br />
Jesus talks about the Holy Spirit in John 14:26, the word he
uses to describe the Holy Spirit is "parakletos" which is translated in
the ESV as "helper" but is sometimes translated, "comforter". Thayer's
definition of this word says "summoned, called to one's side, esp.
called to one's aid". The Holy Spirit is with you, to comfort you and to
help you, he is by your side no matter what. No quarantine or
government order or anything else can separate you, as Paul promises us
in Romans 8:37-39. In fact, I would really recommend reading Romans 8
whenever you feel discouraged. It feels uncomfortably relevant in the
time we are living. <br />
<br />
Scripture repeatedly shows us how God
interacts with His people and their emotions and feelings. In 2 Kings 20
the king of Israel, Hezekiah, fell ill and the prophet Isaiah brought a
word from the Lord. The word was, "Set your house in order, for you
shall die; you shall not recover." Not a very happy word. Hezekiah was,
for good reason, devastated. In fact, it says he wept bitterly. But,
then in verse 5 God says, "I have heard your prayer; I have seen your
tears. Behold, I will heal you." Now, this is a pretty strange and
interesting story, and I'm not trying to dive into full interpretation
mode here. The main thing I want you to see is God's loving response. He
heard his prayer, he saw his tears, and was moved to compassion, and
mercy. I'm not making claims about what God will or won't do in this
time of suffering, his ways are not my ways and his thoughts are higher
than mine (Isaiah 55:8). I don't pretend to fully understand them.
However, I do know this. He loves you. He cares for you. He sees your
tears and he hears your prayers. You can press into him during this
trying time and find comfort.<br />
<br />
Similarly in Exodus 3:7 the Lord
says, after Israel had been enslaved by Egypt for hundreds of years, "I
have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have
heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings,"
and then in verse 9, "And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel
has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the
Egyptians oppress them." Again, I'm not going into a whole exegesis on
the full story here, but I do want to draw on this revealed truth about
the character of God, he sees you. He hears you. And he cares.<br />
<br />
God
is not afraid of emotion, nor does he shun it or look down upon it,
even though we humans, even Christians, are often drawn to do so. God
does not ask us to put a smile on our face and pretend not to feel. He
doesn't ask us to lie to ourselves or others. He asks us to come as we
are. The Psalmists understood this about God. They weren't afraid to
express their true, raw emotion. Even their doubts, fears, and
disappointments in God with regard to what was going on in and around
them. Especially David, whom God called a man after his own heart (Acts
13:22). It is David's words Jesus quoted on the cross, "My God, my God,
why have you forsaken me?" (Psalm 22:1). There's no reason for us to be
ashamed of our emotions. We can unhesitatingly bring them before our
loving father and in turn, I believe, he will mourn with us and
ultimately comfort us. <br />
<br />
It seems strange for me to give you
permission to feel. But maybe that's what some of us need. I know I did.
I've struggled with severe anxiety as long as I can remember. Even as a young child I fretted about things I could not control. Thoughts
whirled around in my head until I was paralyzed with overwhelming
anxiety.<br />
<br />
Having grown up in the church I knew I should trust
God. "God is in control," "The Joy of the Lord is your strength," "Don't
be anxious". As true and well meaning as these things are, they brought
little to no comfort when in the grip of such feelings. And let me tell
you, that brought me such shame. I felt like a failure as a Christian.
Obviously I wasn't really trusting God, anxiety was the proof! Fear and
worry are sins, I was told, I should repent. No matter how much I tried
to bury or ignore my feelings, they were still there. No matter how much
I loved God and believed He was big enough, great enough, victorious
enough to conquer my fears, I still felt them. They were still very real
for me. <br />
<br />
One day, sitting in what used to be a motorcycle
dealership in a small town in the Midwest, I heard a sermon about Jesus
in the Garden of Gethsemane on the eve of his crucifixion. The pastor
spoke about the anxiety Jesus felt, the sweat like drops of blood. I had heard
the story a thousand times but I never heard it this way. Suddenly, I
felt the presence of God comforting me. As if he were saying, "It's
okay, child. I understand." Jesus was able to feel that anxiety, and not
sin. He was able to feel those things, and still submit to the will of
the Father, still choose to trust God in spite of it.<br />
<br />
Jesus understands
my anxiety?! It seemed too good to be true. He wasn't disappointed in
me? Embarrassed by me? Could it be true? My heart felt immediately
lighter, like a heavy weight had been lifted. It was okay to feel this
way. He was with me. He understood. It may sound strange, but this
changed the way I felt about myself and ultimately how I viewed God. I
started attending that small church and over the next three years God
continued to reveal to me Jesus as the man of sorrows (Isaiah 53:3). <br />
<br />
My
anxiety never went away, it still comes and goes in waves of intensity.
But I no longer felt alone in it, or guilty and ashamed. I knew my God
was truly with me in the midst of my sorrow, holding my hand, weathering
the storm. That gave me greater courage to endure the hard times. I
still have anxiety attacks, sometimes they are debilitating. But what I
understand now, and what I want you to understand, is that it is okay to
feel these things. It is okay to feel. Sometimes feelings are negative,
and that is okay, too. Do we want to feel negative things? Of course
not. But that is not a comfort when we do. We can't change the way we
feel, so sometimes we just need to give ourselves permission to just
feel these things. And instead of trying to hide them or ignore them, we
should bring them to the Father. Share them with the Holy Spirit, our
comforter and advocate. Not because we are looking for an answer, but
because we know we are not alone. And that sometimes is all the comfort
we need.<br />
<br />
The beauty of Easter is not only that Jesus defeated death and the grave, which is magnificent, but <b>WHY</b> he did it. He did it so he could be with you! So we would no longer be separated by sin. He endured all of that sorrow just so he could be in communion with us. Even in this period of isolation we are so <b>not</b> alone it's not even funny. We have the best company in the universe! Let's spend this Easter enjoying him!Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085313745830902623noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368077330134878671.post-90901318971203727372018-12-06T18:50:00.002-08:002018-12-06T18:56:29.815-08:00"IKEA online checkout won't load!" Solution<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I just wanted to share the dumbest, simplest solution to a poor web design problem I encountered on IKEA's website to save others from the stress and frustration I experienced.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When attempting to place an online order from my cart I had to enter the zip code to get a delivery estimate before being able to <b>click "Begin checkout". But once I had clicked this a blank white screen loaded with nothing.</b> Every. Single. Time. I tried it in multiple browsers, on multiple devices, I even tried to arrange to pick the items up at the local store. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Google came to the rescue and I found a Facebook post describing a similar problem (except hers included an error code I never got: </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>"We were unable to place your order at the moment, we are checking the problem. Please come back later".</b>) And I decided to try her solution. IT WORKED!!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">SOLUTION HERE:</span></u></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ladies and gentleman, it is as simple as updating your profile information before trying to complete your order. So ridiculous that the site doesn't redirect you or at the very least let you know you need to do that! I will show you how to do it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">STEP 1: At the top right of your screen click "Log In/Sign up". If you are already logged in this takes you to <b>your "profile"</b>. [If you aren't, you may need to log in/sign up before you start. It should save the contents of your cart.]</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="273" data-original-width="1152" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvWfr7-2w3J7uDDnPUKAEwR9br_sOAGsLMI8iIjrJ_evr5S90si1FAu48uBMF3MRrubrfdZ1BBtPW5wD6tCG_r71nYEyVTRNg64TU37smvYBiDHLxkNqOuTplvEZM31IL8KG1Szhm5xu3/s640/step+1.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">STEP 2:<b><span style="font-size: large;"> Update your phone number and address (both shipping and delivery). Make sure there is a phone number under delivery address</span></b>*** This seems to be key to solving the issue, but to cover all my bases I updated everything.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="759" data-original-width="1252" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvVAixy4_M1eq1aR8yrGtC3BAwA9tHtssTSyFy7StlXL6PRyKbltMHAsYWzcecRfc3pOujwR2i8Xft8TOOV7kil75cLlmk7ZZrwHEe2doP7F5zmh8mLGaL4Kog38WeU5InFADCrgLxZFd/s640/step+2.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After this it finally worked! Go back to your cart and enter the shipping zip code, then you should be able to begin checkout and complete your order. It did have me verify the county in both the billing and delivery addresses before I could move on (weird). But it worked and I was able to enter payment information and reach the final confirmation page.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I hope this helps you if you have experienced similar issues! Happy shopping!</span><br />
<br />
<br />Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085313745830902623noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368077330134878671.post-87119420171208304542017-05-30T13:27:00.000-07:002017-05-30T13:27:33.601-07:00Free to be me<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDaCe7VsndOPli_pdq_H0GYQX6IstXk9x3gUHTxAFLB0x1UUhbMpREfsfDW0SlkUu0SDDNgrUGOqEdBqpn38DxZmaYJ6iYp_0rtrA2-DkDuwJ-Sj2svIPTx0APaNuWNQ-VOiBTaeGAxsa/s1600/dandelion-2247113_1920+copy.jpg"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDaCe7VsndOPli_pdq_H0GYQX6IstXk9x3gUHTxAFLB0x1UUhbMpREfsfDW0SlkUu0SDDNgrUGOqEdBqpn38DxZmaYJ6iYp_0rtrA2-DkDuwJ-Sj2svIPTx0APaNuWNQ-VOiBTaeGAxsa/s400/dandelion-2247113_1920+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><br />I've been thinking a lot about freedom, and what that really means.<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">
<i>"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,</i><i>because the Lord has anointed me</i><i>to proclaim good news to the poor.</i><i>He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,</i><i>to proclaim freedom for the captives</i><i>and release from darkness for the prisoners"</i></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">
Isaiah 61:1</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<br /> Jesus, as the savior, comes to set us free.<br /><br /><br /> But what exactly does that really mean? How does it affect our lives?<br /><br /><br /> I had the strangest epiphany a while back. While watching a random netflix movie I noticed the female lead literally towered over all the other women in the film. I was thinking, "She is really tall!" I was shocked when I got curious enough to look it up, and saw that the actress is shorter than me in real life. To be fair, she's only 1/2 an inch shorter than me, so we are basically the same height. I began thinking, "Is this how I look to other people?" The insecurity is rooted in old wounds from my teen years. I started shooting up at the age of 11 or 12, so I was towering over most the boys my age at that point, much less the girls. I also didn't have a lot of money, so I couldn't afford expensive clothes, and well, you guessed it, most of my pants were too short. <span style="font-size: large;"><b>It was pretty hurtful to be made fun of over something I couldn't control.</b> </span>So, I looked a little weird, do you really need to point that out? For middle and high school aged girls, the answer is yes. But that day, watching that netflix movie, something else stuck out to me about that actress. She wasn't hunching... she wasn't awkward about being so tall. She was wearing flipping heels, for crying out loud! She really didn't care that she was taller than everyone. You could say, yeah, she was acting, of course she seemed unbothered by it. But I have actually seen this girl interviewed, she just has this great, fun personality. She didn't seem awkward about herself at all. Just really comfortable in her own skin. So, it then stood out to me that yes, I eventually noticed she was really tall, but the biggest impression made on me was her personality, her beauty, her other great characteristics. She was also wearing clothes that any stylist will tell you will make you look taller, and had really long, straight hair. <span style="font-size: large;"><b>She obviously wasn't trying to draw attention away from how tall she is, but embracing it as part of who she is.</b></span> It hit me, I don't need to feel weird about being tall -I should just embrace it! What's so bad about being different? The answer, my friends, is absolutely nothing. <br /><br /><br /> That is the number one thing that feeds most insecurity. <span style="font-size: large;"><b>We compare ourselves to others, and think we should be like some cultural stereotype of beauty</b></span> (or for men, strength/manliness/etc). Another thing I have always been insecure about is my smile. My teeth are pretty small in comparison to most people's. It doesn't help that recently a dentist told me I should consider veneers, and how they could really "improve" my "confidence". Ouch. To his defense, he was pretty nice about it and was just trying to make a sale. But ultimately for me it begged the question, "What's wrong with my teeth?" As a kid I always wanted braces, not that it would fix how small my teeth are, but they are also nowhere near perfect in other regards. Some are slightly askew, and my front teeth have a few small gaps between them. I always tried to smile without showing my teeth in pictures, and wished I had that perfect stereotypical Hollywood smile (probably the same reason I thought I needed a completely flat stomach, blue eyes, and tan skin.) <br /><br /><br /> The funny thing is, in spite of that, I would never have considered veneers. I'm not judging other people, but I personally have this thing about being real. Now, don't get me wrong -if someone wants to dye their hair, or get piercings or tattoos to express their individuality -more power to them. I believe creativity is natural and can be expressed in many more ways than the stereotypical. <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Everyone is creative in some way, some people express it through hair, or makeup, or clothes. Some people with music or paintings or drawings.</b></span> Some with all of the above. However, I am saddened by women changing their appearance not to express their creativity, but to meet a cultural standard or fit into a beauty stereotype. This is why I will probably never dye my hair blonde. Brown hair is just as beautiful as blonde hair, I was born with brown, I feel no need to change it. However, I do think it is fun to change shades, get highlights, etc. I have even gone red before. I've even had purple streaks. It's the motivation behind it that makes the difference for me. If I changed myself to be more beautiful, but what was "beautiful" was actually fake, am I really beautiful? <span style="font-size: large;"><b>It's sad to me how our culture pressures people into changing themselves.</b></span> I would rather have my body, my small, imperfect teeth then some fake body, some fake smile. That's just me. I've always felt that way, even as a kid.<br /><br /><br /> A few weeks before the netflix incident (I may or may not be addicted to watching movies...hmm....) I was watching Lord of the Rings with my husband and my mom and it really struck me how many members of the cast did not have perfect hollywood smiles. Me, of all people, to notice something like this. Aragorn, portrayed as a manly, attractive character, has small teeth with a few noticeable gaps, as does the main character Frodo, and more on point -both Éowyn and Galadriel (both are portrayed as beautiful princesses). <span style="font-size: large;"><b>It just hit me that the casting director obviously had no issue with portraying someone as beautiful, even when they didn't have "perfect" teeth.</b> </span>So, why should I struggle with that in my own life? I realized my teeth being different just makes me more unique, and gives my look more character. It's not some fake smile, it's real, it's genuine, and it's mine. That made me feel like something different, like my teeth, doesn't necessarily mean it's ugly or weird, it can be different but cute or beautiful. To be honest, my husband has tried to tell me this about my smile for years. The sad part about this story is, I'm pretty sure both of the women I mentioned have since had their teeth "fixed". If you see them now their teeth look pretty perfect. Trust me, I'm not crazy, go back and watch Lord of the Rings and look at their teeth. <br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b> The beauty of the gospel is that it frees me to be me. It doesn't ask me to change or fit into some stereotype.</b></span> God celebrates my individuality. Don't believe me?<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i> But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.</i></blockquote>
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1 Corinthians 12:18-20</blockquote>
<br /><br />To be continued...Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085313745830902623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368077330134878671.post-89436876337210492782016-10-14T15:33:00.001-07:002022-04-29T19:50:35.498-07:00Finding yourself<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Identity... it's the very heart of the main quest of our generation. </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Who am I? </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Why am I here? </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">What is the point?</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">It is also one of the biggest areas in which the devil likes to attack us, as Christians.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I have felt it, I have seen my husband struggle with it, and I have heard from one too many dear brother or sister the cries of their heart echoing the cry of my own...</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">God wants to settle this issue once and for all. We can no longer give the devil any voice in our hearts. We have to stand on the truth God has spoken. It's right here for us to find.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">It's in His Word. It's the whisper of truth in our hearts. It's the hope we feel when we enter into true worship.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Our identity is found only in him. It is this crazy paradox: you can't find yourself until you lose yourself in Him. </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i>Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.</i></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i>Matthew 10:39</i></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">We have to trust in Him, and make His voice the one that we choose to agree with. </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Maybe we have screwed up many times. Maybe we feel like a failure. Do we live by what we see? Do we live by what we feel? Or do we live by our faith in the Word of God?</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i>For we walk by faith and not by sight.</i></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i>2 Corinthians 5:7</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8HVKj-SnEYYq9khUvyzvx4C7hPNOPnp-Svx3_Jo7ADEEmO95R10iBqN9mPRNlDvGUGOtXQp3xetGGxYKLAzQ27KPYlcNoMZ4UFtkHjEdEhO6OLTf1I8-MrXv70Q6ln5_fvwOoRzAzrwH/s1600/john+3-1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8HVKj-SnEYYq9khUvyzvx4C7hPNOPnp-Svx3_Jo7ADEEmO95R10iBqN9mPRNlDvGUGOtXQp3xetGGxYKLAzQ27KPYlcNoMZ4UFtkHjEdEhO6OLTf1I8-MrXv70Q6ln5_fvwOoRzAzrwH/s320/john+3-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Let's start with 1 John. Chapter 3 opens with, <i>"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"</i> (NIV) </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I use the NIV here because I love the wording so much. He has lavished his love on us! </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The dictionary definition for lavish is </span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i>1) bestow something in generous or extravagant quantities upon</i></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i>2) cover something thickly or liberally with.</i></span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">That must be why I love it in this context. It is something extravagant, and is liberally showered on us! But I also love that next sentence "And that is what we are!" It's declaratory, and honestly seems thrilled! And why wouldn't the writer be? It is a thrilling thing, we have been given such a great gift. The gift of identity, and truly valuable identity at that.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">In some ways the children of God are like Anastasia in that cartoon from the 90s. Walking around in raggedy clothes, stealing food because you have no idea who you really are. She was a princess! She had rights to so much. All she needed to do was take it. But she didn't know. So, for most of her life she wandered around like a street rat, and was mistreated in an orphanage. We are royalty to God -his blessed children, not that we should walk around in a cocky, self-righteous way, but that we should walk in the confidence of who we are because of who He is and what He did for us.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i>Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” </i></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i>Mark 10:42-45 (NIV)</i></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">This lesson must be really important, a version of it shows up in three of the four gospels.</span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Matthew 20:25-28, Mark 10:42-45, Luke 22:25-27</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">But the best way, aside from pride, that the enemy can eliminate us as a threat to his kingdom is to beat us down.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Have you ever felt like you were worthless? That you had no value or real purpose? That you were a failure? Or a burden to your loved ones? </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">These are all lies the enemy will use to keep us down. We have to fight back!</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i>Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.</i></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i>And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.</i></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i>Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV)</i></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">One of the best ways I have discovered is to counter every lie from the devil with a truth from God. </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I heard a preacher once say, "Every time the devil speaks to me I know it is a lie, so I declare the opposite truth. If he says, "You are worthless!" Then I say, "Thank you, God, that I'm so worth it!""</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Note that he's not even giving the devil his attention, like he isn't even worth a glance, but keeps his eyes on the Lord, declaring the truth over himself. This is a great practice! Because another thing the devil tries to do to us is to get our eyes off Jesus and onto anything else. Our circumstances, ourselves, even him! If you turn away from Jesus to rebuke the devil, you just made yourself vulnerable. Keep your eyes fixed on the King of Kings, and let His Spirit fight for you!</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Here are some truths from the Word of God. </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b>You are a child of God. - 1 John 3:1, Romans 8:14-17</b></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b>He will not abandon you. - John 14:18, Hebrews 13:5</b></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b>He is with you (You are not alone) - Matthew 28:20</b></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b>You are loved by Him. - Jeremiah 31:3</b></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b>You were bought with a price. - 1 Corinthians 6:20</b></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b>You are valuable to Him! - John 3:16</b></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b>You are an overcomer! - 1 John 5:4</b></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b>You are fearfully and wonderfully made. - Psalm 139:14</b></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b>You are a new creation. - 2 Corinthians 5:17</b></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b>God does not remember your sin. - Psalm 103:12, Micah 7:19</b></span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">But I would encourage you, anytime you are feeling attacked, first of all, do not ignore it! Do not excuse it! 'Oh, I've just been under a lot of stress lately.' or 'It's because so and so said such and such to me.' Do not blame people, the devil can use people in our lives to attack us. Remember our fight is not against flesh and blood! Don't make excuses, get ready to fight! Acknowledge that you are under attack and ask God to help you. I like to sit down with my journal and my Bible. I will write in one column all the things the devil is saying to me. We know if he is saying it, it is a lie because Jesus said he is a liar and the father of lies.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i>He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.</i></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i>John 8:44 (NIV)</i></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">So, I write what I am feeling down, and write next to it (in another column) the opposite truth, God's truth. You can even cross out the lie if you want. Many times the Holy Spirit will give me verses to back up those truths! You can use the ones I have given you here, but I encourage you to sit at His feet, because He will speak truth over you personally and that is much more powerful than taking my word for it. Let the Holy Spirit counter those lies with truths. It will shift your perspective. An example from my own journal is:</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i>I am not a a failure - You have given me victory!</i></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i>I am not hopeless - Jesus is my eternal hope!</i></span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The question I have come to face is who am I going to agree with? The devil? Myself? What people say about me? Or what the God of the universe who created me and bought me with a terrible price says about me? </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i>Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true.</i></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i>Romans 3:4</i></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">A friend once spoke to me about labels. In the sales industry there are rules about labeling, the only person who has the right to put a label on something is the creator, or the owner (the one who purchased the item). So, even I do not have a right to label myself! Only God, my creator, and my purchaser, has the right to label me. And he calls me lovely, glorious, wonderful, child... Consider this in your own life. </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i>For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.</i></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i>Psalm 139:13 (NIV)</i></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i>Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. </i></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i>1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)</i></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">In closing, here is a song that is so powerful, it really speaks to me anytime I am struggling with my identity. I hope it speaks to you, and I hope this entry helps you fight back and accept who you are, a wonderful and valued child of God.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">*All verses quoted are in the English Standard Version unless otherwise noted.</span>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085313745830902623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368077330134878671.post-22742185644316579392016-07-11T20:59:00.001-07:002016-07-11T20:59:04.931-07:00Light breaks the dawn<p dir="ltr">You are the light of my life<br>
Without you, the whole world lies in darkness<br>
Save us from our blindess<br>
Righteous Sun with wisdom and grace<br>
Save us from our wicked ways<br>
Fill our mouths with love and mercy<br>
Let our lips repeat your praise<br>
Give our souls compassion and your transcendent peace<br>
They shall be known by their love for one another, let them be one as we are one<br>
This was your prayer for us<br>
Oh, how far have we fallen?<br>
How lost have we become?<br>
Rescue me, Father<br>
I don't know how to find my way<br>
I need your love to breathe, to live<br>
Give me another chance to be what I was born to be<br>
A shining light in the darkest places<br>
A fire of love in the coldest hatred <br>
A reflection of you, the one I was made for<br>
Show me the way to be <br>
I want to show the world your wonderful face<br>
Shine through me<br>
I will be a carrier of your grace<br>
I will choose to love, despite my hurt, my offense, my fear<br>
I will choose to stand firm<br>
The way you showed me<br>
You were silent when accused <br>
Brilliant when questioned<br>
Gracious when tested<br>
And when the time came<br>
The greatest trial of all<br>
The greatest persecution, more than I have ever faced<br>
You accepted it with grace<br>
A penalty that I deserved<br>
You took without complaint<br>
You chose to lay everything down, so that I could shine<br>
So that I could be born again, made brand new, a new creation<br>
Let me be that everyday, in every situation<br>
Let me be a shining Son<br>
Bringing the kingdom to earth<br>
For all to see<br>
Let them see you in me<br>
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Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085313745830902623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368077330134878671.post-47600550796621744992016-05-07T22:28:00.001-07:002016-05-27T21:58:16.245-07:00Transition...<p dir="ltr">Sometimes the hardest thing you can do is nothing. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Doing nothing -just waiting, just trusting is, to the human mind, utterly terrifying. Every fiber in our being fights against it. Our minds conspire against us, trying to solve the problem, to find a way out. </p>
<p dir="ltr">"Be still and know that I am God."<br>
-Psalms 46:10</p>
<p dir="ltr">Sometimes we are meant to just wait. Sometimes there is nothing we can do. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I can't imagine how Joseph felt sitting in that prison, alone and forgotten. What could he do to change his situation? Nothing. Just wait. Trust. It says that it took <b>two years</b> before Pharoh's cupbearer remembered Joseph and his gift (Genesis 41:1). Joseph sat there for two more years after his interpretation of the cupbearer's dream came to pass and he was released! (Genesis 40)</p>
<p dir="ltr">I'm sure I can't imagine, Idaho isn't exactly prison, but I can relate. Being somewhere I'd never thought I'd be, somewhere that wasn't part of the plan. Feeling stuck with no way out. Feeling hopeless that the dream God has given you could ever come to pass. Watching other people's dreams being revealed, watching other people go on, while you're left behind. Stuck. </p>
<p dir="ltr">What can you do but wait on the Lord? Trust in the Word He has spoken? Heavens if I know. There is nothing else. Only keeping our eyes on the prize -HIM! <i>He's the prize! </i>And He's so worth any amount of agony, disappointment, and waiting. That's where the children of Israel got in trouble. Moses went up on the mountain to commune with God, but they were too inpatient! They couldn't wait! They sinned against God (Exodus 32). They hardened their hearts. I don't want to be found by God in a load of sin and immaturity! </p>
<p dir="ltr">I want to be the faithful servant waiting. (Luke 12:35-40) </p>
<p dir="ltr">And so I wait...<br></p>
<p dir="ltr">"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." -Isaiah 40:31</p>
Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085313745830902623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368077330134878671.post-23018062268128845222015-12-05T20:56:00.001-08:002016-05-27T22:07:54.525-07:00How do you like them... potatoes?<p dir="ltr">*****edit: this definitely should have been posted on our couple's blog, I don't know what I was thinking. Update: since January, Gabriel and I no longer work for ctc. A very long story. Transition is here yet again, keep us in your prayers. <br></p>
<p dir="ltr">Well, folks, if you had told me a year ago, maybe even 6 months ago that I'd be in Idaho right now I would not have believed you. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Actually... I probably would have. I'd be liable to believe any crazy thing at this point. And you probably think we have commitment issues with the amount of job flipping and moving around we do, not to mention trying out new schools and ministries. [Only a little ;)]</p>
<p dir="ltr">The truth is, we are still young, still trying to figure out this complicated thing called life, and still trying to find our place in the midst of this crazy world. God has led us to some strange places, and asked us to do some even stranger things, but hey, "I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes..." (1 Samuel 6:<u>22</u>) if that's what it takes to be obedient to the Lord, it's all for His glory and not my own.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We are young, and we have dreams. And we are bold enough to believe those dreams can come true. We just don't want to settle for less. It's an adventure, for sure! Trying out different places and things whether it's to learn something for the future, to figure out what we need/don't need or like/don't like, or just biding our time until our next opportunity has been both interesting and kind of exhilarating. We have a lot of great stories, that's for sure. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I'd rather live my life having tried out a lot of different things, seen different places, met different people, and experienced a wide variety of life than to work some boring 9-5 job I don't care about every day of my life until I'm old and gray. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I will say I'm getting the point in my life where I'm starting to feel a longing for my own home. A place to call my own, something that is ours where we can live and make memories and enjoy life. This is very interesting, because until recently, that had never mattered to me. I never cared about consistency. In fact, moving into a new place was always exciting, with the options being open and trying something new. I guess it's because I moved around so much as a kid, but actually, after a while in one place I'd start to get antsy, and desire to move on. But now, it's just starting to feel like, I could actually settle down somewhere and enjoy it. Really having our own house. How exciting! It's not time yet, and I can wait. But it's an interesting development, and let the record show I'm taking note. </p>
<p dir="ltr">So, all that jibber jabber aside Gabriel is working as the art assistant in a real comic studio! And getting paid! To make art! Granted, he's not being paid much and it's very, very part-time, but it's still awesome. For that I'm thankful. He's learning a lot and enjoying it.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We were originally planning for me to come and be the office manager, but plans changed and I've taken on the role of Sales and Marketing manager, which mostly consists of running the online store for commission on orders filled, and some online marketing that I do on a volunteer basis. I'm currently contacting different comic stores around the country to try and get our books carried, so if you guys have a favorite store or know of one in your area please let me know! I'm currently on the look out for good leads. </p>
<p dir="ltr">We are also working on a big proposal to hopefully start selling at Conventions. My hope is that starting in February Gabriel will turn in his notice at his other part-time job and we'll be full-time Coffee Table Comic-ers! Scary, and also exciting! The plan would be to do 1-2 shows per month and on the weeks when we aren't traveling work in the office here in Idaho. If any of you know of any Comic Conventions, book fairs, or other events where exhibitors are allowed and you think our books would sell I would love to hear about it. It's always helpful to have local information. My plan is to try some of the smaller more local shows as well as the big ones, to see how sales are. My thought is, since the smaller shows are so much cheaper to get into, we still might be able to walk away with close to the same amount of profit even if there are less sales due to fewer attendees. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Please, keep us in your prayers! We are having a blast but have been really tight on money, especially with the holidays and everything, and that has been a major area of testing for us. We are striving day in and day out to trust God to provide for us. </p>
<p dir="ltr">There is a new and updated Coffee Table comics website that looks pretty sweet if I do say so, so please check that out. There will be a blog happening there that will have posts from both Gabriel and myself at some points in regards to what we're doing, learning, etc and how things are going at ctc, so for those of you who are interested in being updated, check that out.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I will try to get some regular updates on our couples blog, the endless frontier, so follow that if you like. My personal blog I'm going to try to use for my writing: some poems, Bible/theology essays, fiction (for fun) including but not limited to allegories, and maybe some non fiction articles about things that interest me -fitness, eating healthy, organizing, diy projects, etc. If you are interested in reading those feel free to follow me here. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I hope you all are doing well. Feel free to send me your updates and prayer requests. God bless! </p>
<p dir="ltr">-Nikki</p>
Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085313745830902623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368077330134878671.post-84874722105472695162015-07-23T15:04:00.000-07:002015-07-23T15:04:18.993-07:00Come back tomorrow...<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In a small Wisconsin town in the 1930s the bitter cold bit at a young girl's nose. Her clothes were wearing thin and her coat now had holes throughout. But there were no new winter coats in this town. There was no food, either. There was no work. And no money. They were calling it "The Great Depression". I guess there were hardly any new winter coats in any town. This young 8-year-old girl was wondering why she couldn't have grown up somewhere warmer when she finally arrived home. She almost missed it due to the snow blowing around her now numb face. She had to pull hard to open the door against the force of the blustering wind. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Amber, thank goodness, you're home." Her mothers weak voice met her at the door. Their home was small, only two rooms. One for cooking and eating and sitting by the fire, and one for sleeping. Everyone slept in there. All seven of them. Mother was sitting in their only chair -a rocking chair, mending some clothes. The baby whined in her cradle, while mother rocked it with her foot. The two next smallest ones were curled up at her feet, wrapped up in one blanket the two of them, napping. Sleeping to ignore their hunger, it was all they could do until supper. Amber was the second oldest, and was usually proud of that fact, but not today. "John is out searching for firewood, my dear, I know it's very cold but I need you to go out again." Amber barely made it home from school without freezing, how could she go back out again? "Your father waited in the breadlines all day, but we just don't have enough. My dear girl, I've heard that the grocer on 7th street sometimes has pity on those of us with too many mouths to feed, I need you to go and ask him for food, please, dear. I know it's cold. But your father and brother are getting weak from not eating, they've been leaving their share for the little ones, we have to find them something..." She trailed off not bothering to explain what would happen if they didn't, Amber was old enough to understand. That's what the depression had done to her. What it had done to a lot of little girls. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She just nodded, working up her courage, trying to be strong and gave her mother a hug to reassure her. As she pulled away her mother placed something in her hand, something heavy. An old pocket watch. Amber recognized it, it was grandfather's. Mother had saved it all these years after he had passed away. She couldn't mean for Amber to pay the grocer with this? It was too valuable...and too not valuable? The pocket watch wasn't anything special to anyone but grandfather and mother. It was really old, and wasn't even made of a nice metal like gold or silver, it was just your basic pocket watch. Would the grocer really want this old thing? Tick. tick tick. It did still work...amazing. Amber wondered at it for a long time, until mother closed her hand around it firmly, "You'd better go." Amber's eyes met mothers, all mother did was nod, she couldn't utter the words, but this was all they had left of any value. She had to convince the grocer to take it. She took a deep breath before opening that stubborn door again, as if it was warning her not to go out, she only hoped she could make it back at all, much less with food in hand. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She had put on a brave face for mother but once outside in that freezing gust her fear cut at her worse than the chill. She fought back tears, knowing they would freeze on her face and make matters worse. Tick tick tick. The pocket watch encouraged her to go on, she shoved the hand gripping it into her coat pocket, and forced herself to move forward. She pushed on for what seemed like miles but was really only a few blocks, and just when she felt like giving up -curling up in a sad frozen ball in the gutter, a wooden sign clanked against a wall. The wind kept blowing the sign but she made it out with ease, mostly from memory, "Grocer". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She pushed inside past the wind and collapsed against it, once it closed. "My, my, who is this? I'm closed for the day." The room felt noticeably warm and the familiar grocer walked toward her from behind his counter, he wasn't a tall man, but he had very kind eyes. They reminded her of honey, warm and sweet. His smooth hair and mustache were dark brown, like chocolate. Everything in here reminded her of food! Her stomach growled loudly and she immediately blushed. "My child, you poor thing, have you eaten anything today?" She stared at the floor ashamed, "I had some milk this morning." He shook his head sadly and extended her a hand, she willingly took it and he hoisted her up on her feet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Please, sir," she said, "I know you're closed, but don't send me away with nothing. I've walked all this way in the freezing cold, I barely made it here against that awful wind, and I'm exhausted from trudging through all the snow. Please, you can't send me away empty handed. What will mother say?" The man looked at her with compassion in his honey eyes, "Mother? Did your mother send you?" She sniffed, in the warmth her nose was starting to run, and nodded. "Father waited all day in the bread lines, you see, but there are seven of us, and well, we just don't have enough. The little ones don't know it but father and John, that's my older brother, they keep giving their portion to them. So they haven't eaten in days. They are getting too weak to chop firewood, or wait in lines for food or work. They can't go on this way. They will get ill. Or worse..." He quietly, patiently listened to her rambling explanation, nodding ever so often to reassure her. But she couldn't finish that last sentence. She didn't want to. He had to understand. Surely. Instead she just stuck out her frozen hand, still clutching the old pocket watch, and opened it to reveal her offer. Surely he would understand. "My, my, what is this you've got here?" He examined the watch carefully. "This is very old. Probably an antique. I can't believe it's still ticking." Believe it, the watch prided with it's tick tick tick. "This is a special little watch, where did you get it?" She was encouraged that he took such an interest in the watch, "It was my grandfather's. Please, it's all I have. Couldn't I trade it for some food? Anything will do." He stared at the watch carefully. "I see." He hesitated, and Amber understood, it wasn't very valuable at all. She hung her head, she had failed, what would mother say? "I'll take a look back here and see what I have left." She couldn't believe her ears, her head shot up, "You will?" He laughed and it seemed that even his eyes were smiling, "I certainly will." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He sent her home with a bag of food, but not without having a warm cup of tea with her by the fire. He wanted her to warm up before going back out into the cold. And maybe he was lonely. He did live and work here all alone. The bag had a few potatoes, a piece of bread, and a handful of nuts still in their shell. Small enough for her to carry, and plenty for them to eat tonight. He walked her to the door but before opening it he took her hand and placed in it grandfather's watch, he closed her hand around it and whispered with a smile and a twinkle in his kind eyes, "Come back tomorrow."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This phrase is what inspired me to write this story. Come back tomorrow... just like the grocer only gave Amber what she could easily carry, enough for one day, and yet, invited her to return again for more when she needed it -the next day, God has been so drawing on my heart. I pray for wisdom, I pray for peace, I pray for strength, He gives me what I need and says, "Come back tomorrow." Scripture says his mercies are new every morning! [Lamentations 3:22-23] If they are new then why should we hoard it today? We know we can come back for more, fresh tomorrow. He knows exactly what we will need in order to face each and every day, and all we need to do is ask...each and every day. He wants us to come back because He loves us, He loves spending time with us. We shouldn't be asking for God to make us wise or strong, but instead that He would give us the wisdom for today, the strength we need to get through the day. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Solomon asked God for wisdom, and he got it. And yet, he did some really stupid things in his lifetime. What happened to his wisdom? God was faithful to give it, Solomon definitely had access to it, but maybe he got cocky and thought he was wise enough, and that he didn't need God anymore. Solomon himself says in Ecclesiates 12:11 "<span class="text Eccl-12-11" id="en-ESV-17535" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;">The words of the wise are like goads, and like <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-17535X" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-17535X" title="See cross-reference X">X</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-17535Y" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-17535Y" title="See cross-reference Y">Y</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>given by <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-17535Z" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-17535Z" title="See cross-reference Z">Z</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>one Shepherd.</span><span style="line-height: 24px;"> " This, I believe, is why Jesus taught us to pray for "our daily bread". He wasn't literally talking about bread, or even physical provision, but spiritual bread! What is bread if not nourishment? What you need to make it through the day! This is how we should pray, that God would give us what we need to get through this day, and then come back tomorrow.</span></span></span>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085313745830902623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368077330134878671.post-35451281460521201792015-06-12T13:00:00.000-07:002016-05-27T22:07:06.151-07:006/1/13<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Written 6/1/13 (Because I hate loose ends...aka unpublished drafts!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="Times, Times New Roman, serif">It's also an interesting back story to why we ended up in Idaho which is why I went ahead and posted it so late and why I'm keeping it up now.</font></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Hello friends, it's been a while but I'm finally blogging again. May was the craziest month for me! I started a new job and did two trips two weekends in a row! That wasn't on purpose. Gabriel mentioned to me that an artist he follows and really likes wasn't coming to the Denver convention this year but the nearest one to Colorado he was going to was Phoenix. I thought it sounded fun seeing as I've never been to Phoenix so I told Gabriel to look up costs for tickets and travel expenses and maybe we could manage it for his birthday! (Even though it was a month later). We ended up budgeting it out of our tax returns, so it worked out. Later we realized a family event -my grandparent's 50th anniversary party, happened to be the weekend before! I only realized this about a month before the trip :P </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The first trip (to Texas) we flew Southwest. That was an adventure! For one, Gabriel and I have a bad habit of waiting until the last second to pack or get even remotely ready for our trips, which results in an extremely stressful night before, especially when have to get up early the next morning, usually accompanying some sort of emotional breakdown on my part! This time wasn't completely my fault, though, because I was planning on spending the day of (Friday) getting ready because I got our flight in the evening, around 6 pm. However, Thursday I got a last minute interview with Gabriel's boss and she was desperately understaffed so she hired me on the spot and asked me to come in the next day. So, Gabriel and I only had a few hours to get ready for our trip before we needed to go to bed so we could get up for work at 5:30 am. Needless to say we squandered what time we did have and were up late getting ready. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfdNr9txt6EyhB462pweev2IEJb1EAkHAX7J5mgEEHMukMjOtIBa8UpQBh5lsvRnPmm_R2N-tO1R7yFtkAYrjO_4kJDDxf3w86ex9mSHaJ0D77utJEgk531INam5GLUm6AIlV6IupVe5-/s1600/947048_195101030642504_1748617623_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfdNr9txt6EyhB462pweev2IEJb1EAkHAX7J5mgEEHMukMjOtIBa8UpQBh5lsvRnPmm_R2N-tO1R7yFtkAYrjO_4kJDDxf3w86ex9mSHaJ0D77utJEgk531INam5GLUm6AIlV6IupVe5-/s1600/947048_195101030642504_1748617623_n.jpg" width="314"></a></div>
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<br>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085313745830902623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368077330134878671.post-44555424281488416782013-09-23T19:26:00.000-07:002013-09-23T19:26:06.628-07:00Depression hurts<span id="goog_1062073824"></span><span id="goog_1062073825"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Many of us, at some time or another, will go through depression. Some paths may be darker, and harder, than others, but in varying levels -it still hurts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This is a message for those who have been there, are still trudging through it, are close to someone who is struggling, or just doesn't understand people who do. This is a message for everyone. As the body, we should encourage one another, and we should strive to understand, so we can help, and be the light of God in a dark situation.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">There is an old Cymbalta commercial that sometimes comes to mind. Cymbalta is an anti depressant medication. The commercial said:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"Where does depression hurt?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Everywhere.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Who does depression hurt?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Everyone."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I don't really remember the rest of the commercial but those words sometimes haunt me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If you have ever experienced in intense depression these words may ring true to you. Where does it hurt? Everywhere. I felt tired all the time. I could never bring myself to get out of bed, and when I did I could never convince myself to do anything productive. I had no motivation. I had no energy. I had nothing. Nothing but pain...everywhere. It feels as though your heart is breaking, and sometimes you don't even know why. Your tears sting your eyes. Your breathing burns your chest. Nothing is okay. And it feels as though nothing ever will be again. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If you are going through depression, this is for you. It sounds cliche to say that I know what you are going through, so I won't. I can't possible know what your dark places are like. All I know is what mine were, and that I never want to go there again. You should know that, as much as it doesn't feel like it right now, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. There is hope. God has not abandoned you. He is still faithful. He is still good. He is still love.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If you can hold on to nothing, hold on to this:</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange;"><span class="text Rom-8-28" id="en-NIV-28145"><span style="color: orange;"><span class="text Rom-8-28" id="en-NIV-28145">Romans 8:28</span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange;"><span class="text Rom-8-28" id="en-NIV-28145">"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." </span><span class="text Rom-8-28" id="en-NIV-28145"> </span></span></span></span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Believe that someday, somewhere on the other side of this hell, you will see that something good, something beautiful has come out of that dark time. Hold tight to your love of God, it is your victory.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My name, Nicole, is the female derivative of Nicholas, which means Victory. In my darkest hour, feeling so broken, so alone, so lifeless, like there was no point to go on anymore... I did not feel like Victory. The very label I have been given since birth, it held no meaning to me. What is victory in the midst of the pain? These ashes, that I once called my life? This betrayal by everyone I ever trusted or loved? What does victory even look like?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It looked like me.</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Rom-8-14" id="en-NIV-28131"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Rom-8-17" id="en-NIV-28134"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Romans 8:14-17</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange;"><span class="text Rom-8-14" id="en-NIV-28131"><span style="color: orange;"><span class="text Rom-8-17" id="en-NIV-28134">"F</span></span>or those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.</span> <span class="text Rom-8-15" id="en-NIV-28132">The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, <i>“Abba,</i> Father.”</span><span class="text Rom-8-16" id="en-NIV-28133"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.</span><span class="text Rom-8-17" id="en-NIV-28134"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Me! A son of the most high God? [Note: "son" being used in cultural context is a great honor that Paul did not differentiate between men and women, he is saying that both men and women can become 'sons' or 'heirs,' because in this day women could not inherit anything. You should embrace your sonship as woman's true gift of equality, not resent it! God was way ahead of women's rights movement on that. More about this in a future post.] Adopted and accepted as co-heirs with Christ! If I share in His suffering, then I may also share in His glory?! I won't claim to fully understand this. But what I do know is, even Jesus felt depressed. The Garden of Gethsemane is the perfect picture of a fully surrendered heart that is burdened by the trails of this life. Jesus knew what He had to do and embraced His cross, we should also strive to surrender our so-called broken and meaningless lives to Father and see what He can do with it. I challenge you, in the midst of your darkest hour, look yourself in the mirror and say (it doesn't have to be out loud) I am the victory. Why? Because it is true. Because you need to be reminded. Since the before you were born God has equipped you with everything you need to overcome any trial you face. Jesus died to give you life, and a new heart -a stronger one, you can do this. You can make it through.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I highly recommend finding out what your name means. God has really used this as an avenue of speaking to me. Because He knew my name even before I was conceived, He called out my name and prophesied what I would be. My parents had no idea that they were giving me a name Father had already chosen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My middle name is Danielle, the female derivative of Daniel, which means "God is my judge." HAHA! This one literally made me laugh out loud (I'll admit, it was mostly in bitterness). So many people had beaten me down with judgment, if only I had known all along that God had sent me a little reminder, there in the echoes of time- my ID, my birth certificate, people calling me... all throughout my life there has been the one thing I needed to hear today. "God is my judge." No one else. Who can judge me?</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange;"><span class="text Rom-8-31"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange;"><span class="text Rom-8-39" id="en-NIV-28156">Romans 8:31-39</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange;"><span class="text Rom-8-31"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange;"><span class="text Rom-8-39" id="en-NIV-28156">"</span></span></span></span>What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?</span><span class="text Rom-8-32" id="en-NIV-28149"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?</span><span class="text Rom-8-33" id="en-NIV-28150"><sup class="versenum"> </sup><b>Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.</b></span><span class="text Rom-8-34" id="en-NIV-28151"><b><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Who then is the one who condemns? No one.</b> Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.</span><span class="text Rom-8-35" id="en-NIV-28152"><sup class="versenum"> </sup><b>Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?</b></span><span class="text Rom-8-36" id="en-NIV-28153"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>As it is written:</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange;"><span class="text Rom-8-36"> “For your sake we face death all day long;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Rom-8-36">we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange;"><b><span class="text Rom-8-37" id="en-NIV-28154">No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.</span></b><span class="text Rom-8-38" id="en-NIV-28155"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,</span><span class="text Rom-8-39" id="en-NIV-28156"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>neither height nor depth, <b>nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.</b>" <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #999999;">[Emphasis added, mine].</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A dear, sweet friend recently shared with me something she learned in ministry school. Who can put a label on you? In a retail sense, no one can legally put (or remove) a label on anything unless they are a) the person who made it [the creator], b) the person who purchased it, or c) the person to whom it was given [the owner]. The reality is, in your life, Christ represents all three positions. He made you, he purchased you, and he owns you. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span class="text 1Cor-6-20" id="en-NIV-28488"><span style="color: orange;">1 Corinthians 6:19-20</span></span>
<span style="color: orange;"><span class="text 1Cor-6-19" id="en-NIV-28487"> </span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange;"><span class="text 1Cor-6-19" id="en-NIV-28487">"D</span><span class="text 1Cor-6-19" id="en-NIV-28487">o you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? <b>You are not your own;</b></span><b> </b></span><span class="text 1Cor-6-20" id="en-NIV-28488"><span style="color: orange;"><b>you were bought at a price</b>. Therefore honor God with your bodies." <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #999999;">[Emphasis added, mine].</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Therefore, even you do not have the right to label yourself! Stop calling yourself a loser, a failure, or worthless! You are spitting in the face of the one who made you, and paid the highest price for you. He loves you, and has plans for you. You should be willing to hear what He says. And most of all, stop listening to people who don't know what they are talking about. So many people, especially Christians, love to label others with what they think they see. They will try to tell you what you are, what you can and can't do, and what you have done. If you need to, tell them to shut up! God will forgive you for your rudeness. You don't need to hear Satan's lies. Even Jesus told Peter, "Get thee behind me Satan." When Peter spoke Satan's agenda rather than words that came from God. If you can just ignore it, do so, if you need to just stay away from people who aren't speaking God's truth, then for goodness sake, do it! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Pray that your ears would be closed to both the voice of the enemy, and the voice of others, and only open to hear the voice of God. In our darkest times, this is all we need. His voice, His word, is like a rain falling in the desert, it keeps you alive.</span><br />
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<b><span class="text Matt-16-23" id="en-NIV-23696"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange;">Matthew 16:23<span id="goog_1037193687"></span><span id="goog_1037193688"></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
<span class="text Matt-16-23" id="en-NIV-23696"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange;">"Jesus turned and said to Peter, </span></span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The enemy views depression as an invitation to come in and torment us. He tells us we screwed up, it's all our fault, we are failures and we can never repair what we've done. A lot of times people tell us the same things, unaware that they are being mouthpieces for the kingdom of darkness. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If you have never experienced depression, or have forgotten what it was like, if you have ever gotten impatient or frustated with someone who is going through it, please remember this:</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Eph-4-29" id="en-NIV-29302"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Eph-4-29" id="en-NIV-29302"> <b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ephesians 4:29</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange;"><span class="text Eph-4-29" id="en-NIV-29302">"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="text Eph-4-29" id="en-NIV-29302"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As the body of Christ, we are called to encourage each other in love, pray for each other, build each other up... not to hurt each other and cause one another to stumble! It is heartbreaking to see, and feel, what the church has become. A hornet's nest of gossip, lies, judgements, and labels. I am reminded of the book "You are special" by Max Lucado. It's a story about toys who grade each other based on behavior and looks. The toys who are viewed as "good" get gold stars stuck on them by others, the toys who are viewed as "bad" get ugly gray dots. However, one toy visits the toy maker, who gives him a gift. The result is no stickers will stick to him. Good or bad, they just fall right off. The other toys' opinion of him no longer matters. </span></span><br />
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<span class="text Eph-4-29" id="en-NIV-29302"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The sad part is, even worse than the world, the church has become an infestation of judgmental toys who go around sticking labels on everyone they can find. Are you famous? Are you talented? Are you 'important'? No? Well, then we don't have time for you. Until you do something they don't like. Then they suddenly have all the time in the world. "What is wrong with you??" They will do one of two things. Tell you to your face they love and support you, then take part in the spread of gossip and lies about you throughout the church. Or, they will tell you to your face you are a disappointment and a failure, then also take part in the spreading of the lies and gossip. </span></span><br />
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<span class="text Eph-4-29" id="en-NIV-29302"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There are a precious few who still choose to be like Jesus. To love and encourage, support, and build up. If you are reading this today and you are realizing that you are not one of that precious few, I beseech you, pray. Ask God to change your heart. Ask Him to teach you how to love, how to be like Him, how to be His disciple. I beg of you, one person at a time we can rebuild the body into the church it was meant to be. Powerful and united, and full of love. </span></span><br />
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<span class="text Eph-4-29" id="en-NIV-29302"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Only God can make this change in you. I know, He did it for me. And I'm still in that process. Find someone who really looks like Jesus, someone who treats people like Jesus, who talks like Him, someone who behaves how He behaved. Then follow that person around. Sit at their feet so to speak, and listen to what they have to say. </span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Eph-4-29" id="en-NIV-29302"><span style="color: orange;"><span class="text John-13-34" id="en-NIV-26665"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Eph-4-29" id="en-NIV-29302"><span style="color: orange;"><span class="text John-13-35" id="en-NIV-26666"><span class="woj">John 13:34-35</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Eph-4-29" id="en-NIV-29302"><span style="color: orange;"><span class="text John-13-34" id="en-NIV-26665"><span class="woj">“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.</span></span> <span class="text John-13-35" id="en-NIV-26666"><span class="woj">By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span class="text Eph-4-29" id="en-NIV-29302"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text John-13-35" id="en-NIV-26666"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I know this is very long, if you are still with me, thank you for reading. I hope these words have spoken to you and blessed you. I have one more group of people I want to speak to. If you are living with, or very close relationally with, someone who is depressed, I know it is a struggle.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span class="text Eph-4-29" id="en-NIV-29302"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text John-13-35" id="en-NIV-26666"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Who does depression hurt? </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span class="text Eph-4-29" id="en-NIV-29302"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text John-13-35" id="en-NIV-26666"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Everyone. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span class="text Eph-4-29" id="en-NIV-29302"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text John-13-35" id="en-NIV-26666"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Especially those closest to you. When my husband has gone through some very deep, dark places, even deeper and darker than I thought he was capable of going, I had to be there and just watch. There was nothing I could do or say to help him. I tried counseling, prayer meetings, new jobs, new hobbies, taking him out to get his mind off of it, loving him the best I knew how -giving him gifts, making him special dinners and treats, giving him back rubs, or feet rubs, or head rubs, writing him notes or making him a card... anything I could do to make him feel loved. I got to a place, several times, where I just couldn't take it anymore. I wanted to leave. I wanted to stop trying. I felt as though I had poured out all my love and was left bone dry. I had noting left to offer. Nothing had really helped, not long term, anyway. It hurts. It hurts to see someone you love so down, so broken, so sad. It hurts to not feel loved by them, because they are too lost in sadness to love on you. It hurts that there is nothing you can do, and nothing you try makes much difference. It hurts to fail them, when you start out trying to encourage them and you end up in a fight. It hurts. It all hurts. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span class="text Eph-4-29" id="en-NIV-29302"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text John-13-35" id="en-NIV-26666"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But...there is hope. There is something you can do. It's going to be hard, it's going to hurt, I'd be lying if I told you it wasn't, but you can do something. It may take a very long time, but it is very worth it. You can pray. Pray for them. Love them as much as you can. Encourage them. Make them feel special (I used every love language I could!). Help them forget, even if it's only for one afternoon. When you feel dry and empty like you can't take it anymore, turn to Jesus, He will give you all the love you need, He will give you strength to go on. You can do this! God has equipped you with everything you need to love this person, especially if it is your spouse. Remember it is not your job to "cure" them, it does not reflect on you how bad it gets, or how long it goes. It is not your place to bear this burden. Daily cast your burdens onto Jesus, and He will get you through this. You will get through this... together.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: orange;"><span class="text Eph-5-22" id="en-NIV-29327"><sup><span style="color: orange;"><span class="text Eph-5-28" id="en-NIV-29333"></span></span></sup></span><span class="text Eph-5-22" id="en-NIV-29327"><sup><span style="color: orange;"><span class="text Eph-5-28" id="en-NIV-29333"></span></span></sup></span></span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: orange;"><span class="text Eph-5-22" id="en-NIV-29327"><b>Ephesians 5:22-33</b></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: orange;"><span class="text Eph-5-22" id="en-NIV-29327"><b>"Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord</b>.</span> <span class="text Eph-5-23" id="en-NIV-29328">For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.</span> <span class="text Eph-5-24" id="en-NIV-29329">Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: orange;"> <b><span class="text Eph-5-25" id="en-NIV-29330">Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her</span> </b><span class="text Eph-5-26" id="en-NIV-29331">to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,</span><span class="text Eph-5-27" id="en-NIV-29332"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.</span><span class="text Eph-5-28" id="en-NIV-29333"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. <b>He who loves his wife loves himself.</b></span></span><span style="color: orange;"><span class="text Eph-5-28" id="en-NIV-29333"><span class="text Eph-5-29" id="en-NIV-29334"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church—</span> <span class="text Eph-5-30" id="en-NIV-29335"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>for we are members of his body.</span><span class="text Eph-5-31" id="en-NIV-29336"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and <b>the two will become one flesh</b>.”</span><span class="text Eph-5-32" id="en-NIV-29337"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.</span><span class="text Eph-5-33" id="en-NIV-29338"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." </span></span></span><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span class="text 1Cor-6-20" id="en-NIV-28488"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #999999;">[Emphasis added, mine].</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span class="text Eph-4-29" id="en-NIV-29302"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text John-13-35" id="en-NIV-26666"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wives, submit yourselves to your husband as you do to the Lord. We will do whatever it takes to love and support him, for we are one. Husbands, love your wife as you love yourself, and as Christ loves the church [Christ died for the church!]. This is the only way we will survive. A man needs to be supported, respected. A woman needs to be loved, and defended. This is the fruit of a godly and lasting marriage. And this is how we do warfare as man and wife!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Eph-4-29" id="en-NIV-29302"><span class="text John-13-35" id="en-NIV-26666"><span class="woj"><b>Romans 12:10</b> <br /> Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. <b>Honor one another above yourselves</b>.<span style="color: #999999;">*</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Eph-4-29" id="en-NIV-29302"><span class="text John-13-35" id="en-NIV-26666"><span class="woj"><b>1 Thessalonians 5:11</b> <br /> <b>Therefore encourage one another and build each other up</b>, just as in fact you are doing.<span style="color: #999999;">*</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="text Eph-4-29" id="en-NIV-29302"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text John-13-35" id="en-NIV-26666"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>1 John 3:16-18</b> <br /> This is how we know what love is: Jesus
Christ laid down his life for us. <b>And we ought to lay down our lives for
our brothers.</b> If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother
in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? <b>Dear
children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in
truth</b>.<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">*</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span class="text Eph-4-29" id="en-NIV-29302"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text John-13-35" id="en-NIV-26666"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">*</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="text Eph-4-29" id="en-NIV-29302"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text John-13-35" id="en-NIV-26666"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text 1Cor-6-20" id="en-NIV-28488"> [Emphasis added, mine].</span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span class="text Eph-4-29" id="en-NIV-29302"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text John-13-35" id="en-NIV-26666"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In supporting someone struggling with depression who is not a spouse, the Bible is clear that as brothers and sisters in Christ we are to love, encourage, and support each other, even through hard times. As this 1 John reference says, we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers, and let me tell you, supporting someone going through depression sometimes feels like laying down your life -sacrificing what you want, how you feel, and even your own needs, to care for and support that person. It is a very hard and challenging thing but I believe it is worth it all and God is pleased by our obedience to His Word, and our love for one another. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Eph-4-29" id="en-NIV-29302"><span class="text John-13-35" id="en-NIV-26666"><span class="woj">1 Peter 5:6-7</span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
<span class="text Eph-4-29" id="en-NIV-29302"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text John-13-35" id="en-NIV-26666"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text 1Pet-5-6" id="en-NIV-30472">"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.</span> <span class="text 1Pet-5-7" id="en-NIV-30473">Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."</span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span class="text Eph-4-29" id="en-NIV-29302"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text John-13-35" id="en-NIV-26666"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">No matter what your place is in the spiritual battle against depression, whether you are in it, you are outside it looking in, or you are alongside someone in it... let Jesus take care of you. Don't try to bear the burden alone. It will overtake you. We are not made to take on these things. Jesus is right here with you, waiting for you to turn it over to Him. Just trust Him, no matter how long it takes, keep loving Him...keep leaning on Him. He is the only one who can get your through this, He is the only one who can give you strength. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="text Eph-4-29" id="en-NIV-29302"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text John-13-35" id="en-NIV-26666"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCaxSzNqLeta0Wd4sJaj9maKJoESlAqV7_Wvw60azZiRcS3VG0d9EiaTgsfjH0EyGoUJKV21HHNRhSxQXSZyRD6qVuY_27cb2YAnNHbYufTQcL1Bpbu3gXkAgMgBo_GK7QWHMk1wDlPcd8/s1600/Screenshot_2013-09-23-20-10-09.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCaxSzNqLeta0Wd4sJaj9maKJoESlAqV7_Wvw60azZiRcS3VG0d9EiaTgsfjH0EyGoUJKV21HHNRhSxQXSZyRD6qVuY_27cb2YAnNHbYufTQcL1Bpbu3gXkAgMgBo_GK7QWHMk1wDlPcd8/s1600/Screenshot_2013-09-23-20-10-09.png" height="320" width="226" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span class="text Eph-4-29" id="en-NIV-29302"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></span>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085313745830902623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368077330134878671.post-58411627275928047462012-11-28T15:00:00.002-08:002016-12-20T08:50:07.615-08:00Creatively Christmas <div style="color: #134f5c;">
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqrc8H0hTVN0y_I2vUVqZ26EIRYBanvHhazDhwoWcI9jzBrfxj8a4gEf5Pol1qIaD5gVkncsIp-XVQGfcCE6HI7TBHMIrFW3WTmXQmoihweKiZ_vfn-NUpZGN0nLyixV5tRRmZkfYkXtm/s1600/christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqrc8H0hTVN0y_I2vUVqZ26EIRYBanvHhazDhwoWcI9jzBrfxj8a4gEf5Pol1qIaD5gVkncsIp-XVQGfcCE6HI7TBHMIrFW3WTmXQmoihweKiZ_vfn-NUpZGN0nLyixV5tRRmZkfYkXtm/s400/christmas.jpg" width="268" /></a> </b></div>
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<b>Christmas is vastly approaching, and my husband and I happen to be part of families that have several birthdays going on within a dangerous vicinity of the Holidays. So with the economy being as it is, and money being tight (especially with a new baby in the house!) we have decided to try and be as creative and frugal about presents this year as possible. </b><br />
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<b>We are going to try to make gifts, but also keep our eyes open for great deals. I'm not the best bargain shopper, but in this day and age places like Ross and Amazon sometimes make it easy! (Keyword: sometimes... lol)</b></div>
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<b>So, I keep my eyes peeled for things that I think people would like, or things I know they want. Luckily, my side of the family decided for extended family gifts (since there are so many of us and we are all tight on the green stuff) to do name drawings. This is always a great idea if you have a large family and everyone could use a break money-wise or even time-wise (who has time to shop for all those extra presents!?) So that means Gabriel and I only have to come up with two presents on that side. The thing that can get hairy is that we both come from decent sized families (don't laugh, because I do realize that many of my friends come from even larger families, but when it comes to gift giving I think our families are still pretty decent sized!) He is one of four siblings and has one set of grandparents still living, I am one of three with one complete set and my other grandpa still living as well. It makes it worse that my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Love-Languages-Secret-Lasts/dp/0802473156/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354130777&sr=8-1&keywords=five+love+languages">love language*</a> is gifts! I love giving gifts, so I think of everyone in the family and it is so hard to leave anyone out! Including aunts, uncles, cousins, even if I rarely see them and they never give me a gift lol. But, fortunately for me, being creative about gifts can help you save money. </b><br />
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<a href="http://static.caloriecount.about.com/images/medium/q-masters-dallas-cowboys-94040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://static.caloriecount.about.com/images/medium/q-masters-dallas-cowboys-94040.jpg" /></a><b>We don't always have to go the stereotypical expensive route to give a good gift. Take for example the gift basket sold in stores, most can be replicated for half the price! Make your own Christmas treats and buy Christmas containers at the dollar store or half price at Hobby Lobby, and viola! A gift with a personal touch that costs very little, plus you can make a big batch of each treat all at once knocking out several gifts in one shot. You can also be smart about what to buy. It's easy to go for something that costs more that anyone would love, an ipad, ipod, recently released movies or video games, or even gift cards. But if you take some time to be creative about an intentional, personal gift you can save some serious money. For example, my dad is really hard to buy for, and he has expensive taste -he loves techy gadgets and things. I got him some Dallas cowboy (his favorite team) bar-b-q sauce last year, he loved it! Thoughtful and personal, but didn't break the budget. Or if there is something expensive someone really wants try getting a group of friends or family members to go in together, I have done this several times with my husband. When we were dating me and his family came together to buy him a Wii, when we were engaged we all pitched in on a guitar. He still got the gift he wanted, but I didn't have to go into debt (and spend the whole year until next Christmas getting out) to get it for him :) You can also go for a "quality time" related gift if the person you are buying for is one of those people who has everything or would appreciate that more. For instance, take them out to lunch, or to a movie they want to see. Not overly expensive, and fun for you both!</b><br />
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<b>That brings me to making gifts! I recently taught myself how to knit using <a href="http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=learn+to+knit">youtube*</a> videos, a <a href="http://www.knittinghelp.com/">knitting website*</a>, and a few books from the library. Knitting projects are fun, easy, and you can work on them while watching TV ;) Plus, knitted things are really in right now and super cute, you can make something with each person in mind by using their favorite color, making something specific to them and what they like, etc.</b><br />
<b>But if knitting isn't your thing, have no fear because there are tons of homemade gifts you can make! Gabriel, my husband, loves to draw, and is amazingly talented, he has made me many fun pictures as gifts. Photos are always fun and require little to no skill, buy a cute frame and put in a picture of you, your family, you with the person you are giving the gift to, or even something in nature you think they would like, easy and affordable. Also extremely personal.</b><br />
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<b>And don't worry if you stink at coming up with creative ideas, <a href="http://www.hobbylobby.com/">Hobby Lobby*</a> (both the store and the website) is full of fun craft and gift ideas complete with directions and a list of needed materials. There are so many cute things you can make! Buy the materials when Hobby Lobby has that department on half off, or keep your eye on their website for a 40% off coupon.</b><br />
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<b><a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest*</a> also has fun ideas! I found a <a href="http://www.pauladeen.com/recipes/recipe_view/corries_brown_sugar_body_scrub/">recipe*</a> for homemade sugar scrub for exfoliating the skin, very cute. A friend told me she took some lace or fabric and a soft hanger, sowed up the sides, adding a zipper or button to close the "bag" with a space for the top of the hanger to stick out, as easy as that you have a hanging accessory bag for your closet -perfect for hats, gloves, scarves, socks, lingerie, etc. You can add your own touches for decor. There are tons of things you can do if you just start looking, and using your creative juices. Whatever your skill is you can hone that and use it to make fantastic, homemade, personal gifts for everyone, and in the mean time save yourself a ton of money, and the stress of shopping during the Holidays lol. </b><br />
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<b>Please comment with your own fun homemade gift or money saving ideas! I would love to hear them. Only 27 days until Christmas! I'd better get started! =P </b><br />
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<b>Happy Holidays, everyone. </b><br />
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<b>=Nikki=</b><br />
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Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085313745830902623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368077330134878671.post-2683616654609863412012-10-26T15:58:00.001-07:002012-10-26T15:58:33.388-07:00Bittersweet <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Life isn’t always easy, in fact, I would
argue most of the time it isn’t. Everyone goes through stuff, everyone has a
story. This is a little piece of mine.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">At first, I really identified with Joseph.
God gave him a dream, he spoke to him in a very real way, with a word, and from
a God who can’t lie, a word, or a dream means a promise. Crap happened, but
Joseph never let go of his dream. How do I know? When he was in the bottom pit
of a jail cell for something he didn’t do and someone said, “I had this weird
dream last night…” What does Joseph say? “OMG! Don’t even mention dreams around
me, I’m getting as far away from dreams as I can, it was a stupid dream that
got me here in the first place!” Nope. He actually said, “You’re in luck, man,
I can interpret dreams.” He wasn’t afraid of dreams, he could have let the
enemy tell him, ‘You can’t interpret dreams, you fool, remember the last dream
you tried to interpret? Your interpretation was totally rejected by everyone
you loved. Even your father rebuked you! No one believed you! In fact, it made
your brothers hate you more and turn on you, you’re here in this stinking pit
because of that very dream. You should have kept your mouth shut and none of
this would have ever happened.’ Hmmm…. Sound familiar? Satan may be cunning but
he certainly uses the same pick up lines over the centuries. The sad part is
many times we fall for it. The same old ones. So why get new ones?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">No matter how ugly things got, how hopeless,
how far from that dream, Joseph believed God. And guess what? His dream came to
pass! And right in the face of those who had disbelieved, those who rebuked
him, even hated him for what he dreamed, they all saw it come to pass. He was
honored in the face of everyone who had opposed him. I’m sure Joseph didn’t
know exactly how that dream was going to play out, he didn’t know the timing,
or the details, but he knew the dream and he held on to it no matter what. I
mean, after all, it was many years before Joseph saw his dream come to pass,
and a lot of things happened to make it possible. I think one of the wisest
things ever said was by Joseph himself, “You intended to harm me, but God
intended it for good…” (Genesis 50:20)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I was given a dream, too. I thought I
understood it, but I guess I didn’t, because as my crap happened life threw me
a couple of curve balls I wasn’t expecting, they didn’t fit into my plan, my
interpretation. So should I throw away my dream completely? Maybe it wasn’t
from God… No way! I know that God spoke to me way back when He gave me the
dream, which was indeed rejected by many, that I would be opposed, and things
would happen that I couldn’t anticipate, but hold fast, because someday my
dream will be fulfilled before my eyes and they eyes of all those who rejected
it from the beginning. He spoke to me about Joseph. I choose to believe Him. He has never let me down. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Now, I’m starting to feel a little like Job. Job
said, “What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me”. (Job
3:25). I feel a little like Job, like my whole life has just gone up in flames.
What I have feared the most has come upon me. My worst nightmare. It’s hard to
cope, and sometimes I feel like giving up. Luckily… “When I tried to give up,
Lord, you never gave up on me.” (Peter Furler, ‘Reach’). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">God is still faithful, my father still hears
me cry, and cares. It’s hard to understand what happened, and I feel like such
a failure, but I know that I know that Romans 8:28 is the word of God,
therefore it must be true. (“And we know that in all things God works for the
good of those who love Him…” Romans 8:28). I have to believe that, and I have
to hold onto it. I have to remember that He still has a plan. (“’For I know the
plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm
you, plans to give you a hope and a future.’”) </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
am still believing your word, Lord, that no matter what happens, and no matter
what the devil tried to tell me, no matter what the world says, even people I
love, that your word is truth, and you are always going to be here with me. And
even when I epically screw everything up, you can still redeem my mistakes,
your mercies are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:22-23). Please forgive me
for hurt that I have caused by my failure, my humanness. Please, bless those I
have failed and lift them up. Please, love and heal them. Please, clean up this
mess I call my life! And the mess I’ve made for others. Thank you, Father. And
have mercy on me, because I desperately need it. </span></i></div>
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Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085313745830902623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368077330134878671.post-29872915573069285792012-01-11T16:05:00.000-08:002015-07-23T13:37:24.468-07:00The JourneySometimes we all come to that place in our journey when we forget what we were in for in the first place. Where are we going after all? What is this quest? Sometimes it takes a step back and a glance around to remind us. When our own plans fall apart, when people we loved betray us, when the goal starts looking less and less appealing and more and more not worth all this trouble, there is but a single shaft of light peering into our dark situation.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Romans 8:28 NIV</b><br />
<br />
I like the way Jesus Culture says it in their song "Your Love Never Fails" they say, "You make all things work together for my good."<br />
<br />
It takes that verse and makes it personal for you and me. We look into our lives, our futures, our dreams, and when everything seems hopeless and falling apart our Father's promise is boldly shining forth, He gently calls to us, "Just trust me, even know I am working all these things out -for your good." How deep the father's love for us, how vast beyond all measure! He is ever so faithful, and yet we always forget.<br />
<br />
Still entering into this New Year, be encouraged, and remember that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither present nor future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)<br />
<br />
<br />Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085313745830902623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368077330134878671.post-74856113981256948652010-02-23T09:47:00.000-08:002010-02-23T10:03:48.468-08:00Growing Pains<span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" >Unfortunately, everyone has to grow up sometime...<br />tough as life is, it feels like it can always get more tough.<br /><br />How does one "grow up" anyway?<br /><br />And why do people always say that when times are hard?<br />"Why don't you just grow up?"<br />Gee, thanks for kicking me while I'm down...<br /><br />How does being "grown up" help us deal with life's hard questions, or difficult situations?<br /><br />It hurts to grow. We get more mature the more crud we deal with in our life. Interesting...<br /><br />The Bible says in Romans 8:28, "</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">An interesting plan.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">When life gets tough we grow, we mature, we gain valuable things like character, or learn "lessons."</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">If life was never tough, would we grow? Would we learn? Would we gain character or learn life lessons?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wouldn't a good father not shelter his child from the pains and trials of the world but rather proudly proclaim, "Come on world! My baby can take you! Bring it on!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wouldn't he allow tough circumstances to happen so his child, whom he loves, could grow and become a better person?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">A wise person recently told me that when writing a screenplay the author many times will create a character, find the character's flaw, and then send this character on a series of adventures (which, although they look "fun" or "entertaining" in the movie, I doubt Indiana Jones much enjoyed being shot at, or trudging trough hot, bug and beast infested jungles) to reach a goal. However, having gone through these tough and horrid adventures the character will have overcome his flaw. For example, in Lord of the Rings we have Frodo, a naive and young little dull hobbit. By the end of his awful and terrifying journeys he is a new man, mature and wise like no other hobbit. A main character should always leave his story changed in some way.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">In this same way, wouldn't God allow adventures, or circumstances to rock our world a little so we can change? So we can overcome our flaws?</span>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085313745830902623noreply@blogger.com0