tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42907133155129772152024-03-28T10:05:29.875-05:00aMazing GraceMazes, Messes, MiraclesPeggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07178137619890142365noreply@blogger.comBlogger403125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290713315512977215.post-84054177932268786862024-03-24T18:00:00.495-05:002024-03-25T10:54:49.275-05:00FOCUS for LENT WEEK 6<center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>HOLY WEEK</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>[Semana Santa]</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">*</span></b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTToudOqXyG1kfHjrg-9NiKUswt8WOEQ5aktjAt53T8xsxi5cUNP4d5AOeWJ9ezrUiYoawLjuLIvlFcCLir5qW_IlVNM9RuI_j2DQiDauyf260CTCNw2W4HopPP6ty9yUJDO5jpes18mWlG0fXJKWRX8JM9QIShhVDBuhqTfpzLFVoG9ovjXgyCEw5FVAH/s623/714aOMcrOVL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_%20one%20word%20focus.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="623" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTToudOqXyG1kfHjrg-9NiKUswt8WOEQ5aktjAt53T8xsxi5cUNP4d5AOeWJ9ezrUiYoawLjuLIvlFcCLir5qW_IlVNM9RuI_j2DQiDauyf260CTCNw2W4HopPP6ty9yUJDO5jpes18mWlG0fXJKWRX8JM9QIShhVDBuhqTfpzLFVoG9ovjXgyCEw5FVAH/w200-h136/714aOMcrOVL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_%20one%20word%20focus.jpg" width="200" /></a><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">*</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>PALM SUNDAY</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAehE2ORPhoNCdEknNSj_bbH69DmCus8NGqggWd4hrMAqnTBiItYfGvi2nQrBosGODzLwBWGmEHiyqu_JzGkCx3punVN2yP5nMEL65B7qoAuLEAq-wMHZzP7sF1fvwoAoVawHn8O-fv4qKM4r597L7PxLnSS9CGWGm2RtDFXFw5tRJZl2zC054QVuWX9uc/s220/9d89cb81-8638-4fae-aa20-94172db74207.__CR0,119,1092,1092_PT0_SX220_V1___.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAehE2ORPhoNCdEknNSj_bbH69DmCus8NGqggWd4hrMAqnTBiItYfGvi2nQrBosGODzLwBWGmEHiyqu_JzGkCx3punVN2yP5nMEL65B7qoAuLEAq-wMHZzP7sF1fvwoAoVawHn8O-fv4qKM4r597L7PxLnSS9CGWGm2RtDFXFw5tRJZl2zC054QVuWX9uc/s1600/9d89cb81-8638-4fae-aa20-94172db74207.__CR0,119,1092,1092_PT0_SX220_V1___.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[<span style="font-family: times;">image credit: 40 Days 40 Words</span>]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On this Palm Sunday, the appropriate One Word</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">would be "Hosanna" but that One Word is postponed</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">until Monday, March 25th, day 35</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">since Sunday is a day of rest</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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;">However, the reading for today is:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mark 11:1-11</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">emphasis</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Mark 11:9</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">DAYS 35 - 40 (M-Sa) Holy Week</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 380px;"><tbody>
<tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; font-size: 19.8px;">35. HOSANNA - Mark 11:9; John 12:13</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; font-size: 19.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; font-size: 19.8px;">36. STRANGER - Matthew 25:35</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; font-size: 19.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; font-size: 19.8px;">37. BETRAY - Matthew 26:21</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; font-size: 19.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; font-size: 19.8px;">38. WEPT - John 11:35</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; font-size: 19.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; font-size: 19.8px;">39. DIE - John 12:24</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; font-size: 19.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; font-size: 19.8px;">40. CRUCIFIED & RAISED - Mark 16:6</span></td></tr>
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</center><center><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial;"><b>Powerful One Words!</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the book, "Pauses for Lent", Day 35 is actually JUDGE (Matthew 7:1) and HOSANNA was shared in the videos with Father Laguerta for Day 40 and BELONG was for Day 35. Yet because Sundays are not included in the 40 Days, I thought it was an important One Word from Mark 11:9 and chose to share it as the One Word for Mon. Day 35 instead of JUDGE.</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The other changes that I made for this week: Day 38 (Maundy Thursday) in the book is PRUNE (John 15:2), not WEPT (which was on Day 23) and Day 39 (Good Friday) is GETHSAMANE (Matthew 26:36) and DIE is on Day 40. I should have chosen TOMB for Day 40, but I chose CRUCIFIED & RAISED, because those 2 words are in the verse for Resurrection SONday (Easter) from the reading of Mark 16:1-8, specifically Mark 16:6. Raised or RISEN is the best One Word ever (Luke 24:34). He is RISEN indeed! Halleluiah! Aleluya!</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I love the image that I shared above from the other book "40 Days, 40 Words" by Ken & Randy Petersen (that I found on<a href="https://www.amazon.com/40-Days-Words-Easter-Readings/dp/164070213X/" target="_blank"> Amazon page of the book from the Publisher</a>). If you can read the small print, you will see that HOSANNA, found there in John 12:13, means "Help now!" or "Save us, please!" in Hebrew but in the Greek translation it means "a relief that our hope has come". </span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"On Palm Sunday, we celebrate that Jesus has rescued us from our brokenness." For me, in 2024, these meanings speak volumes in the current situation in our nation and the world. My prayers throughout these months have been crying out "Lord, save us, please! Have mercy on us. Help us now." Mostly because our nation and this world desperately needs Jesus, who is and brings our relief that our Hope has come. My continuous prayers during 2024 I'm sure will be this and not just for those who do not yet know, receive or believe; but for the Church, who professes that they do know Jesus and even to me, it hardly looks like it. The other One Word for this day is JUDGE and because that verse echoes in my heart "...do not judge, so that you may not be judged..." I will with hold from any or all judgments on anyone, but I will continue to cry out for mercy. "Lent (according to the devotion that day) can be a time to confront the logs in our own eyes, to name them, and to call on the Lord for help removing them." ...</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center>
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"... Something beautiful happens when we do this: We become less judgmental, more gentle, and more understanding of the struggles others face. In a word, we become <i>compassionate</i>."
</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Oh Lord, let it be ... !</span></center><center><br /></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HIlSWoK1VUEO52Z2Vcuy3fqvjyblBx7dnyYRKfogFdBeuEGYSbY8ds4p53Qdjd9v3qJh9XufJR-DLt0jAp7SXNLr9je-y70GpCxSyVC46mYgpbcqIIfsB5ogVpeI44z8D5uC1Tykoca_mkfTjR6xHXbhqR4k7abJcOBYVwHMAYT8kTo0HG-Mxuk4zkKp/s32/32.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="32" data-original-width="32" height="32" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HIlSWoK1VUEO52Z2Vcuy3fqvjyblBx7dnyYRKfogFdBeuEGYSbY8ds4p53Qdjd9v3qJh9XufJR-DLt0jAp7SXNLr9je-y70GpCxSyVC46mYgpbcqIIfsB5ogVpeI44z8D5uC1Tykoca_mkfTjR6xHXbhqR4k7abJcOBYVwHMAYT8kTo0HG-Mxuk4zkKp/s1600/32.png" width="32" /></a></div><br /><center><span style="font-family: arial;">{so much relevance found in these One Words and The Word, His Word}</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I pray that this week will be HOLY and filled by Him!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><><><></center><center><br /></center><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000; text-align: left;">*</span><span style="text-align: left;">NOTE: The </span><span style="color: #134f5c; text-align: left;">FOCUS</span><span style="text-align: left;"> One Word (if I've kept up correctly) for RESURRECTION SONday should be </span><span style="color: #134f5c; text-align: left;">ALERT </span><span style="text-align: left;">(1 Corinthians 16:13) and today for this week starting with Palm Sunday </span><span style="color: #134f5c; text-align: left;">ADVANCE</span><span style="text-align: left;"> (Hebrews 5:14 ESV) and the "Focus Tip" from the author, Cleere Cherry Reeves, seems to be perfect for this Holy Week: "</span><i style="text-align: left;">This week, ask God to help you release everything that is holding you back from </i><span style="text-align: left;">ADVANCING, </span><i style="text-align: left;">learning, and growing in your faith. </i><span style="text-align: left;">Focus </span><i style="text-align: left;">on what it might look like to go deeper."</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i style="text-align: left;"><br /></i></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">FOCUS</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">and</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">GO</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">DEEPER</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2KFjw2C6xM4IIBk8EEDgID7m_BVrcoCvYVDeEVJyPuCjmfR4U7YmHsZAaxvvQwhdHPgxnimmuKpgXoKYgaMEk_XmdFHaPxMd_hLkKlZBR-o7JewFMqTTzs52qfr7a6kjuDFfMYeap9wyqopaHcaCZl6kyXhfeM6Ce5KT_6YbwRtSQnYGSuSAthJx16HK/s32/32.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="32" data-original-width="32" height="32" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2KFjw2C6xM4IIBk8EEDgID7m_BVrcoCvYVDeEVJyPuCjmfR4U7YmHsZAaxvvQwhdHPgxnimmuKpgXoKYgaMEk_XmdFHaPxMd_hLkKlZBR-o7JewFMqTTzs52qfr7a6kjuDFfMYeap9wyqopaHcaCZl6kyXhfeM6Ce5KT_6YbwRtSQnYGSuSAthJx16HK/s1600/32.png" width="32" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>HALLELUJAH</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>HOSANNA</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">... <b>BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES</b> ...</div><br /><b>Save us Lord Jesus!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-cp51NHVVlbHQ3Lbeo0H57wB38w5uH-d6csAUpVFhBcDZ2EnVwBxkeMQcZ4V9E6lZ5uVFDqPQwWQTZScTPk0pFmh4iEZ2JlgCYiDkoZHD97m3bMvt_nmJAtg8_qONSbaIaVan_vHLEXaORU8mBMhXFgib7FooRylLt0u3NR7aUQmTBM2sSyeGCZL_Jnj/s32/32.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="32" data-original-width="32" height="32" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-cp51NHVVlbHQ3Lbeo0H57wB38w5uH-d6csAUpVFhBcDZ2EnVwBxkeMQcZ4V9E6lZ5uVFDqPQwWQTZScTPk0pFmh4iEZ2JlgCYiDkoZHD97m3bMvt_nmJAtg8_qONSbaIaVan_vHLEXaORU8mBMhXFgib7FooRylLt0u3NR7aUQmTBM2sSyeGCZL_Jnj/s1600/32.png" width="32" /></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I love PALM SONday!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Palms up & Praise to the King of kings!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">{... <i>but then I remember the days & the events t</i></span><i style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">hat follow}</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><><><></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sharing More:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I <a href="https://pages.faithgateway.com/holy-land-for-holy-week-free-registration/" target="_blank"><b>signed up with Faith Gateway</b></a> (& other Gateways) ... for a </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Virtual Journey through 5 locations in 5 days</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">starting March 25th to</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Follow Jesus through the Holy Land</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial;"><b>... and you can too ...</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">[just click on the links, I hope one of them works]</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">through a 5 day email series</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
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"...</span>Experience sacred sites in the Bible like never before - places like the towns of Nazareth and Capernaum, the Sea of Galilee and Mount of Beatitudes, and the locations in Jerusalem where Jesus spent his last week before his death and resurrection.</span><p style="background-color: white; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p style="line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor;"><span style="font-family: arial; outline: currentcolor;">You’ll get a front-seat ticket on this journey through the Holy Land for Holy Week – all from the comfort of your home!</span></p><p style="background-color: white; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p style="line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor;"><span style="font-family: arial; outline: currentcolor;">In this unique virtual experience, you’ll engage with expert-led teachings, gain new perspectives, and get exclusive access to 5 on-location videos taught in the Holy Land by Max Lucado, Lysa TerKeurst, Kathie Lee Gifford & Rabbi Jason Sobel, Ray Vander Laan, and N.T. Wright.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p style="background-color: white; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor;"><span style="font-family: arial; outline: currentcolor;">Don't miss out – <a href="https://link.harpercollinschristian.com/click/34770685.43196/aHR0cHM6Ly9wYWdlcy5mYWl0aGdhdGV3YXkuY29tL2hvbHktbGFuZC1mb3ItaG9seS13ZWVrLWZyZWUtcmVnaXN0cmF0aW9uLz91dG1fc291cmNlPXRuei1naWZ0JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXRuei1naWZ0XzIwMjQwMzIyX2hvbHlsYW5kMjAyNA/5eed4d423f0ba630dbf4a6b7C6401d133" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #7b2e4f; outline: currentcolor;" target="_blank"><b>sign up now</b></a> for this FREE 5-day Holy Week journey, starting soon, plus get FREE downloadable Holy Land maps and other rich Bible resources TODAY!"</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><center>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I have always wanted to go & visit the Holy Land</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">but I have enjoyed in previous years</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">going through videos of others!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I am thankful that this is being offered with my favorite teachers/authors!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It just seems like the safest way to "travel" is through this way</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">so I appreciate that I(we) can do this - this way</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">together</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">IF YOU SIGN UP</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">too</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I will imagine us being there alongside each other in awe!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">FOLLOWING JESUS' FOOTSTEPS</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">with you.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What a privilege!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">through this </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PASSION WEEK</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><><><></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"ALWAYS ON TIME"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">[new unreleased song from Elevation Worship; watch for it]</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2KFjw2C6xM4IIBk8EEDgID7m_BVrcoCvYVDeEVJyPuCjmfR4U7YmHsZAaxvvQwhdHPgxnimmuKpgXoKYgaMEk_XmdFHaPxMd_hLkKlZBR-o7JewFMqTTzs52qfr7a6kjuDFfMYeap9wyqopaHcaCZl6kyXhfeM6Ce5KT_6YbwRtSQnYGSuSAthJx16HK/s32/32.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="32" data-original-width="32" height="32" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2KFjw2C6xM4IIBk8EEDgID7m_BVrcoCvYVDeEVJyPuCjmfR4U7YmHsZAaxvvQwhdHPgxnimmuKpgXoKYgaMEk_XmdFHaPxMd_hLkKlZBR-o7JewFMqTTzs52qfr7a6kjuDFfMYeap9wyqopaHcaCZl6kyXhfeM6Ce5KT_6YbwRtSQnYGSuSAthJx16HK/s1600/32.png" width="32" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>HALLELUJAH</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>HOSANNA</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">... <b>BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES</b> ...</div><br /><b>GLORY</b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-cp51NHVVlbHQ3Lbeo0H57wB38w5uH-d6csAUpVFhBcDZ2EnVwBxkeMQcZ4V9E6lZ5uVFDqPQwWQTZScTPk0pFmh4iEZ2JlgCYiDkoZHD97m3bMvt_nmJAtg8_qONSbaIaVan_vHLEXaORU8mBMhXFgib7FooRylLt0u3NR7aUQmTBM2sSyeGCZL_Jnj/s32/32.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="32" data-original-width="32" height="32" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-cp51NHVVlbHQ3Lbeo0H57wB38w5uH-d6csAUpVFhBcDZ2EnVwBxkeMQcZ4V9E6lZ5uVFDqPQwWQTZScTPk0pFmh4iEZ2JlgCYiDkoZHD97m3bMvt_nmJAtg8_qONSbaIaVan_vHLEXaORU8mBMhXFgib7FooRylLt0u3NR7aUQmTBM2sSyeGCZL_Jnj/s1600/32.png" width="32" /></a></div><div><br /></div></span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I encourage you to listen to Holly Furtick</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/mIe2O5qK-JY?si=TQWC1FkExsTrmgcE" target="_blank">Elevation Church service</a> today</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIe2O5qK-JY" target="_blank">3/24/24</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><u>"God Has Given Me Everything I Need for the Season I'm In"</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Exodus 12:29-36 +</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I was ready to Title it myself because </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I couldn't find her title with: </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pack Your Bags Well Now for Future Seasons</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">but her message is the last mindset in </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pastor Steven Furtick's </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"Do the New You"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></center></center></center>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07178137619890142365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290713315512977215.post-50708330213479039402024-03-24T15:00:00.413-05:002024-03-26T16:34:12.816-05:00The HARD Part to WRITE; and to READ but IT Must be SAID<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><u>MY LENTEN REFLECTION</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">unlike any other blog post by me</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(please see <span style="color: #2b00fe;">*my note</span> at the very end)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEeX5V0xXktRSrAf90ytNnpZc_0I-FFmd6kgYTPFRqIyFejJymfq7RWW2ONJZ9faqGF15DD4AkjeJ6uQpBgrv2REGFqYoRkaDztdnZucmzgAO9fkHB4AVnSvBbFTAx7koJLnE92D-swVfFdJkUBJMDpT9vubECMoXFNYkCsDhICy9usuvXI6AOg4_zXcC7/s380/40%20Days%2040%20Prayers%2040%20Words.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="380" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEeX5V0xXktRSrAf90ytNnpZc_0I-FFmd6kgYTPFRqIyFejJymfq7RWW2ONJZ9faqGF15DD4AkjeJ6uQpBgrv2REGFqYoRkaDztdnZucmzgAO9fkHB4AVnSvBbFTAx7koJLnE92D-swVfFdJkUBJMDpT9vubECMoXFNYkCsDhICy9usuvXI6AOg4_zXcC7/s320/40%20Days%2040%20Prayers%2040%20Words.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-webkit-standard" style="text-align: left;">* [image credit: Bruce Reyes-Chow]</span></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>This is one of those blog posts that I'd never have thought I'd write and even as I write it, I have to wonder IF I should or IF I will be bold enough to publish it or even IF I will be able to express what's on my heart and in my mind as I sense such an urgency at this point in my life and at this point in our nation's history that I must speak up. I'd like to say that I'm writing the following with no judgment, criticism or condemnation but that isn't or wouldn't be entirely true.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Since I have been in prayer for our nation fervently for quite some time but never so consistently daily; and for our leaders - our President & Vice President, as well as the "Church" (Christian, or those who believe that they are) and for the war torn countries that wear heavily upon my heart, I can no longer hold back from saying something stronger than I have ever done in my writings here. As I come back online after being mostly absent; I figure that this might be the best time to do so. [This is a very serious and drastic issue in this blog post and so I do not take writing this lightly. It is meant for me and for you - for such a time as this - in our lives, in our nation and in this world.]</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I will start out slowly and hope that my words do not drive anyone reading this away from finishing this blog or my future blog posts. I pause every so often to try and allow God's Spirit to direct and guide my words. My first thoughts were not any of the words that I began thinking I would write when I started (actually when I felt compelled to write this blog post and sat down to begin it) but I felt I needed to preface this with some sort of explanation. I found that what I've written does not and it seems I can't. So please allow me to sort out my thoughts as I write this.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In these recent years, I have felt stronger than ever before - about being born "white" (Caucasian) - quite frankly, as I write this, I can recall different times when somehow this has surfaced. I will refrain from detailing those times right now. The reason I write this, is because for the first time I am giving voice to almost feeling shame that I was born "white". Don't take this wrong (especially if you too are white) but God made us all in His image, a beautiful mosaic of various shades and yet for some unknown reason, we (as whites) have a misconception that we are superior. Based on being white? or that others think we are (or perhaps, you might). I'm not judging. Yet this "white supremacy" deal has really weighed heavily upon my heart and now even more this "white male" superiority and also this "white Christian nationalism" has broken and devastated me because of what it's doing in the name of Christ (which it isn't at all following Jesus Christ or His teachings). Besides praying, I have also been reading at different times and familiarizing myself with a better understanding as I try to work through this. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Maybe you have heard the term "white privileged" as I have throughout my life. I guess that I never really thought of myself this way but it probably was because I never took the time to consider or understand what that really means or how others might look at me thinking that. In the last decade, there is a person in my life that frequently makes a comment to me that I don't have to worry about this or that because "you're white", which has made me reflect and look at this from a different perspective. Then I read<a href="https://www.learningforjustice.org/magazine/fall-2018/what-is-white-privilege-really" target="_blank"> this article</a> and began to "recognize ... that "white privilege begins with truly understanding the term." That well-written article was the beginning of having my eyes opened in a new way. Yet God has been speaking this in me and to me for quite some time, so that I might truly understand from His perspective and others. You know that expression "walk a mile in their shoes" ... used generally when you criticize someone else to think about before you do that you should "walk a mile in their shoes" so that if we did, we might better understand. This expression was used as a kind warning to us before we judge someone else (regardless), we would be better off to take the time to understand their experiences, challenges, thought processes, etc. and show more empathy. To me, this was also what Jesus would do, say and hope we would do with others before ... lashing out, judging, criticizing, etc. and temper what we say and do so with love, kindness and a clearer understanding, which is really what I hope to do when explaining this, but I have noticed the complete opposite in society; so much of our world has taken on to bullying, violence, counter-productive ways in our words and actions. It's very disheartening and certainly lacks the respect, compassion and empathy that Jesus Christ taught/teaches us.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I've read in the Scriptures about "to whom much is given, much will be required" (Luke 12:48) but never ever associated this to race but to richness (wealth) however I'm beginning to wonder if it might refer to more than distribution of what we have and sharing with others less fortunate. Please remember that there are also "whites" who are poor or less fortunate, as well as others from other races that are very blessed and fortunate. But this has caused me to pause and reflect on how much I have been given; even knowing that I am and came from middle class, and that my father worked very hard to provide that lifestyle for me, but so has my non-white spouse worked very hard & he continues to do so into his 90s. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I do not desire to write about racism, nor prejudices and biases. I am far from being qualified to do this. Nor do I want to write about "white supremacy" or "white Christian Nationalism" because I am just beginning to learn, and again far from able to write on this, yet I know that the root of this in our nation is causing much division and issues, as well as developing to be a source of so many problems so I have many thoughts and opinions about all of this and from what I'm reading. I cannot even fully wrap my mind around all of what I clearly see better now than ever before in my life, even from where I have come and how I was raised. I'm not even quite sure why God has allowed me to be so burdened by this, but I know it is very important and I must speak out. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Before I will write anymore, or you read any more of my blog post, I strongly suggest that you take the time to open your mind, eyes and heart - as you go and thoughtfully read "What is White Privilege, Really?" by Cory Collins, Issue 60, Fall of 2018 (that I linked above) for now. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">[I know I probably am asking much from you to go and read that article (written for educators and professional development) but I believe it's important and that each of us need to broaden our perspectives and continue learning throughout all of our lives to reach our full potential as human beings as we learn and seek "justice for all". I hope you take the time and evaluate (or re-evaluate) your life, purpose and direction. I know that I am. The future of this nation depends on each of us.]</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"> ... "<span style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;">God, help me not to be indifferent when I am confronted by pain, by poverty, by malice, by addiction, by marginalization, by struggle, by despair. Grant my heart all feeling, grant my mind all understanding, and grant my soul all compassion. Let my response be the response you intend. Amen." [words on the following*image] breyeschow</span></td></tr>
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</center><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xA8M9lufSHaS6o1v-btMHqmNijyFU6wDNHw1_p5EZRt3iYpQyME4cTPLFOxT3zd4hERtRuZYQJARGZc0jpInsb55ji-nwPm1mu4qsxAOJs75EdL3pS8l74aA0J6s1pEx9yzFbqY6_UzT5W9geDBUMqhbrmLBU2TI8SpmwVfY1jiY87Iu2BBgq4mNUqlB/s750/IMG_5725.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="750" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xA8M9lufSHaS6o1v-btMHqmNijyFU6wDNHw1_p5EZRt3iYpQyME4cTPLFOxT3zd4hERtRuZYQJARGZc0jpInsb55ji-nwPm1mu4qsxAOJs75EdL3pS8l74aA0J6s1pEx9yzFbqY6_UzT5W9geDBUMqhbrmLBU2TI8SpmwVfY1jiY87Iu2BBgq4mNUqlB/s320/IMG_5725.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*[image credit: Bruce Reyes-Chow (day 33, p.66)]</div><div style="text-align: center;"><></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I'd like to say that I use to be "proud" of being from the 4 nationalities that are part of who I am. {I don't often use the word "proud" but I don't have another word to use. Although I have no real pride about my ethnicity, I do like that I have 1/4 of each of these "nationalities", which is the term we use to use to ask "<i>what nationality are you</i>?" for our ancestry or ethnic backgrounds. I knew that each of mine was from each of my maternal and paternal grandparents. So I am Swedish and Irish from my father's side; my paternal grandfather and grandmother. And I am French and English from my mother's parents, my maternal grandparents. I never really ever thought of any of those as superior "nationalities" nor the whiteness in my skin color (the amount of melanin) as superior. In the same way, I might also say that I was "proud" to be a "Christian" but the truth is I am thankful that I am a Christian. However in these recent years, I am much more hesitant to use the label of Christian. In fact, when I was in Mexico, I would clarify this by saying I follow the teaching and beliefs of Jesus Christ and reading the Bible. There is no pride in me of either my nationalities nor being Christian. I am just very grateful that I believe that Jesus saves me and I'm not so sure about the blend of my nationalities (lol) but I am what I am. I guess I am very thankful that I was born within the boundaries of this country in North America but these are far from being the United States of America that I once knew. And while I am at it, the 'Church' in this country - the Christian Church, is also further and further from uniting, or being united; and in fact, in my opinion, it is more divided in this recent decade than I have ever seen. Yet, there are still pockets of Christians that <b>still</b> follow Jesus Christ and His teachings. But we must never believe we are "superior" (nor boast) that we have the grace of God in our lives, because it is Jesus, who has saved us; not of ourselves or our own making - only by our choice and surrendering our will to His will daily that we have His aMazing grace, not based on race - for we are brothers and sisters "in Christ" (not a God-given right, race, religion, gender, etc). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">We must STOP believing that we are GOD and supreme in any way over any other human being and START being humane toward one another. We must refuse to think we have the right to take away any other's rights and the free will that God Almighty (Jehovah) has given to each person to choose. We can share our beliefs but not at the expense of taking away some else's choice. And we must put away these "childish ways" that have replaced God's LOVE with selfishness and self-determined thinking that we can rule over others and their beliefs at the cost of their lives and right to choose freely; and through hate, discord, disharmony, lies, etc. we see so much evil that is on the rise of people deciding their way is the right way or the only way. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">[There is much to still write on this topic, but I will end this here. But in case, you did not go read the article I linked or make it through that article, I probably will come back to this topic again and the main points in that article, especially the "boxed area" near the end ... perhaps if you didn't read it, you can scroll down at least to that gray "boxed area" to read:</span></div><div><br /></div>
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"So, what can I do once I recognize my white privilege?"
</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">[assuming that you (and I) are willing to admit that white privilege does exist & has for far too long]</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I already have begun and believe that</span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">SHOWING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">(<a href="https://surj.org/" target="_blank">SURJ</a>)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">might be one way of showing our commitment </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">to benefit others</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I'll begin to end by sharing this:</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody>
<tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><div style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: normal;"><span>“</span><span>Whiteness is not just an ideology; it is also an idol. For people of faith, this is not just a political issue but a religious one as well. Idols separate us from God, and the idolatry of “whiteness” has separated white people from God. It gives us an identity that is false, one filled with wrongful pride, one that perpetuates both injustice and oppression. Whiteness is an idol of lies, arrogance, and violence. This idol blinds us to our true identity as the children of God, because, of course, God’s children are of every color that God has made them to be. To believe otherwise is to separate ourselves from God and the majority of God’s children on this planet who are people of color.”Jim Wallis, pastor and author</span></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156;"><br /></span><span>“Religion is often used as a sword to divide, rather than as a balm to heal.” <span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">― </span><span class="authorOrTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-weight: bold;">Jim Wallis</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Something to consider during this</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">PASSION</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Week of our LORD Jesus Christ</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">who showed endless</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">COMPASSION</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">for us</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">&</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">picked up a</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">CROSS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">to</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">show us</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">how much</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">HE</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">LOVES</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">YOU</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">&</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">me</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">ALL of US</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Finally:</span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></center><span style="font-family: arial;">
This might be the beginning to a true, contrite REPENTANCE, RESTORATION & REVIVAL for each one of us this week. </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Perhaps we can learn, unlearn, re-learn or begin again to see one another as God sees us and loves us and has asked each one of us "to humble ourselves ..." (2 Chronicles 7:13-14). It's an IF and THEN condition by God. Sadly, we think that it means the other person or someone else needs to "humble themselves" but we need to look inwardly and see if WE truly have ... "with an attitude of repentance and insignificance" in the presence of the Lord (James 4:10, Amplified). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I began praying with the verse from 2 Chronicles 7 last December (2023) "IF WE WILL ... </span><span style="font-family: arial;">THEN HE WILL ..." with a grassroots prayer project and this verse from the Old Testament of 2 Chronicles 7 took on a deeper meaning for me. So as we began 2024 in a 50 state-wide prayer over our nation for revival (each on our own, but together in one accord) "standing in the gap", I began to sense more and more, greater and greater, that not only does revival come by starting in each individual heart, but also through each state (in every community), I began to see how</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> important it is for each person's heart to change and be willing to change. As I was taking in each part of that verse I found myself personally needing to change & humble myself first, before I could pray & expect a revival in & for our whole nation. It was THEN that</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> my heart also began to weep (like Jesus for Jerusalem) so I carried the burden of our nation daily before God - broken and appalled at the way we (I) have taken our privileges for granted; whether it's "white privilege" or the privilege of being children of God, or living in a democracy and republic called the United States of America. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Through nothing that I have done on my own merit but just because I was born here by God's Grace. I might have been born in Central America or South America or Ukraine or Russia</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> or the Gaza strip, but I was blessed to be born in this country, which has been given many freedoms and liberties that we can no longer take for granted; and based on this upcoming election, we may loose these so called "inalienable rights" because we are on that precipice - on the very verge of falling into an abyss much greater than we can imagine. We have arrived at this place in time and are pitted on opposing sides, where we believe as we hear from our own side (from our own beliefs and perspective) but react based mostly from our own fears that have now been unleashed by the enemy and it's raising its ugly head by deceiving us into believing falsehoods that will rob, steal and destroy from within ... yes, WE, the PEOPLE have not humbled ourselves, etc. nor turned from our wicked ways. </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">So this Holy Week, this Week of the Passion of Jesus Christ; we can submit ourselves to God, by starting with acknowledging that we need to REPENT (which means CHANGE) and HUMBLE ourselves; THEN ... or so that</span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br />HE WILL</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">HEAL OUR LAND</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">{<i>oh, and I'm not saying that</i> 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 <i>was written or</i> <i>has anything specifically to deal with either</i> <i>our elections in </i>2024 (or previous ones)<i> or that </i></span><i style="font-family: arial;">God's promising to heal our land here in America} </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>but it does start in our own heart!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5fl_pwvDkRKiWB0xD5hi3XE9npG-quzDsW-iSymQUXS_Vl1DitYvzg4VX6ltMIlw8c0NDtN_t-iG19haNxft72_L0DL1PsHBj0SzZMqedhf84v_2q0LppQwXvXepVfETqojJRz1A87UekdluLZN1rI-LD_JaIwKy87-5nWFXrB8kOu-aacmnEXeYB1tR/s750/IMG_5726.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="750" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5fl_pwvDkRKiWB0xD5hi3XE9npG-quzDsW-iSymQUXS_Vl1DitYvzg4VX6ltMIlw8c0NDtN_t-iG19haNxft72_L0DL1PsHBj0SzZMqedhf84v_2q0LppQwXvXepVfETqojJRz1A87UekdluLZN1rI-LD_JaIwKy87-5nWFXrB8kOu-aacmnEXeYB1tR/s320/IMG_5726.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>*[image credit: Bruce Reyes Chow; p.60]</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">*All images are from:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-webkit-standard" style="text-align: left;"> "<u>40 Days 40 Prayers 40 Words: </u></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-webkit-standard" style="text-align: left;"><u>Lenten Reflections for Everyday Life</u>"</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-webkit-standard" style="text-align: left;">by Bruce Reyes-Chow</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-webkit-standard" style="text-align: left;">(last 2 of the Words from this past week)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-webkit-standard" style="text-align: left;">Empathy-Humility</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: arial;">* my regular </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Sunday blog </span><span style="font-family: arial;">post will still post at 6:00 pm</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: arial;">for PALM SUNDAY and this week</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">I needed to get this in for your</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">REFLECTION </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">for this</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">HOLY WEEK</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">because</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">it's the last week of Lent and this season of</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">LENT</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">is meant as a time of </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">REFLECTION and REPENTANCE</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div></div>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07178137619890142365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290713315512977215.post-20038627971874295292024-03-17T18:00:00.415-05:002024-03-17T18:00:00.139-05:00FOCUS for LENT WEEK 5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRpTH5s804JXz5GRu2iiCQyRIQXGPdt5rz-Y9-j8_gcEdExjYkg-wec-6C32kx8fEChnLy2H_9TFJOnnccKdZI34bVyQUUS_YRuA7ApXjlTsk2omfvI_8ZGtU4Zc4PPhynGc_H3wefMK8wtSaEhNduTvRh3fJMR4ZcbgbDZ9rI7wBpUtLFepLgIeBp-bT/s623/714aOMcrOVL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_%20one%20word%20focus.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="623" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRpTH5s804JXz5GRu2iiCQyRIQXGPdt5rz-Y9-j8_gcEdExjYkg-wec-6C32kx8fEChnLy2H_9TFJOnnccKdZI34bVyQUUS_YRuA7ApXjlTsk2omfvI_8ZGtU4Zc4PPhynGc_H3wefMK8wtSaEhNduTvRh3fJMR4ZcbgbDZ9rI7wBpUtLFepLgIeBp-bT/w200-h136/714aOMcrOVL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_%20one%20word%20focus.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><center><span style="font-family: arial;">A fabulous Focus One Word for this Week:</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>TRANSFORMATION</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>["... a change of their very nature or a</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>change at the heart of who they (we) are"]</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">(<a href="https://teachbeyond.org/article/transformation-a-change-of-heart" target="_blank">source</a>)</span></center><center>
<br /><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 380px;"><tbody>
<tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">" ... those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:14 NLT</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></center><center><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 380px;"><tbody>
<tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">" ... I offer water that will become a wellspring within you that gives life throughout eternity. You will never be thirsty again. John 4:14 (The Voice)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">["Spiritual Transformation refers primarily to a </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">fundamental change</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">in the place of the sacred</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">or</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">the character of the sacred</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">as an object of significance in life. ..." </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">(<a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2006-12070-002" target="_blank">source</a>)]<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This article covers the definition & more:</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blog.biblesforamerica.org/what-is-transformation-in-the-bible/" target="_blank">What is Transformation in the Bible?</a></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">To me, I find this to be a "fabulous" One Word as we approach the end of our </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Lent journey and then Passion Week</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">leading us to the ultimate</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">TRANSFORMATION</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">in the</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Resurrection</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">from the Cross to the Tomb to the</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Glorious Day</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">JESUS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">arose</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">But I'm getting ahead of myself as I look forward to this SONday in</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">(2 weeks)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">on</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">March 31, 2024</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Once again the Focus One Word was not in the verse given, </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">yet most of us are familiar with</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">2 Corinthians 3:18;</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and Romans 12:2</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">that use</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">"<i>transformed</i>"</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">On this 5th Sunday in Lent</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">the reading's from </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Mark 10:32-45</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">emphasizing</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Mark 10:44-45</span></center><center><br /></center>
<center>
<table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 320px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">29. SERVE-Matthew 20:28<br style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d;">30. JUSTIFIED-*Luke 18:14</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d;">31. DIVIDED- *Luke 11:17</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d;">32. TEMPTATION-Hebrews 4:15</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d;">33. PRAY-Luke 11:1</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d;">34. WILL-Matthew 26:39</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />{<i><span style="font-family: times;">the </span></i>2<i><span style="font-family: times;"> with</span></i> *<i><span style="font-family: times;"> are not from the book, but from the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV2HSggnbSPZq7sRQaGQf7jhGVJ9HN8LW" target="_blank">videos</a></span></i>}</center><center><br /></center><center><a href="https://youtu.be/jSUziUYL2Cs?si=YX4WOmn6mEM-o4oM" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;">Word 23 "Divided</span></a><span style="font-family: arial;">" (Luke 11:14-23) discussion around 3:01-</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">as most realize, there is much "division" happening in our midst</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://youtu.be/KI_EttsiY_4?si=mU7QWnqTUIqRokFL" target="_blank">Word 25 "Justified</a>" (Luke 18:9-14) begins around 2:29-<br /></span><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm being "transformed" (this week in comparison to last) and with holding</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">my personal remarks (which I have many) about </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">being "</span><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">DIVIDED</span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">" and "</span><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">JUSTIFIED</span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">"</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92cyRHMCuKdGJlun_chfiiReTV1IKXNzQGTVBjW9s5A4EfdQKcIHIe5Fi1fdYv3maldvgwj6w3icpH1Pt65wQyxYSqn85b9JVI1LnoUoT4GZ6d2c5uSuOStBTZIJDsfIMi7Hg8fYde7EW0LkSUXjtQQ17OE3JSQoJKr3XOMgVxf3FDwVLxjB36iC1u9h2/s1280/prayer-for-true-justice-share.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92cyRHMCuKdGJlun_chfiiReTV1IKXNzQGTVBjW9s5A4EfdQKcIHIe5Fi1fdYv3maldvgwj6w3icpH1Pt65wQyxYSqn85b9JVI1LnoUoT4GZ6d2c5uSuOStBTZIJDsfIMi7Hg8fYde7EW0LkSUXjtQQ17OE3JSQoJKr3XOMgVxf3FDwVLxjB36iC1u9h2/s320/prayer-for-true-justice-share.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">and instead </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">I continue to</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">SEEK <a href="https://www.venture.org/" target="_blank">JUSTICE</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.venture.org/" target="_blank"><br /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.venture.org/" target="_blank">for the unreached</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">and justice for all</span></div></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I PRAY</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">try not to fall into the</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">TEMPTATION</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">to spill my guts on how many of us are</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">clearly not following Jesus' Word(s)</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">yet as we all try to SERVE not be served</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">may we continue to PRAY at least in one accord:</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">"Your Kingdom come, Your WILL be done"</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">and really stop praying to God that</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">our will be done</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">because </span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">that's not His will.</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">We are to SERVE with the</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">Compassion of</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">JESUS</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">since we are to be </span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">Jesus' hands and feet as we</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">SERVE</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">with the heart of God/Jesus</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">as JESUS served</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">May God have mercy!</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">May His Spirit </span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">help & convict us!</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">May we humble ourselves</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">as the vessels we are meant to be</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">to love one another</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">(not fear or be superior)</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">We are ALL made in God's Image!</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">Thank You</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">JESUS</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">May we REPENT and REJOICE in our</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">salvation!</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">And</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">ACT</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">as if we are</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">SAVED,</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">FORGIVEN,</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">and</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">REDEEMED</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">by</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">JESUS</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">only!</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">There is no other name above JESUS!</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">No one ... not one!</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">Stop bowing down & please stand up for the</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">King of Kings</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">the Lord of lords</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">JESUS CHRIST</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><></span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><b>"...The heart of our journeys as Christ-followers lies </b></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><b>in learning how to surrender our wills to</b></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><b>God's WILL.</b></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><b>Jesus models this surrender..."</b></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">(from day 34 in "Pauses for Lent")</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><><><></span></center><center style="text-align: start;"><br /></center><center><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;"><b>HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY!</b></span></center><center><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;"><b>[<a href="https://www.davidiam.com/blog/traditional-irish-blessing-prayer" target="_blank">Traditional IRISH Blessings</a>]</b></span></center><center><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;"><b>my Prayer for you</b></span></center><center><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;"><b>from my 1/4 side of Irish - my paternal grandma</b></span></center><center><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;"><b>to</b></span></center><center><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;"><b>whatever roots you are/have</b></span></center><center><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;"><b>May God Bless you!</b></span></center><center><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;"><b>🍀</b></span></center><center><br /></center>
Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07178137619890142365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290713315512977215.post-5039886415868174662024-03-10T18:00:00.381-05:002024-03-15T11:46:43.246-05:00FOCUS for LENT WEEK 4<center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5biWPDNjczm3Uho1VIjwAqgLCTU5fKxhV-JLUOH0KnAGcXftG0MchR688y0G2pSuGOD74D24t2Jgo2qG5CbrKnOG_ZQ1_DvWpZUQJl8BRAPhW7gqbCChu2QKT7ilPwxs5MsB1lyAVTY4AYpcKRAaeMb_MNcsmr8TEL15L3ySO4fiFPIKvwVH_8XsZl1m/s623/714aOMcrOVL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_%20one%20word%20focus.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="623" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5biWPDNjczm3Uho1VIjwAqgLCTU5fKxhV-JLUOH0KnAGcXftG0MchR688y0G2pSuGOD74D24t2Jgo2qG5CbrKnOG_ZQ1_DvWpZUQJl8BRAPhW7gqbCChu2QKT7ilPwxs5MsB1lyAVTY4AYpcKRAaeMb_MNcsmr8TEL15L3ySO4fiFPIKvwVH_8XsZl1m/w200-h136/714aOMcrOVL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_%20one%20word%20focus.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<center><br /></center><span style="font-family: arial;">My One Word for this Week is:</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">AUTHORITY</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">2 Corinthians 10:5<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: times;">{<i>although that Scripture verse does not have the</i> One Word AUTHORITY <i>in it</i></span>}</center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">but 2 Corinthians 10:8 does</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">However, there are two verses that come to my mind & the third one, I don't like much:</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Matthew 28:18</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">(spoken by Jesus to His disciples)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Luke 10:19</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">(again Jesus speaking)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Romans 13:1-2</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">(written by Paul to Gentile believers in Rome)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I guess I don't really like "<i>snakes and scorpions</i>" either, nor what the represent.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">And I agree what Paul has written, I just think too many are misusing this in recent times.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Yet, it is meant to describe that we, as Christians live under the </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">AUTHORITY of our government authorities.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Here in our country, that used to make more sense. </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">But think about if you live in another country, not governed fairly.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">A dictatorship, for example. A corrupt governing body.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I guess this is when we use Luke 10:19. (lol)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">This is not so far fetched right now in our own country </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">- our democracy is in great peril -</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I am greatly saddened by the direction of our governing bodies </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">or lack of direction and the AUTHORITY that they think they now have or will;</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I can't even begin to get into this, but I really should.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Believe me, I am praying relentlessly to God</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and for God's AUTHORITY over these governing authorities</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">here and in other countries, especially those persecuting Christians.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I am sure that we never even imagined ourselves living under persecution.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Too many of us have taken for granted the freedoms we have been afforded; </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">so blessed to be given and have, just because of where we were born.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I beg God to have mercy on us!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><><><></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">This was not the topic of the devotion, but I can't stop myself from those above thoughts.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I love this statement at the end of this devotion on</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">AUTHORITY</span></center><center><br /></center>
<center><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;"> "... The way to operate in our God-given AUTHORITY is to reframe our perspective based on Him, not on us. Hand in hand, bringing heaven to earth."</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">If those in AUTHORITY did this, we'd have much less to be concerned about in our</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"> government leaders, that are more and more less like God or Jesus' teaching.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">And not even close to being leaders!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank God for His AUTHORITY!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I do realize that this verse says that God establishes our leaders</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">but the purpose is not for their own purposes or power</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><u>BUT</u> GOD'S</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">taking control or controlling or refusing to submit to God</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">seems to be the current dilemma </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">"Generally speaking,</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">human government serves to rein in & punish evil."</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm seeing too much evil, out of control, because of power thirsty governmental leaders.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">As I've stated, we are in an impending and disastrous spiral of evil & peril -</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">out of fear, and need to be in power over others & their freedoms.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">There are too many lies being projected repeatedly so they're believed,</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">we are being deceived sadly and duped by</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">"snakes & scorpions"</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">indoctrinated in false statements.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">May God save us & wake up His Church to <b>His</b> Truth!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><span style="font-family: arial;">
As you can tell, I care deeply and am passionate about the perilous direction of our country. It is hard for me to not say something. And I have spoken (written) too much and not enough. I am finding it difficult to write further on this blog post without alerting as many as I can to the times in which we live and the importance of God's AUTHORITY, our obedience and our responsibility as true believers of Jesus Christ ... not ones who are bowing to human entities, or supremacies of any human. We are all created in God's image equally, no one is supreme over another, no race or ethnic group is supreme. We are surrendering the power given to us in Jesus, for a false human power, not one by the Spirit - not of might nor of the Spirit's power. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Please open your spiritual eyes and hearts to what the teaching of Jesus says and His Word warning us to beware; even of those in the Church. Too many lack the character of Jesus in these days and are leading us to save their own skins, at a high cost to us. </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Trust me when I began this post, I had no idea that I would head off in this direction from this One Word. Before I loose too many of you, and some of you might have stopped reading this even before now, I will continue with the other One Words for each day this week - rather than continue, but I won't delete what I have poured out, or expound any further. I'm hoping my words were/are Spirit led as I do pray before I begin for exactly this - that the Holy Spirit would take control of what I am about to share in this blog post. Sometimes we never know where this may lead us. I pray that I have not offended you, but I do hope that I have jolted you into seriously coming to Jesus about all decisions especially in regards to the direction of our nation and the importance of your diligence to turn your heart to Jesus only; surrender is only to Jesus, and Jesus' AUTHORITY in you is more powerful than anything this world is offering. Use with godly caution & principles. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I must </span><span style="font-family: arial;">leave this thread but it's</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> very hard for me</span><span style="font-family: arial;">. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><><><></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Onward to</span></div><center><span style="font-family: arial;">The <a href="https://mazmagi.blogspot.com/2024/02/focus-on-one-word-each-day-of-lent.html" target="_blank">One Word "Pauses for Lent" for this 4th week</a>:</span></center><center><br /></center><center><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 380px;"><tbody>
<tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">23. UNFAIR - Ezekiel 18:25-29 CSB (<a href="https://youtu.be/JN4GfnK0Msw?si=mL4OnBOuEjsDKTb4" target="_blank">video</a>)<br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">24. BLESSING - Genesis 12:2 (<a href="https://youtu.be/LLFdZHmCZuE?si=r4mTPmeB7AHNZ--e" target="_blank">video</a>)</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">25. MERCIFUL - Joel 2:13</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">26. FREE - John 8:31-32</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">27. SIN - 1 John 1:8</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">28. ENEMIES - Matthew 5:44-45 {not the Enemy}</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />[<span style="font-family: times;">More below the <><><> on these</span>]<br /><br /></center><center style="text-align: justify;">{<span style="font-family: times;"><i>I linked this to <a href="https://mazmagi.blogspot.com/2024/02/focus-on-one-word-each-day-of-lent.html" target="_blank">the beginning blog post of all the One Words</a>, so you know I did not change or choose these One Words to go along with my previous thoughts - nor did I look ahead to these before adding them here or writing as I did above.</i>}</span></center><br />
</div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In case you do see a correlation, it was not designed by me. If you don't see one, you might look closer at how these One Words connect to my thoughts above about the One Word for this week. As forewarned, I'm having a hard time leaving my thoughts </span><span style="font-family: arial;">behind </span><span style="font-family: arial;">on AUTHORITY . </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">We must stand in Jesus' AUTHORITY, not to overpower people with violent rhetoric & actions, but according to the author of "FOCUS" in the devotion where she states so powerfully that ... </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">
<center><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; width: 480px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;">"Jesus is pleading with us to stand in <b>His </b>AUTHORITY, and really get it this time" ... <br /><br />"The enemy has had way too much say when it comes to how we reflect, view and dream for our lives. His goal in self-evaluation is always shame; he's terrified of our potential. He doesn't want us to realize the AUTHORITY that we have in the Name of Jesus."<i> from</i> Cleere Cherry Reaves, FOCUS ...</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></center></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div> <div><span style="font-family: arial;">AMEN! Great message and words that I just had to quote </span><span style="font-family: arial;">because as she points out before this how God is for us and that we never fight a battle without Him; whereas the enemy of our souls</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> "<i>has had way too much say</i>"! WOW, how I agree! Or possibly I'm reading this wrong, but I believe strongly that we fight "not by power, nor by might, but by His Spirit" says the Lord of Hosts (Zephaniah 4:6). Too many are fighting in their own power & not at all through God's Spirit; using words with actions that do not represent Jesus at all. In fact, there are people, who are far from representing what I believe is Jesus' character or principles, leading others to their way of thinking, blinding them from the truth and repeating lies so many times that the people believe them, without testing the spirit of truth in their words. I am appalled at all this.</span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><><><></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Further explanation of the daily One Word Pauses (days 23-24)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I chose UNFAIR (<a href="https://youtu.be/JN4GfnK0Msw?si=mL4OnBOuEjsDKTb4" target="_blank">Word 10</a>) and BLESSING (<a href="https://youtu.be/LLFdZHmCZuE?si=r4mTPmeB7AHNZ--e" target="_blank">Word 12</a>) from the videos of "40 Words for the Journey of Lent" without knowing that Father Laguerta was from the Philippines (& speaks both English & their language in these videos). Regardless, I wish that I had stayed with just one set of One Words and not tried to compile from the various ones that I encountered, all of which are good <u>One Words for Lent</u> and the list & sources are good, but now going back & trying to find where I got the different Words, makes this a hard task. And watching the videos to catch the scripture chosen is not so easy. I found the One Word UNFAIR in the Christian Standard Bible, other versions used other similar words like not fair and not right, but also unjust. The Catholic priest, Father Laguerta chose this from the second reading and he speaks in both English and the dialect of the Philippines. The video on the One Word BLESSING is at Mount Sinai. There are many verses available to us of the One Word "BLESSING" but of course, the Beatitudes are filled with "Blessings" or "Blessed ..." more specifically "Happy ..." and the first Scripture that comes to my mind is where we got the song </span><a href=" https://youtu.be/Zp6aygmvzM4?si=xRLH1nSEx5SjYEvz" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank">"The Blessing"</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> (Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes) Numbers 6:24-26. The other One Words are found in the book "Pauses for Lent" (for days 25-28). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">"...One of the most difficult challenges for a Christ-follower is loving" our enemies. And our first step in loving them is to pray for them. Not only did Jesus do this but He wants us to do this also. So if I've made any new (or old) enemies today by what I've written (or said) please forgive me and pray for me. I thank you. May our prayers help us to grow spiritually and change our attitudes, discouraging any one of us (especially in the social media sites, in our comments) from saying or doing anything disrespectful and often, just down right nasty to those we dislike or consider to be opposing our own views to treat others as we would like God (and others) to treat us. {Thankfully, I don't participate in other social media sites.} but... C'mon people now, smile ... , be a lot more friendly and kind AND frankly be human, which is also humane toward one another. Jesus calls this LOVE! God is LOVE and let me tell you, too many have forgotten this measure that Jesus has given His very life to give us ... just show a little love - no, actually show a LOT MORE LOVE like JESUS! Compassion is the way Jesus treats others and shows empathy to them as well. Let's show more BE ATTITUDES and less selfish ones and selfish ambition and the evil selfishness rearing its ugly head among us. Let us BLESS one another & stop cursing others in Jesus' beautiful & precious (selfless) Name! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Just to remind you!</span></div>
<center><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zp6aygmvzM4?si=dOelwa91q9MkTFXV" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></center><center><a href=" https://youtu.be/Zp6aygmvzM4?si=xRLH1nSEx5SjYEvz" style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;" target="_blank">"The Blessing"</a><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"> </span></center><center>[also linked it above]</center><center><br /></center><center><br /></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS94upF9gHJy2JPqzxqTR08V86Q-1ZhHrovwLA0vrwqb2CTOU0CW8wmAl2OdWOxSdxnE9WFMGQoN0X_6NC55HljALmih4teLTguPqyYrbfLUGGyaSMvx7zrxYF5jCs7Eu2Vus2HWOzXq1Z-Y8WmCNzEYqpJGzIljwPnLSnbD0rXmf_HhJfH7nwfb9nNMoS/s499/40%20Days%2040%20Prayers%2040%20Words.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="357" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS94upF9gHJy2JPqzxqTR08V86Q-1ZhHrovwLA0vrwqb2CTOU0CW8wmAl2OdWOxSdxnE9WFMGQoN0X_6NC55HljALmih4teLTguPqyYrbfLUGGyaSMvx7zrxYF5jCs7Eu2Vus2HWOzXq1Z-Y8WmCNzEYqpJGzIljwPnLSnbD0rXmf_HhJfH7nwfb9nNMoS/w143-h200/40%20Days%2040%20Prayers%2040%20Words.webp" width="143" /></a></div><br /><center>from this book</center><center><br /></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8t_203ccq5Akjp3_XqpXJBEbd2SR2DrdV5hjp9FJ3DHkxW7GQ1h3wyHei1Os78okZxnWVDBVADZmYqLpwU4MTGzizKnDM2UFDxFGAPiln3fJAoXP4rEeoZdXRar3tXTPOCj8f2vlpzZ8klVuG2h0mZSkhwO9nzG9O0CEIQOoBIYEDwKu8D9rl6e3gZbt/s380/40%20Days%2040%20Prayers%2040%20Words.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="380" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8t_203ccq5Akjp3_XqpXJBEbd2SR2DrdV5hjp9FJ3DHkxW7GQ1h3wyHei1Os78okZxnWVDBVADZmYqLpwU4MTGzizKnDM2UFDxFGAPiln3fJAoXP4rEeoZdXRar3tXTPOCj8f2vlpzZ8klVuG2h0mZSkhwO9nzG9O0CEIQOoBIYEDwKu8D9rl6e3gZbt/s320/40%20Days%2040%20Prayers%2040%20Words.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><center><span style="font-family: verdana;">AMEN!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: verdana;">Words in the above Image from the above book</span></center><center><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">"<span style="color: #222222; text-align: left;">When I live believing my life is the only life that matters, God, remind me that the faces of others reflect your face, the struggles of others bring your liberation to my life, and the kindness of others speaks your grace into my soul. Amen."</span></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><><><></span></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #222222; text-align: left;">Perhaps the rest of this should be another blog post, but I needed to share on Sunday😇</span></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I have two church services that I'd like to share (now a week later)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">in case the links no longer work ...</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkxk53pE2MQBF2EIFrw0gZNU8qSm5exeXWp?si=VDgXQvv-IBYIbQhp" target="_blank">Prayer clip</a> at the end of <a href="http://hopechurchoakdale.com" target="_blank">Hope Church - Oakdale</a> 3/4/24 service</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></center><center><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iapwMxI_XXU?si=M_U4LvroTm09kqLr&clip=Ugkxk53pE2MQBF2EIFrw0gZNU8qSm5exeXWp&clipt=EJbr_AEY9r-AAg" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">This 1st is just a clip of the prayer at the end of a very good sermon.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I have other clips but the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iapwMxI_XXU" target="_blank">entire sermon</a> is worth watching</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/iapwMxI_XXU?si=QrvFIFaQqsB-uQee" target="_blank">Hope Church</a> (local church in Oakdale, MN) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@hopechurchoakdale" target="_blank">You Tube Channel</a>.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I believe the link is for the entire online church service, so </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">start about 38:58 where the sermon begins.</span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">It is not on AUTHORITY, yet in a way it is.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">The series is "Higher Wisdom".</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">The part I like is near the end on:</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/clip/Ugkx468kEx6eMBw18LZgsprX5cyh_OaAybR7" target="_blank">The Enemies of the Truth</a>:</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">The Lawyer</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">The Waffler</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">The Pleaser</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">The Opportunist</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">The Bull</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">{I made 13 Clips because it only will hold 60 seconds. 1st time I've done this.}</span></center><center><i><span style="font-family: times;">So, I didn't realize that I should write down where it is timewise until halfway.</span></i></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Of course, for context the entire sermon works best!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I hope that it blesses you as much as it did me!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><><><></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">The 2nd one is only one of the people that shared at <u><a href="https://www.stillwatermark.com/" target="_blank">Watermark Church, Stillwater,</a> MN;</u></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8Gd5Hr2Ynxu3nQEshJERCg" target="_blank"> You Tube channel</a></u></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">celebrating their 11th Birthday & some of the "Missions this Church supports"</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYhn78KC5w8" target="_blank">The Full service</a> 3/3/24 - and the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/lYhn78KC5w8?si=KBluHCPJTnC-JS2a" target="_blank">last person that shared on Venture</a> </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">(begins 1:01:39)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">was <a href="https://www.venture.org/our-team/" target="_blank">Paul Hurckman</a>, <a href="https://www.venture.org/ourwork/" target="_blank">Exec. Director</a></span></center><center><br /></center>
<center><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lYhn78KC5w8?si=9Vm22FSi-YEZoe6-&clip=UgkxCoEWNrfPmmkd1Kq5sAtYdKj0BZdQAwkT&clipt=ENnv5wEY2rfrAQ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">The parts that moved me to tears came here and afterwards with the testimony of</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">investing in people like Hannah (<a href="https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxT5Btb9JifX8fE1eTV-TVxmgBqkxj-STR?si=CRrc9anxGRHf1T1a" target="_blank">1:10:30--- clip</a> beginning of her story)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">who in turn invested in others</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxOvzvTpFucQXFtafz9WBwqiUOOtanfYiE?si=K5Gdf3DwwkxoAGPv" target="_blank">beginning of 2nd testimony clip</a>; </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx4vMCR7xYQk22-wM_twPvugX0rjV6ynAK?si=dMyRG439kBmFzQTb" target="_blank">2nd part</a> & <a href="https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkxfsp0RTzdwFtcv4clIfs0BFnCe-jO0I6W?si=bUqjY0_u41KmEQbd" target="_blank">3rd part</a></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxmIZ2J3gLvKnWydtJtX0p3cx8hdRxt4BN?si=V6FF9BCwc_qnK6RL" target="_blank">4th part</a> clip cuts</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Truly is aMazing part of God's heart & story!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">These may not work, but I think you can find if you're interested.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I may have to take the clips down from here but not the </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"> Church above and <a href="https://www.venture.org/" target="_blank">Venture website</a> to connect.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><><><></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">{<i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">yeah, I overpacked this blog post</span></i>}</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Overcompensating with so much good over too much negativity </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">being spoken/written by me and more by others in social media sites.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07178137619890142365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290713315512977215.post-42034943509886778532024-03-03T18:00:00.004-06:002024-03-04T11:48:53.399-06:00FOCUS for LENT WEEK 3<center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-m6V7Ey-DDcEwy3XqqmfQPAQoPWq-HfDyRtbjoAczh5ojswApuJcTR0CPgQIlxjdi5FNo2RQIv-Kc7PH8IS8xwDqc1yMjZ6PuhwPnKWwPG-b1nvDXoQ7dSRazIYyQBfIZY8V-yhLo7ytO3MpGLM5a80yqYRU_lKE0eYEH2V6PHDQUlW4EZ-_loyj1EAN/s623/714aOMcrOVL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_%20one%20word%20focus.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="623" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-m6V7Ey-DDcEwy3XqqmfQPAQoPWq-HfDyRtbjoAczh5ojswApuJcTR0CPgQIlxjdi5FNo2RQIv-Kc7PH8IS8xwDqc1yMjZ6PuhwPnKWwPG-b1nvDXoQ7dSRazIYyQBfIZY8V-yhLo7ytO3MpGLM5a80yqYRU_lKE0eYEH2V6PHDQUlW4EZ-_loyj1EAN/w200-h136/714aOMcrOVL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_%20one%20word%20focus.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The FOCUS Word for this week is:<br /></span><br /><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial;"><b>ANTICIPATE</b></span></center><center><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial;"><b>Psalm 32:8 ESV</b></span></center><center><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">And the <a href="https://mazmagi.blogspot.com/2024/02/focus-on-one-word-each-day-of-lent.html" target="_blank">One Word PAUSES for LENT</a> for this 3rd week are:</span><br /></center><center><br /><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 380px;"><tbody>
<tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">17. TREASURE - Matthew 6:21<br />18. LISTEN - James 1:19<br />19. POOR - Luke 4:18<br />20. FORGIVE(N) - Luke 5:20<br />21. PEACE(MAKER) - John 14:27<br />22. REST - Matthew 11:28</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</center><center><br /></center><span style="font-family: arial;">After the the 4 FOCUS Weekly Words, there is a section called "Taking Inventory" and then a "Prayer". After the 2nd Week's 4 Words, I've decided that I really should be doing the part of "taking inventory" during the week that I do each One Word - it is a good review, but I think it</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;">would help my FOCUS for that One WORD during the week that I'm focusing on that Word. The 'Inventory' contains 3 questions or thoughts for each Word. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">And the Prayer is absolutely wonderful at tying all those 4 Words together. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">So this week, I'm looking ahead to the 'Inventory' for ANTICIPATE, after checking out the definition: </span></div><div><br /><center>
<table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">"Biblically to “anticipate” is “<span c28="">to be driven by the Spirit of God</span><span style="color: #202124;">” to “foresee,” and “act in advance” to “what is being brought to your attention.” </span> </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I was thinking that I was going to say that I can't ANTICIPATE what the 'Inventory' will be for this One WORD(I guess, that doesn't fit the first part of the definition - but perhaps "foresee").</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">My next thought was to see if perhaps there might be a thread between the</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">FOCUS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">weekly One Word</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and the LENT Words </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">for each day</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Yet during LENT, I am sensing that all of these PAUSES are meaningful apart & together. Because if you ANTICIPATE that the Spirit of God is moving in your life, it's important to what HE is speaking to you & bringing special Words to your attention for a reason.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Let's just take a moment, looking ahead to the 'Inventory' part: </span></center></div>
<center><br /></center><div><center></center></div>
<center>
<table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">"1. What have you learned from detours in your life?"<br />"2. Were you able to focus on anticipating God's next move instead of the roadblocks in front of you?"<br />"3. In what ways did you sing during the wait?"</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Now, my intent of sharing the 'Inventory' isn't for me to publicly answer them </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">but I will make some comments about them.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">First off, it's clear that we all face detours in our lives, obstacles & roadblocks - </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"> then God moves, often in a total different direction then we anticipate(d).</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">At least that's how it's been for most of my life.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">God is full of surprises!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">God loves to turn something completely around.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I think that the reason some of the "detours" in my life seem to return; or I guess I never learned from them what I needed to learn so they had to be repeated in another way, </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">in hopes that I would finally get it and learn.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">So I have nothing (at least no profound lesson) that I have learned to pass on </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">from </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">the detours in my life. </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">As you can tell, I did not ANTICIPATE God's next move.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">I probably was too focused on the roadblock & the detour in front of me.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">But so thankful when God brought me through and His next move was totally</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">appreciated that HE would redeem me from the situation</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">far beyond what I could imagine or anticipate.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">God is so good!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">His plan is so good for me!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">God cares for me!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">This gives me plenty to sing about during the wait.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Except more than likely, I didn't wait as I should have.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">I totally love that 3rd question of the 'Inventory'!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Actually</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">I see that as a fantastic suggestion</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">"To SING during the WAIT"</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">I'm guessing singing praise & thanks during the detour or roadblock is a much better choice!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><><><></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">I TREASURE God's Heart for us</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">and I'm learning to LISTEN</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">first to Him and hopefully better to others.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">I really need to be "slow to speak" so I'm intent on listening.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">I hope that I have given & will give</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">"good news to the POOR"</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">and the best news is Jesus!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Many just don't want to LISTEN.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">I am beyond thankful </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">that </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">I have been FORGIVEN</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">and so I need to freely forgive others.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Forgive to be forgiven.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">(so much to sing about)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Yet my very favorite would be</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">PEACE & REST!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">My wish for each of us.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">The Peace that Jesus gives us and the Rest</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">when we come to Him when we're</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">weary or burdened.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">I've had plenty of detours that have brought me to Jesus,</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">seeking His Peace and His Rest for my soul.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">This must be the reason</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">that</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">I'm so easily drawn to</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">CALM</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">for my </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">2024 </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">One Word</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">but first it looks like I need to</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">FOCUS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">and </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">REFOCUS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">in His Word.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><><><></span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><span style="font-family: arial;">
Right now, I ANTICIPATE the time I get to have morning & evening & throughout the 24/7 that I have with Jesus, in His Word, and the Peace & Rest that Jesus brings me, as His Holy Spirit fills me and brings CALM into my every breathe and I ANTICIPATE my last breath here will be my first breath in His Presence, so I can't wait. However, meanwhile I believe HE has called us to "act in advance"; pay attention to where the Spirit may be directing and calling you for your next step, avoid those detours and obstacles while we press on toward our ultimate goal.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm ANTICIPATING how full my life will be as I FOCUS and PAUSE on these One Words this week. With hope, I hang on to my faith and looking forward to the songs of spring coming & the celebration of RESURRECTION SONday! Jesus' triumph over sin and death! Yet I need to complete the 40 days of Lent still ... but with the Word ANTICIPATE this week - there's so much we can hope for as we ANTICIPATE! Praise God. (<i>right</i>?) </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">{this was my own little pep talk that was much needed as I typed out this blog post and muddle through life's detours (and mud) outside and around me} Hope that you're not muddling ... Week 3's "Faith that Will Not Fail" was "The Practice of Humility" - hard one but the faith builder was really needed from Matthew 5:3. Whew! We're already beginning March.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I almost completely forgot the reading for the</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3rd Sunday in Lent</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">is midway through Mark's Gospel</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mark 8:27-33</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">specifically</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mark 8:29</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">"But who do you say I am?"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(Jesus speaking)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Me: * "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD348oNG4gE" target="_blank">You are the Christ!</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD348oNG4gE" target="_blank"><br /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD348oNG4gE" target="_blank">...The Son of the Living God..."</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Messiah, my Savior</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">my personal Lord & Treasure</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">my Peacemaker</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">my Rest</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">JESUS</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">my Life Giver</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">my Everything</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">today, tomorrow, forever</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">* from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kODAQojdfkY&list=PLDA3A01C151ECF610" target="_blank">"The Witness - Life Giver" </a>musical by Jimmy & Carol Owens</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">{one of my local churches did this back in the 90s}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>WHO do you say HE is?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Who is JESUS to you?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07178137619890142365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290713315512977215.post-21934342055747647952024-02-25T18:00:00.064-06:002024-02-25T18:00:00.130-06:00FOCUS for LENT WEEK 2<center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj410_yF5GGzGYtibvv6xkBWLKwNSObu_HCq5Y75Po5UKFxRkckUKLG93JKUBwJxa-IDpAYfxt8X5qv6Yjd0rgb_E_64dHo2QtV15JsgZVchoZLcfpgVvXvjXJDBp2wrz7G2oVc7FoWKJS-gQYj1NYU-HvznjlQfXPUs8Ck_RnYgh3pAIsz68YbEZH3_Zce/s623/714aOMcrOVL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_%20one%20word%20focus.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="623" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj410_yF5GGzGYtibvv6xkBWLKwNSObu_HCq5Y75Po5UKFxRkckUKLG93JKUBwJxa-IDpAYfxt8X5qv6Yjd0rgb_E_64dHo2QtV15JsgZVchoZLcfpgVvXvjXJDBp2wrz7G2oVc7FoWKJS-gQYj1NYU-HvznjlQfXPUs8Ck_RnYgh3pAIsz68YbEZH3_Zce/s320/714aOMcrOVL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_%20one%20word%20focus.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">{<i>I really love my</i> FOCUS book!}</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Even more, I enjoy having just One Word a Week </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">to FOCUS on</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">but also for these 40 days the</span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://mazmagi.blogspot.com/2024/02/focus-on-one-word-each-day-of-lent.html" target="_blank">One Word list for Lent</a></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">to</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">PAUSE</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">daily and reflect</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">My One Word for this 2nd Week of Lent is:</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">INVEST</span></b><br /></span><br /><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 380px;"><tbody>
<tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Matthew 6:20 ESV<br />"... but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and <br />where thieves do not break in and steal."</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</center><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">[<span style="font-family: times;"><i>once again this chosen verse does not have the</i> One Word</span>]</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I found an interesting <a href="https://vision.org.au/the-word-for-today/associated-blog/the-word-for-today-devotional-content/what-god-has-invested-in-you/#" target="_blank">Word for Today</a>, short devotion by Bob & Debby Gass on <a href="https://vision.org.au/the-word-for-today/associated-blog/the-word-for-today-devotional-content/what-god-has-invested-in-you/#" target="_blank">"What God Has Invested in You"</a> from the scripture Ephesians 1:18 to "understand the 'riches' God has INVESTed" in believers and called us to do - well worth the read & thinking about. Of course, when thinking of INVEST, most of us think of a financial INVESTment. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The following words from the FOCUS devotional for this week ties together their thought of using the One Word INVEST, the key idea for me, and this verse:</span></div><br />
<center>
<table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">
"... where we choose to INVEST will determine how much fulfillment we experience. ... Yearning for heaven, we are meant to INVEST our time on earth wisely, putting our time, energy and resources into sharing God's love with others."Cleere Cherry Reeves, author of Focus.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">One of the purposes of LENT is to focus on Giving</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">(besides Prayer and Fasting)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Giving is not always just financially. It's in all of the ways listed in the boxed quote</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">"- how we INVEST our time on earth - "</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I recall another poem written called <a href="https://lindaellis.life/the-dash-poem" target="_blank">"The Dash"</a> (if you haven't read it, you should)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">"The Dash" - illustrates the importance of the 'dash' that represents the time</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">between a person's birth and their day of passing</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">1954 <b>-</b> 2024</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">that small little line - called a dash</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://lindaellis.life/the-story-behind-the-dash" target="_blank">Linda Ellis original video of her poem</a> is so beautiful & touching!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and I love her closing words on that page I linked</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">"LIVE YOUR DASH"</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and i might add</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">WELL</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I often think about this, especially as I approach and thought about </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">AGING</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">for my One Word for</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">2024</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">as I close another decade & begin (God willing) a new one</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">the 70's this October</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I chose not to reflect on AGING this year but perhaps next</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">although</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">AGEISM </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">certainly seems to be a major issue in the</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">2024 Elections</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">{I won't even comment on this}</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">but in my opinion, hopefully for most of us </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">with aging comes wisdom</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">great responsibility</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">(if our hearts are right with God & we are able through Him)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">but yes, there are exceptions to this.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">It's also a matter of the compassion and empathy in the person to begin with ...</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I happen to respect my elders and this is no longer something being taught or shown,</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">now that I'm an elder (well almost) I NOTICE this more (lol).</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Yet I do know and believe that this world needs much more</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">RESPECT</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">for others, in our words and actions</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">KINDNESS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and simply as I've share before</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">GOD'S LOVE</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">We so need JESUS & to follow Him & His teachings!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><><><></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Please return to this post</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://mazmagi.blogspot.com/2024/02/focus-on-one-word-each-day-of-lent.html" target="_blank">"FOCUS on ONE WORD each day of LENT"</a></span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">for these daily One Words for LENT this week:</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">SEPARATE</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">BREAD</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">CONTRITE</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">WATER</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">TIME</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">WORLD</span></center><center><br /></center><center><></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">*I add Scriptures where I can in that post*</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><><><></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">{I'm beginning to think that my One Word for 2024 is FOCUS, yet I still am clinging to CALM}</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">- as I FOCUS, JESUS can CALM my heart even more -</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and as I type this post, I really need His Peace, & my heart & mind CALM</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">In my book, </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">"Pause for Lent", the days are 11-16 this week and for day 11 the</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">One Word is "Abba" (Mark 14:36)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">So I am following the "Daily Practice" suggestion</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and whispering "Abba" often to </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">"express my heart's intention to be in touch with God in the </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">middle of all I do"</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">even when </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">the peace of my day (or night) is disrupted </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and CALM seems far from me</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">JESUS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">brings His CALM if I go to Him</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><><><></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">How is your CALM?</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Praying you are experiencing His</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">CALM</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">in your inner being</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">as I hope to</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">And you're not going to believe this ... but I found yet another book (out of nowhere)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74W76kTXyqUClHXQiyrL56r11o8S_PhZut0AzwAuyPZNSbWKZ78KaPxKpqe7XwbTlEvHAtph0Cmt8WxONKUyWcEBMHEHHrsIFLfK-ZKp44Pp-OZmjtukxQek8_Jw8-Cl2ZvBY7wrQ7RvVdL2NNgsUOBatTb4tSTTpK_NNS-bbyk6NTNbZ93p0KJgihWbo/s499/40%20Days%2040%20Prayers%2040%20Words.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="357" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74W76kTXyqUClHXQiyrL56r11o8S_PhZut0AzwAuyPZNSbWKZ78KaPxKpqe7XwbTlEvHAtph0Cmt8WxONKUyWcEBMHEHHrsIFLfK-ZKp44Pp-OZmjtukxQek8_Jw8-Cl2ZvBY7wrQ7RvVdL2NNgsUOBatTb4tSTTpK_NNS-bbyk6NTNbZ93p0KJgihWbo/w143-h200/40%20Days%2040%20Prayers%2040%20Words.webp" width="143" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">{I only have the sample, which only gives the 1st 2 One Words: <u>Community</u> & <u>Courage</u>}</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">This book was written in 2015 too by <a href="https://reyes-chow.com/books/" target="_blank">Bruce Reyes-Chow</a>.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">So clearly my idea was not a new one</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">to FOCUS on One Word for the 40 days of Lent! </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">😏💙😉</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07178137619890142365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290713315512977215.post-24032475464057846312024-02-18T18:00:00.119-06:002024-02-21T13:28:13.212-06:00FOCUS for LENT WEEK 1<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrwgHvzLMLa8AxBafwSG5WqUvaGIqKaVxTHu1DBEXauumBRzoKMj4Ejcxnp4DhW8WBR3itmY7p4vrhMWwQCWErM6tPwE3ZUwc6Q8YAidn_fynoWgeMOIZcoaRAFE9nQCKhCOt8tM6vLZopfpZ-8dIUIXbokhEYSxXYoktccOQNNxBp2qMVXgxopHUQF9t/s1000/714aOMcrOVL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="691" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrwgHvzLMLa8AxBafwSG5WqUvaGIqKaVxTHu1DBEXauumBRzoKMj4Ejcxnp4DhW8WBR3itmY7p4vrhMWwQCWErM6tPwE3ZUwc6Q8YAidn_fynoWgeMOIZcoaRAFE9nQCKhCOt8tM6vLZopfpZ-8dIUIXbokhEYSxXYoktccOQNNxBp2qMVXgxopHUQF9t/w138-h200/714aOMcrOVL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" width="138" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My overall FOCUS Word for this entire 7th week of 2024 is:</span></div><center>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">NOTICE</span></b></span><br /><br /><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 380px;"><tbody>
<tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 19.2px;">"</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">God did this so that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from any one of us." Acts 17:27 NIV</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">except I noticed that the One Word "<i>notice"</i> is not mentioned at all in this verse</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">yet "notice" occurs 121 times in 11 translations</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">according to the "<a href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/words/Notice" target="_blank">Knowing Jesus" site</a></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and <a href="https://biblescan.com/search.php?q=notice" target="_blank">Bible Hub search</a> shows 326 results</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">with Webster's Revised Abridged</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">sharing<a href="https://bibleapps.com/n/notice.htm" target="_blank"> 8 definitions of<br />NOTICE</a></span></center><center><br /></center><span style="font-family: arial;">
As I read through the definitions, searching for "seek" or "reaching out & finding" once again I don't find any word indicating "<i>notice</i>" or others in this verse. But the first definition shows "an act of noting" for <i>notice</i> - with just similar roots. I guess that seeking, reaching out & finding Him are ways (or acts) of noting - thus "<i>noticing</i>" Him. I am sure that after reading the devotion, I will grasp the connection even better. Because for me, I am clearly aware of God's very existence as I draw close to Him, especially after spending time with Jesus (all of 2023 as my One Word) and in specific prayer since the end of last year (I'm always in prayer), seeking more of Him; but there are many who aren't even looking, much less noticing Him, even when He is not far ... with all that is happening in the world, it's difficult to "<i>notice</i>" Jesus, if we His people are not shining & showing others that He is here, He is among us, He is with us - <i>not far </i>even when we can't see Him, we should be seeking Him and reaching out for Him, in helping others reach and find Him. We need to reflect Jesus. When you find yourself in the mundane ordinary of your life this week, look around you and "<i>notice</i>" God. I know I will ...</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">"Jesus, help me to </span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">NOTICE</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">You!</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">I know You're everywhere."</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Psalm 144:3 NLT</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">James 1:17 ESV</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Genesis 28:16</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Psalm 26:3</span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;">After "<i>noticing</i>" God throughout my week by focusing on my main One Word for the week, I'll continue with my special LENT One Words, one for each day, as noted back in this <a href="https://mazmagi.blogspot.com/2024/02/focus-on-one-word-each-day-of-lent.html" target="_blank">blog post</a> from the book or video. I will "Pause" with the following words for this week - one each day:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">STILL</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">LOVE</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">LIGHT</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"ASK, SEEK, KNOCK"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">REBUILT</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">OBEDIENCE</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">The reading for this First Sunday of Lent is from the gospel of Mark; chapter 1; verses 12-15.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The key words or One Words that I am focusing on from this Bible reading are: </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Kingdom, Repent and Trust</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Each <b>One Word</b> can and will transform our lives, as we focus and take <b>notice</b>!😉</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">seeking these key words in His Word</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGDxY26M_RcWrutnxzedmaPXI8shlGseIPW_IeAOATB_3vVapoDbsw_cWgMGSDbv8jfe3rbrTq0LQUj5kaC2eIFfA-ycaKfGP357DpLexi-NfTCRsUGV-0JiwEVcd1T1GpiDadUAprJVighYw833-J6whoB56WTiRPrvkkY1s-J9luehAQjfkNVqEMGpO/s220/67885c17-1a79-4c46-8e2b-787f52b63ca7.__CR0,129,1092,1092_PT0_SX220_V1___.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGDxY26M_RcWrutnxzedmaPXI8shlGseIPW_IeAOATB_3vVapoDbsw_cWgMGSDbv8jfe3rbrTq0LQUj5kaC2eIFfA-ycaKfGP357DpLexi-NfTCRsUGV-0JiwEVcd1T1GpiDadUAprJVighYw833-J6whoB56WTiRPrvkkY1s-J9luehAQjfkNVqEMGpO/s1600/67885c17-1a79-4c46-8e2b-787f52b63ca7.__CR0,129,1092,1092_PT0_SX220_V1___.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><center>
<table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">"Thank You God that in the Cross we experience Your power to save. When we could not save ourselves, You saved us (willingly). Thank You for Your incomprehensible love for all creation." from "Gathered into One" <span style="color: #990000;">*</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center><center><span style="color: #990000;">*</span><span style="font-family: times;">Continuing into 2 Corinthians this week</span></center><center><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: times;"><></span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Also I'll be in <u>Week 2: The Purpose of Lament</u> from Michele Cushatt's book: </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">"A Faith that Will Not Fail"</span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm finishing with Prayers for Revival and the Psalms </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">(67-72 for me & my state) </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">with </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://mazmagi.blogspot.com/2024/01/if-we-will-then-he-will.html" target="_blank">"If We Will ... then He Will"</a></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I will continue to</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">ASK, SEEK & KNOCK</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">as I am practicing to be</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">STILL</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">allowing His LOVE to LIGHT each day</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">as I pray for a nation </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">REBUILT</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">with</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">OBEDIENCE</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">to the law & order; our constitution</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">God</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">sums up</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">His Law in Two </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #202124; text-align: left;">“'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. '</span></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #202124; text-align: left;">This is the first and greatest commandment.</span><span style="color: #202124; text-align: left;"> </span></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #202124; text-align: left;">And the second is like it: '</span><span style="color: #040c28; text-align: left;">Love your neighbor as yourself</span><span style="color: #202124; text-align: left;">. </span><span style="color: #202124; text-align: left;">'”</span></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #202124; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #202124; text-align: left;">and so should we follow these, for</span></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #202124; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #202124; text-align: left;">God alone is God!</span></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #202124; text-align: left;">He alone is worthy of our praise!</span></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #202124; text-align: left;">Seek His Kingdom!</span></span></center><center><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124; font-size: 20px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #202124; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Pray for the Souls of our Nation</span></center><center><span style="color: #202124; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">and the World</span></center><center><span style="color: #202124; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #202124; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">After this past week, we really need to seek God</span></center><center><span style="color: #202124; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">fervently and an end to all this evil in words and actions</span></center><center><span style="color: #202124; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">that is so rampant among us</span></center><center><span style="color: #202124; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">God have mercy</span></center><center><span style="color: #202124; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Save us!</span></center><center><span style="color: #202124; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #202124; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Revive Us</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">once again</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">in our churches, our government, </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">our streets, our schools</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">our homes</span></center><center><span style="color: #202124; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">our 💖s</span></center><center><span style="color: #202124; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #202124; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">🙏</span></center><center><span style="color: #202124; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #202124; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>So that's what I'm doing this week.</span></center><center><span style="color: #202124; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">💙<br /><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #202124; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Thankful</span></center><center><span style="color: #202124; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">for the many ways</span></center><center><span style="color: #202124; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">I</span></center><center><span style="color: #202124; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">NOTICE</span></center><center><span style="color: #202124; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">God</span></center><center><span style="color: #202124; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">in my life</span></center><center><span style="color: #202124; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">in others, in a message, in a conversation</span></center><center><span style="color: #202124; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">in a blessing, in nature,</span></center><center><span style="color: #202124; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">in all I read</span></center><center><span style="color: #202124; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #202124; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">💙</span></center><center><span style="color: #202124; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #202124; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center></div></div></div>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07178137619890142365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290713315512977215.post-69511437418343660572024-02-14T00:00:00.194-06:002024-03-23T14:42:45.187-05:00FOCUS on ONE WORD each day of LENT<span style="font-family: arial;">As LENT 2024 was approaching, I had an idea since I started a new book ("FOCUS...") at the beginning of the year (but since I haven't been here online, I have not been sharing the One Word for each week) so I thought that during LENT it might be good to do a One Word Focus for each of the 40 days ... and then I found out that this wasn't a new idea. In fact, I discovered there was a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Pauses-Lent-40-Words-Days/dp/0835815048/" target="_blank">book written by Trevor Hudson</a>, back in 2015 and also a <a href="https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV2HSggnbSPZq7sRQaGQf7jhGVJ9HN8LW&si=YFYhjR9aDOEZOlo7" target="_blank">You Tube video</a> with a Catholic priest, Father Laguerta, sharing a similar list of One Words (at least these two start out with the same words). I found another book like Hudson's:<a href="https://www.amazon.com/40-Days-Words-Easter-Readings/dp/164070213X/" target="_blank">40 Days, 40 Words</a> by Ken & Randy Petersen</span><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">But even since it's been done and written and recorded, I do agree that taking "A Pause for Lent" each day on One Word & a verse from THE WORD is a good way to Focus on Jesus as we prepare our hearts once again, like Advent approaching Christmas - Lent prepares us for Holy Week & Resurrection Sunday (known commonly as Easter, but I don't use that term any longer after learning about where it originates - a completely different post). In a previous post I did share a "Lenten Experience" by Michele Cushatt (portions of her new book "A Faith that Will Not Fail") but I prefer to do something a bit more simple. I did find a few other ones:<a href="https://guideposts.org/prayer/7-one-word-prayers-for-lent-2/" target="_blank"> "7 One Word Prayers for Lent"</a>; a blogger in 2014 -"<a href="https://sandraheskaking.com/category/40-days-of-lent-2014/" target="_blank">40 Words of Lent</a>"; <a href="https://reasonsforhopejesus.com/lent-40-titles-40-days/" target="_blank">"40 Titles of Jesus"</a> (similar to book by Asheritah Ciuciu for <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/0802416721?ref=emc_s_m_5_i_n" target="_blank">Christmas</a>, but she also has one for<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Uncovering-Love-Jesus-Lent-Devotional/dp/0802419496/" target="_blank"> Lent)</a>. In other words, there are plenty of choices available - and clearly my idea was not a new one!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><u>ONE WORD </u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>PAUSES </b></span><b style="font-family: arial;">for </b><b style="font-family: arial;">LENT</b></u></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUWluln673dRsvphP_ZS6bkP-4z1BX6p7AKkkuprXnCDoOzWZC_j_i4KecAbwNxq8BYoYm_tAOVpRhghxzp6wi123eU-UBUcbRJL576iIiBClXLxInDP6Xn_DeuGhJKyCCM7cljUrZV6se85ROu-8i3sDVzatCPxWHa5grfs5a1ivk2Yw_yTkmHHkrvEr/s220/5aae4a40-ed9b-4b07-b7a9-60ccda05510b.__CR0,129,1092,1092_PT0_SX220_V1___.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUWluln673dRsvphP_ZS6bkP-4z1BX6p7AKkkuprXnCDoOzWZC_j_i4KecAbwNxq8BYoYm_tAOVpRhghxzp6wi123eU-UBUcbRJL576iIiBClXLxInDP6Xn_DeuGhJKyCCM7cljUrZV6se85ROu-8i3sDVzatCPxWHa5grfs5a1ivk2Yw_yTkmHHkrvEr/s1600/5aae4a40-ed9b-4b07-b7a9-60ccda05510b.__CR0,129,1092,1092_PT0_SX220_V1___.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Clearly the best One Word for <b>Ash Wednesday</b> is:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>1. DUST</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Genesis 3:19</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>OR</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>ASHES</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> (Image above from Randy & Ken Petersens' book for Day 2)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Genesis 18:27</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">They use <b>FORTY</b> for Day 1</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Matthew 4:2 </b>(MSG)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">since Lent is 40 days</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">40 is a very significant Biblical number & word</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Here is the list of the other One Words, I'll be using (& perhaps I can add verses later):</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">***</span><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> My One Word <i>choices are a combination of the</i> <u>books</u> (b) & <u>video</u> (v) </b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">if it's linked, the link goes to the video</b></span></center><center><div><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>ONE WORD </b></span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>PAUSES </b></span><b style="font-family: arial;">for </b><b style="font-family: arial;">LENT</b></span></span></div></center><center><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 500px;"><tbody>
<tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8Ob_Fty6O3XM01W_XzJlrbxhNCLwYhj6j0EHNO-vDQNhzxYYqShyM85JraB5vWBA6rr2V9Wu6Gd3TLOeJuF_n3FYqs-ETOi50mWFUhvu9NHn8zcEI7dJGkBIc9eHUyJ34zwHarKSVe7ZKBGvivizGTTedykBqd2itZ9b_1olJ-MWqaoope-e-aNuPwny/s32/32.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="32" data-original-width="32" height="32" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8Ob_Fty6O3XM01W_XzJlrbxhNCLwYhj6j0EHNO-vDQNhzxYYqShyM85JraB5vWBA6rr2V9Wu6Gd3TLOeJuF_n3FYqs-ETOi50mWFUhvu9NHn8zcEI7dJGkBIc9eHUyJ34zwHarKSVe7ZKBGvivizGTTedykBqd2itZ9b_1olJ-MWqaoope-e-aNuPwny/s1600/32.png" width="32" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">2. <a href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Returning-To-God" target="_blank">RETURN</a> - Joel 2:12-13 (b&v)<br />3. CHOOSE - Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (b&v)<br />4. FAST(ing) - Matthew 6:17-18 (b&v)<br /><br /><b>First Sunday of Lent</b> 2/18 <span style="color: #990000;"><b>* </b>Mark 1:12-15</span><br /><br />5. STILL - Psalm 46:10(b)<br />6. LOVE - 1 John 3:18 (b)<br />7. LIGHT - John 8:12 (b)<br />8. <a href="https://youtu.be/GGGuv2YtGDs?si=urWLHWjs83-fwhek" target="_blank">ASK (SEEK, KNOCK)</a> - Matthew 7:7 (v)<br />9.<a href="https://youtu.be/Bd_DcH9sYNo?si=B4Xl_y2N87T_Plor" target="_blank"> REBUILT </a>- Isaiah 58:12; Ezekiel 36:33 (v)<br />10. <a href="https://youtu.be/hKf1OAz-i1c?si=FLbtb4AtV00Lm1TU" target="_blank">OBEDIENCE</a> - Romans 5:19 (v)<br /><br />Second Sunday of Lent 2/25 Mark 3:19-27<br /><br />11. <a href="https://youtu.be/0Eoi2xeh1GM?si=8KgtWSP-O7JqvQ1I" target="_blank">SEPARATE</a> - Matthew 25:31-46 (v)<br />12. BREAD - Matthew 6:11 (b)<br />13. <a href="https://youtu.be/rcYdc-bHCrc?si=zrQehkqUbX2Tzc11" target="_blank">CONTRITE</a> - Luke 11:29-32 (v)<br />14. WATER - John 4:13-14 (b)<br />15. TIME - Mark 1:15 (b)<br />16. WORLD - John 3:16 (b)<br /><br />Third Sunday of Lent 3/3 Mark 8:27-33 *Mark 8:29 (b)<br /><br />17. TREASURE - Matthew 6:21 (b)<br />18. LISTEN - James 1:19 (b)<br />19. POOR - Luke 4:18 (b)<br />20. FORGIVE(N) - Luke 5:20 (b)<br />21. PEACE(MAKER) - John 14:27 (b)<br />22. REST - Matthew 11:28 (b)<br /><br />4th Sunday of Lent 3/10 Mark 9:2-10 *Mark 9:2-3<br /><br />23. UNFAIR - <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+18%3A25&version=VOICE" target="_blank">Ezekiel 18:25</a> <span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d;">(</span><a href="https://youtu.be/JN4GfnK0Msw?si=mL4OnBOuEjsDKTb4" style="background-color: white; color: #0b5caa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">v</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d;">)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d;">24. BLESSING - Genesis 12:2 (<a href="https://youtu.be/LLFdZHmCZuE?si=r4mTPmeB7AHNZ--e" style="color: #0b5caa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">v</a>)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d;">25. MERCIFUL - Joel 2:13</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d;">26. FREE - John 8:31-32</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d;">27. SIN - 1 John 1:8</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d;">28. ENEMIES - Matthew 5:44-45</span><br /><br />5th Sunday of Lent 3/17 Mark 10:32-35;*Mark 10:43-44<br /><br />29. SERVE-<a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="Matthew 20.28" data-version="niv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/niv/Matthew%2020.28" style="background-color: white; color: #0b5caa; text-decoration-line: none;">Matthew 20:28</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d;">30. JUSTIFIED-*<a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="Luke 18.14" data-version="niv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/niv/Luke%2018.14" style="color: #0b5caa; text-decoration-line: none;">Luke 18:14</a> (v)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d;">31. DIVIDED- *<a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="Luke 11.17" data-version="niv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/niv/Luke%2011.17" style="color: #0b5caa; text-decoration-line: none;">Luke 11:17</a> (v)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d;">32. TEMPTATION-<a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="Hebrews 4.15" data-version="niv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/niv/Hebrews%204.15" style="color: #0b5caa; text-decoration-line: none;">Hebrews 4:15</a></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d;">33. PRAY-<a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="Luke 11.1" data-version="niv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/niv/Luke%2011.1" style="color: #0b5caa; text-decoration-line: none;">Luke 11:1</a> also Matthew 26:36 for Day 39 Good Friday(b)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d;">34. WILL-<a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="Matthew 26.39" data-version="niv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/niv/Matthew%2026.39" style="color: #0b5caa; text-decoration-line: none;">Matthew 26:39</a></span><br /><br />6th Sunday of Lent 3/24 Palm Sunday Mark 11:1-11 *Mark 11:9<br /><br />HOLY WEEK - PASSION WEEK <br /><br />35. HOSANNA - Mark 11:9 (<a href="https://youtu.be/3WjlXhA2RPY?si=gLOB3YQ98jpM6iR0" target="_blank">video</a> 40)<br />36. STRANGER - Matthew 25:35<br />37. BETRAY - Matthew 26:21<br />38. WEPT - John 11:35 (& Luke 19:41-44 ESV) (<a href="https://youtu.be/uwaFP0wtDXg?si=suMjKbL_rq3HeBXG" target="_blank">video</a> 33)<br />39. DIE - John 12:24 (<a href="https://youtu.be/W1RBRums_WU?si=zuP6lMRAA4giOtB-" target="_blank">video</a> 39)<br />40. CRUCIFIED & RAISED - Mark 16:6 from SONday's reading<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #990000;">RESURRECTION SONDAY - Mark 16:1-8</b></div><span style="color: #990000;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>CHRIST IS RISEN! </b></div></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMia2uLEeZ48kphDX-LEfk_Brj5dvLHSDtjvKMoHj7CwvCugKCPJKas8uSAptfF6DYVhByqioXYySliG8caNnjn2U7vbVAJQhzCKzOeDiswu7qLOqvm2jTUfMw5rsQiV9bUW3Tq6MVHJxtxsdyAtOypD0ilHAgquAMQLlDTogSmL2cZ0lGB_a0nvPtR6u/s32/32.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="32" data-original-width="32" height="32" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMia2uLEeZ48kphDX-LEfk_Brj5dvLHSDtjvKMoHj7CwvCugKCPJKas8uSAptfF6DYVhByqioXYySliG8caNnjn2U7vbVAJQhzCKzOeDiswu7qLOqvm2jTUfMw5rsQiV9bUW3Tq6MVHJxtxsdyAtOypD0ilHAgquAMQLlDTogSmL2cZ0lGB_a0nvPtR6u/s1600/32.png" width="32" /></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: arial;"><b>HE IS RISEN INDEED!</b></span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br /><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: verdana;">* Remember that the Sundays are not included in the 40 days.</span></b><br /></center><center><br /></center>
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"...The Christian calendar contains different seasons. These seasons are "time- gifts" that the Church offers to help us participate more fully in what God has done in human history."~Trevor Hudson "... During the 40 days of Lent, disciples of Jesus are encouraged to engage in 3 spiritual practices. These practices are those specifically mentioned by Jesus in the Sermon of the Mount: giving to the poor, prayer and fasting (Matthew 6:1-18)."</span></td></tr></tbody></table></center><center><br /></center><center><br /></center></div><span style="font-family: arial;">
In Trevor Hudson's "guide to the Lenten Journey", he suggests something a little different and adds a "daily practice" at the end of each day. We're invited to "make a commitment to PAUSE during each day of Lent; FOCUS on the One Word; READ a scripture verse aloud; TAKE TIME with God and thank about what He might be saying to you about or on this One Word. EXPLORE the meaning of that One Word for you in this season of your life." Which is exactly what I hope to do and PRAY & PRACTICE - actions that we should already be doing in a true </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Christian walk and journey with other humans that we should interact with as we encourage and treat all as Jesus' love and compassion compels us to and Jesus has with us and truly exemplified in His life and death. In LENT 2024, I believe that we are all being called to positively share JESUS (especially in the world we now live in that desperately needs to see more JESUS through more UNITY and less division, deception & deceit - pure evil and uncivil treatment of other human beings, in words and actions or lack of kind acts; others created equally and in God's image the same as each of us). Let's make a social change that reflects more of JESUS and less of selfishness, fear, bullying, negativity, etc. May our hearts be open & our eyes to reach out and show love & compassion daily. </span><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"REMEMBER</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(man)(woman)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">fill in your name</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">THAT 'YOU ARE' DUST</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(actually 'THOU ART')</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">and</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">UNTO DUST YOU SHALL RETURN"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">[the words the 'priest' uses as they put the sign of the cross on forehead with ashes]</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">{Upon completing my 50 day of prayer & fasting - ending February 20th, I hope to add more here, like verses from God's WORD, the true ONE WORD to guide & focus our journeys.} </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">See you soon 😉</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">{unless I 'fast' again for Lent}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">in-between my Pauses</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><><><></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I have to mention two more books (among many) </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">this one's written for 2024 LENT</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Gathered-into-One-Devotions-Lent/dp/1506496598/" target="_blank"><b>"Gathered Into One"</b></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div>[the book description let me know that this is the cry of my heart & prayers in 2024]</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Devotions from 1 Corinthians</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">{very inexpensive, worthwhile choice}</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">"God, Help us to recognize our common humanity, destiny & purpose, and to live lives of grace and peace, now and forever. Amen"-"Gathered Into One"</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">And the other is brand new - published:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">February 6, 2024</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Finished-40-Day-Pilgrimage-Back-Cross/dp/1400338832" target="_blank">"It is Finished"</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">by Charles Martin</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83EAT8wFdIMza-plmroKTDEgjb0tUAAE-R8X2mZZgS56rRF4zTy2ol5s5m-oi-rvOY_pBAK2MwHlYOV6WjX3uuvpsi1mRq6j_fJDCWvX4VA_nGWfDaCwqAfixHQ93lqcas1_dEFDSNp96ExkgolcNM-zGvfCZR_LN_NXWcFdw56CkcUEylb_M_ga48x4A/s970/fd8e47aa-55ec-4d97-a7df-b61b1c7e26b7.__CR0,0,970,600_PT0_SX970_V1___.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="970" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83EAT8wFdIMza-plmroKTDEgjb0tUAAE-R8X2mZZgS56rRF4zTy2ol5s5m-oi-rvOY_pBAK2MwHlYOV6WjX3uuvpsi1mRq6j_fJDCWvX4VA_nGWfDaCwqAfixHQ93lqcas1_dEFDSNp96ExkgolcNM-zGvfCZR_LN_NXWcFdw56CkcUEylb_M_ga48x4A/s320/fd8e47aa-55ec-4d97-a7df-b61b1c7e26b7.__CR0,0,970,600_PT0_SX970_V1___.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">{<i>if anyone gets this book, please let me know how it is - looks fabulous, </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>but too expensive for me, out of my range</i>}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">[I read about this on <a href="https://annvoskamp.com/blog/" target="_blank">Ann Voskamp's blog </a>on a (mid Lent Sun.)]</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>"How to Navigate through Distractions to Really Prepare for Holy Week & Resurrection Sun."</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://annvoskamp.com/2024/03/how-to-navigate-through-distractions-to-really-prepare-for-holy-week-resurrection-sunday/" target="_blank">Guest post by Charles Martin </a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">And by the way, all of Ann Voskamp's blog & <b><a href="https://annvoskamp.com/?s=A+Lent+to+Reflect" target="_blank">"A Lent to Reflect"</a></b> is really worth reading!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I will wait for another Lent to Experience this.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It's ok, because I have plenty of books!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07178137619890142365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290713315512977215.post-43967224921046056402024-02-11T18:00:00.054-06:002024-02-13T08:03:51.226-06:00FoMO or "No Man is an Island" Isolation<span style="font-family: arial;">I never thought or planned to be offline as a time of fast to turn into such a long time. I began last year when I chose to participate in <a href="https://mazmagi.blogspot.com/2024/01/if-we-will-then-he-will.html" target="_blank">"If We Will ... He Will" preparation</a> for the 50 day "battle plan"; then as usual I start the New Year off in Prayer & Fasting (so it continued) along with the 50 days with 50 States Prayer Project for Revival - a continuation of <a href="https://www.ifwewill.com/" target="_blank">"If We Will ... He Will"</a> (actual link to their site), which does not end until February 20th, but we're in the final stretch. Meanwhile this Wednesday, is the start of Lent (already) which often is 40 days of "prayer & fasting" (yet again).</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The silver lining in this, in addition to drawing closer to God & shutting off the noise around us, is that at least during LENT, Sundays are not included in the 40 day count, and Sunday evenings are quite often the time that I have chosen as my regular post time (6 p.m.). Fasting from social media is definitely a much needed break but the decision was not intentional to be away from "people" that bless my life, because I miss you dearly and ever so much. Yet it makes me totally aware of how God/Jesus must feel when we are not in constant touch and connection with Him. I have read blog posts and articles from others in the past that 'fasted' from social media and the benefits or blessings they received. I don't do that much on social media platforms like Facebook, or Instagram, or Twitter or all the rest; just blogging and I guess You Tube (I didn't know that was considered to be one). I could 'fast' other things but since I only eat one meal a day that wouldn't work for me & I'm not sure the withdrawal of sugar, etc. I could survive. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Anyways, it's not so much what you give up but what you fill your time with while you fast and clearly the hope is that you spend more time with God and in His Word. And I have done that!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I am not as connected with social media as others and I thought I was missing out. I never considered the possibility (nor did I really know about) FoMO:<br /></span><center><br /><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 380px;"><tbody>
<tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: #d3e3fd;">"</span><span style="background-color: #d3e3fd; color: #040c28;">Fear of missing out</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124;"> (FoMO) is a unique term introduced in 2004 to describe a phenomenon observed on social networking sites. FoMO includes two processes; firstly, perception of missing out, followed up with a compulsive behavior to maintain these social connections.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br /><i>and that I could be in "withdrawal" from that - like giving up sugars, caffeine in pop, etc.</i></center><center><br /></center></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"> ... mostly because I wasn't as connected to social networking or media on a regular basis, however I sensed that I was developing a "fear of missing out" with the remaining people left in my life. I seem to have been slowly withdrawing from being with people and isolating myself more & more; and only had a few outlets to feel like I was still connecting with people. I will not go into the details of all of my isolation and withdrawal from people especially since COVID and returning to MN after 20 years away for the most part, except some very special ones (online and with my childhood friends) and now I have been temporarily (I hope) cut off from them also. So I was beginning to feel like it's not true that "no man is an island ..." (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WImkf0V7u-4" target="_blank">song</a> and a <a href="https://allpoetry.com/No-man-is-an-island" target="_blank">poem</a>) {<i>I am more familiar with the song than the actual poem</i>}. This island was of my own making. My island had become my isolation. I've created an island of my own, similar to walls that others build around themselves for various reasons. Often some people dream about living on an island, or escaping to an island. A tropical island might be nice, but only short term. I recall the joy I had looking out to the 3 islands of Mazatlán and even traveling out to them. I never considered it an escape but more of an adventure. Life on an island might seem ideal until a 'storm' comes, or you run out of supplies. There's an island on the small lake near our house in MN, which is accessible in the winter when it's frozen. In a way, I noticed that I sometimes feel drawn to venture out to islands as I gaze from a shoreline until I arrive there (lol) so I guess viewing them from a distance is enough.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTD7jLKwe-SpYJ1cj4l9IuKegfFl_c_lwsJ6gTZ6bidy1nZRKX0QC-IbnhLie2Mzz4OxP42M33FITTTU1Oxktg4ypy9xxwadY3S8MZcsomTBsXqLXd5rW3prMQCbar4SrIkbL4pecU_-pVnJXSIxeNTq7mrBNfKuPz_2tDjHdHEHlDbyqxAco-8Voe7Onq/s320/IMG_3235.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="106" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTD7jLKwe-SpYJ1cj4l9IuKegfFl_c_lwsJ6gTZ6bidy1nZRKX0QC-IbnhLie2Mzz4OxP42M33FITTTU1Oxktg4ypy9xxwadY3S8MZcsomTBsXqLXd5rW3prMQCbar4SrIkbL4pecU_-pVnJXSIxeNTq7mrBNfKuPz_2tDjHdHEHlDbyqxAco-8Voe7Onq/s1600/IMG_3235.jpg" width="106" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRHeKMIDBI8X0SCkVyN9dZxn5DepCnBEzWW4gENNJDgY6hLSlGfnGMVKeyybfZEATd5qIQYb0cx61I4eiy7qDYCcYnKAccHhjWV7oqiwDUY9bIASQH-5W7ZzCTahajCPxoYwRQPs5YYjRS7ePA9k_98PJgqXd5NCGtrR4CQWG8M8mM2NGc6oJYwK-8DbZ/s320/IMG_3240.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRHeKMIDBI8X0SCkVyN9dZxn5DepCnBEzWW4gENNJDgY6hLSlGfnGMVKeyybfZEATd5qIQYb0cx61I4eiy7qDYCcYnKAccHhjWV7oqiwDUY9bIASQH-5W7ZzCTahajCPxoYwRQPs5YYjRS7ePA9k_98PJgqXd5NCGtrR4CQWG8M8mM2NGc6oJYwK-8DbZ/s320/IMG_3240.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRHeKMIDBI8X0SCkVyN9dZxn5DepCnBEzWW4gENNJDgY6hLSlGfnGMVKeyybfZEATd5qIQYb0cx61I4eiy7qDYCcYnKAccHhjWV7oqiwDUY9bIASQH-5W7ZzCTahajCPxoYwRQPs5YYjRS7ePA9k_98PJgqXd5NCGtrR4CQWG8M8mM2NGc6oJYwK-8DbZ/s1600/IMG_3240.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /></div></div><br /></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">My blog, which became and has been my form of social media platform since I was in Mexico, has steadily lost contact with the many bloggers I once knew; and now seems like an "island" because it basically has become my way of journaling my thoughts (publicly) and being accountable (but I'm not sure to whom - other than God, and He already knows all my thoughts, life and plans before I do) - to anyone reading this, with the hope that I am still sharing God's message of love as I share my story and journey in this life, primarily to encourage, give hope and inspire others to grow in their life journey; to know, love and serve Jesus more in whatever place their lives may be that we can reach out to one another and deepen our faith, strengthen our love & compassion for one another, speak life in the name of Jesus and lead others to know how wonderful the love of God is even when life gets hard or difficult.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I have no profound message of what being away from social media does, but there are plenty of others that have shared (so just google the benefits of a social media fast or any fast). I do think that it is a way to detoxify your mind and the clutter stored up in you and around you, however that basically is what I do when I sit down and begin to type a blog post. Some filtered, some not. I start out with one purpose and thought then I just flow. Often I move from one thought to another and it's not cohesive until I pause and ask the Holy Spirit to speak or move then allow Him to guide me with a clear focus. Otherwise, you end up with an endless flow going nowhere and I'm sure you can tell. Limiting yourself from social media has its advantages and also some disadvantages. Limiting yourself from God and people clearly is not the best choice so I hope I caught myself before I slip away and find myself and my life content without people connections but I can and will never limit my time away from God. Yet God created us to be in commUnion with Him and other relationships. Unity is God's desire. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">During Lent (which is the main reason I started this blog post), I will still be on a fast (at least for now until February 20th) offline except after that I will post on Sundays when I'm prompted and as you'll see on Ash Wednesday (another post previously written then added to Blogger) that I have many options for LENT and I will FOCUS on One Word each day and a recap or sharing on Sundays! Hope you'll continue to read along and join me. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">FOCUS</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">is much better</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">than</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">FoMO</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">GOD TIME & PRAYER</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">is always the</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">BEST</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Being <a href="https://refreshdevos.com/" target="_blank">ReFresh</a>ed</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">in</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">God's Word</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">every day</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> </div></div><div><br /></div><div>NOTE: <span style="font-family: times;">I forgot to adjust the Publishing Time, so this was suppose to publish at 6pm on Sunday. </span></div>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07178137619890142365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290713315512977215.post-15412120944628803442024-02-04T18:00:00.093-06:002024-02-05T16:40:02.057-06:00STILL UNSURE of my ONE WORD for 2024<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZlyWCtj5WOUe3k9FIaL28xM95lmJ6_PEzl20iFkcNlKh71HvOiEUc-rkh9hTQOP5IrewJTAw7e8kCx2bXmd_HLk3Lvzp8lmQDdDhbZyxEIP9wm2hDbhpKFlBYP5_-QaSpzP9WV8cNPEJs4cFb34zq_mJUYRK5zttEkCkjFsfcpjYt7zvSpgh4Gh9lJlo/s466/Max%20L%20CALM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="394" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZlyWCtj5WOUe3k9FIaL28xM95lmJ6_PEzl20iFkcNlKh71HvOiEUc-rkh9hTQOP5IrewJTAw7e8kCx2bXmd_HLk3Lvzp8lmQDdDhbZyxEIP9wm2hDbhpKFlBYP5_-QaSpzP9WV8cNPEJs4cFb34zq_mJUYRK5zttEkCkjFsfcpjYt7zvSpgh4Gh9lJlo/w270-h320/Max%20L%20CALM.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><center>* "Trade Your Cares for Calm" (2017)</center><center><br /></center><center>{... <i>that's what I'd like to do</i> (if it was 2022)}</center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Instead I'll be</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><u>CALM</u></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></center><center><b><span style="font-family: arial;">MORE<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">in 2024</span></b></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">but </span><span style="font-family: arial;">also </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">I'm thinking that I'm </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Called to be in </span><span style="font-family: arial;">His</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"> <b>PRESENCE</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>MORE in '24</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">so it looks like</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">God would like to <b>CALM</b> me in His <b>PRESENCE</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>but which One Word should I focus on?</i></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">CALM</span></b> or <b>PRESENCE</b><i> </i></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">or </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">perhaps there's another ONE God's speaking and </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm just not HEARING Him right</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Anyways, I really do hope to "trade my cares for CALM"</span></center><center><br /><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 380px;"><tbody>
<tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When we love others, we know we belong to the truth, and we feel at ease in the Presence of God.<br />1 John 3:19 CEV<br /><br />the LORD, your God, <br />is in the midst of you, <br />a Mighty One who will save. <br />He will rejoice over you with joy.<br /> He will CALM you in His love. <br />He will rejoice over you with singing<br />Zephaniah 3:17 WEB</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />[in Zephaniah 3:17 NLT says "CALM all your fears"]</center><center><br /></center><center><><><><br /><br />
</center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I recall when I read the following words</span></center><center style="text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="text-align: left;">in "</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: auto;">THE CALM" - a short 3 day reading plan,</span></span></center><center style="text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: auto;">that one word CALM just continued </span></span></center><center style="text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: auto;">to reverberate </span></span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">in my heart & mind </span></center><center><br /></center>
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<table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-size-adjust: auto;">"...Can we learn to find calm by faith amidst the waves of sin and the storms of emotion </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-size-adjust: auto;">within our hearts? It may seem impossible, but there is hope, and there is comfort to be found.</span><span face="Avenir, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span><br /><br /></span><span>First, know that you are not alone and that this is not any surprise to your Lord. He is with you in it all, and He loves you. </span><br /><br /><span><span>Second, know that you are not a failure in His sight because you struggle with this. It is an age-old challenge for all of God's people. Even the great. The Lord told Joshua, a valiant leader in Israel who followed the Lord fully, to not be afraid. </span><br /><br /></span><span><span>Finally, remember that with Christ nothing is impossible. He is able. When we understand that we are weak and learn how to look to Christ and clin</span><span>g </span><span>to Him, we will begin to experience Christ as our calm."</span></span></span><span><br /></span></span><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-touch-callout: none; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"... <span>We must keep our minds fixed on the truth of God's Word. When we do, we will begin to experience the calm of Christ."~Thistlebend </span></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I thought that I was sure this was the Word for me!</span></center><center><br /></center><center><><><></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><span style="font-family: arial;">
Earlier in 2023, I had read and participated in the best online Bible study of Wendy Blight's newest book, "Rest for Your Soul" and I benefited greatly from the beginning to the end, but even now I go back and reread so many parts & her prayers, making them mine. Through her writings, we joined in a spiritual journey in learning three holy habits ("spiritual disciplines") of </span><span style="font-family: arial;">solitude, silence and prayer. Without detailing all the wonderful help this excellent teaching of Wendy's does for the reader (me & others), let me just recommend this book highly! So, I was thinking either Rest or Peace might be possible choices for me, but I already had done Peace for a One Word (in 2013) and Rest is beautiful yet at this point, far from reality in my life (maybe some year soon). However, reading "Rest for Your Soul" certainly did bring my soul some much needed rest. It just didn't seem right for me as my One Word, especially since 2023 was filled with too many "rest in peace" for people close that I knew and loved dearly. So not Rest, & not Peace, but possibly some word that was closely related and meaningful that I truly may need as 2024 will close another decade of life for me, so I began thinking of the word "aging" as a possibility. Then I decided that I wasn't quite ready to deal with either "aging" or "resting in peace" so I placed those words on the back burner & waited for Jesus to impress upon me that One Word for me to focus.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">It was in those quiet moments with Jesus (since that was my 2023 One Word) that I realized how important His sweet Presence was & is to me! PRESENCE - maybe I needed to be more aware of His Presence every day around me & <a href="https://www.christiegreen.com/index.php/book-listings" target="_blank">"Experiencing God's Presence" </a>and finding more of Him in my "<a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/life-in-his-presence/" target="_blank">Life in His Presence</a>" - from two devotional books I had set aside to read later. Perhaps 2024 was the time for that 'later'... I began with one of these in January. And I am enjoying every moment & every page of reading this one year devotional. It definitely is bringing me closer to Him and a good follow-up from 2023 with Jesus! Yet I still was (& am) not convinced that THIS would be my One Word for 2024. </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">There is a need for me to "experience the CALM of Christ" Jesus in me ... and "experience Christ as my CALM" for so many reasons. Because I know Jesus is my Peace, and I need more Peace & more Rest & more Jesus, so I trust that I'll continue to experience the CALM in His Presence!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">There were a few other ebooks or reading plans that spoke the one word CALM to me during last year and the holiday season in particular from <a href="https://rachelwojo.com/" target="_blank">Rachel Wojo</a> (The Calming Collection) <a href="https://rachelwojo.com/freebie/" target="_blank">prayers</a>; and of course, one of my favorites and go-to pastor & author <a href="https://maxlucado.com/trusting-more-worrying-less/" target="_blank">Max Lucado</a> "<a href="https://maxlucado.com/?s=Calm+Moments" target="_blank">Calm Moments..."</a> and a few others by him. Max's acronym for C.A.L.M. is what began my peace & rest seeking journey by following this format for Philippians 4:4-8 (a powerful passage from Paul and a pathway of prayer) to follow & find CALM. However, it wasn't until Rachel shared her Calming Prayers & somehow led me to a book by<a href="https://www.thebettermom.com/jesus-calm-my-heart" target="_blank"> Ruth Schwenk</a> with this title: "Jesus, Calm my Heart" that I was drawn to the CALM that I need and hope to have in 2024. My dearest sister & friend gifted me the ebook of this so I have been reading it prayer by prayer & will </span><span style="font-family: arial;">every day in 2024, rewording many of the prayers for particular people or myself, and experiencing Christ as my CALM (sleeping better at night hopefully). I've also added a few other books to aide in this endeavor, so my next favorite is from </span><a href="http://www.juliegillies.com" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank">Julie K. Guilles</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> that has been on my wish list since 2020: "</span><a href="http://www.juliegillies.com/p/julies-book.html" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank">Prayers to Calm Your Anxious Heart</a><span style="font-family: arial;">" (</span><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/21604-5-days-of-heart-calming-prayer" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank">YV</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> has a sample of this in their reading plans) & a new one (2023) from Dayspring "</span><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/39282-sleep-psalms-14-nightly-moments-of-mindful" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank">Sleep Psalms</a><span style="font-family: arial;">..." by </span><a href="https://www.pray.com/" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank">pray</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> (dot) com</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">All of these are great if you need help praying or sleeping 😉 or like me (all of the above) and being CALM - experiencing Christ as my CALM, knowing the sweet CALM in His PRESENCE</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As you can see, I have much reading to do again for 2024!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"...<i> we know we must silence the chatter in our heads</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">and trust the One who CALMS our hearts" </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">from "Be Still..." by Cleere Cherry</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">{I definitely needed this part </span><span style="font-family: arial;">in italics </span><span style="font-family: arial;">as a reminder }</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I guess for now</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I will choose to be</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>CALM</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">in His</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PRESENCE</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">{with my emphasis on <span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>CALM</b></span>}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">for</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>2024</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNs9AZTmt_HkYUVxGnRtrqJAqKvsI0iQBnZ34ZDEPZzOjKNoLcbfDbQgXKB_JWn_MfUyrM-4bZuvHfJYIrHhTNAbbLaSkbb8jiDINYR73VCxXWzmLecpDsnRgcwWCQbDNS1PvOzWcb5e5NyOWgfFlBN8SlyE81O06wLJnVtUQ2JWtkCJQDJDbxNXizgNtH/s466/510ASmFm36L._SY466_%20I%20am%20CALM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="466" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNs9AZTmt_HkYUVxGnRtrqJAqKvsI0iQBnZ34ZDEPZzOjKNoLcbfDbQgXKB_JWn_MfUyrM-4bZuvHfJYIrHhTNAbbLaSkbb8jiDINYR73VCxXWzmLecpDsnRgcwWCQbDNS1PvOzWcb5e5NyOWgfFlBN8SlyE81O06wLJnVtUQ2JWtkCJQDJDbxNXizgNtH/s320/510ASmFm36L._SY466_%20I%20am%20CALM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[image credit: <a href="https://goodnewsmeditationskids.com/" target="_blank">Good News Mediations for Kids</a>]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">SIDENOTE: from the first image </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>*</b> I added this book too ... to my reading list,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I couldn't resist the "blues" in Max's book cover of <b>"Trade Your Cares for Calm".</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I read that the color blue means CALM, trust, serenity ... and it produces a</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">CALMING effect. No wonder why blue is my favorite color!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm so in need of the CALM, so I surround myself in BLUE</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm trading my ...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Cares for CALM with Jesus</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">{maybe I've found my One Word after all}</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I plan to focus on CALM in everything in 2024</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">so in the night, I can sleep peacefully</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">in God's PRESENCE and live</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">a Life in His Presence</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigL_qhAeswvsq80Ust4MGDLrxn_LviZ7AjF3GIfCdikKjA4ytkNu__vmrEmbC8m84snQRBFBHa_UkUmnHO2lrkhHWf_0c8AIdagg_3DdkA377o9F1KIoCjmo-mo3GfqjZCAD71Wa770csO8T03i0C5TTLLu1IHOjxqLF6IVoQW6nJsUSQEGtbKhZ7nd0JS/s392/Life-in-His-Presence-e1606853679964.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="280" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigL_qhAeswvsq80Ust4MGDLrxn_LviZ7AjF3GIfCdikKjA4ytkNu__vmrEmbC8m84snQRBFBHa_UkUmnHO2lrkhHWf_0c8AIdagg_3DdkA377o9F1KIoCjmo-mo3GfqjZCAD71Wa770csO8T03i0C5TTLLu1IHOjxqLF6IVoQW6nJsUSQEGtbKhZ7nd0JS/w143-h200/Life-in-His-Presence-e1606853679964.jpg" width="143" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">meanwhile </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I continue AGING & maybe next year</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I'll have wisdom on that😏👵</span></div><div><br /></div><div><></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">How about you?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">What's your One Word?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">or</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">favorite color?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><><><></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">IMPORTANT NOTE:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I wrote this ahead because the <a href="https://www.ifwewill.com/" target="_blank">"If I Will ... then He Will"</a> prayers continue until February 20th and I didn't want to wait to publish this until after that - most churches finished their prayer & fasting in January. I miss all my friends online, but 2024 really needs to be saturated in prayer throughout all 50 states for Revival. The Church and our Nation desperately needs to pray!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">And also LENT will be starting on February 14th through March 28th, 2024. Valentine's Day is Ash Wednesday ... no greater LOVE than God's! ... but still seems odd. Michele Cushatt shared a Lenten Experience last year - "<a href="https://michelecushatt.com/2023/02/21/a-lenten-experience-week-1-lamenting-the-unexpected-life/" target="_blank">Lamenting the Unexpected"</a> (Week 1); and Week 2 <a href="https://michelecushatt.com/2023/02/28/a-lenten-experience-week-2-the-purpose-of-lament/" target="_blank">"The Purpose of Lament"</a>, taken from her new book "<b>A Faith that Will Not Fail"</b>...more <a href="https://churchsource.com/blogs/ministry-resources/what-is-lent-and-why-should-i-observe-and-practice-it" target="_blank">HERE</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07178137619890142365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290713315512977215.post-60239667588205146072024-02-01T18:00:00.014-06:002024-02-17T13:47:30.803-06:00"KEEP HOLDING ON..."<span style="font-family: arial;">Back before the beginning of 2024, I noticed (before I went offline - because I still am until Feb. 20) that <a href="https://first5.org/" target="_blank">First 5</a> (F5) was/is doing a much needed study plan by many of us on God's Promises ... it starts(ed) on January 8th. Since I knew I was going to be in Prayer (and basically offline for my fast part), I kept this tucked away for a "do-later" moment and I didn't share, but I wish that I would have because perhaps some of you would have been interested in this:</span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSM9FX2rTVb7B-mvOudGbKZlwlgK_VuVa1NrpSiFjld5f0_GqJ1W0vsGgNhCtKmlQfl0ee13QlviGIC7udZi2kDjdEQg_JDuioqku-d1gM42519Ws6DX7zi7EeBxmP3mB9thEm1yg-lpXA8ED-NjYqeHmbiSqOCYFkBbhahzn5x2HgqW1HhxOAwxq6KNL8/s418/KeepHoldingOn2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="330" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSM9FX2rTVb7B-mvOudGbKZlwlgK_VuVa1NrpSiFjld5f0_GqJ1W0vsGgNhCtKmlQfl0ee13QlviGIC7udZi2kDjdEQg_JDuioqku-d1gM42519Ws6DX7zi7EeBxmP3mB9thEm1yg-lpXA8ED-NjYqeHmbiSqOCYFkBbhahzn5x2HgqW1HhxOAwxq6KNL8/w158-h200/KeepHoldingOn2023.jpg" width="158" /></a></div></div><br /></div><center><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 380px;"><tbody>
<tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">"Keep Holding On:30 Promises From God You Can Cling to Right Now"</span><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I had hopes that 2024 would be a better year if I spent time with God in the first part of the year.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">As I gazed through their Study Guide, I was sensing that maybe I should do this one with the </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">F5 </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Community, even though back in 2020 PROMISES was my One Word, I was feeling drawn.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I definitely had been (or still may be)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">HOLDING ON</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Clinging to every. single. one. of God's Promises</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">for me, for you, for our loved ones</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">(but this study is only six weeks long, so I'll miss it with the group)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">[First 5 will be starting their new Study on February 26 on Lamentations for 5 weeks]</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">LENT starts on February 14th so this could be </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">a season of "lamenting".</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Yet, I still find myself trying to HOLD ON & remain CALM as I FOCUS in 2024</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">in God's PRESENCE</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Some of the PROMISES that First 5 chose from many more than 30 are:</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Peace</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Guidance</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Comfort</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Strength</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Security</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Hope</span></center><center><br /></center>
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"With so many uncertainties in life, there are still some things you can be sure of</span><p style="background: repeat rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When you feel like everything you’ve tried to hold on to has crumbled in your hands, and you’re reaching out for something — anything — sturdy and reliable, it can be hard to know what page to turn to in your Bible or how to personally apply Scripture to what you’re facing. Maybe you’ve heard about the promises of God, but have you ever wondered what they actually are? Whether you know them well or not, they are available for you to cling to in your time of need.</span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">If you’ve been in a season of doubt or if things have felt uncertain, unpredictable and unreliable … this 30-day study will be a lifeline that will show you what is always certain, sure and true with God.</span>"</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">After reading the above description of First 5's, I was certain that it was meant for me.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I seem to find myself in a season of so much uncertainty.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">My life is unpredictable & unreliable (more & more) especially when you add in the others </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">in my life & the current status of 2024.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I was not looking forward to it really at all, but I was clinging to my hope, faith and</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">as many of God's Promises I could find to cling to & remain in Christ.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I need to HOLD ON to what's promised by God.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">"God's Promises </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">are specific or timeless</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">and guaranteed! 100%"</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><></center><center><br /></center></div><span style="font-family: arial;">
Usually I am set on the One Word for the next year by the end or before of the previous year (more of that in an upcoming blog post) - however, I found a wonderful book, that I've sent a copy of to a special sister💚 for her special day (even though it will arrive after her day) that will help me to FOCUS and I hope she will consider joining me. Usually we'd do a Word a Day in addition to One Word for the Year for each of us; whereas this one is just One Word a Week (52 in total). So in January the Word for each week are as follows: Diligent, Kindness, Position, Follow and for February: Discipline, Worship, Notice, Invest ... </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">And none of those are the One Word(s) that I am pondering about for 2024 (again that blog post will appear soon). I considered making FOCUS my One Word though after I found this book and that would help me with "transforming my life" and it seems to be linked to one I was considering: "AGING"; but at least I have eliminated that one for 2024. I'm just not ready to focus on AGING because it already doesn't let me forget that it's happening quicker than I'd like. Meanwhile, I will center my thoughts on Prayer & the Psalms and have pre-written these blog posts to appear in February, as I keep Holding On, reading God's Word, seeking His Presence, experiencing all Jesus is & leaning into His Holy Spirit to breathe on me each day afresh and thanking God for these moments & promises, because "If We Will...then He Will!" </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">And YES, I'm still offline </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(scheduled & written in advance)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="🙏" aria-label="🙏" class="an1" data-emoji="🙏" loading="lazy" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/15.0/1f64f/32.png" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "comic sans ms", sans-serif; font-size: small; height: 1.2em; text-align: start; vertical-align: middle; width: 1.2em;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07178137619890142365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290713315512977215.post-67173554285736958842023-12-31T23:55:00.006-06:002024-01-06T22:39:45.142-06:00"IF WE WILL ... THEN HE WILL"<span style="font-family: arial;">On this last day of 2023, I've decided that before I begin my New Year of 2024 in Prayer & fasting (which is partly being offline, as I often include in my 'fasting'; so I'm not here, this was done in advance), I'm encouraging you to look at this <a href="https://www.ifwewill.com/" target="_blank">website</a> (which did this last year, but I just found out about it, and I feel that it's absolutely necessary for us as we face 2024) ... to PRAY for our nation (and the world). But, in my opinion, we need to clean up our 'mess' here at home first. That is why this Project caught my attention ... and I thank "A Three Strand Cord" for their warrior heart & this project:</span><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><u>A 50 State Prayer Project for Revival</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://www.ifwewill.com/" target="_blank">"IF WE WILL ... then HE WILL"</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">based on the promise in Scripture found in</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2 Chronicles 7:14</span></div><div><br /><center>
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<tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">"... IF my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, THEN I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." NIV</span></td></tr>
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</center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVD0QO5BAQYO0yBuTUwykiBFCITjoyPPHJMH42A9kOPl67vFQLSys0yIsqoYyVNEIZlTBIBun7rPcC9GkJpN3p5aOWo56TBWsdiOGQdrn8jChukeQ6FiZKeWksOEF9RlwxHHdj5vzFSmL4aQdutMTXLULfOfolDXJnL3O5rYn6hExpNrKbB7dLt_MnRMc/s320/67912-gettyimages-817147678-kieferpix.1200w.tn.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="320" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVD0QO5BAQYO0yBuTUwykiBFCITjoyPPHJMH42A9kOPl67vFQLSys0yIsqoYyVNEIZlTBIBun7rPcC9GkJpN3p5aOWo56TBWsdiOGQdrn8jChukeQ6FiZKeWksOEF9RlwxHHdj5vzFSmL4aQdutMTXLULfOfolDXJnL3O5rYn6hExpNrKbB7dLt_MnRMc/s1600/67912-gettyimages-817147678-kieferpix.1200w.tn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">
They have already begun, even before 2024 begins, with "31 Days of Preparation" during the month of December. New Year's Day (2024) will be a time of Prayer & Fasting followed by 50 days of Prayer, for our 50 states, reading the book of Psalms, according to their plan and a book (pdf) that they've put together, available on their site. So rather than me trying to explain it here, why don't you head on over and read more at ifwewill (dot) com [linked above], download the full manuscript and be ready to read the book of Psalms with others in your state and the other 49 states, so that the entire book is being covered and PRAY for our nation.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;">My state (#23)</span> begins with Psalms 73 and 74 according to their plan on pages 54-55 and continue forward each day following the reading plan through & then back to Psalms 1-5, while <span style="background-color: #04ff00;">Alabama (#1)</span> starts out with Psalms 1-5 and continues all the way through to Psalms 150. <span style="background-color: #ffa400;">Georgia (#10)</span> begins with Psalms 35 & 38 while <span style="background-color: #ff00fe;">Hawaii (#11)</span> reads Psalms 36 & 37. If you can figure out what number your state is alphabetically then you'll know where to start & continue. But having the actual book (or pdf download) is so much better & so worthwhile.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The States are listed in alphabetical order and the Reading Assignments are listed after the State (some with 5 chapters, some less - based on the length, I think). I hope that they don't object to me sharing the reading assignments. But in their excellent book, each day of readings has a devotional, a main scripture verse focus, and I believe a Hymn, followed by dedicated prayer appealing to God for repentance and revival of His people, standing in the gap for Christian believers and our nation as a whole. Perhaps their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ifwewillthenhewill" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> shares more of this or a daily inspiration or instruction. {I don't have/do Facebook} Certainly anyone from any place is welcome to join us in prayer. {<i>that's me speaking,</i> not the 'Project'} I believe that's it's good for everyone to start the year in Prayer as many church congregations do.</span></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>January 2, 2024 through February 20, 2024</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Psalm Reading Assignments</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><center>
<table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 600px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: #04ff00;">1. Psalms 1 - 5</span><span><span style="background-color: #04ff00;"> </span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> 26. Psalms 79-81</span><br />2. Psalms 6 - 9<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> 27. Psalms 82-85</span><br />3. Psalms 10-14<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> 28. Psalms 86-88</span><br />4. Psalms 15-17;19<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> 29. Psalm 89</span><br />5. Psalms 18, 20<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> 30. Psalms 90-92</span><br />6. Psalms 21-23<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> 31. Psalms 93-96</span><br />7. Psalms 24-27 <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> 32. Psalms 97-101</span><br />8. Psalms 28-31<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> 33. Psalms 102 & 103</span><br />9. Psalms 32-34 <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> 34. Psalms 104, 108</span><br /><span style="background-color: #ffa400;">10. </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: #ffa400;">Psalms 35, 38 </span><span style="background-color: white;"> 35. Psalm 105</span><br /><span style="background-color: #ff00fe;">11. </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: #ff00fe;">Psalms 36 & 37</span><span style="background-color: white;"> 36. Psalm 106</span><br />12. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Psalms 39-41<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> 37. Psalms 107, 110</span><br />13. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Psalms 42-45<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> 38. Psalms 109, 111-112</span><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">14.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Psalms 46-49<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> 39. Psalms 113-115</span><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">15. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Psalms 50-52<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> 40. Psalms 116-118</span><br />16.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Psalms 53-56<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> 41. Psalm 119:1-56</span><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">17.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Psalms 57-59<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> 42. Psalm 119: 57-112</span><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">18.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Psalms 60-63<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> 43. Psalm 119:113-176</span><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">19.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Psalms 64-66<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> 44. Psalms 120-126</span><br />20.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Psalms 67 & 68<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> 45. Psalms 127-132</span><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">21. Psalms 69 & 70<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> 46. Psalms 133-135;137-38</span><br />22.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Psalms 71 & 72<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> 47. Psalms 136, 139</span><br /><span style="background-color: #fcff01;">23.</span></span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;">Psalms 73 & 74</span><span><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"> </span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> 48. Psalms 140-143</span><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial;">24.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;">Psalms 75-77 </span><span style="background-color: white;"> 49. Psalms 144-146</span><br />25. Psalms 78<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> 50. Psalms 147-150</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">This is the beginning of my heart and prayer from their writings (p.53)</span></center><center><br /></center></div>
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<table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">"... May our nation be renewed as the beacon of hope and the bright light that it once was for His kingdom, and for the spreading of the gospel of good news to all the world."<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">"LET THE BATTLE BEGIN"</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">on our *knees in</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">PRAYER</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">*{or whatever position you pray from to God}</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">It's time to be United, not divided!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">This is a battle for the soul of our nation.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Let's be God-honoring & God-fearing, humble before our Almighty God.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Let's be His People, called by His Name, worthy to come together</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">as one people, seeking His face</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and mostly turning from the evil</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">& </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">the wickedness </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">consuming so many.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Let us bow before our Holy God & tear down strongholds</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">for the restoration of many hearts </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and the healing </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">of our nation.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">May God have mercy & hear the cries of repenting.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Lord, have mercy & forgive us!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">We pray, Your Will be done!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">🎵Let there be Peace on Earth</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and let it begin with me.🎵 </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"> </span></center><div><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><><><></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">I hope to be back here sometime in February or March 2024!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>A Happy & Blessed </b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>New Year</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>2024!</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Godspeed</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">May God be with you!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">I don't have a confirmed One Word for 2024 but a few that I'm considering ...</span></center><center><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">~Peggy</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><><><></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">GATEWAY Church</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">is doing their <a href="https://gatewaypeople.com/first" target="_blank">First </a>Conference</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Jan. 6-10</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">followed by this <a href="https://gatewaydevotions.com/" target="_blank">devotion</a>al & prayer</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://gatewaydevotions.com/know-love" target="_blank">"Know Love Like This"</a></span></center><center><br /></center><center>21 Days of Discovering God's Heart for You</center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/42511-know-love-like-this-21-days-of-discovering-gods" target="_blank">YV version</a></span></center><center><br /></center><center>{<i><span style="font-family: times;">this is not my church, but a ministry I follow</span></i>}</center><center><br /></center><center><br /></center><center><br /></center><center><br /></center><u>
NOTE</u>: <span style="font-family: times;">If you're not sure which number 1-50 is your state alphabetically, just ask in the comments or I'm sure God (and the Project) would not mind if you just start at the beginning & read through - the important part is seeking God, perhaps praying the Psalm aloud as your prayer personally or for our nation.</span>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07178137619890142365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290713315512977215.post-79667360354338538902023-12-31T18:05:00.031-06:002023-12-31T18:05:00.143-06:00ONE WORD<span style="font-family: arial;">Often in this last week between CHRISTmas and New Year's Eve & Day, I do various posts about the One Word of the past year. The One Word that I held close all 2023 was JESUS; I spent 2023 WITH JESUS as my main focus, no matter what I faced, I was able to go back & lean on JESUS and reflect on all each week, each day, each moment and breath was because of JESUS. But as I indicated in my previous post - there really is no way to sum up JESUS - only God can!</span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8gwJKr-5blbVcEEqHI-p_cMzcJShbnYjBtRLmgJP3KH8b08FPVNeQ5mouZsFmLeA_XbHqj-lwe6mkHCU1CNRILhfdx_7Cbj2-3x1e1nWeZOPFelulEvSF72eQuSDXvKq136rJPs8TeszsmpJ7JKgU08u8hQYX8-a96pvVIbX0z_NmHu2zkTtFFpoK7cC_" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><br /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJNmxlMngsEhZU7cwdGIX6Bu5mvPkUccP9VQCjzikbB8zJwXZ-weZTfeOWPQaxOU5JDAUsL_17tfzAiNzU8v20-z_Ggu5X7iPP7nGG3Tr-njWFlk5AF5RvC5B2Txu2flKmwSZXz247ve0sXQuOxvCmr16r-lIq4z-2laRRrbbxUEOcIpwjTYjtleC0m8nm/s453/One%20Word.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="453" height="88" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJNmxlMngsEhZU7cwdGIX6Bu5mvPkUccP9VQCjzikbB8zJwXZ-weZTfeOWPQaxOU5JDAUsL_17tfzAiNzU8v20-z_Ggu5X7iPP7nGG3Tr-njWFlk5AF5RvC5B2Txu2flKmwSZXz247ve0sXQuOxvCmr16r-lIq4z-2laRRrbbxUEOcIpwjTYjtleC0m8nm/s320/One%20Word.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Should I look back and reflect on this past year?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">or should I look ahead to the next year?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{<i>truthfully, I am not looking forward to </i>2024, <i>nor do I want to look back at</i> 2023}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That sure is a 'pickle'!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">As I think back on the One Word of the past year and other years, I tend to have either given hints or subtle indications of my One Word for the next year (2024, in this case) but not this year. This coming year, you will have to wait for the revelation of the One Word for 2024 until after February 20th, 2024. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Since it will be my last year before becoming the big 70, I was thinking that something with AGING would be a good One Word; such as Aging Faithfully, or Aging Gracefully or something with AGING since it's such a changing season and one you can't escape, yet I truly did not think I could AGE any more and most certainly I was not doing or able to do it either faithfully or gracefully so it looks like that One Word will be for another year, if I get to another year or God continues my life long enough to inspire me to write & focus better on AGING from a Godly perspective rather than a natural one. I do have others in mind, so we will have to wait and see after my time in prayer. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">At this time, I would just like to mention all the One Words that I have had since I have chosen to do the ONE WORD CHALLENGE instead of New Year Resolutions (I never really did those well either & saw little purpose in them). For me, One Word was much more appealing and purposeful, keeping me on track. I also notice that people give credit to others for originally starting this One Word Challenge. So I just want to set it straight that the first time I heard of this was when I was actively blogging with others and the authors that introduced me to "My One Word" were Mike Ashcraft and Rachel Olsen (I believe it was through Rachel promoting it) and K-LOVE. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Back in 2012, the One Word that I began with was LIGHT. In 2013, it was PEACE and HOPE in 2014. The One Word that I really should have started with, I did in 2015 - GRACE. And in 2016, I was in between TO BE and TO CHANGE as I made a major change, moving back to MN permanently after 20 years back & forth to living & serving in Mexico. Then after having been back just one year, the One Word HEALING was really needed & still needed in 2017. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">So in 2018, the One Word for me, became iBelieve. (I BELIEVE) The following year, 2019, I really needed to EMBRACE everything in a new way and all of my previous ONE WORDS & all that God has been teaching, showing and revealing to me. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In 2020, I was given a fabulous ONE WORD from God - PROMISES (His & mine)! Followed by STRENGTH for 2021 and my key verse Isaiah 40:31 became exactly what I needed to continue on; my Lord's STRENGTH in my many weaknesses. Then I found myself in 2022, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">dealing with RELATIONSHIPS and rediscovering that the most important RELATIONSHIP is WITH JESUS! And that is how in 2023 JESUS - WITH JESUS became my One Word! And it's been the BEST ONE WORD EVER.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">This is why I hesitate to move forward into 2024 with AGING as my ONE WORD and even in choosing another One Word because I truly believe that I reached my summit in One Word when I walked this last year's journey & challenge WITH JESUS, knowing & relying that HE IS WITH ME every step of the way and I desire to abide in JESUS more & more; to seek JESUS with all my heart, my soul, my mind and what's left in my life; however this AGING deal has made me quite weary, weak and aware that I need JESUS more & more and that I do rely on JESUS daily. Yet, I know that JESUS has pointed out and shown me that <a href="https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=I-V5FHvTycg&si=LInqgTz36EPksrQz" target="_blank">"HE'S still working on me - to make me all I need to be</a> ..." (not just a kid's song)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">[I do have a tab at the top of my blog below the header for "One Word" for a Page where I keep a record of my One Words through these years]</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The reason that I choose a One Word or allow God to reinforce one for me in His Word is so that I look for this as my main focus throughout the year, giving me purpose and direction for me and the commitment to stick with this One Word in God's Word (verses in Scripture), readings, books, etc. and what I should focus on in my life as I try to overcome distractions & this One Word will change me or my life for the better. Choosing the One Word is a very individual and personal thing (between you & God, if you're a believer). Its aim is a challenge and a goal we each need in our life of something we are working on, maybe that we need to overcome or just something to help us grow wiser or better. I use that One Word to guide me. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The books and websites are very helpful in showing you how to choose one. So I won't attempt to do so, even after more than 10 years experience (lol) - I still don't have it refined. What I do know though is that I highly recommend that you try it and choose a One Word. Sometimes families choose a One Word together or Churches do. Sometimes the One Word may come from a Scripture verse(s) that God keeps showing you or it has become repetitive in a special way while you read here & there or it keeps coming up everywhere you turn. {yeah, that's a good indicator, God's trying to get your attention} So start with that verse or a Word in that WORD and look for other verses to see if they seem to be saying something to you or your particular situation or season in your life. God will let you know. Or even if you're not sure, start with it and see how it's working after one month with it? does it align with your life (goals or situations)? A Bible Verse is a good place to start or choose your One Word in His Word and surely God will speak over & over if it's meant for you. Look at it in different versions and hopefully it will click. There is power in One Word! What do you hope God will do in your life? That's your One Word ... and </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I pray God leads you (and me) to the perfect One Word for 2024!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><><><></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Journal your journey with your One Word!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">IF </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">you have a 2024 One Word & would be willing to share it, please add it in the comments!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><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><center><br /></center><br /></div></div>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07178137619890142365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290713315512977215.post-25020912837683609772023-12-30T18:00:00.294-06:002023-12-30T18:00:00.141-06:00JESUS - God WITH Us<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Each close of the year, I try to summarize the One Word that I focused on and in 2023 that</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> JESUS</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvbuRkD8EPSs-VStupu07HUBjSrh89-dup4pq9b5WnETiQ5AzJQ-2sfkG7xXEnNIk4wtPhSXepJ9P6hBeZ2fQ4KIfvGqGWaDVHd_sumb_FsklDpsXuF6Hb3weuz9tOiTiu6CcxKoKE9qAWD2qVbVM36BfdLpcjVsnU7KK-bGTuBeE3q_XIU3R_UqjQGc2/s264/C383DCF805B978A3894889F6AF63994351B4BA99%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="226" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvbuRkD8EPSs-VStupu07HUBjSrh89-dup4pq9b5WnETiQ5AzJQ-2sfkG7xXEnNIk4wtPhSXepJ9P6hBeZ2fQ4KIfvGqGWaDVHd_sumb_FsklDpsXuF6Hb3weuz9tOiTiu6CcxKoKE9qAWD2qVbVM36BfdLpcjVsnU7KK-bGTuBeE3q_XIU3R_UqjQGc2/w171-h200/C383DCF805B978A3894889F6AF63994351B4BA99%20(2).jpg" width="171" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> I spent "52 Weeks With Jesus" in this book</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">by James Merritt</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">sharing as much as I could here</span></div><center><br /><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 380px;"><tbody>
<tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">In John 1:1-2 (NIV above), Word is the title of the Lord Jesus.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Jesus embodied the total message of God to man.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">With this and all that I read, I just don't think I can possibly summarize JESUS.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">"The One and Only"</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Through spending "52 Weeks With Jesus" I was able to focus on different aspects of who</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">JESUS </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">is</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and so that is what I've shared here all year but</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">not only is "there nobody like Jesus" </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">there is also no way to summarize</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">JESUS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">To experience a year focused on</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">JESUS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">is like James Merritt wrote & as the subtitle indicates that you'll</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">"Fall in Love with the One Who Changed Everything"</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">as your passion for Jesus will grow & your love will increase</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">as you draw closer to Jesus, your eyes will be opened to </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">"new facets of </span><span style="font-family: arial;">His wonder, His beauty, His majesty"</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">One minute with Jesus turns into one year </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">that most certainly can & will</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">transform your life!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">IF you let Him</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">IN</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Experiencing JESUS day after day, walking with Him, talking with Him, listening to Him,</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">reading about Him, brings the Word alive for you - in you, and hopefully through you to others.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I began this journey</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">WITH JESUS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">the <u>Transformer</u> with this:</span></center><center><br />
</center>
<center>
<table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">
"Birthdays are not unusual - unless the baby happens to be God. We begin our journey with Jesus at a logical place: His lineage and birth. More than a sweet, syrupy Christmas story, Christ's beginning reveals why He should be important to us and why we are important to Him."~James Merritt</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">and then</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I encountered Him in 7 more sections, totaling 8</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">WITH JESUS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">as</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">the <u>Answer</u>, the <u>Miracle Worker</u>, the <u>Storyteller</u>, </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">the <u>Teacher</u>, the <u>Helper</u>, the <u>Leader</u></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and ended up</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">WITH JESUS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">the <u>Overcomer</u></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><u><br /></u></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and I found that He is All this and so much more!<br /></span><br /><><><></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">"Experiencing God's Presence"</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">WITH JESUS<br /></span><br /></center><center><br /></center><span style="font-family: arial;">
This year, an <a href="https://youtu.be/o2BXgBRu11c?si=5F6PwFcrU7sm96VJ" target="_blank">author</a> that I have many books & ebooks of left this earth for her heavenly home.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The focus of all her books is JESUS! I am sure that many of you know her and her books,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">even some of you (also well-known) criticized her books, calling them 'blasphemous', '</span><span style="font-family: arial;">troubling', and 'built on </span><span style="font-family: arial;">falsehood'. I don't happen to agree with the criticism or controversy </span><span style="font-family: arial;">that she was </span><span style="font-family: arial;">claiming her beautifully written books as the Word, Jesus' speaking to her or us </span><span style="font-family: arial;">(even </span><span style="font-family: arial;">though her </span><span style="font-family: arial;">books </span><span style="font-family: arial;">are written in the voice of Jesus, as if He is speaking to us, but often </span><span style="font-family: arial;">she gives </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Scripture </span><span style="font-family: arial;">references</span><span style="font-family: arial;">). So in my opinion, she is restating the Scripture as if Jesus is saying it to us and to our situation. What I do know is that for her & for readers that liked her </span><span style="font-family: arial;">style and gift of writing & taking God's Word & personalizing the message, we were drawn </span><span style="font-family: arial;">closer to Jesus. I thought that we were suppose to encourage one another. Anyways, with </span><span style="font-family: arial;">the passing of </span><a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/author/" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank">Sarah Young</a><span style="font-family: arial;">, at 77, in August of 2023, I decided to look through her many </span><span style="font-family: arial;">devotional books </span><span style="font-family: arial;">starting with "Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence" (which started </span><span style="font-family: arial;">the criticism; but all her books </span><span style="font-family: arial;">are her </span><span style="font-family: arial;">personal</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> reflections of her own daily quiet time, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Bible </span><span style="font-family: arial;">readings, praying and writing in her journals - isn't that what we're encouraged to do?).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">My very favorite is "Jesus Listens"; however, there are also "Jesus Always" (a close second);</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">"Jesus Today"; "Dear Jesus"; "Jesus Lives" and variations of these for kids, special </span><span style="font-family: arial;">occasions and themes. In each one, I notice one word: JESUS! Not that I knew that Sarah </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Young would be leaving for her earthly home this year, when I chose the one word: JESUS as </span><span style="font-family: arial;">my focus but clearly Jesus was calling her home & I pray her departure was as peaceful as </span><span style="font-family: arial;">she certainly wrote much about Jesus and enjoying "peace in His Presence". </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I am thankful for </span><span style="font-family: arial;">her many books, contrary to what others warn against, I find that she inspired me to draw </span><span style="font-family: arial;">closer and listen to what Jesus is saying when I read His Word. I never confused the two: </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Sarah's reflections; with JESUS, as the Word, in God's Word, our Living Word. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I also </span><span style="font-family: arial;">appreciate the </span><a href="https://youtu.be/o2BXgBRu11c?si=5F6PwFcrU7sm96VJ" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank">Discussion Guides</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> made available on the Jesus Calling website. Perhaps </span><span style="font-family: arial;">if we LISTEN to JESUS' CALLING us, we wouldn't have so much time to be negative in our </span><span style="font-family: arial;">world and we would be living JESUS in our daily interactions with one another, especially in </span><span style="font-family: arial;">the body of Christ. All I know for sure is that JESUS is the same, yesterday, today and forever, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">so we'd better continue to look to JESUS and keep our eyes on Him! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><><><></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2023 </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">WITH JESUS</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">is/was</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">just the beginning</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I look forward to a lifetime</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">and an eternity</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">WITH<br /><br />JESUS</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"Your Word, Lord, is Eternal!"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Psalm 119:89</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
<center>
<table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;"> "Jesus is the Word because He was the means through which the Father brought all physical reality into existence and because He is the One Who represents the Father's invisible nature and character to that creation. Just as your spoken word is the physical manifestation of your thoughts and personality, Jesus is the "Word" of the invisible God to His creation."</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">JESUS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">a perfect revelation of the</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Father</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">"The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us"</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">John 1:14</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">JESUS CHRIST</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">God WITH us</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKILRDklENuGnk4bq66XDzvRWY2M94GYFeTCA0shjKD2JM2J2WJ5jqUzt15L_is5J-X_Gb83PTjqhh7hdhCsCdKArdkt6JnWapjHScVAQ2OBkYJndxvbygruHMip9swSYgHEWUYyNUVpqGbTiX4ApIXOlDWrsldhqIusLxbjDoltaXr6tih5Oen5YdvOYg/s540/immanuel-god-with-us.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="347" data-original-width="540" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKILRDklENuGnk4bq66XDzvRWY2M94GYFeTCA0shjKD2JM2J2WJ5jqUzt15L_is5J-X_Gb83PTjqhh7hdhCsCdKArdkt6JnWapjHScVAQ2OBkYJndxvbygruHMip9swSYgHEWUYyNUVpqGbTiX4ApIXOlDWrsldhqIusLxbjDoltaXr6tih5Oen5YdvOYg/s320/immanuel-god-with-us.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">[Immanuel or Emmanuel]</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Dear Immanuel, </span></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"" style="letter-spacing: 0.007143em; text-align: start;">Thank You for being with us in every moment of our lives. Thank You that we never have to be alone because You, God love us so much that You are here with us always. May each moment of our day be filled with that life-strengthening truth. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.007143em; text-align: start;">We love You, Lord. As we close our journeys for 2023 and head into 2024, we ask that You be with us, Immanuel & lead us.</span></div></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"" style="box-sizing: border-box; letter-spacing: 0.007143em; text-align: start;">In Your name, I pray, Amen</span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><><><></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>"JESUS WITH US...</b></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>...LIVE LIKE JESUS, LOVE LIKE JESUS"</b></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center><span style="font-family: arial;">
I thought that I was finished with tying all of my year (2023) together "With Jesus" and lo & behold, I found out that it's just a new beginning & </span><span style="font-family: arial;">this journey continues with a better foundation & a fresh spark of JESUS with me, in a closer relationship that keeps growing & getting better. I realized that James Merritt was right about "falling in love" ... all over again & it was then, in October, that I discovered another 4 book series from JourneyWise through a sample plan at You Version, which is the first of the four (yet to be published in 2024):</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style=" caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic;">1. Jesus With Us: Meeting Him Where He Began</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic;" /><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style=" caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic;">2. Jesus Among Us: Walking with Him in His Ministry and Miracles</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic;" /><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style=" caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic;">3. Jesus Through Us: Following His Example in Love and Service</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic;" /><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style=" caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic;">4. Jesus in Us: Living Wholeheartedly the Life He Intends</span></div><div><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style=" caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">so I could be continuing with these, but for now, I've decided just to list them & the words in bold & all in capitals of this section - sums up what "falling in love" again with Jesus means that we desire & commit our lives once more to follow in His foot steps to live & love like Jesus (our goal & our purpose & our calling in life) so that JESUS is WITH us; AMONG us; THROUGH us (by following His example in love & service); and JESUS IN US! </span><span style="font-family: arial;">[not a lesson in prepositions, it's a lesson in the Way - the Truth and the Life, allowing JESUS to live through us, we become the extended hands of Jesus to others & we flow overflowingly in His aMazing Grace, with love & service like Him. True vessels, true followers. </span></div><div><center style="text-align: center;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><><><></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">*You may not see the connection through this post as a summary of my One Word: JESUS</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">but it is for me - a thread runs through all of this post in my head, although I am not implying any connection between the authors: James Merritt and Sarah Young; JourneyWise. That connection is only for me because each author spoke volumes to me about JESUS in my life.</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Only God can sum up JESUS! </span><span style="font-family: arial;">But the most important part is that God is With Us & He sent JESUS, the Word to us, to reveal & teach us how to LIVE and BE more like JESUS, reflect His Love to All!</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Let's do better in 2024!</span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">No big reveal of a new One Word yet for 2024</span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">but as usual I will start the year </span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">in</span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PRAYER</span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">as</span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">JESUS</span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">CALMs my HEART</span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">in</span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">HIS PRESENCE</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">💓</span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><span style="font-family: arial;">
</span></div>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07178137619890142365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290713315512977215.post-19107780647205267272023-12-25T00:00:00.000-06:002023-12-25T00:00:00.136-06:00CELEBRATING JESUS ... <center><span style="font-family: arial;">2023 was not the easiest year</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">but because I chose to spend it</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">With</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">JESUS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">He brought me through it </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">because</span></center><center><br /></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4ySDYK5IV7tFceicGpENoFJhyphenhyphenMdiJZWXhDcvp3Bn2ZD8w5g8XYVT7dFeiTwUwx9IMWHonlyT16TIN12WgSn_8oP4fSsa-3C79bBCJJ3muYsOU72G8-RWh0gSd-ocn4HkiJ6F_c7eqwh3ERMosh_S5FTTZta1GwN5VU58cwPDU7NfWb565Zk4vJGAd_vV/s640/1280x720.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4ySDYK5IV7tFceicGpENoFJhyphenhyphenMdiJZWXhDcvp3Bn2ZD8w5g8XYVT7dFeiTwUwx9IMWHonlyT16TIN12WgSn_8oP4fSsa-3C79bBCJJ3muYsOU72G8-RWh0gSd-ocn4HkiJ6F_c7eqwh3ERMosh_S5FTTZta1GwN5VU58cwPDU7NfWb565Zk4vJGAd_vV/w400-h226/1280x720.webp" width="400" /></a></div><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/16981-jesus-the-realest-relationship-youll-ever-have" target="_blank">"JESUS (is) THE REALEST RELATIONSHIP </a></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/16981-jesus-the-realest-relationship-youll-ever-have" target="_blank">YOU'LL EVER HAVE"</a></span></center><center><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/16981-jesus-the-realest-relationship-youll-ever-have" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank">YV PLAN</a></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">so spending </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>"52 Weeks With Jesus" </b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">kept me focused</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">on our relationship intentionally</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">reminding me that</span></center><center><br /><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 480px;"><tbody>
<tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;"> ... "<span face="Avenir, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21.3333px; text-size-adjust: auto;">Although some people have experienced challenging relationships that changed their lives, accepting the invitation to be in relationship with Jesus Christ, The King of Kings is the realest relationship anyone will ever be in."Dr. Kennetra A. Bryant, <a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/16981-jesus-the-realest-relationship-youll-ever-have/day/1" target="_blank">day 1 of "JESUS, the Realest </a>..."</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/31195-the-life-of-jesus" target="_blank">"THE LIFE of JESUS"</a></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">7 day reading plan</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">or </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>*<a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/18105-the-life-of-jesus-part-1-110" target="_blank">10 part series</a> at YV & <a href="https://jesus.net/the-life-of-jesus/" target="_blank">Jesus.net</a></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mgUPt2KI08" target="_blank">You Tube</a></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">*linked to Part 1 reading plan only</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">with a video available at</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0RrL3V8g5c" target="_blank">You Tube</a></span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">The Book of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYhM_5qn6ag&list=PLulKDT_43n4qMgiA9Cq3kAz5AoxJk0nT4" target="_blank">John</a> (playlist of all)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">is a good place to start</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">for the Life of Jesus</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><u>WHY</u></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><u>am I sharing all this?</u></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>because the BEST GIFT for any time</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">CHRIST</span><span style="color: #38761d;">mas</span> or any day/night</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">is the Gift of</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>JESUS</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>YES, the REALEST RELATIONSHIP</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">(not a religion or even a church)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">It's a relationship, which means coming to know JESUS,</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">believe in Him as the Son of God, Son of Man</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and admit that you need to be saved by</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">accepting JESUS today</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">as the</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">WAY</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">the TRUTH & the LIFE</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">learn to talk with Him daily </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">& develop your relationship</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I AM</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcilC5yanJA32i5vnHUA9Y6H7NUyKdwgPjh-vDziHyKkRQpjtr5Dz9sSBpwwSTvpCmKKwyCqyOQHTkaHnj4HFs-Z-w-W50eJ-L4x6Kh1OUmIs2sqajbA2QQ3Y_hWpA3pIFkw1Vfv9Fu0InLDbqa8FJwSEjMkFCcG1KsWxjbe1u1cmh-3W9TbRJofWMCZZ/s1334/IMG_5248.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcilC5yanJA32i5vnHUA9Y6H7NUyKdwgPjh-vDziHyKkRQpjtr5Dz9sSBpwwSTvpCmKKwyCqyOQHTkaHnj4HFs-Z-w-W50eJ-L4x6Kh1OUmIs2sqajbA2QQ3Y_hWpA3pIFkw1Vfv9Fu0InLDbqa8FJwSEjMkFCcG1KsWxjbe1u1cmh-3W9TbRJofWMCZZ/s320/IMG_5248.png" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>"CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS </b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>WITH JESUS"</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Truth be told or perhaps you already know</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I have been "celebrating" all of 2023</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">With</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">JESUS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">❤️</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><><><></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Given to you as a GIFT</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">a Present of His PRESENCE</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">always with you</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">JESUS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">is </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">EVERYTHING</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">and the only way to the God, the Father </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">[not to be separated from God is Heaven]</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">to be separated forever is Hell</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">You may feel or think that Heaven and Hell is right here</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">(and in a way, it can be, but there's more beyond this life & its hardships)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">it's an eternity - an eternal life</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">with God & your loved ones</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">who believed in</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">JESUS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">In this year of 2023</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I fell in love with JESUS all over again because</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">He is the One who changed Everything!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I spent a year long journey experiencing</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">JESUS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">anew</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">as</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">JESUS, my Transformer</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">JESUS, the Answer</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">JESUS, the Miracle Worker</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">JESUS, the Storyteller</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">JESUS, my Teacher</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">JESUS, my Helper</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">JESUS, my Leader</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">JESUS, the Overcomer</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and so much more</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><><><></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">JESUS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">is my</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">EVERYTHING</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><><><></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and HE can be yours!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><></span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">HE offers you a free GIFT - the GIFT of Salvation</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">please open today</span></center><center><br />
</center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPxvA6CPdZ7BvXB9JuaLxZZsGfnhj64JStffWRmUoGZ2FHdC3YR_FuHWeO5MnGww3Rxkk3Z7f5w7AVPWYfRUPJ3uzMjJPJZcdlitSl3kk9UziGNLzQHq15Oh385eo5Nz6RjNQT7EEgZbm4u1FNlT8gydFcZayU5kV6mSwsUV1YF-GwmOyRmdk6w3kyo8G/s320/GIFT%20Christmas%20blog.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="180" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPxvA6CPdZ7BvXB9JuaLxZZsGfnhj64JStffWRmUoGZ2FHdC3YR_FuHWeO5MnGww3Rxkk3Z7f5w7AVPWYfRUPJ3uzMjJPJZcdlitSl3kk9UziGNLzQHq15Oh385eo5Nz6RjNQT7EEgZbm4u1FNlT8gydFcZayU5kV6mSwsUV1YF-GwmOyRmdk6w3kyo8G/w225-h400/GIFT%20Christmas%20blog.jpeg" width="225" /></a></div><br />
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"A gift opens the way<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Prov-18-16" style="position: relative;">and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.</span>" NIV</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>THE GREATEST GIFT</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>JESUS</b></span></center><center><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>THE GREATEST GIVER</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>JESUS</b></span></center><center><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>YOU ARE </b></span><b style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">WELCOME </b></span></center><center><b style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">INTO THE PRESENCE</span></b></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>of the</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>GREAT</b></span></center><center><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>JESUS</b></span></center><center><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>today, yesterday & forever</b></span></center><center><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">He is the same & He's inviting you</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">He's been waiting just for you</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">to choose, to decide</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">to open</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">His Present, His Gift</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and each day of your life from this day forward</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">you can unwrap more & more with</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">your new Friend & Savior</span></center><center><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>JESUS</b></span></center><center><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">All you need to do to start is say so (it's called a prayer, a way to speak to Him)</span></center><center><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></center>
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"God our Father, I believe that out of Your infinite love You have created me. In a thousand ways I have shunned Your love. I repent of each and every one of my sins. Please forgive me. Thank You for sending Your Son to die for me, to save me from eternal death. I choose this day to enter into (renew my) covenant with You and to place Jesus at the center of my heart. I surrender to Him as Lord over my whole life. I ask You now to flood my soul with the gift of the Holy Spirit so that my life may be transformed. Give me the grace and courage to live as a disciple in Your Church for the rest of my days. In Jesus name I pray Amen."<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;">— </span><cite style="color: #202122; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit;">St. Paul Street Evangelization</cite> "</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center><center style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">[I wanted a prayer without a lot of "church sounding" words (they just complicate a simple act of accepting God's free gift)<span style="text-align: left;">- it's too hard to find, but I tried to choose one without the word 'sin' because 'sin' means wrongs that you admit you have done (against God & others), then you repent (which means changing your way & trying not to repeat) but all God wants to hear is that you know you need Him (Jesus) who died so that you could live free & for eternity. Admit (or Accept), Believe, Confess Jesus as Lord & Savior over your life, to love & live as He teaches in the New Testament of the Bible. (God's Word)]</span></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="text-align: left;"><></span></span></center><center style="text-align: justify;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">THE BEST GIFT</span></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">for me</span></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">in</span></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2023</span></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">is</span></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">JESUS</span></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">{for me or for you}</span></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">He always has been for me, through His aMazing Grace, but this year the </span></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">BEST GIFT of CHRISTMAS</span></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">would be if YOU & Yours would all receive </span></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">JESUS & HIS GIFT of SALVATION</span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> MERRY</span> <span style="color: #990000;">CHRIST</span><span style="color: #38761d;">MAS</span></b></span></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></center><center><span style="font-family: times;">~ <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Peggy</span></span></center><center><br /></center><center><br /></center>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07178137619890142365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290713315512977215.post-28927578849159192032023-12-23T18:00:00.255-06:002023-12-23T21:14:57.885-06:00JESUS, the OVERCOMER #52<center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: times;">{Instead of allowing this to publish on Christmas Eve, I moved it back one day.}</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGcIT5jGwGAaTuFhkh9n6wv5nuFJpSwAWiAXQT53M4894c897P3CWLiwvuQwlr3blnxgnQPVhB17g_MzIxnJwhETPMEF0p0KfhAz-vcqQ1JNxDxb_d11qDqwLJCz0pDXXXMmON4w_gDpF2r6j0w7lYRepaa6mZjU3aptpseJAIAiFJ-nhb66K2dialZyv/s264/C383DCF805B978A3894889F6AF63994351B4BA99%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="226" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGcIT5jGwGAaTuFhkh9n6wv5nuFJpSwAWiAXQT53M4894c897P3CWLiwvuQwlr3blnxgnQPVhB17g_MzIxnJwhETPMEF0p0KfhAz-vcqQ1JNxDxb_d11qDqwLJCz0pDXXXMmON4w_gDpF2r6j0w7lYRepaa6mZjU3aptpseJAIAiFJ-nhb66K2dialZyv/w171-h200/C383DCF805B978A3894889F6AF63994351B4BA99%20(2).jpg" width="171" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This blog post features</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"><b>Jesus,</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"><b>the Overcomer</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> for December</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><><><></div><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Section 8 is</span></center><center><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"><u><b> Jesus, the Overcomer</b></u></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">(weeks 49-52)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 380px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: currentcolor;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">December - </span>Section Eight: Jesus, the Overcomer</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: currentcolor;"><span style="color: #1d2228;">49</span><span>. </span><span>The Passion of the Christ</span><span>—the Rest of the Story</span><br style="outline: currentcolor;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: currentcolor;">50. His Grace, My Place<br style="outline: currentcolor;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: currentcolor;">51. The Warrior Rises<br style="outline: currentcolor;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: currentcolor;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">52. Dead Man Walking</span></b></div></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>SCRIPTURE READINGS </b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">for <br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>WEEK 52</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">52. Matthew 27:57-28:10; John 11:1-44; Ecclesiastes 8:8; Psalm 89:46-48; Revelation 20:4-6<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">These are the <b>subtitles/segments of #52 </b></span></center><center><br /></center><center><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">52. <b><span style="color: #990000;">Dead Man Walking</span></b>: "Hope for the Hopeless"; "The Secret to Security"; "We Must Expect the Fact of Death"; "We Will Experience the Force of Death"; "We Can Escape the Fear of Death"</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Expect</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Experience</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Escape</span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Death & Live</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">With</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">JESUS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">...because of Jesus' death</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">We Live</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">this is our Hope</span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>PRAYERS:</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">52. <span style="color: #990000;">Lord, I thank You that in Your dying and rising, You have become hope for the hopeless. I praise You for being - for me & for the world - the Resurrection and the Life!</span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></center><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This isn't really the best</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">CHRIST</span><span style="color: #38761d;">mas</span></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">message<br /></span><br />or</center><center><br /></center><center><i><span style="font-family: times;">maybe it is</span></i></center><center><span style="font-family: times;"><i><br /></i></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">if you believe</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">tell others what Jesus has done in your life!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">That's the reason for this season</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Jesus was born, lived, died & was buried</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and then</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">He was raised from the dead</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">as those in</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Christ</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">will</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">be</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSFMcgo9CVdRDB0rCBjQycGXlGzOXGLYd_h8pcFWsLAZVHZCyVsCmEeWEku_LT4vnlKnqN1lmI0C7O62pi3JzJRg9WiF9qyC5jmFMsZyy9to5fYMN-pf6e3gxuBOy5XonW6aG1RxX7u-XI15vNZZ1pSgv8b7GBrBvZ0qbokdD-4VTjX2VrHaTZd9Pa9YA/s32/32.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="32" data-original-width="32" height="32" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSFMcgo9CVdRDB0rCBjQycGXlGzOXGLYd_h8pcFWsLAZVHZCyVsCmEeWEku_LT4vnlKnqN1lmI0C7O62pi3JzJRg9WiF9qyC5jmFMsZyy9to5fYMN-pf6e3gxuBOy5XonW6aG1RxX7u-XI15vNZZ1pSgv8b7GBrBvZ0qbokdD-4VTjX2VrHaTZd9Pa9YA/s1600/32.png" width="32" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://youtu.be/22D6fWeGP10?si=7PD_ARfnboAGcRoZ" target="_blank">JESUS</a></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://youtu.be/22D6fWeGP10?si=7PD_ARfnboAGcRoZ" target="_blank"><br /></a></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://youtu.be/22D6fWeGP10?si=7PD_ARfnboAGcRoZ" target="_blank">the Overcomer</a></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">[Interview with James Merritt]</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://youtu.be/Uw2kVAB2wK8?si=U6hWIItyM77ILsTu" target="_blank">"52 Weeks with Jesus"</a><br /></span><br /><><><></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">a more current series (May 2023) with </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">James Merritt</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Touching Lives</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">"This is Your Captain Speaking"</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">(series on the 7 Letters found in the book of Revelation)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://youtu.be/pD8XqC57N_w?si=z3usrrXO6cOnBGeA" target="_blank">Sardis: <b>The Walking Dead</b></a></span></center><center><br /></center><center>{<span style="font-family: times;"><i>this was the reason I chose to list this & then the series</i></span>}</center><center><br /></center>
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<table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">"The church at Sardis was not a weak church that needed restoration. It was not a sick church that need rejuvenation. It was a dead church that needed resurrection. It was in a sense the church of the walking dead. I can tell you as a pastor my greatest fear is both pastoring a dead church and being a dead Christian. I want all of us today to perform our own self-examination and let’s see what steps we must take first of all to determine just how alive our Christian faith is and what we must do to be resurrected. Death may be fatal, but it is never final if we turn back to Jesus. As we examine ourselves, notice the fourfold prescription Jesus gives to get a church (or your faith) off the machine and alive again."</span></td></tr></tbody></table></center><center><br /></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: times;">But because I am always interesting in series on these letters to the Churches, </span></center><center><span style="font-family: times;">I've listed them all:</span></center><center><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></center><center>[<span style="font-family: times;">not in order]</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://youtu.be/-UmDygX7KXo?si=Psa1cggMn1REhpWR" target="_blank">Smyrna: Grace Under Pressure</a></span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://youtu.be/i_PYQHoFzX0?si=kSsgprC1ZobKW4li" target="_blank">Laodicea: Spiritually Bankrupt</a></span></center><center><a href="https://youtu.be/2F661Rp2Z5Q?si=JOOX-bcAz2VRP1-n" target="_blank"><br /></a></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://youtu.be/7a9RvRL4XUw?si=T1zl0hISdnkfUUeS" target="_blank">Ephesus:</a> You've Lost that Loving Feeling</span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://youtu.be/eHrKutom06w?si=ZnEgIyw7C6vEDywr" target="_blank">Thyatira: Failing the Tolerance Test</a></span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://youtu.be/lLm1NoMvjPw?si=aaEgIB1EvAsI2Zwh" target="_blank">Pergamum: Dealing with the Devil</a></span></center><center><br /></center><center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://youtu.be/2F661Rp2Z5Q?si=JOOX-bcAz2VRP1-n" target="_blank">Philadelphia: Forever Faithful</a></span></center><center><></center><center>[<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1BOMGEHb8GUc7cgICCBewdk6NSebW6Ej" target="_blank">Full Playlist of them all</a>]</center><center><span style="font-family: times;">for <a href="https://connect.touchinglives.org/sermon-booklet-this-is-your-captain-speaking" target="_blank">this Sermon Guide</a></span></center><center><br /></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Another interesting one this past year:</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Oanr5jmSzE&list=PL1BOMGEHb8GVTVkbWPC7yrK4Pn6qT5JxB" target="_blank">"From Here to Eternity"</a> </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">6 videos</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">deal with death as this last</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Week 52</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">seems to do</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">"<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs-7ze3SzRw&list=PL1BOMGEHb8GWOuxKcT-SjO5ZfszdL9PvS" target="_blank">All Things New</a>"</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Current series: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjQPwdJJJeE&list=PL1BOMGEHb8GUj9f1Kj6IXfhwxD_tvWhiT" target="_blank">"Unsung Heroes"</a></span></center><center><br /></center><center><></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">This certainly is enough to keep us busy </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">into the New Year of 2024,</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">yet I hope to still post a couple more posts </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">as summary to</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">2023</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">WITH JESUS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><br /></center><center><br /></center></center>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07178137619890142365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290713315512977215.post-10218687223200586402023-12-17T18:00:00.157-06:002023-12-17T18:00:00.136-06:00JESUS, the OVERCOMER #51<center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGcIT5jGwGAaTuFhkh9n6wv5nuFJpSwAWiAXQT53M4894c897P3CWLiwvuQwlr3blnxgnQPVhB17g_MzIxnJwhETPMEF0p0KfhAz-vcqQ1JNxDxb_d11qDqwLJCz0pDXXXMmON4w_gDpF2r6j0w7lYRepaa6mZjU3aptpseJAIAiFJ-nhb66K2dialZyv/s264/C383DCF805B978A3894889F6AF63994351B4BA99%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="226" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGcIT5jGwGAaTuFhkh9n6wv5nuFJpSwAWiAXQT53M4894c897P3CWLiwvuQwlr3blnxgnQPVhB17g_MzIxnJwhETPMEF0p0KfhAz-vcqQ1JNxDxb_d11qDqwLJCz0pDXXXMmON4w_gDpF2r6j0w7lYRepaa6mZjU3aptpseJAIAiFJ-nhb66K2dialZyv/w171-h200/C383DCF805B978A3894889F6AF63994351B4BA99%20(2).jpg" width="171" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This blog post features</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"><b>Jesus,</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"><b>the Overcomer</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> for December</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><><><></div><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Section 8 is</span></center><center><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"><u><b> Jesus, the Overcomer</b></u></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">(weeks 49-52)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 380px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">December - </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;">Section Eight: Jesus, the Overcomer:</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span>49. </span><span>The Passion of the Christ</span><span>—the Rest of the Story</span><br style="outline: none;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;">50. His Grace, My Place<br style="outline: none;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">51. The Warrior Rises</span></b><br style="outline: none;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;">52. Dead Man Walking</div></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>SCRIPTURE READINGS</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> </b>for <br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">WEEK 51</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">51. Matthew 27:32-54; Genesis 3:14-15; Romans 3:21-26; Luke 24:13-27; John 20:1-10<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">These are the <b>subtitles/segments of each devotional</b> in Chapters 49-52 </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">(listed after the title of that devotional)</span></center><center><br /></center><center><br /></center><center><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">51.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #990000; font-weight: bold;">The Warrior Rises: </span>"Waiting for the Bruiser"; "An Unexpected Hero"; "Jesus Sacrificed His Life for Me"; "Jesus Substituted His Death for Me"; "Jesus Satisfied God's Justice for Me"</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">JESUS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Sacrificed</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Substituted</span></center><center><br /></center><center>&</center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Satisfied</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">All for Me</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">&</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">You</span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>PRAYERS:</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">51. "God, thank You for sending the Warrior who dies and rises to free the ones You love {that love You} from the grip of sin and death." <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></center><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://renner.org/article/a-promise-to-those-who-are-overcoming/" target="_blank">"A Promise to Those Who are Overcoming"</a></span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">by Rick Renner</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">[a portion below]</span></center><center><br /></center>
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"...Today I want us to look at what it means to “overcome.” The word “overcometh” comes from the Greek word<span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;"> </span><em style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;">nikao. </em><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;">It refers to</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;"> </span><em style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;">a victor</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;">,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;"> </span><em style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;">a champion</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;">, or</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;"> </span><em style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;">one who possesses some type of superiority</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;">, and it can be translated</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;"> </span><em style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;">to conquer</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;">,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;"> </span><em style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;">to defeat</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;">,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;"> </span><em style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;">to master</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;">,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;"> </span><em style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;">to overcome</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;">,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;"> </span><em style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;">to overwhelm</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;">,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;"> </span><em style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;">to surpass</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;">, or</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;"> </span><em style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;">to </em><em style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;">be victorious</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;">. This word was often used in Greek literature to portray athletes who had mastered their sport and ultimately reigned supreme as champions in the games. It could also describe a military victory of one foe against the other.<br /><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;">The word</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;"> </span><em style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;">nikao </em><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16px;">denotes a complete victory over the opposition that Christians were facing on all fronts. By using this word, Jesus was calling upon those early believers to rise up like a mighty spiritual army to defeat the enemies that threatened them on every side.</span>"... Rick Renner</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">So </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Warriors, Rise Up</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">now is the time</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">that God is calling us </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">to be in tune </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">with Him</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">to know our Father's Heart & Will</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">to rise up above the enemy</span></center><center><br /></center>
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<tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span class="text Exod-15-3" id="en-VOICE-1891" style="position: relative;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span>"The Eternal is a warrior; </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="indent-2" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Exod-15-3" style="position: relative;">the Eternal is His name."<br /></span></span>Exodus 15:3 (The Voice)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">to Rise up, we must Rest in Him</span><br /><br />
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<tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>W.A.R.R.I.O.R</b> – (acronym)</span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>W</b>ear <b>A</b>rmor of God, <b>R</b>esist the devil, be <b>R</b>ighteous, and <b>I</b>n all <b>O</b>ccasions pray and <b>R</b>ead the Word of God.~from a WordPress "Jesus is the Answer" site </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">We, too, are Overcomers in Christ Jesus!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">(1 John 5:4-5; Romans 8:37; John 16:33)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://hebrews12endurance.com/overcomers/" target="_blank">Hebrews 12 Endurance</a></span></center><center><br /></center><center><></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Next week's post & the last one from</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>"52 Weeks With Jesus"</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">will post a day ahead on Dec. 23rd</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">rather than on</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">CHRISTmas Eve or CHRISTmas Day</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center>
Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07178137619890142365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290713315512977215.post-64929775542467461202023-12-10T18:00:00.051-06:002023-12-10T18:00:00.145-06:00JESUS, the OVERCOMER #50<center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGcIT5jGwGAaTuFhkh9n6wv5nuFJpSwAWiAXQT53M4894c897P3CWLiwvuQwlr3blnxgnQPVhB17g_MzIxnJwhETPMEF0p0KfhAz-vcqQ1JNxDxb_d11qDqwLJCz0pDXXXMmON4w_gDpF2r6j0w7lYRepaa6mZjU3aptpseJAIAiFJ-nhb66K2dialZyv/s264/C383DCF805B978A3894889F6AF63994351B4BA99%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="226" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGcIT5jGwGAaTuFhkh9n6wv5nuFJpSwAWiAXQT53M4894c897P3CWLiwvuQwlr3blnxgnQPVhB17g_MzIxnJwhETPMEF0p0KfhAz-vcqQ1JNxDxb_d11qDqwLJCz0pDXXXMmON4w_gDpF2r6j0w7lYRepaa6mZjU3aptpseJAIAiFJ-nhb66K2dialZyv/w171-h200/C383DCF805B978A3894889F6AF63994351B4BA99%20(2).jpg" width="171" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This blog post features</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"><b>Jesus,</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"><b>the Overcomer</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> for December</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><><><></div><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Section 8 is</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><u> Jesus, the Overcomer</u></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">(weeks 49-52)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 380px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">December - </span>Section Eight: Jesus, the Overcomer</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span>49. </span><span>The Passion of the Christ</span><span>—the Rest of the Story</span><br style="outline: none;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">50. His Grace, My Place</span></b><br style="outline: none;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;">51. The Warrior Rises<br style="outline: none;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;">52. Dead Man Walking</div></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>SCRIPTURE READINGS </b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">for </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">WEEK 50</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">50. Matthew 27:11-26; Hebrews 10:1-10; Galatians 3:10-14; 1 John 4:7-12; Titus 3:3-7<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">These are the <b>subtitles/segments of each devotional</b> in Chapters 49-52 </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">(listed after the title of that devotional)</span></center><center><br /></center><center><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">50. <span style="color: #990000;">His Grace, My Place:</span> "A Compelling Question"; "But Why?"; "Jesus Sacrificed His Life for Me"; "Jesus Substituted His Death for Me"; "Jesus Satisfied God's Justice for Me"</span></td></tr></tbody></table></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>PRAYER:</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">50."Lord, make me a vessel of Your mercy, justice & grace by inviting others to meet You at the Cross."<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></center><br /><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Yes, there's so much to be shared about </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">HIS GRACE ...</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">that's why Max Lucado writes so much about it</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">this blog's</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><b>aMazing Grace</b></span></center><center><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">that wonderful Christian hymn</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">by John Newton</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">(who was changed by God & fought to abolish slavery</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">rather than be a slave owner. He realized his 'wretchedness'.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">The saving Grace of Jesus Christ.)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">We cannot thank God enough for</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>His <span style="color: #2b00fe;">aMazing Grace</span></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">that we need now more than ever</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">along with mercy & justice</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">as the prayer says</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Lord JESUS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">make us</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">vessels</span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">of</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Your</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Mercy, Justice</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">&</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">GRACE</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">in this country</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">as a witness to the world</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">let the freedom of democracy reign</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"><b>JESUS</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">OVERCOME</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">&</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">COME ONCE AGAIN</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">TO SAVE US</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">🙏</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><br /></center>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07178137619890142365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290713315512977215.post-11828332257122552852023-12-03T18:00:00.201-06:002023-12-16T13:57:37.177-06:00JESUS, the OVERCOMER #49<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGcIT5jGwGAaTuFhkh9n6wv5nuFJpSwAWiAXQT53M4894c897P3CWLiwvuQwlr3blnxgnQPVhB17g_MzIxnJwhETPMEF0p0KfhAz-vcqQ1JNxDxb_d11qDqwLJCz0pDXXXMmON4w_gDpF2r6j0w7lYRepaa6mZjU3aptpseJAIAiFJ-nhb66K2dialZyv/s264/C383DCF805B978A3894889F6AF63994351B4BA99%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="226" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGcIT5jGwGAaTuFhkh9n6wv5nuFJpSwAWiAXQT53M4894c897P3CWLiwvuQwlr3blnxgnQPVhB17g_MzIxnJwhETPMEF0p0KfhAz-vcqQ1JNxDxb_d11qDqwLJCz0pDXXXMmON4w_gDpF2r6j0w7lYRepaa6mZjU3aptpseJAIAiFJ-nhb66K2dialZyv/w171-h200/C383DCF805B978A3894889F6AF63994351B4BA99%20(2).jpg" width="171" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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;">This blog post features</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"><b>Jesus,</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"><b>the Overcomer</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> for December</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><><><></div><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Section 8 is</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><u> Jesus, the Overcomer</u></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">(weeks 49-52)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 380px;"><tbody>
<tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">December - </span>Section Eight: Jesus, the Overcomer</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="color: #1d2228;">4</span><span>9. </span><span>The Passion of the Christ</span><span>—the Rest of the Story</span><br style="outline: none;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;">50. His Grace, My Place<br style="outline: none;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;">51. <span style="color: #990000;">The Warrior Rises (Dec. 17 post)</span><br style="outline: none;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;">52. Dead Man Walking</div></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>SCRIPTURE READINGS</b> for the Weeks of Chapters 49-52:<br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center>
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<table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">49. <span>Matthew 27:1-10, 27-31; Isaiah 53:1-6; Psalm 22; Romans 5:6-11; 1 Peter 3:13-18</span><br />50. Matthew 27:11-26; Hebrews 10:1-10; Galatians 3:10-14; 1 John 4:7-12; Titus 3:3-7<br /><b><span style="color: #990000;">51</span></b>. Matthew 27:32-54; Genesis 3:14-15; Romans 3:21-26; Luke 24:13-27; John 20:1-10<br />52.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">These are the <b>subtitles/segments of each devotional</b> in Chapters 49-52 </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">(listed after the title of that devotional)</span></center><center><br /></center>
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<table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">49.<span style="color: #990000;">The Passion of the Christ—the Rest of the Story:</span><span style="color: #1d2228;"> </span>"Cause for Passion"; "Who Was the Christ?"; "How Did He Die?"; "Why Did He Die?"; "What Am I to Do?"</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center>
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<table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">50. <span style="color: #990000;">His Grace, My Place:</span> "A Compelling Question"; "But Why?"; "Jesus Sacrificed His Life for Me"; "Jesus Substituted His Death for Me"; "Jesus Satisfied God's Justice for Me"</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center>
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<table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">51. <span style="color: #990000;"><b>The Warrior Rises:</b></span> </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #990000;">"Waiting for the Bruiser"; "An Unexpected Hero"; "Jesus Sacrificed His Life for Me"; "Jesus Substituted His Death for Me"; "Jesus Satisfied God's Justice for Me"</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center>
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<table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">52. Dead Man Walking: " "</span></td></tr></tbody></table></center><center><br /><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>PRAYERS:</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center>
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<table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">49. <span>"Lord, pierce my heart with the reality of the suffering that pierced Your body. And teach me how to live faithfully in response to Your aMazing Love."
</span><br /><br />50.<span>"Lord, make me a vessel of Your mercy, justice & grace by inviting others to meet You at the Cross."</span><br /><br />51. <span style="color: #990000;">"God, thank You for sending the Warrior who dies and rises to free the ones You love {that love You} from the grip of sin and death."</span> <br /><br />52.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">In order to prepare our hearts for Jesus, during Advent 2023</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">for this upcoming </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">CHRIST</span><span style="color: #38761d;">mas</span></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">we must come</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">to know</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">JESUS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">in all His many facets</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">from His earthly birth to His heavenly reign</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and one day (soon, I hope)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">His Glorious Return.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Spend more time </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">WITH JESUS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">putting</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">CHRIST</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">back into your</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">CHRIST</span><span style="color: #38761d;">mas</span></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Celebrations</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">HE is the GREATEST GIFT!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">HIS PRESENCE is our best present!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Open your heart and mind to</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial;"><b>JESUS</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">ask Him</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">(if you haven't)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">to be Your personal Lord & Savior</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and if you might have forgotten spending time with Him,</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">you can start again (and again and again)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">until you receive Him fully.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Start this Advent </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">to "fall in love" with</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">the One Who Changed Everything</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">just BELIEVE, RECEIVE and ADMIT your need for</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial;"><b>JESUS</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">because Eternal Life, knowing the Father God, only comes through</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">knowing His Son, Jesus</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">then allow His Holy Spirit to fill you</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">(over and over)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">as you, too, become an</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">OVERCOMER</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">through Jesus</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and the power of the</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">HOLY SPIRIT</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">in you</span></center><center><br /></center><center><><><></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>ADVENT</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">starts today</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>December 3rd</b></span></center><center><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I've found quite a few good choices of Reading Plans </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">with bible.com</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">You Version</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://pages.faithgateway.com/waiting-here-for-you-louie-giglio-obs-registration/" target="_blank">FaithGateway</a></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">starts </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://watch.studygateway.com/waiting-here-for-you-louie-giglio" target="_blank">"Waiting Here for You"</a></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">by Louie Giglio</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://pages.faithgateway.com/waiting-here-for-you-louie-giglio-obs-registration/" target="_blank">December 4 </a></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">{there's a <a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/1237-waiting-here-for-you-an-advent-journey-of-hope" target="">7 day plan at YouVersion</a> of this}</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I have even started on December 1st, 2 plans and one ebook</span></center><center><br /></center><center><b style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">* <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Preparing-Room-Journey-Through-Wonderful/dp/B0BH3BY6LM" target="_blank">"Preparing Room..."</a></b></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: times;">(which is ... <span style="color: #38761d;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Preparing-Room-Journey-Through-Wonderful/dp/B0BH3BY6LM" target="_blank">an Advent Journey through</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7lcVxATy82EY5ltARFzfjn?si=8ac1e126575443f3" target="_blank">"It's a Wonderful Life"</a></b> -</span> linked to a Spotify Playlist)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Preparing-Room-Journey-Through-Wonderful/dp/B0BH3BY6LM" target="_blank">by Rebecca Johnston Horvath</a></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">{I may have to skip Louie Giglio's, and even one of the others}</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial;">John 14:2-3</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial;">1 Peter 1:13 (NASB1995)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">🎄</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><br /></center><center>* I recommended this Advent ebook in 2022 too when I purchased it!</center><center>There are so many available now books, ebooks and reading plans.</center><center><br /></center><center><br /></center><center><br /></center><center><br /></center><center><br /></center>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07178137619890142365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290713315512977215.post-18438841860673676942023-12-02T00:00:00.084-06:002023-12-03T10:58:15.342-06:00DECEMBER 2023 - still with JESUS or JESUS still with me<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1kgBiqL4zyZsGbshMBdKBjiroapDgchk_8J-qJna106KiI4PInVntrOL5bFvO_oZUeh1SOy_527Q9eoV2v23fOtpYKLMiB777OdBHiW1Cq8dbtjWo2XzJ60DrbztaTT3k7eTqKaubHRfg5ZCyobEmg1yj1htMcIzNePH7Pr6_4YqmW0iviLqY6LwaQ5dI/s391/free-advent-calendar-2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="296" data-original-width="391" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1kgBiqL4zyZsGbshMBdKBjiroapDgchk_8J-qJna106KiI4PInVntrOL5bFvO_oZUeh1SOy_527Q9eoV2v23fOtpYKLMiB777OdBHiW1Cq8dbtjWo2XzJ60DrbztaTT3k7eTqKaubHRfg5ZCyobEmg1yj1htMcIzNePH7Pr6_4YqmW0iviLqY6LwaQ5dI/s320/free-advent-calendar-2023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times;">[<a href="https://papemelroti.com/en-us/blogs/blogspot/2023-advent-calendar-free-printable" target="_blank">credit for image</a>]</span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>As December is off to a start, or an ending of 2023, I began yet another ebook that I recommended last year (upcoming post will share a bit more) on December 1st (since the book starts on December 1st, not the 1st Sunday of Advent and it is an Advent Journey). </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">At the same time I have begun an Artists' Advent Journey of Gratitude (journaling, more than the art part), which is good to do reflecting on this past year's journey & continuing from November's thankfulness into December, with the practice of expressing gratitude intentionally. I'm finding this plan to be very meaningful as I follow the prompts and look back at this year with God's Ever-Present Help, and so thankful that "With JESUS" in 2023, I have made it to this final month & point of reflection. Creative journaling or even just creating an image through your words or perhaps a worship song or prayer of gratitude, one can begin "to acknowledge God's hand in bringing us to a spacious" place of expressing creatively our thanks to God. I guess from all the writing I've already done so far, that there was pretty much just stored up in me that needed to come out & it just poured out, which brings me back to my book & December 1st:</span><center><br /><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 500px;"><tbody>
<tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;">"Preparing room for Jesus is ultimately what saves us."</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</span></center><span style="font-family: arial;">
Now the author of this book is just as brilliant as she indicates the director of one of my favorite Christmas movie is, as she walks us through the various scenes of the movie & correlates this entire movie to our Christian walk of preparing room for Jesus. Just as there was no room in the inn, when Mary & Joseph were searching for a place for the birth of Jesus, we too search and don't quite find the room, or the time, or the space ... in our lives and in our hearts. Yet "preparing room for Jesus" is the exact reason we need to set time aside and realize the importance of that choice, that decision in our lives, each and every year as we draw near to the end of another year. Are we any closer at realizing Jesus is the Ultimate One who saves us? As a believer, we may think that because we accepted Jesus that that's all we need to do. So we grow complacent in our daily walk "With Jesus" or everything else seems to take more of a place in our lives then spending meaningful time with Him. Just another addition to our checklist. <b>"What do you need to let go of so you leave more room for Jesus to dwell in you?" </b>It was this question from this book's author that was so powerful of a consideration that I had to pause and think whether it's expectations, hurts, busy-ness, church or non-church activities, stresses, life issues, family situations or problems, or what was keeping me from preparing room just for Jesus, seeking Him & seeking His will in all these things. We need to empty out our lives and make room. We need to prepare our hearts to be more open and accepting to what Jesus would do for His Kingdom. I know I do. Because ...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><center>
<table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial;">"Preparing room allows us to show compassion to others." December 2nd ...</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFvHqSIuFuLhrqAK56KXAg7InjPxt2i6s_k2upk5AWw4j0XrfsDzgESrcsEhF9kCrUf3ScOdmsgonhKzAX7MJh46OsNaql_jnAcyy2pdEyT9e9esqWEb7wlmdWoHnTyuxXtrMlUmqQ3ImybwKgWTAaxE1BQUQUzMpnFG1_qTaLQDUnpeSjbgphsbgv-3Y/s320/67912-gettyimages-817147678-kieferpix.1200w.tn.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="320" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFvHqSIuFuLhrqAK56KXAg7InjPxt2i6s_k2upk5AWw4j0XrfsDzgESrcsEhF9kCrUf3ScOdmsgonhKzAX7MJh46OsNaql_jnAcyy2pdEyT9e9esqWEb7wlmdWoHnTyuxXtrMlUmqQ3ImybwKgWTAaxE1BQUQUzMpnFG1_qTaLQDUnpeSjbgphsbgv-3Y/s1600/67912-gettyimages-817147678-kieferpix.1200w.tn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Yes, this world is desperately in need of more compassion to others ...</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and as I've indicated I shared more last year of this book and the 25 days given in</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://mazmagi.blogspot.com/2022/12/preparing-room-prepared-my-heart.html" target="_blank">"PREPARING ROOM"</a></span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I applaud this book, this author & her creativity</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">as I once again discover</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">"It's a Wonderful Life"</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">because of</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"><b>JESUS</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">The prayers each devotion are so special to me!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">The memories from the movie also.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you Rebecca Horvath!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you Frank Capra!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank You</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">JESUS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Right now, today</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">as I glance through & ahead at these </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">25 gifts </span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">Preparing Room</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I NEED the following ones:</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial;">#4."Preparing room gives us the space to see & appreciate the humor in life."</span></span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">#5.</span><span style="color: #3d3d3d; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"Preparing room allows us to hold on to hope and to have faith even when </span></span><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">all seems lost."</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">#8.</span><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"> "Preparing room allows us to love others, even when they're unlovable."</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">#11. "</span><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">Preparing room allows us to reach down deep & make the right choices, </span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">even when it's hard."</span><br style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;" /><br style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;" /><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">#14. "Preparing room allows Jesus to fill us with His Presence & strength."</span><br style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; font-size: 19.8px; text-align: start;" /></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">oh, let's face it, I need every one of the 25</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">to adequately begin</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">"Preparing Room"</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">and allow</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><b>JESUS </b></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">in</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">to fill me</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">with more of Him</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and much less of me</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">to know, love & serve</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">through the power</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">of the Holy Spirit</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">God's Grace</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">in me</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank You Jesus for saving me!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center>{<span style="font-family: times;"><i>now I pray for the others who still need You</i></span>}</center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Your Kingdom come, Your will be done</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">on earth as it is in heaven</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I pray for our nation & our world!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.ifwewill.com/" target="_blank">31 Days of Preparation</a></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsONtltMzIbUH6Y7DRPo_aZB6ignLBr0SOF4jDZ_lELGEz2sCLIahFcDhRo96sBDlcSH3exyYo0lLxuOwkZsyKtRRazE-7aTjZXs_B682jeRhHx6tGCcRNvyGVqcbryglMCu2Y_GaWdvbtzat8qS2xRvKwmHvTtdk4Nu09lQNH2HJEfiVP5OvO_lHz3Q0/s1500/northlight-15-tree-shaped-christmas-advent-calendar~13991718-a01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsONtltMzIbUH6Y7DRPo_aZB6ignLBr0SOF4jDZ_lELGEz2sCLIahFcDhRo96sBDlcSH3exyYo0lLxuOwkZsyKtRRazE-7aTjZXs_B682jeRhHx6tGCcRNvyGVqcbryglMCu2Y_GaWdvbtzat8qS2xRvKwmHvTtdk4Nu09lQNH2HJEfiVP5OvO_lHz3Q0/s320/northlight-15-tree-shaped-christmas-advent-calendar~13991718-a01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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;">for</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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;">2024</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.ifwewill.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.ifwewill.com/" target="_blank">50 Days of Prayer</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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;">New Year's Day, Jan. 2 - Feb. 20, 2024</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center></div>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07178137619890142365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290713315512977215.post-4515483800181106272023-11-27T18:00:00.198-06:002023-12-04T16:37:47.164-06:00JESUS, the LEADER #45 - #48<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">{<i>My apologies that this did not publish for the last week of November. I had to draft it & forgot to click publish again. If you recall I was moving the post forward each week & adding the next week. This was the final week with JESUS, the LEADER. JESUS, the OVERCOMER #49 publishes on December 3rd</i>}</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGcIT5jGwGAaTuFhkh9n6wv5nuFJpSwAWiAXQT53M4894c897P3CWLiwvuQwlr3blnxgnQPVhB17g_MzIxnJwhETPMEF0p0KfhAz-vcqQ1JNxDxb_d11qDqwLJCz0pDXXXMmON4w_gDpF2r6j0w7lYRepaa6mZjU3aptpseJAIAiFJ-nhb66K2dialZyv/s264/C383DCF805B978A3894889F6AF63994351B4BA99%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="226" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGcIT5jGwGAaTuFhkh9n6wv5nuFJpSwAWiAXQT53M4894c897P3CWLiwvuQwlr3blnxgnQPVhB17g_MzIxnJwhETPMEF0p0KfhAz-vcqQ1JNxDxb_d11qDqwLJCz0pDXXXMmON4w_gDpF2r6j0w7lYRepaa6mZjU3aptpseJAIAiFJ-nhb66K2dialZyv/w171-h200/C383DCF805B978A3894889F6AF63994351B4BA99%20(2).jpg" width="171" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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;">This blog post features</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"><b>Jesus,</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"><b>the Leader</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> for November</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><><><></div><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Section 7 includes:</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><u> Jesus, the Leader</u></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">(weeks 45-48)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and then finally</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"> Jesus, the Overcomer</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">(weeks 49-52)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 500px;"><tbody>
<tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>November - Section Seven:</b> Jesus, the Leader<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;">45. The Standard of Greatness Nov.6-10<br style="outline: none;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span>46. A Servant First Nov.13-17</span><br style="outline: none;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span>47. The Victor Nov.20-24<br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">48. Commander in Chief Nov.27-Dec1</span></b><br style="outline: none;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">December - </span>Section Eight: Jesus, the Overcomer</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;">49. The Passion of the Christ—the Rest of the Story</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;">50. His Grace, My Place<br style="outline: none;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;">51. The Warrior Rises<br style="outline: none;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;">52. Dead Man Walking</div></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">This looks incomplete, but it's not - as long as I don't forget (lol)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><u>EACH WEEK</u> </b></span></center><center><b style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">I plan to add and fill in the missing parts for each Chapter:</b></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"><b>JESUS</b></span></center><center><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"><b>the</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">LEADER</span></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b><br /></b></span></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>This Week is #46<br /></b></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><u>SCRIPTURE READINGS </u></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">for the Weeks of Chapters 45-48:<br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center>
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<table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">45. Mark 9:30-35; Matthew 20:20-28; 1 Peter 4:7-11; Philippians 2:1-8; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23<br /><span>46<b style="color: #990000;">.</b></span> John 13:1-17; Romans 12:3-8; Mark 10:35-45; Hebrews 6:9-12; Galatians 5: 13-15<br /><span>47.</span> Matthew 4:1-11; James 4:6-8; James 1:12-15; 1 Corinthians 10:6-13; Hebrews 2:14-18<br /><span style="color: #990000;"><b>48.</b> Luke 9:23-27; Ephesians 5:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:11-15; Romans 14:5-9; <br />1 Peter 2:19-23</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">These are the <u>subtitles/segments of each devotional</u> in Chapters 45-48:</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">(listed after the title of that devotional)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><u>November 5-10</u></span></center><center><br /></center>
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<table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">45.<span style="color: #990000;">The Standard of Greatness:</span> "Who's the Greatest?"; "A New Measure"; "Approach Serving the Right Way"; "Appreciate Serving the Right Way"; "Apply Serving the Right Way"</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Approach - Appreciate - Apply</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><u>November 13-17</u></span></center><center><br /></center>
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<table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">46.<span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><span style="color: #990000;">A Servant First:</span><span style="color: #990000; font-weight: bold;"> </span> "A Surprising Reversal"; "See Opportunities"; "Serve Others"; "Same Old, Same Old"; "Surrender Ourselves"</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Surprising - See - Serve - Same - Surrender</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">"The servant-leader is servant first" </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">... Robert K. Greenleaf</span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="color: #252525; font-family: arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">"Servant leadership is an approach to leadership where the leader </span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">puts the needs of others </span></center><center><span style="color: #252525; font-family: arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">before their desires </span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">and acts as a servant first. </span></center><center><span style="color: #252525; font-family: arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Jesus Christ is the ultimate example </span></center><center><span style="color: #252525; font-family: arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">of a servant leader, </span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">and His life and teachings show us how important </span></center><center><span style="color: #252525; font-family: arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">it is to lead with love, compassion, </span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">and a servant's heart. </span></center><center><span style="color: #252525; font-family: arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Christians are called to follow Jesus' example </span></center><center><span style="color: #252525; font-family: arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">and become servant leaders </span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">in our spheres of influence. </span></center><center><span style="color: #252525; font-family: arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">We can become great leaders by showing compassion, empowering others, </span></center><center><span style="color: #252525; font-family: arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">and creating a culture of respect and collaboration. </span></center><center><span style="color: #252525; font-family: arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Leading with love and humility for God’s glory makes a positive difference."</span></center><center><span style="color: #252525; font-family: arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><i>from</i> <a href="https://www.ccu.edu/blogs/cags/category/devotionals/jesus-servant-leader/" target="_blank">CCU</a></span></center><center><br /></center><center><b><span style="color: #990000;"><></span></b></center><center><div style="text-align: start;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><u>November 20-24</u></span></center><center><br /></center>
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<table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">47. <span><span style="color: #990000;">The Victor:</span> </span>"Fight of the Century"; "Fierce Competitors"; "Don't Be Surprised by Temptation, Expect It"; "Don't Be Fooled by Temptation, Detect It"; "Don't Be Defeated by Temptation, Reject It"</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I am so thankful for JESUS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">The Victor</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.knowingjesusministries.co/sermons/christ-the-victor/" target="_blank">"Christ, the Victor"</a></span></center><center><br /></center><center>a song from a musical</center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7YdrhzQB4I" target="_blank">"The Victor"</a></span></center><center>(Jamie Owens-Collins)</center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><></span></b><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><u>November 27- December 1</u></b></span><br /><br /></center>
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<table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">48. <span style="color: #990000;"><b>Commander in Chief:</b></span> "Are You All In?"; "Living Wholeheartedly"; "Deny Yourself"; "Die to Yourself"; "Devote Yourself"</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Most often, I think of the Commander in Chief as our President,</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and he should receive the respect & authority while in Office.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Currently, the uprising created in this country, sadly does not do this</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and shows great disrespect & disregard for the Office of the Presidency.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">You need to be worthy of such a position!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">However, ALL Authority and our deepest Respect</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">belongs to the ultimate Commander in Chief </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">our LORD JESUS & HE is Worthy!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Also, as this week points out with "D" only applies to</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>THE</b> COMMANDER IN CHIEF</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">JESUS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">where we Deny ourselves, & are willing to Die to ourselves</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and be Devoted, which belongs to <u><b>no</b> human being</u></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">ONLY GOD</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">[to do so, with a human, is idolatry & blasphemous]</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">*these are my humble yet strong opinions</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I bow only to</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"><b>JESUS</b></span></center><center><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>now & forever</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><><br /></span><br /></center>
<center>and the</center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><u><b>PRAYERS:</b></u></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center>
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<table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">45. "Lord, Give me a holy desire to be great in Your kingdom by giving my life away to others and bearing witness to Your greatness."
</span></td></tr></tbody></table></center><center><br /></center><center><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">46<b>.</b>"Lord, I thank You that You have cleansed me from head to toe. Teach me to humble myself, as You have, by serving others in Your Name."
</span></td></tr></tbody></table></center><center><br /></center><center><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">47."Lord, I trust that You've prepared me to fight the good fight. Fill me with Your Spirit and gird me with Your Word to resist the temptations of the enemy."
</span></td></tr></tbody></table></center><center><br /></center><center><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">48</span></b>. "Lord, because of the work and witness of Jesus Christ, I'm convinced that You are worth ("betting the ranch on"). Give me courage every week to be all in."
</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: times;">The term "bet the ranch" came from the Wild West and was used in the <u>first devotion</u>:</span></center><center><span style="font-family: times;">And to be "<u>All In</u>" happens to be a gambling phrase in a poker game.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: times;"><><><></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I am only ALL IN when it comes to </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">JESUS CHRIST</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"> as my </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Commander In Chief.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">But I do respect & trust our current President as this country's </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Commander In Chief</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I pray every day that our President receives Godly wisdom & all that he needs </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">to govern </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">our nation and maintain a positive influence in the world.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">I write this with the courage & conviction given to me by God.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">No matter what party you belong to or support,</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">as a citizen in this country you should </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">respect, pray & support </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">your Leader</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">JESUS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">first</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">always</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">then who </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">HE appoints to be in authority</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">for the time appointed</span></center><center><></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">God bless the United States of America!</span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and our Commander In Chief</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">in Jesus' name</span></center><center><br /></center><center><br /></center>
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<tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">"Few words are batted about by managers, pastors, {*educators}, entrepreneurs, and politicians more than <b style="font-style: italic;">leadership. </b>When we want to learn how to lead, we often look to those whose names emblazon book covers and fancy business cards. But what about the leader who claims more followers than any person in history? What made Jesus such a great leader? The answer has the power to transform us into people of influence and impact." James Merritt, "52 Weeks..."</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">* <span>I added my own: </span></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">In my opinion, we are either a leader, </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">or a follower waiting to blossom.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Some of us, just need more encouragement </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and perhaps training in how to lead.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">There is no better Teacher, Helper <span style="text-align: left;">or Example</span></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="text-align: left;">of a Leader than </span></span></center><center><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>JESUS</b></span></span></center><center><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="text-align: left;"><></span></center><center><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.worldvision.org/christian-faith-news-stories/6-characteristic-traits-jesus-leader" target="_blank">"6 Characteristic Traits of Jesus as a Leader"</a></span></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.worldvision.org/christian-faith-news-stories/6-characteristic-traits-jesus-leader" target="_blank">"Ten Traits of Jesus as Transformational Leader"</a></span></center><center><br /></center><center><a href="https://fullfocus.co/the-leadership-strategy-of-jesus/" target="_blank">"The Leadership Strategy of Jesus"</a></center><center><br /></center><center>[Just a few links given above plus the video below but there are much more]</center><center><br /></center><center><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuWaQdV8LNI" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;">"A Leader Worth Following"</span></a></center><center><span style="font-family: times;">You Tube video of the Church teaching the series of 52 Weeks with their Pastor Chip Bernhard</span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Truly, JESUS, is the Leader Worth Following!</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07178137619890142365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290713315512977215.post-4230427663361086862023-11-25T18:00:00.229-06:002023-11-27T10:02:21.937-06:00NOVEMBER ... with JESUS (6) PRESENCE<center>
(<i>In case you've chosen to do this with me</i>)</center><center><br /></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0jR_sOYkx8Itn61w7jL62oBGM0lz_yDIIaM2uB6Z3uTMutpxd0uTFWuzVggB7QaTzCnudkG03Gsd5CjftiTdgcSkex6lxdt9QOqfnO283sCmZmqHRFjvEMoDIfk60MZnO1DG685_rXXflwD0JNQeFffDzt5xnzkMNmLjmFBeTJ8dIx2fjsCUJWP_3Fv0/s466/61Rq8s0kqSL._SY466_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="377" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0jR_sOYkx8Itn61w7jL62oBGM0lz_yDIIaM2uB6Z3uTMutpxd0uTFWuzVggB7QaTzCnudkG03Gsd5CjftiTdgcSkex6lxdt9QOqfnO283sCmZmqHRFjvEMoDIfk60MZnO1DG685_rXXflwD0JNQeFffDzt5xnzkMNmLjmFBeTJ8dIx2fjsCUJWP_3Fv0/w169-h209/61Rq8s0kqSL._SY466_.jpg" width="169" /></a></div><br /><center><span style="font-family: times;">for</span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>"30 Days <u>with Jesus</u>"</b></span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Experiencing His Presence</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Throughout the Old and New Testament</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">by Lysa TerKeurst and Dr. Joel Muddamalle</span><br /><br /><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 400px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;"> WEEK 1 <i>is</i> PORTRAITS Nov. 1-5<br /> WEEK 2 PROPHECIES Nov. 6-10<br /> WEEK 3 PATTERNS Nov. 11-15<br /> WEEK 4 PROVISIONS Nov. 16-20<br /> WEEK 5 PROTECTIONS Nov. 21-25<br /> <b> WEEK 6 PRESENCE Nov. 26-30</b><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">During these 30 days "we'll look for and discover JESUS using 6 different lenses":</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>November 26 -30</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">we'll be looking through the lens of</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>PRESENSE</b></span></center><center><br /></center>
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"We see God’s desire to be near His people since creation, and the ultimate invitation to be with Him is in Jesus."</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I know I will enjoy being in His</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">PRESENCE</span><br /><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">this final week of the 30 days!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Again I found key statements that connect with me, in just the intro to this</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">(but I'm only sharing the following):</span></center><center><br /></center>
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<tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">"... A significant takeaway from this whole study for us has been the reality that if we can SEE JESUS' PRESENCE in the Old Testament, beyond a PROPHECY of the Messiah's coming, then we can have deeper conviction He is present in our lives right now, too."["Because He always has been."](from previous paragraph) </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">OK, one more:</span><br /><br />
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<tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">"JESUS is not merely patterned, pointed to, and promised in the Old Testament, He is present."</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">As indicated previous to that statement, </span><br /><br />
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<tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">"... the New Testament authors (<i>explicitly show</i>) <br />Jesus' Presence in the Old Testament" {<i>and some examples given are in</i> John 8:56-58; Hebrews 11:26; Jude 5; 1 Corinthians 10:4; John 12:40-41}<br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Days 26-30</b></span><br /><br />
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<tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">11/26 "The Tabernacle and The Temple" (Exodus 25:1-9; Ephesians 2:19-22) John 1:14<br /><br />11/27 "Jacob's Ladder" (Genesis 28:10-15; John 1:51) John 17:24<br /><br />11/28 "Pillar of Fire and Cloud of Smoke" (Exodus 13; John 8:12-30) John 8:12<br /><br />11/29 "Angel of the Lord" (Exodus 3:1-6; John 14:15-27) John 14:23 (NIV)<br /><br />11/30 "The Incarnation" (Luke 2) Luke 2:10-11</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>PRAYER</b></span><br /><br />
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<tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">"God, thank You that Your Word is so applicable. Lord, help us to remember the Truth we’ve discovered in Your Word together. We love You so much, God. We make a commitment today to start really paying attention and looking for Jesus in the unexpected places of our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen."</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I thank You Lord for Your Presence, Your Protection, Your Provision.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm so grateful for the Patterns, the Prophecies and the Portraits</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">provided in Your Word and through JESUS.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I give thanks for </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">"30 Days with Jesus"</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">that</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">"We are held safe in the embrace of a God who promises the comfort of</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">His PRESENCE</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">from the Garden to Glory."</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">And that</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">JESUS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">is returning soon.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">(Revelation 22:12-20)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">For this,</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">believers can be</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">eternally</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">THANKFUL</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />I hope all of you enjoyed a wonderful</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">THANKSGIVING</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><><><></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">🦃</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I give thanks for you, too!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Thanking God</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">for some other important answers to prayer</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Looking forward to this last week of the 30 Days in</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">HIS PRESENCE</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center>
Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07178137619890142365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290713315512977215.post-55172623866268907342023-11-20T18:00:00.000-06:002023-11-20T18:00:00.146-06:00NOVEMBER ... with JESUS (5) PROTECTIONS<center>
(<i>In case you've chosen to do this with me</i>)</center><center><br /></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0jR_sOYkx8Itn61w7jL62oBGM0lz_yDIIaM2uB6Z3uTMutpxd0uTFWuzVggB7QaTzCnudkG03Gsd5CjftiTdgcSkex6lxdt9QOqfnO283sCmZmqHRFjvEMoDIfk60MZnO1DG685_rXXflwD0JNQeFffDzt5xnzkMNmLjmFBeTJ8dIx2fjsCUJWP_3Fv0/s466/61Rq8s0kqSL._SY466_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="377" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0jR_sOYkx8Itn61w7jL62oBGM0lz_yDIIaM2uB6Z3uTMutpxd0uTFWuzVggB7QaTzCnudkG03Gsd5CjftiTdgcSkex6lxdt9QOqfnO283sCmZmqHRFjvEMoDIfk60MZnO1DG685_rXXflwD0JNQeFffDzt5xnzkMNmLjmFBeTJ8dIx2fjsCUJWP_3Fv0/w169-h209/61Rq8s0kqSL._SY466_.jpg" width="169" /></a></div><br /><center><span style="font-family: times;">for</span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>"30 Days <u>with Jesus</u>"</b></span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Experiencing His Presence</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Throughout the Old and New Testament</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">by Lysa TerKeurst and Dr. Joel Muddamalle</span><br /><br /><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 400px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;"> WEEK 1 <i>is</i> PORTRAITS Nov. 1-5<br /> WEEK 2 PROPHECIES Nov. 6-10<br /> WEEK 3 PATTERNS Nov. 11-15<br /> WEEK 4 PROVISIONS Nov. 16-20<br /> <b> WEEK 5 PROTECTIONS Nov. 21-25</b><br /> WEEK 6 PRESENCE Nov. 26-30<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">During these 30 days "we'll look for and discover JESUS using 6 different lenses":</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>PROTECTIONS</b></span></center><center><br /></center>
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<table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"> <span style="font-family: arial;">"We see Jesus through God’s protection of His people, as we start to discover the ultimate protection we have in Him."</span></td></tr></tbody></table></center><center><br /></center>
<center><span style="font-family: arial;">As I began reading the intro to this part, I'm finding that once again,</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">this one pertains to me (and not in a good way either)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">it reveals that I too struggle with</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">"... trusting God as my ultimate Protector"</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">because I constantly find myself "collecting" or thinking about</span></center><center><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">worst-case scenarios, as if that will protect me or prepare me better</span></center><center><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">for when or if "they" might occur</span></center><center><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">... endless nights/early morning hours ...</span></center><center><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">wondering, praying, mind & heart racing</span></center><center><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">depends on what is going on or going to be happening, well in advance</span></center><center><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"> </span></center><center><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">(sigh)</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">So supposedly these next few days will be very helpful ...</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">as we look at God, the Protector</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and "the ultimate Protection we have</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">in JESUS Christ"</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: arial;">{<i>my head says it knows this, but I don't too often find myself or the ones I'm praying for -</i></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><b>protected</b></i>}</span></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I do believe this, Lord - help me with any unbelief!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">{<i>part of my struggle is that in my life, there have been times that I specifically was trusting</i> </span></center><center style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">God <i>for my</i> Protection, <i>even prayed & put on the "full armor of God" but found myself very unprotected & subjected to being a victim (let's say) of the enemy - in broad daylight, which tends to lend itself to the insecurity, doubt, wondering, lack of trust, unbelief? etc. so I've been there & don't want to be (caught off-guard) again. It's from this place that I'm learning to trust.</i>}</span></center><center><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">AND OH, HOW I CLING TO YOU, JESUS and RELY ON YOU!</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I am so grateful for the</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">PROTECTIONS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I've been given by God</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and the ultimate Protection I have in JESUS</span></center><center><br /></center><center><br /></center>
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<tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">11/21 "Protection of Joseph" (Genesis 40; Galatians 4:3-7) Genesis 50:20<br /><br />11/22 </span><span style="font-family: arial;">"Protection in the Red Sea" (Exodus 14; Mark 4:35-41) Mark 4:<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">39-40<br /><br />11/23</span> <span style="font-family: arial;">"Protection in Jonah"(Jonah 1; Matthew 8:23-27) Matthew 8:27</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br />11/24</span> <span style="font-family: arial;">"Protection of the Torah"(Leviticus 26; Hebrews 8:1-5) Luke 24:<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">27<br /><br />11/25</span> <span style="font-family: arial;">"Protection by the Divine Warrior"(Isaiah 59:1-20; Ephesians 6: 10-17) Ephesians 6:10-11<br /><br /></span></td></tr>
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"Lord, thank You that You sent Jesus, who deeply understands how hard it can be to process fear inside these frail, hurting, human hearts of ours. Thank You for the hope that Jesus has overcome the world. Now help me overcome what I’m facing today. Thank You for the grace that I don’t have to do it perfectly. I just have to make progress. I love You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen."</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><><><></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">11/25 raises many questions I have about the injustices happening in the world currently</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">{so I may have more on this later}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">meanwhile</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">please pray as the Spirit moves you</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">for our nation</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Israel, Gaza civilians, Ukraine</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">and so many others</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">🙏👐🙏</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">🕊</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">PROTECT ALL of US</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07178137619890142365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290713315512977215.post-68080636178006329882023-11-15T18:00:00.042-06:002023-11-15T18:00:00.262-06:00NOVEMBER ... with JESUS (4) PROVISIONS<center>
(<i>In case you've chosen to do this with me</i>)</center><center><br /></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0jR_sOYkx8Itn61w7jL62oBGM0lz_yDIIaM2uB6Z3uTMutpxd0uTFWuzVggB7QaTzCnudkG03Gsd5CjftiTdgcSkex6lxdt9QOqfnO283sCmZmqHRFjvEMoDIfk60MZnO1DG685_rXXflwD0JNQeFffDzt5xnzkMNmLjmFBeTJ8dIx2fjsCUJWP_3Fv0/s466/61Rq8s0kqSL._SY466_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="377" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0jR_sOYkx8Itn61w7jL62oBGM0lz_yDIIaM2uB6Z3uTMutpxd0uTFWuzVggB7QaTzCnudkG03Gsd5CjftiTdgcSkex6lxdt9QOqfnO283sCmZmqHRFjvEMoDIfk60MZnO1DG685_rXXflwD0JNQeFffDzt5xnzkMNmLjmFBeTJ8dIx2fjsCUJWP_3Fv0/w169-h209/61Rq8s0kqSL._SY466_.jpg" width="169" /></a></div><br /><center><span style="font-family: times;">for</span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>"30 Days <u>with Jesus</u>"</b></span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Experiencing His Presence</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Throughout the Old and New Testament</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">by Lysa TerKeurst and Dr. Joel Muddamalle</span><br /><br /><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 400px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;"> WEEK 1 <i>is</i> PORTRAITS Nov. 1-5<br /> WEEK 2 PROPHECIES Nov. 6-10<br /> WEEK 3 PATTERNS Nov. 11-15<br /> <b> WEEK 4 PROVISIONS Nov. 16-20</b><br /> WEEK 5 PROTECTIONS Nov. 21-25<br /> WEEK 6 PRESENCE Nov. 26-30<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">During these 30 days "we'll look for and discover JESUS using 6 different lenses".</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b style="text-align: start;"> PROVISIONS </b></span></center><center><br /></center>
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<table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;"> "We see Jesus in God’s physical, emotional, and spiritual provision for the people of the Old Testament as Jesus is our perfect provision for all our needs."</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I am so thankful for the</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">PROVISION</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">of</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">JESUS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">and all the </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">PROVISIONS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">from</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">God, the Father</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">[a very vulnerable but truthful opening statement to this]</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">"I know what it feels like to beg for God's mighty intervention. </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">I also know what it feels like after an extended period with no change ..."</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">{<i>I can't even wrap my head around the 400 years without hearing anything from God in the Bible, between the end of the Old Testament & the New Testament; when I can't usually go a day or a week, with this silence or absence, believing I've hit a brick wall or something I did.</i>}</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">The book continues: </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">"... When we're in this place our hearts ache. Our minds race ..."</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">{I recently have visited this place so my heart & mind are captured with these opening words, which made me think about the 400 years of silence that I wrote above. And as I read, I will hold on to God's promises of PROVISION through JESUS, being thankful we have JESUS!}</span></center><center><br /></center><center><br /></center>
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<table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 400px;"><tbody>
<tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">11/16 "<b>P</b>riests" (Exodus 19; Hebrews 2:14-18) <br />1 Peter 2:9<br /><br />11/17 "<b>P</b>rophets" (1 Kings18:16-1 Kings 19:9; Luke 4: 1-15) 1 Kings 18:21<br /><br />11/18 <b>"Provision</b> in Kings" (1 Samuel 8; Ephesians 1) <br />1 Samuel 8:7<br /><br />11/19 "<b>Provision</b> in Bread" (Exodus 16; John 6:31-35)<br />John 6:33<br /><br />11/20 "<b>Provision</b> in Water" (Exodus 17:1-6; John 7:37 -52) John 7:37-38</span></td></tr>
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</center><span style="font-family: arial;">"Father God, thank You so much for sending Your Son, Jesus, as the ultimate Prophet, Priest, King, Bread of Life, and Living Water. Seeing Him so active and evident in Scripture brings me such comfort in places of my heart that feel empty today. Thank You for listening to my prayers for all the things I desire, need, want, and ask for. I pray, in the meantime, You sustain my faith by reminding me of Your past faithfulness to always keep Your promises. Thank You for the perfect provision of Jesus that paved the way for a relationship with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen."</span><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;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">* Half way through these 30 days, and I finally figure out that since I post at 6pm, I should have been posting the eve before, so I've done that today. I certainly hope that Lysa & Dr. Joel plan to do this as an online study! I know I would sign up and probably will re-do this book again, where I can spend more than 30 days.{I did catch up doing PATTERNS on the right day, so I hope I do again </span><span style="font-family: arial;">with PROVISIONS.}</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07178137619890142365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290713315512977215.post-91292925678896036052023-11-10T18:00:00.000-06:002023-11-15T09:13:55.682-06:00NOVEMBER ... with JESUS (3) PATTERNS<center>
(<i>In case you've chosen to do this with me</i>)</center><center><br /></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0jR_sOYkx8Itn61w7jL62oBGM0lz_yDIIaM2uB6Z3uTMutpxd0uTFWuzVggB7QaTzCnudkG03Gsd5CjftiTdgcSkex6lxdt9QOqfnO283sCmZmqHRFjvEMoDIfk60MZnO1DG685_rXXflwD0JNQeFffDzt5xnzkMNmLjmFBeTJ8dIx2fjsCUJWP_3Fv0/s466/61Rq8s0kqSL._SY466_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="377" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0jR_sOYkx8Itn61w7jL62oBGM0lz_yDIIaM2uB6Z3uTMutpxd0uTFWuzVggB7QaTzCnudkG03Gsd5CjftiTdgcSkex6lxdt9QOqfnO283sCmZmqHRFjvEMoDIfk60MZnO1DG685_rXXflwD0JNQeFffDzt5xnzkMNmLjmFBeTJ8dIx2fjsCUJWP_3Fv0/w169-h209/61Rq8s0kqSL._SY466_.jpg" width="169" /></a></div><br /><center><span style="font-family: times;">for</span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>"30 Days <u>with Jesus</u>"</b></span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Experiencing His Presence</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">Throughout the Old and New Testament</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">by Lysa TerKeurst and Dr. Joel Muddamalle</span><br /><br /><table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 400px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;"> WEEK 1 <i>is</i> PORTRAITS Nov. 1-5<br /> WEEK 2 PROPHECIES Nov. 6-10<br /> WEEK 3 <b>PATTERNS</b> Nov.11-15<br /> WEEK 4 PROVISIONS Nov.16-20<br /> WEEK 5 PROTECTIONS Nov. 21-25<br /> WEEK 6 PRESENCE Nov. 26-30<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center><span style="font-family: arial;">
Truthfully, each week, is becoming a bit more challenging to keep up with this becuase the content is more intense - or maybe that's just because the past 5 days was on PROPHECIES (or through the lens of PROPHECY). I was quite pleased when I made it through PORTRAITS on time and was ready to begin PROPHECIES on November 6th. But I can't believe it's November 11th & already time to move forward to the next one: PATTERNS. One of the "patterns" that I noticed right away is that all of these "lenses" begin with the letter "P" (on Purpose) which is easy for me since my name begins with "P" that makes me more aware and it's a good teaching tool.</span><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><></div>
<center><span style="font-family: arial;">During these 30 days "we'll look for and discover JESUS using 6 different lenses"</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><b>November 11th - 15th</b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">we're looking through</span></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><u>PATTERNS</u></b></span></center><center><br /></center>
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<table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 580px;"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">"We see Jesus in alternating patterns in the Bible like famine and rain, or wilderness and promised land that help us connect to the consistent reality of the presence of Jesus."</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">"This week, we are diving into how we can see Jesus throughout the Bible in Patterns."</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">"PATTERNS</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">are everywhere in Scripture."</span></center><center><br /></center>
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<table border="1" cellpadding="1" style="width: 600px;"><tbody>
<tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial;">11/11 "Famine & Rain"(Amos 8:John 7:37-43) Psalm 63:1<br /><br />11/12 "Rising & Falling" (Genesis 37; Philippians2:5-11) Romans 8:28<br /><br />11/13 "Wilderness & Promised Land" (Deuteronomy 32:10-11; Matthew 4:1-11) Deuteronomy 8:3 NIV<br /><br />11/14 "Less-Than & Greater-Than" (Exodus 4:1-17; Matthew 5:1-11 and 43-48) Matthew 5:44<br /><br />11/15 "Chaos & Order" (Genesis 4; John 1:1-18) Isaiah 11:6</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm pretty sure that you've noticed by now </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">but in case you have not:</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">each day there is Old Testament & </span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">New Testament readings</span></center><center><span style="font-family: arial;">to demonstrate JESUS in both (the contrast)<br /></span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: arial;">"GOD, THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO REVEAL YOURSELF TO ME THROUGH SCRIPTURE. Through everything I continue to study, I pray I would see more of Jesus and it would drive me into an even deeper relationship with Him. I thank You today for Your everlasting faithfulness. I trust You through every situation I am facing right now. In Jesus’ Name, Amen."</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Looking at the </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PATTERNS</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">and</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Giving Thanks</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">to</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">JESUS</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">for</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">connecting us to the consistent</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">reality of</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">His Presence</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">in each pattern</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">we can see God's hand</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07178137619890142365noreply@blogger.com0