tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13773488387980105422024-02-18T23:16:33.186-08:00NANA'S DESERT REFLECTIONSnanasknollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14139961128588102280noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377348838798010542.post-41175277696533027952018-09-27T12:43:00.000-07:002018-09-27T12:43:01.935-07:00CHANGING COLORS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwNYz-VvZ1GqaGoQbQQF2Z6l0fq9lFx-RLNwd2xu2XJPBJkBFyDYsLFQ-XOz3Ef7nTo-tgKNkM3qjnvqCeNLigUZnByiR-22RbkODpdipBpQW52dyuP6COiCefegnuqGX8unBLOsQrII/s1600/61603881_fd57116746_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1024" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwNYz-VvZ1GqaGoQbQQF2Z6l0fq9lFx-RLNwd2xu2XJPBJkBFyDYsLFQ-XOz3Ef7nTo-tgKNkM3qjnvqCeNLigUZnByiR-22RbkODpdipBpQW52dyuP6COiCefegnuqGX8unBLOsQrII/s320/61603881_fd57116746_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The bible says we are to lay aside
self. I often call it dieing to self. Think of it like fall trees. The leaves may be dieing but the tree is now beautiful. Eph. 4:22-24</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Self you might as well say is sin. It
is the sin side of us Christians. We have no problem living in self
as it is so natural. The Lord said we would have this side until we
die. But He also said we were to lay it aside. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="passage-display-bcv" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; margin: 0px; padding-right: 6px;">Ephesians 4:22-24</span><br />
<br />
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="text Eph-4-22" id="en-NASB-29295" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">22 </span>that, in reference to your former manner of life, you <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29295A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-29295A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>lay aside the <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29295B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-29295B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29295C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-29295C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>lusts of deceit,</span><span class="text Eph-4-23" id="en-NASB-29296" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">23 </span>and that you be <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29296D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-29296D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>renewed in the spirit of your mind,</span> <span class="text Eph-4-24" id="en-NASB-29297" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">24 </span>and <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29297E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-29297E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>put on the <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29297F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-29297F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>new self, which in <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">the likeness of</i> God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Years ago I was so critical of everyone
and I mean everyone. It was so easy to see their faults and
criticize the things they did. Self does feels superior when we do
this. We become self righteous, by basing our righteousness on
someone else unrighteousness. But if we examine ourselves
we begin to see ourselves as we really are, sinners.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I cannot say that I never criticize
anyone but when I do I immediately am convicted of it by the Lord.
It is just that I listen to the Lord's conviction on it now.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">How this all came about was when the
criticism started to be directed at the ones I loved. Someone as
close as a friend, husband, church member, or adult family member.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You start off with seeing one fault,
they have. You may even hint, suggest, something or just out and
tell them in your own way what they are doing and expect them to
stop.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Of course until the Lord brings this to
their attention, they more or less ignore you. You become angry
inside. Then you see another fault, and of course you have a cure
for that fault, but they do not take your cure or even see their
fault. Then you see another and another and another. Pretty soon
there is hardly anything they do that can make you happy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You
yourself become miserable and angry inside. It is suddenly how you
feel everyday when you wake up. You try to love them and be happy
but just can't. Before you know it the love you felt for that person
is being destroyed by the enemy.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What do I mean by the enemy. There is
a spiritual world going on around us that we cannot see. The Devil
and his angels set out to destroy our witness to others. It was not hard for the enemy to manipulate me as a fault in someone would be noticed and from there my sin nature could do the rest. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The problem is it destroys Christian relationships, my witness, and my happiness as well as individuals involved.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I saw this my first reaction was what do I do. How can I stop this.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1. Ask
forgiveness from the Lord for the sin of judging and most likely criticizing too.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2. Trust in the Lord for all circumstances
and changes to my loved ones.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">3. Ask the Lord to show me every time I
started to do this and immediately put aside self</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">4. To be content with my
circumstances and the people around me. After all the Lord is in control of my life, isn't He? Which goes back to trusting the Lord.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">5. To look at the good things about my
loved ones. Think about the things I loved about them.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">6. To leave those people in the Lord's
hands to change.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was to love them, be patient with
them, forgive them, etc. Also to realize that I have faults too. I was not to be judging them. That
is for the Lord to do. He is the only one that can change or even
get a person to change, including myself. This does not happen
overnight.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 Corinthians 13: 4-8</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What I have found that works completely, is to do the above and ask God to show them their fault. Also if
they are doing wrong (or I think it is wrong) to show them and if I
am wrong to show me. This is how I put it in the Lord's hands</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This has worked years for me, and the
Lord has been faithful to do just that. You do have to accept what
the Lord answers! </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This took a lot of work between the
Lord and myself. The problem is we do not want to wait on the Lord
to do the teaching and changing in the ones we love. We want change
now. The thing to remember here is we are to lay aside self. We must
not let these thoughts even start. We must not let the enemy
manipulate us and ruin our relationships and our witness.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What is the main thing our loved ones want? I
do not know about any of you, but the main thing is to be loved the
way I am. To understanding that we are a work in
progress by the Lord. To have patience with me. This might mean suffering my loved ones faults and mistakes.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I found out that the suffering and laying aside self leads to
blessings we could not imagine.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thank You Lord for your answers to our
problems.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Nina
</span></div>
<br /></div>
nanasknollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14139961128588102280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377348838798010542.post-25027091527332467392017-09-24T20:15:00.001-07:002017-09-24T20:15:35.306-07:00ME ORGANIZED ? REFLECTIONS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><br /></b>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yE6gvgtIc7mx6uq10UwnJsybUNXiJVsUaUDWmZX_Vy1EkKTALOVYeMU8fo1tnPFFT6K0gsRUhMMMiqb6MCsyEPONlaFe5NDD3IvCJCzsRIlZTGp4BUSrV3D3Ja7apRNJ3-gXgcwTcEM/s1600/proverbs_31_above_rubies_cards-rafa699f6aed5480b8f06344211b25a04_xvuak_8byvr_512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yE6gvgtIc7mx6uq10UwnJsybUNXiJVsUaUDWmZX_Vy1EkKTALOVYeMU8fo1tnPFFT6K0gsRUhMMMiqb6MCsyEPONlaFe5NDD3IvCJCzsRIlZTGp4BUSrV3D3Ja7apRNJ3-gXgcwTcEM/s320/proverbs_31_above_rubies_cards-rafa699f6aed5480b8f06344211b25a04_xvuak_8byvr_512.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This last week I was telling someone
that I use to be a very disorganized housewife and mother years ago.
They said they found that hard to believe. This got me to thinking
about how it came about that I am more organized and get a lot done
in a day. Also I enjoy doing my work now.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">First off the Lord knows our
personalities and when we go to him for the help we need “He”
always shows us the way. We do have to watch for these ways and be
ready to accept and do what he shows us to do. This goes for all
aspects of our lives. It sometimes means a leap of faith, but “He”
is always faithful when we do what he has showed us.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rom
8:28</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love
God, to them who are the called according to </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>his</i></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
purpose. </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9sZYCGN7zV4nJj6EnGrhO37bW8U1HzD6navfY63q69Lsg9FF-t48oN8H-ok9t3jcaWUbpX2h0H5-wcSmQLxJjgffYLneX1VqshtnLTjka15p1zcSNPOYO_tb-PZXY4Puv2RmXfpzqbk/s1600/th4X3WQB5A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="227" data-original-width="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9sZYCGN7zV4nJj6EnGrhO37bW8U1HzD6navfY63q69Lsg9FF-t48oN8H-ok9t3jcaWUbpX2h0H5-wcSmQLxJjgffYLneX1VqshtnLTjka15p1zcSNPOYO_tb-PZXY4Puv2RmXfpzqbk/s1600/th4X3WQB5A.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I was a mother it was in the
1970's through 1990's. In the early years we could not go and google
and ask about organization, keeping a home together, best prices on
food and clothing or material for making clothing etc. We had to
wait on the Lord for some of our answers. The Lord always showed me
what to do (when I listened).</span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The first answer was in the Bible. The
Proverbs 31 woman. It seemed totally out of reach for me at the
time. But I also knew God was faithful and he was the teacher.</span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The second thing was a desire to even
be like the Proverbs 31 woman. I did not work outside the home that
meant (to me) that I had to treat my home and family like a job. I
was to do the best I could in that job.</span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVBDXCW0Cfm9kBgztatGSYeVlgom5Wt6xGuew0Yq5RqdWh-acXYkaQS96QveWUbYPbw_i1rf2kDdIRY1eqIR24K3vGsy2PFPqgCNZX1N-cmILoir-OItt0329nqKBLfhl5i0jKp0M3oo/s1600/294bfd1f797ba67b23df613de0e055a7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="236" data-original-width="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVBDXCW0Cfm9kBgztatGSYeVlgom5Wt6xGuew0Yq5RqdWh-acXYkaQS96QveWUbYPbw_i1rf2kDdIRY1eqIR24K3vGsy2PFPqgCNZX1N-cmILoir-OItt0329nqKBLfhl5i0jKp0M3oo/s1600/294bfd1f797ba67b23df613de0e055a7.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The second thing that came was a book
called, “The Sidetracked Home Executives”. This was my personality
and the Lord knew it. It was a card system for days of the week,
every other week, every month, spring to do list, summer to do list,
fall to do list, and winter to do list. Their system was perfect for
me.</span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here is an example of my side tracked habit.
When putting laundry up in a room, I would see something that needed
done and I would work on it. Then next thing I knew, I was someplace
else doing something else altogether than the laundry. The day was
almost gone and it looked like I had done hardly anything. No room
or chore was completed. The card system and the book taught me how
to stay focused on what I was doing and to stay with the one task
till completed. Once I learned this so much more got accomplished in
my home. This went for grocery shopping, thrift store shopping
(example look for needs first then other things I wanted). Preparing
meals, getting breakfast for hubby and kids, getting hubby off to
work and kids ready for school, cleaning house, etc.
</span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After doing their card system for a
couple years, it became a habit.
</span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This did not happen overnight. It took
perseverance on my part and that desire to do my job to the best of
my ability and to look to the Lord for all things.</span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am now 67 years old, my children are
grown and a lot of my grandchildren are adults and almost adults. My husband and
I are now retired, even though we do a lot of work on this homestead
we live on.
</span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My husband is always telling me that he
appreciates all that I do to help him. I may never be that perfect
example of the Proverbs 31 woman, but I am glad that I did make her
my mentor. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
Nina</span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
nanasknollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14139961128588102280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377348838798010542.post-72394370027157562962016-08-30T08:24:00.002-07:002016-08-31T21:25:37.153-07:00SIMPLE LIFE RULES<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">SIMPLE
LIFE RULES</span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I
ran across </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><a href="http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=30827"><span style="color: #0089aa;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>An
87-Year-Old’s Economic Survival Guide</u></span></span></span><span style="color: #0089aa;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u> </u></span></span></span></a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In
the article a man shares wisdom from his mother, who was about 10,
when her family weathered recessive times.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0.07in; margin-top: 0.07in;">
<span style="color: black;"> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Her
advice is wonderful because she is wise enough not to focus ONLY on
the dollars and cents of the matter or the circumstances.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">-</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u>Lean
upon God</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">-Get
back to the basics. Simplify your life.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">-Be
humble and willing to work.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">-Be
rich in love.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">-Be
a part of a community.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">-Help
someone else.</span></span></span></span></div>
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nanasknollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14139961128588102280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377348838798010542.post-31085406161261067592016-02-02T14:46:00.001-08:002016-02-25T08:34:42.690-08:00A REASON FOR SILENCE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes we have a reason for silence and quiet. We have a cross to bear or a duty to perform, or just living. This morning I came across something that is so true. I picked up a book after moving, from a box. It had been in storage a long time. From the time I was a young Christian this author has been a mentor. Now I am an older Christian woman myself. Her wisdom and knowledge of living a Christian life have given me pearls of thought about Christ and our Christian lives over the years. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">From "God's Guidance-A Slow & Certain Light"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The taking up of the cross will mean sooner or later saying no to self. But it is also a resounding yes. It means saying yes when everything in us says no. To decide to do the thing that we (and it will seem everybody else in the world) do not want to do because it is not "natural." And in our giving of wholehearted assent, we find to our amazement that the impossible becomes possible and the things we were sure were beyond us are now within reach, for God's command is his enabling. <i>Never </i>has he given an assignment that was not accompanied by the power to accomplish it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The cross entails sacrifice, too. There is no getting around this. Christianity has been criticized and rejected by many as an "unnatural" religion, a life that denies living, a negation and not an affirmation. Jesus never tried to make it look easy. The principles he taught cut across the grain of human nature: lose your life in order to find it; be poor in spirit if you want to be happy; mourn if you want to rejoice; take the last place if you want the first. The corn of wheat must first fall into the ground and die if it is ever to produce anything.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What we must not forget is that he traveled this road before us. He himself endured a cross and thought nothing of its shame:--not because he had a particular liking for self-denial and suffering but "because of the joy he knew would follow his suffering. Think constantly of him enduring all that sinful men could say against him, and you will not lose your purpose or your courage. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Here is a poem she learned in college and what she says about it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A few lines I learned while a student in college have come back to my mind, beckoning me when more immediate rewards were attracting my attention:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I heard him call "Come follow."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">That was all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My gold grew dim, my soul went after him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Who would not follow</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">If they heard him call?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> by Elisabeth Elliot</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes when we are called by Christ to do a certain thing, and we know some will not understand, we must follow his bidding. He has a purpose for the future and the people involved that we cannot see. We may or may not see the reason to take up such a cross. What we can do is TRUST HIM, for he has the bigger picture in mind. We are but a piece of that picture, if we humbly hear his Call and Follow. "Taking up the cross", as Elizabeth said, involves sacrifices that we may never have even thought of. Thanks be to Jesus Christ our strength comes from him to accomplish these things asked of us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Nana</span></div>
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<br /></div>nanasknollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14139961128588102280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377348838798010542.post-27932770739209022772016-01-29T09:08:00.002-08:002016-02-25T08:34:42.688-08:00RESENTMENT<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Today I was reading a book that was suggested to me sometime back. I have read it before and lined, highlighted, and circled areas that pertained to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">In my 65 years I have gone through many circumstances that I considered good and bad. One of the key things that have caused me problems is </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">assumptions</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> and </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">resentment</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Looking at someone else's actions or non-actions I have assumed certain things about them. I did not wait on the Lord to show me the truth, but listened to others who thought the same as myself. I believe we call this "self-righteousness." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Through certain trials in my life the Lord showed me how we all assume things by what we see or hear ourselves or from others. We then act on those assumptions. We become resentful of our lives or the people in them. We can become angry, resentful, etc.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">One thing I know is the Lord put these people and circumstances in my life to teach me. Granted I have created some of these problems myself. But God is always able to teach me when I am willing to listen TO HIM. He did not forsake me even in my sin. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">If you read your Bible you will see over and over how sinful we all are and how many in the Bible did the same things as we do. We can learn from that if we are willing, and do not continually think we have to be the right one. Maybe we should ask the Lord-show "ME" if I am wrong.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Below is a quote from the Book I read.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Finding God's Path through your Trials-by Elizabeth George</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><i>Page 113-114-quotes from</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><i>Resent: Instead of getting onboard and marching forward into the trial in front of us, we resent the roles others play in our difficulty. Although God is absolutely sovereign in our lives, we mistakenly think others have contributed to our coming to this particular place of pain and suffering. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><i>But God has a grand plan for our trials.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><i>Resentment is a growth killer.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><i>It is easier to resent our husbands, our job or his job, our children and the trials having them brings each day, or our singleness than it is to face our trials head-on. It is easier to feel bitter about our in-laws, our parents, our bosses ( and on and on the list of resentees goes) than to grow up out of this immature practice. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><i>God is at work in life through people--with all their quirks and irritations, with all their shortcomings and sinful behavior.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Over the years I have come to learn that God's plan is for us to be servants to others, not ourselves. I hope this helps someone today to go forward and not retreat from their trials.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Nina</span><br />
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nanasknollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14139961128588102280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377348838798010542.post-66757226322973558192015-12-22T08:08:00.002-08:002018-09-23T21:50:10.625-07:00LIFE IS SO DAILY<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">
Our lives involve so many little details. Day to day we do the little things that are routine. I often use to think is this the Christian life. What ever happened to ministry, to that romantic thought of spiritual life we are suppose to live.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
The way life is for the most of us is what I thought I would share today.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
We get up and we fix breakfast, go to work, or stay at home and do are daily duties. We eat lunch and dinner and rest a little in the evening and go to bed. Get up and start all over again.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
The one thing we forget is that during a day we have many opportunities to just be obedient to Christ. To listen to a friend or family member. Take care of our families. Even clean the toilet or change a diaper.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
It may seem insignificant but what is insignificant to us is not to the Lord. He wants us to be obedient in the little things in life he has put before us, as well as what we may call spiritual things.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Even the little prayers we say during the day and leaning on Him are of significance to Him. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
As Elizabeth Elliot said in her book "Be Still My Soul," </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Our obedience may lead us not to the fulfillment of our ideals but to very unexpected and "unspiritual situations.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>The Way of the Cross is an ordinary street in an ordinary city. It is an ordinary life lived in the grace of God.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
So when you feel the little things you do are not significant just remember the Lord considers your obedience to do them significant.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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nanasknollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14139961128588102280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377348838798010542.post-10283571168449667942015-09-05T13:30:00.002-07:002016-08-11T21:39:16.944-07:00FOOLISH BANTERING?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">This site has some of the best down to earth, logical, human Christian advice I have seen in a long time. Check them out-<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SavetheCowboy?pnref=story">CLICK HERE</a></span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 16.08px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I smiled and put a hand on his shoulder and said "Foolish bantering</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">makes fools of the wisest men.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">No matter what you do, there are going to be some people that will </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">find fault in what you do or say. They are going to criticize, nit-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">pick, demean, and accuse you of things that you did not intend to </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">even do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">___________________________________</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">You cannot win an argument with these people. Why? Because </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">facts, logic, and kindness are not their intention. Their intention is a </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">fight. They don't care if you're right. Shoot, they don't even care if </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">they are right. They just want an argument.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">They fight because they are hurt. Sometimes it is because they have </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">an over-inflated sense of pride to make up for their lack of self-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">esteem. Other times it is because they are jealous or envious. And </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">still other times it might be because they are simply a jerk.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But if you call yourself a follower of Christ, do not engage in </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">meaningless arguments that only lead to strife and conflict. Just let </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">it go. The only way you can win is by not arguing. It's tough, but </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">you can do it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">to teach, not resentful. -2 Timothy 2:23-24</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"You've done nothing by besting a fool."</span></div>
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nanasknollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14139961128588102280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377348838798010542.post-41596185607235043212015-05-04T13:36:00.000-07:002016-02-25T08:34:42.695-08:00BEGINNING OF HEALING<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Over 43 years you are bound to run into trials of various forms. We all start our young adult lives with visions of what it should be, will be, and you want it to be. <br />
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More often than not life in no way will be as you expected. The Lord is trying to conform you to his image, and lead you down a path that will forever make Him dear to you. Sometimes that form takes you on trials you in no way want or anticipate.<br />
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As humans we get in ruts, we go to far, we are not balanced. If shown a truth we run with it, add to it, stay in one place with it, etc. We read every book we can find on this particular truth. We associate with every pastor and brethren that believes as we do. We shut out everything and everyone else for fear of disrupting our way of life as we see it. The Lord allows this for a time. Then the Lord will allow the trials. These trials are so we are clinging to Him instead of all we thought was truth. Not that it was not a truth, but we cannot get beyond it. We base our whole lives on it and what we have added to it. It has become our security and not the Lord. He starts the process of sorting the truth from fiction in our minds.<br />
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A few years back I was given a book. It has been a life saver when in a trial. The name of the book is called "Deserts of the Heart," by Pamela Reeve" It goes straight to the heart of how it feels dealing with these trials, the way and the outcome of them.<br />
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<i>Deserts of the Heart pg 17</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>For most of us, life holds a few desert stretches along the way--some short, some long. For others, the dry land stretch on and on for countless, stumbling miles. Some deserts are forced upon us; some come of our own making. The desert speaks of barrenness, helplessness, and aching loneliness. It is a place of changeless deadness as far as the eye can see. It is a place where you travel on and on with neither landmark, nor destination--and often no sign of God</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>There are many such deserts in life, places where the very things that gave life meaning and direction have disappeared under shifting, blowing sand. And one of these situations can produce such desolate seasons:</i><br />
<i>A drastic change in family circumstances</i><br />
<i>A deep relationship severed....</i><br />
<i>An unwanted role imposed...</i><br />
<i>A debilitating illness</i><br />
<i>An awareness of fading abilities</i><br />
<i>A move into a strange new culture</i><br />
<i>A life plan shattered</i><br />
<i>An unyielding spiritual drought</i><br />
<i>A lingering dispute with one you had called "friend"</i><br />
<i>A sad, hopeless mood that won't let go</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The Lord Lord has deep purposes in all such experiences, never doubt it!</i><br />
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Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,<br />
Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.<br />
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The desert is the place where He woos us to Himself. "I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her" Hosea 2:14 There he shows us His deep, personal love.<br />
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There is hope in Him and Him only. No <b><u>system</u>, <u>method</u>, <u>person</u>, <u>place or thing</u></b>. His love is unending and he blesses us in our personal trials.<br />
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Nina<br />
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nanasknollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14139961128588102280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377348838798010542.post-24389632792684295522015-02-10T12:13:00.000-08:002016-02-25T08:34:42.686-08:00FAITHFULNESS IN ROUTINES OF LIFE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">As usual we find the Lord faithful. All through my life when I am struggling over an issue I will ask for knowledge and the Lord has always answered. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">I went searching for a book in my stack of Biblical books (still in boxes) in my bedroom. I could not look at every book and only had a few to choose from top boxes.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">The Lord has my husband in a Theology Class using a book written by Charles Caldwell Ryrie. There in the top boxes was another book by Ryrie called" <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Balancing-Christian-Ryrie-Charles-Paperback/dp/B00NICBIPS/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1423597445&sr=8-5&keywords=Balancing+the+Christian+Life+Charles+Ryrie">Balancing The Christian Life</a> "Boy could I use some balance today :) </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">I came right to a chapter called Routine Faithfulness. Below are some sections of this chapter that may help someone else as well today. It is not the whole chapter, just some important points. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><u><span style="color: blue;">[</span>Grey<span style="color: blue;"> </span>is the book<span style="color: blue;"> and blue is my statements]</span></u></i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">ROUTINE FAITHFULNESS</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Too often messages on the spiritual life focus on crisis experiences in the believer's life. The exhortations of such messages normally call for some crisis decisions. Admittedly we often need calls to decision and certainly spiritual principles should be applied in the crisis of life. But it is equally true that since most of our time is spent in the routines of life we ought to apply spirituality in these areas as well.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1Cor. 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Most Christians activities are comprised of routine affairs. Therefore it is mostly in the area of the routines of life that faithfulness is requires. Have you ever noticed that when Paul summarized the Christian's conduct he related it to the ordinary activities of life: "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" [1 Cor. 10:31]. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is the routines of life in which a spiritual person will exhibit faithfulness to his Lord. And these are often the most difficult areas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are few who cannot gird themselves for the unusual. Most can produce when pressed. This is also true in spiritual matters. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But we all tend to let our guard down in the routine. And if the same routine is our lot for very long we inevitably grow weary and often disheartened simply because the routine "gets us down." But if the Bible principles of spiritual living work at all, they certainly should work in the routines of life and they ought to work continuously.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">FAITHFULNESS IN PROBLEMS</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In this section Ryrie explains some problems Paul had to deal with. He uses 2 Cor. 4:16 "For which cause we faint not [DO NOT LOOSE HEART]; but through our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">From these problems Ryrie says</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"The example and teaching are clear. A spiritual person shows persistence, not faintheartedness in the face of difficulties. He will not give up when the routine begins to grind to his very soul. Rather he will show consistent and persistent faithfulness to the task to which he has been called.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">I found it interesting in one of the problems Paul had to wait 2 years under house arrest for his accusers to come forward and press charges. If they did not it was dismissed. The accusers, by pressing charges and not coming forward, kept Paul out of circulation (so they thought) for 2 years. They also kept him from being acquitted and his ministry vindicated. </span> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Paul had to be Patient and so did his circle of friends who were waiting it out with him. It was to them he wrote 2 Cor. 4:16. It would have been easy to get discouraged month after month.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If any man had a right to lose heart Paul certainly did in the face of such problems. He said he would not do so. If the grace of God can be seen through the lives of those who have been helped, then problems are a small thing to endure. Paul assure himself with the promise that God renews the inward man daily even though the outward man is subject to all kinds of pressures and problems.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">The rest of the chapter is Faithfulness in Prayer, Good Works and Witness. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">I love his last sentence (see below) in this chapter as I find it to be so true as we go through problems and then have to wait on the Lord and go on about our daily routines being faithful in them as our personal witness to others.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"The longer I live the more I am convinced that genuine spirituality is not really proved from the pulpit or classroom or Sunday school or board meetings; rather it is demonstrated best by consistent living before God first of all, and then before those closest to us in the home. A kind of spirituality can be seen on parade; the kind God wants is cultivated and practiced consistently and persistently in the routine of life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nana</span><br />
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nanasknollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14139961128588102280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377348838798010542.post-14624466369754263332015-01-29T08:15:00.001-08:002016-02-25T08:34:42.679-08:00PERSONAL TURMOIL<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">TRUSTING GOD IN A TWISTED WORD-Elisabeth Elliot</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Scriptures encompass the whole man, his whole world, and reveal the Lord of the universe. In them we have not only a perfect frame of reference, but specific and practical instruction, reproof when it's reproof we need, correction when we've gone wrong.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I have found this to be true every time I have tried it. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Recently I was in turmoil about some things somebody said to me. I lay awake at night, mentally enacting whole scenes and conversations in which we would "have it out," dragging everything into consciousness, saying everything that was in our minds, pitting what she said against what I said, what she did against what I did, defending, offending, complaining and explaining. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I had heard this is what we were suppose to do--get it out, get it up front, express it. But what a devastating business! What a crashing experience! What a way to consume time, not to mention emotional and spiritual energy! The very process itself gives me the chance to add to my own list of sins against her. "When men talk too much," says Proverbs 10:19, "sin is never far away. Common sense holds it's tongue."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Bible prescribes "turn from evil, Let that be the medicine to keep you in health' (Proverbs 3:7,8)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Love is kind. Love is never quick to take offense. Love keeps no score of wrongs. There is nothing love cannot face; there is no limit to its faith, its hope, and its endurance" (1 Corinthians 13:4,5, 7 NEB)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Help one another to carry these heavy loads, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Gal. 6:2 NEB)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Let your bearing toward one another arise out of your life in Christ Jesus....He made himself nothing....humbled himself......accepted death: (Philip 2: 5, 7, 8 NEB)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The woman who had hurt me had plenty of heavy burdens to bear. I knew that very well. How could I help her to bear them? Well for one thing, by being offended without taking offence," that is by following my Master</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">What a relief! I no longer had to plot and plan and cogitate (ponder) about how to handle my feelings or how to confront my friend or just what to say. My bearing toward her would arise out of my life IN Christ Jesus. I couldn't do it myself. He could and He would enable me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">To cut the straight path a good deal of the jungle of my selfishness had to be slashed through. But it was a much shorter way home (to peace).</span><br />
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nanasknollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14139961128588102280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377348838798010542.post-20276310510923350652014-12-03T23:17:00.000-08:002016-02-25T08:34:42.681-08:00SINNERS REMEMBER<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YZMG7xIez6K8vOLTWWxqRU6kkdwWW6FiuzeT0dgWR08hBiUf_Tz4mBERP2CwFIsZY6l4HbhFNHzjaYBH7VdsXs_c2sE2C1PZul3LT9eE264NfeuY3Lxjnz-U0jKwYQH5Wus2BMzcbe8/s1600/FloweringField+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YZMG7xIez6K8vOLTWWxqRU6kkdwWW6FiuzeT0dgWR08hBiUf_Tz4mBERP2CwFIsZY6l4HbhFNHzjaYBH7VdsXs_c2sE2C1PZul3LT9eE264NfeuY3Lxjnz-U0jKwYQH5Wus2BMzcbe8/s1600/FloweringField+(1).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Joh 8:7b<span style="color: red;"> He that is without sin</span></b><span style="color: red;"> among you, let him first cast a stone at her. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Joh 8:8 And again he stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Joh 8:9 And they, when they heard it, went out one by one, beginning from the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the midst. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Joh 8:10 And Jesus lifted up himself, and said unto her, <span style="color: red;">Woman, where are they? did no man condemn thee? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Joh 8:11 And she said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said, <span style="color: red;">Neither do I condemn thee: go thy way; from henceforth sin no more.]</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister <i>grace</i> unto the hearers. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Eph 4:30 And <i>grieve</i> not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Eph 4:31 Let all <b>bitterness</b>, and <b>wrath</b>, and <b>anger</b>, and <b>clamour</b>, and <b>evil speaking</b>, be put away from you, with all <b>malice</b>: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Eph 4:32 And be ye <b>kind one to another</b>, <b>tenderhearted</b>, <b>forgiving one another</b>, even <u>as God for Christ's sake <b>hath forgiven you</b>.</u></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We need to remember we ALL (including myself) are SINNERS-FORGIVEN.</span><br />
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nanasknollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14139961128588102280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377348838798010542.post-40023289292037253452014-08-28T10:42:00.002-07:002016-02-25T08:34:42.693-08:00DO THE NEXT THING<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWMSCSjA3E_O0DmOnaAg-jTlz-9MYjUEhzAOM7jZ7iOUSKL-4_ymTsUrMbs6Zz-rfoLy9uizPPnpi9oDgz5SMMZ_qevXC7o_DocKjJG1lfq7PmEOhF2TRgcgsQkL9Ib55PGwiEBpRd7Q/s1600/marriage+or+anniversary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWMSCSjA3E_O0DmOnaAg-jTlz-9MYjUEhzAOM7jZ7iOUSKL-4_ymTsUrMbs6Zz-rfoLy9uizPPnpi9oDgz5SMMZ_qevXC7o_DocKjJG1lfq7PmEOhF2TRgcgsQkL9Ib55PGwiEBpRd7Q/s1600/marriage+or+anniversary.jpg" height="320" width="245" /></a></div>
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I<span style="font-size: large;">n the last few years there have been so many changes in our lives, good and bad. The hardest thing to do is change our circumstances when we do not want to. Trials, Temptations, and just living this life on this earth can at sometimes be over whelming.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I always go back to a poem that Elizabeth Elliot qoated that kept her going when life threw her a curve.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>DO THE NEXT THING</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">From an old English parsonage, down by the sea</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There came in the twilight a message to me,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Its quaint Saxon legend, deeply engraved,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hath, as it seems to me, teaching from Heaven.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And on through the hours the quiet words ring,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Like a Low inspiration....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"<b>DO THE NEXT THING</b>."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Many a questioning, many a fear,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Many a doubt, hath it quieting here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Moment by moment, let down from Heaven,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Time, opportunity, guidance, are given.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fear not tomorrows, Child of the King,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Trust them with Jesus,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"<b>DO THE NEXT THING</b>."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do it immediately; do it with prayer;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do it reliantly, casting all care;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do it with reverence, tracing His Hand</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Who place it before thee with earnest command.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Stayed on Omnipotence, safe'neath His wing,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Leave all resultings,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"<b>DO THE NEXT THING</b>."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Looking to Jesus, ever serener,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(Working or suffering) be thy demeanor,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The light of His countenance be thy psalm,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then, as He beckons thee</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"<b>DO THE NEXT THING</b>."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Elizabeth Eliot goes on to say in her book "Be Still My Soul."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There is nothing magical about this. The Lord has assigned you your portion and your cup, it is designated, measured precisely. Are you upset because you have been hindered from doing, what you wanted to do? Jesus Christ provides the way out of the labyrinth of the world into the freedom of the new creation. You will keep the same talents, the same circumstances, the same health, the same family, the same property, the same daily demands. But as some has said, "A door has opened and the crossing over to Christ has been made possible by acceptances."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">IN ACCEPTANCE LIETH PEACE.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hope this inspires you to go on and "DO THE NEXT THING," that is required of you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nina</span></div>
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nanasknollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14139961128588102280noreply@blogger.com1