tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18984985930988488982024-03-06T03:19:11.414-05:00A Vessel in the Potter's HandsThe process of being molded into the image of God's Son takes time. This blog is the place for me to share the lessons the LORD is teaching me. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel." Jeremiah 18:6Tammihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11625966252985649159noreply@blogger.comBlogger183125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898498593098848898.post-69321792072529196642014-02-02T21:39:00.001-05:002014-02-02T21:41:15.061-05:00No One Ever Cared for me Like Jesus (Piano/instrumental w/lyrics)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Each song that God has allowed me to record is like a special memento to a time in my life that He brought me through that was difficult or a lesson learned....each is special. But this song is the sum of my testimony all wrapped up into a musical tribute to the best Friend I'll ever have. I pray this will be a blessing to you and yours. . .for His glory. And if you don't know this Friend of mine, please know that He longs to be your best Friend. He gave His life for you!! Just trust Him. Seek Him and He will be found.<br />
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God bless<br />
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Tammi<br />
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Tammihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11625966252985649159noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898498593098848898.post-51579119629104059902013-10-29T21:12:00.000-04:002013-10-29T21:21:18.990-04:00Royal Lesson<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!<br />I John 3:1</span></strong></div>
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I just wanted to journal a lesson that the Lord taught me last week, and hopefully it will be a blessing to you too. </div>
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As you are probably aware, the Royal Baby, Prince George, was christened. As I happened to see a photo of his dad, Prince William, presenting him to the public, I couldn't help but notice the beautiful christening gown that the baby was wearing. Then I realized something:</div>
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<br /><br />I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For <span style="color: #e06666;"><em>he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,</em></span> as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10</h3>
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When we are born into this world, we are born with our inherent sin nature. Nothing we can do on our own to change that fact. But God, who is RICH in mercy and FULL of compassion, saw our need, became our Savior and paid the debt for our sin IN FULL. <em>(The payment for sin is: DEATH, but the GIFT OF GOD is eternal life...through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23)</em> Our sin was punished on the cross at Calvary. Jesus died to set us free from the guilt and bondage of sin AND to <em>clothe us in His righteousness</em>. </div>
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The Bible says that all of our works (good works done in our own energy) are as "filthy rags." (Isaiah 64:6) BUT when we accept the Lord's gift of salvation and repent (turn away from) our sinful ways, then we are clothed in <em><strong><u>His</u></strong></em> righteousness. </div>
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For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. Psalm 149:4</h3>
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Just like Prince William delighted in presenting his royal son, all decked out in a beautiful christening gown, Our Heavenly Father delights in US too! We have been declared royalty! </div>
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THE LESSON:</h3>
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As I looked at the intricate, beautiful christening gown with all that it represented, and then looked at the adorable royal infant, I thought,<em> "That little one has no clue that he is royalty! He is completely oblivious to the fact that the world is watching him, longing to gaze at his little face in all of his 'glory.' To him, this is just another day in the life of 'baby-hood'."</em> As he grows, and is trained, he will soon learn of his royal responsibilities.</div>
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Isn't that the way it is with us, once we trade our filthy rags <br />for God's royal righteous robes? </h3>
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There's so much more that could be written or said here . . .<br />
but I just wanted to give us food for thought. </div>
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<li>Have you accepted the Lord as your Savior? All of our "good works" are as filthy rags, if we have not been "washed in the blood of the Lamb." If there was anything that we COULD do to make amends for our sin, then Jesus died on the cross for absolutely no reason!</li>
<li>If you and I have believed in Jesus' payment for our sin and His overcoming death on our behalf, then do we realize that we are royalty: God's children?? Or are we still clueless to the undeserving LOVE, FAVOR and GRACE that our Heavenly Father so richly bestows upon us?<br /> </li>
<li>Do you realize that your Heavenly Father looks down at you and doesn't see all the bad "stuff" you do? He sees you completely wrapped, in fact ADORNED, in HIS righteousness!! He longs for you and I to REALIZE just how much He loves us, and just how special we are. He longs to train us, to use us, for His royal reasons.</li>
<li>What are we doing to grow? Are we spending time with our Heavenly Father in His Word; are we praying?<br /> </li>
<li>Each day that we go into our world, are we aware of our royal status? And with that, are we doing our royal duties by representing the Kingdom of GOD very well? </li>
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Just some food for thought...actually it's a lesson for me to remember, but I figured I'd not remember it all if I didn't write it down somewhere & what better place than here, my long, lost blog!? :) Hope that you all are doing well!! Sure have missed being in touch!</div>
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Until next time, remember, we don't have to be clothed in filthy rags!! If we are saved, then we are God's children----royalty....And the Creator and King of the universe LOVES US more than we could ever know! REALIZE WHO WE ARE and find security in who we are, not in ourselves, but in Christ. :)</div>
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Hugs,<br />
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Marvelous and undeserving grace, freely bestowed to all who believe. </h3>
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Tammihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11625966252985649159noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898498593098848898.post-4870347798620323902013-06-29T11:56:00.002-04:002013-06-29T12:26:55.134-04:00Touching Base...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Just wanted to let everyone know that the Lord enabled me to graduate with honors! May 8! :) And after having only one month off from school, I started a new full time day job!! This is a huge miracle and answer to prayer....the line of work that I am doing (ultrasound), its' very difficult to find a full time day job...usually we have to start with "on call, nights, weekends, holidays, as needed." This is no doubt the LORD's doings! </div>
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My nephew set up a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tammi-Yates-Pianist/451855421576115?ref=hl" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for my music--so if you're on facebook, hop on over to keep in touch there! I will try to blog more, at some point, Lord willing....</div>
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We have so much to be thankful for.....The Lord pulled our family through three MAJOR storms during my time in school---and for this I am very grateful. When Alysa's appendix ruptured, she was in the hospital for 7 days, came home and was on oral antibiotics for 7 more days, then had to go BACK to the hospital for 2 and a half more days, and had to have a PICC line (IV line) placed in her upper arm...so she had another 7 days of IV treatments at home, three times a day. So the night I graduated, I had to text Bryan from where I was sitting to remind him to take out her IV bag from the cooler we had packed, to let it get to room temp, then after I graduated and we were in the car, I had to flush out the IV line, and give her that evening's dose in the car on the way home! What an adventure! Although it didn't seem like quite an enjoyable one during the time! I truly did not even get a chance to comprehend that I was graduating, because she was back in the hospital on May 1...one week before my graduation. I wanted to tell you that during her hospital stay, God opened the door for us to donate several CDs of music for them to use during pain management sessions with their patients....and God has opened the door for me to produce a DVD for the Children's Hospital... relaxing music with nature scenes. Two videos are posted to my facebook page. Such a blessing! I told Alysa that even through her terrible painful ordeal, God had a purpose and a plan for it all! And how grateful that we didn't miss the opportunity. Only He could have opened the door! :)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the morning of my graduation, I found our yard was completely <br />
decked out with balloons and signs to celebrate the occasion! :)<br />
Compliments of Bryan, Alysa & Chase :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3r7eeCumkJ1849wuzg-yEjFp3NLLbSY5Cd6EvQfVREnSLwkWwpS3YrrWJ3q37Z0tkoKGFWKNM0t21moQwehAGC2Y7fQBffLS67HBo1FopIGxhUw4-fP9u5HKzAlA34BUeKnEh8gWU6c/s1184/graduation+yard.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3r7eeCumkJ1849wuzg-yEjFp3NLLbSY5Cd6EvQfVREnSLwkWwpS3YrrWJ3q37Z0tkoKGFWKNM0t21moQwehAGC2Y7fQBffLS67HBo1FopIGxhUw4-fP9u5HKzAlA34BUeKnEh8gWU6c/s320/graduation+yard.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signs, balloons, banners were in the yard, around the entire <br />
perimeters! :) They surprised me, BIG TIME!:)<br />
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I hope that you all are doing well too! I MISS keeping in touch! </div>
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Going to leave you with this little lesson learned: Life's circumstances can leave us bitter or better... It's up to us to decide how we will be affected. . . .if I look at "me" and think of "I, I, I" in a bad situation, more than likely I will become b.I.t.t.e.r. But if I look elsewhere, to others, and especially to God, for His perspective, then perhaps I will become a b.E.t.t.e.r person from it. Romans 8:28 We know that God works all things out for our good and His glory, IF we are called according to His purpose! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My nephew came for my graduation & took family pictures <br />
of us down at the oceanfront! <br />
Just thought I'd share an updated photo! :)</td></tr>
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Take care, everyone! Just had to touch base really quick to let you know the latest update! Graduated! And was given a full time, first-shift job!!! THANK THE LORD! :)<br />
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Keep in touch!!</div>
Be encouraged! For as far left as the pendulum swings to the "negative"---it HAS to swing that much to the right, into the positive! It's up to God to decide WHEN---but the circumstances you are going through WILL change!!! Wait upon the LORD! He will strengthen your heart! :)<br />
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Love and hugs!<br />
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Tammihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11625966252985649159noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898498593098848898.post-86169008692402430502013-05-03T12:29:00.001-04:002013-05-03T12:32:08.290-04:00Alysa, again<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Just got home from yet another hospital stay. Alysa was first in the hospital for 7 days from the ruptured appendix....and this latest stay was from Wednesday til today.<br />
Was trying to get a few minutes rest before the home nurse comes, but the phone has been ringing from all the healthcare people..<br />
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Anyway, on Tues she went back to school, but began to feel bad, so I picked her up a little early... then she began to run a fever and chills, continued to feel bad in abdomen. Ended up back at the ER. They did a CT and found that she had a small abscess....so they admitted her...again. She had to have a special procedure yesterday and had to be put to sleep in order to have it done. They placed a PICC line in...it's a catheter, much longer than the normal IV. And she will have to have this for about 2 wks. They are going to teach me how to replace her medication (which is to be done three times a day.) <br />
We are awaiting the nurse to come here this afternoon. <br />
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Everyone in our family is completely exhausted. In fact, I am supposed to graduate on next Wed. (5/8) but I am so tired, beyond words....<br />
Please pray for us. With all that has happened, first Bryan in the hospital during my first semester, for having renal cancer, then Chase in the hospital in the fall for 9 days, and now Alysa having TWO hospital stays, my emotions are feeling beat up, exhausted...and have a hard time wondering or deciphering what God could possibly be trying to teach me/us. So...the prayers are needed... mine are just short---"help." That's about all I can muster.<br />
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Thank you for continued prayers on Alysa's behalf. She really needs to heal.....and I pray that she will not develop an infection in this PICC line, since it's so close to her heart. <br />
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Thank you again..and I will be in touch as soon as I can.<br />
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Big hugs to all<br />
Tammi</div>
Tammihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11625966252985649159noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898498593098848898.post-78791360574182394162013-04-22T23:35:00.001-04:002013-04-22T23:35:21.852-04:00update on Alysa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Just an update..still in the hospital with Alysa. <br />
Been a rough six days. . please continue to pray . DR said her appendix was gangrenous...and that there is still a chance for her to develop an abscess because of all the fluid that is still left.<br />
This was supposed to be my last week of clinical. . but I hvae missed so much time with Bryan's surgery (last year, exactly one year prior to Alysa's surgery; then Chase being in the hospital in November..and now this) so I will probably have to make up the rest of my time next week. . .<br />
she got her NG tube out during the night, and has had an upset stomach off and on throughout today. . . please keep praying.<br />
thank you so much. Tammi<br />
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Tammihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11625966252985649159noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898498593098848898.post-4631358011679804702013-04-18T23:14:00.001-04:002013-04-18T23:14:01.434-04:00Michael....and now AlysaIt has been a week since I last posted. I wanted to share the sad news of my cousin, Michael. He passed away on Sunday morning. . . and the funeral was today. The reason I am just now getting a chance to post this is because my daughter was rushed into emergency surgery yesterday and is currently in the Children's Hospital. <br />
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This week has been very difficult. In fact, that entire past month has been an onslaught of one thing after another. But I wanted to share with you, even as tired and drained as I feel sitting here at the foot of her bed in the hospital, that God has been with us. <br />
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First of all...Michael did not lose. He was a Christian..had accepted the Lord as His Savior. So he is currently cancer-free, no longer bound by the earthly body....but with the Lord. His funeral, I am told, was beautiful. I was supposed to play for his service, which would have been an honor. . . but with the turn of events with our daughter, I was unable to leave her today... but my dear aunt, uncle, and cousins totally understood, and thank the Lord they were able to play the CD's that God has enabled me to record and it all worked out. My heart was torn, wanting to be there, especially for my cousins who are suffering the loss of their younger brother. I understand how it feels to lose a younger sibling at the age of 22 also...it's a terrible pain that is indescribable. <br />
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With regards to our daughter. She was at school Tuesday, feeling ill....no fever. But had symptoms of what we thought were the terrible stomach virus that is running rampant throughout our area. Even the pediatrics' nurse thought so too. However, she quickly became dehydrated, (within 12 hrs or less) and her pain was becoming much more severe, to the point of being unable to walk. Long story short, her appendix had a stone in it that caused it to rupture. And according to her surgeon, it was a terrible mess. . when he came out after the surgery around 7 pm last night, he said she is "still very sick." <br />
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She will be in the hospital for about 7 days but the doctor told us not to hold him to that. She is currently on the strongest antibiotic possible. he said it is the Mercedes Benz of antibiotics...and has a tube draining her abdomen. She was in a terrible amount of pain today....to the point that morphine was not managing it. <br />
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During the times when her pain has been the most intense, her heart rate would become very high and she would whisper that she was seeing an angel. She said that in the ER 30 prior to surgery..... today her pain was so bad that she broke down and cried, whereas every other time she has just been trying to stay calm, and deal with it, as difficult as that has been. When she cried this afternoon I knew that we were at a point where nothing the DR's or nurses were doing was helping, and it was in God's hands. She has not been able to talk very well, only whisper (due to the tube down her throat) and just motion. The first word she said last night as they were wheeling her from recovery to her room was "Pain." However today when she cried, and was in such misery, and I was inwardly begging God to please help her, she slowly whispered, "No.More.Pain." And then with her eyes closed, she began to try to hum a song..I leaned in to hear what could she possibly be trying to hum, and it began to make sense to me..it was the chorus, "Yes, Jesus loves me..Yes Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so." Then she fell fast asleep. And has rested so much better ever since. In fact, the nurse just pointed out to me as i am sitting here in the dark, that Alysa's heart rate is the lowest it's been since she got here. it is now in the 70's range. Whereas before it as high as 136 beats per minute. <br />
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She began running a fever this afternoon. .so they are giving her an additional medication for that.<br />
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Tomorrow she will hopefully have the catheter removed, however, that means she will be forced to get up, move around, and deal with a whole new set of challenges. <br />
So please be praying for her...and for us. Bryan and I are exhausted...there is nothing like seeing your child suffer, and be on the brink of something soooo dangerous.<br />
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I will try to be in touch whenever I am able.<br />
Until then, keep my family in your prayers. The Grimsley's as they are now facing the challenge of grieving and healing from the loss of their son and brother. ..and for my family as we are enduring this health challenge for Alysa. She is only 14, but as I have watched all that she has gone through, she appears to have grown up over night. This is so difficult for me and Bryan.<br />
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Thank you for your prayers for Michael over the past 2 years...and also for the family.<br />
Will be in touch soon, Lord willing.<br />
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Tammihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11625966252985649159noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898498593098848898.post-33938068090146371322013-04-11T21:33:00.000-04:002013-04-11T21:33:25.126-04:00Michael--in I.C.U.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hi Everyone...I know it's been a while . . I've been really busy working on my case study..Lord willing graduate on May 8..<br />
BUT I am writing to tell you that my cousin Michael is in the ICU right now..he's been in the hospital for about two days now...and when I went up there this afternoon, my uncle (who's birthday is today) told me that Michael needs a miracle.<br />
I really felt helpless, because there are no words to say to take away the pain that they are going through. . There are no words to make it better. There is nothing that I can do to make it better. But I did tell Uncle David that all we can do is point them to the Lord, because HE is the only One Who can help them face each moment of every day. <br />
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Please pray for God to help them sense His presence there with them during this time. <br />
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Thank you all so much. I will be in touch as time permits. <br />
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Big thanks!<br /></div>
Tammihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11625966252985649159noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898498593098848898.post-65928685570292546052013-03-30T15:30:00.005-04:002013-03-30T22:36:50.327-04:00He's Alive!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 17px;">Thinking of Peter and the guilt he must have endured during those silent days between Christ's death and </span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 17px;">resurrection. After his proclamation to "lay down his life for Jesus," Peter ultimately </span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 17px;">denied knowing Jesus three times before the rooster crowed, just as Jesus predicted. Isn't God good to have given Peter a personalized invitation at the empty tomb! </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 17px;">"But go, tell his </span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 17px;">disciples <i style="font-weight: normal;">and Peter</i>, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. </span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 17px;">There you will see him, just as he told you.'" Mark 16:7. </span></span></h4>
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<span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 17px;">That didn't mean Peter was no longer a disciple! That was to reaffirm to Peter, whom I sure was fully </span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 17px;">doubting where he stood with the Lord, that YES, YOU ARE still a disciple! Jesus wants to make </span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 17px;">sure YOU KNOW you are wanted to come and find Him! Thank You, Father, for Your forgiveness </span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 17px;">and desire to restore us when we mess up!!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">Happy Easter to all my brothers and sisters in Christ! Find a purpose to live, no matter how defeated you may be feeling....don't give up! I thought of Judas & the overwhelming guilt he must've felt-- but look at the wonderful victory he missed, because he gave up and felt there was no hope after he committed the ultimate denial of Christ!! But when I think of it, how many of us have betrayed the Lord for something worth FAR less than Him!? ANYTHING on the planet is worth far less than Jesus; so if we worship or choose that particular idol ~ be it money, or another person, our ambitions or dreams---we have betrayed Jesus. BUT TAKE HEART!!! He wants US to come and find Him!!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"> "Seek Me and you will find me when you seek me with all your heart!" Jeremiah 29:13</span></h3>
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Tammihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11625966252985649159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898498593098848898.post-3913675636700122022013-02-26T20:45:00.000-05:002013-02-26T21:05:58.041-05:00Update on Michael<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<a href="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/24546_102641063106297_5788851_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" border="0" class="spotlight" height="640" src="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/24546_102641063106297_5788851_n.jpg" style="height: 135px; width: 83px;" width="393" /></a><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">My 22 year old cousin, Michael, has been battling a rare form of liver cancer for a while. . . but it's really been a struggle. He is now in excrutiating pain due to a ruptured disc. <span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">He will going to Maryview Infusion Center tomorrow for some more platelets. They put him on an antibotic today because his white blood count is so low. Starting tomorrow, for three days, he will take a shot that will help with his blood. With the shots and another bag of platelets we're hoping this will help.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">He was supposed to go to Georgetown next week for a second opinion, but will be unable to make the trip due to the amount of pain he is in. Please also pray for his parents, as I am sure this is a pain that is almost unbearable. Pray for his sister and brother, as well as all of their children ~ they love their Uncle Michael!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Please pray for God to meet the family's every need. . . and to show me if there is anything that I can do to help. It's just a helpless feeling for the extended family and friends. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">So let's just take this to the Lord together!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em><strong>Please pray for Divine Intervention. . . </strong></em></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em><strong>Thank you so much.</strong></em></span> </div>
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Tammihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11625966252985649159noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898498593098848898.post-7161256146391169862013-02-25T23:40:00.001-05:002013-02-25T23:40:55.114-05:00The Moon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>I couldn't help but notice the pale blue light that was casting it's glow in my dining room tonight. </em></strong></span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>I knew it meant one thing: </em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>There's a full moon out tonight.</em></strong></span> </div>
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<strong>That got me to thinking: </strong></div>
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We are like the moon ~ it doesn't give off its own light. It simply reflects the sun's light. Depending upon its phase, or how much of the moon's surface is actually facing the sun, determines how much light we see reflecting from the moon.</div>
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Have you ever heard someone say, "Well, if THAT'S a Christian, I don't want to be any part of it!" or "I've been burned by Christians." ? ? ? I have. It's sad. . but true. </div>
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<span class="fbUnderline">The effectiveness of our testimony of God's love & grace </span><span class="fbUnderline">is deter</span><span class="fbUnderline">mined by the amount of "US" God has. </span></h3>
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<li>Am I withholding a piece of my heart from Him, or am I fully surrendered to His will? </li>
<li>Am I spending too much time on my iPod, YouTube, texting friends, or even at Christian social gatherings ~ or am I spending enough time seeking God in His Word? </li>
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I wonder if God created the moon & its phases to show us that we too will go through phases in our spiritual walk with Him? There are times when we are able to soak His Word up like a biscuit to gravy. Then there are other times when our schedules are so hectic, that we can barely find time to whisper a prayer. There are seasons of new growth, abundance and harvest, as well as winter time -- the season of lying dormant. The important thing is to recognize what phase we're in. . and do our best to focus on God & His Word. <br />
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This world is a dark place---just a glimpse of the evening news is proof of that. . . We need to shine for Him. . . and the only way to fully shine is to fully look to Him.<br />
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If you don't know Him as your Saviour, there is hope: there is a phase of the moon where it has completely turned its back on the sun, and we only see its dark side. But guess what that phase is called? The New Moon. It's about to begin its turn towards the sun....and before we know it, a sliver of light will shine. <br />
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It's never too late to turn to the SON....the Son of God. He longs to fulfill your heart and your life with abundant joy and peace. :) <br /><br /><em><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">"Behold...I make all things new." Revelation 21:5</span></em></h3>
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<strong><em><span style="color: blue;">The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14) </span></em></strong></div>
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Tammihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11625966252985649159noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898498593098848898.post-79314235660972318282013-01-30T21:49:00.001-05:002013-01-30T21:49:21.080-05:00Safe in the Arms of Christ<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My 14 yr old daughter has been writing songs that the Lord gives her. Our neighbor let her plug her guitar in to their amps and sing in a microphone for the first time. <br />
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Thought I'd post it to share with you. She's not had any voice lessons, yet. Hoping that the Lord will enable us to provide lessons for her, in His time. She's definitely a diamond in the rough! :) <br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Qn4HFoZoLmo" width="420"></iframe>
<br />Safe in the Arms of Christ</h3>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
by Alysa Yates</h4>
In the morning I see Your beauty<br />
Painted in the sunrise.<br />
In the night I see Your glory shining in the night sky.<br />
The same hands that hold the world are holding my life.<br />
The same God Who made the heavens knows my name.<br />
<br />
(Chorus)<br />
And I'm safe in Your arms;<br />
You never will leave me.<br />
You're right by my side, You are all that I need.<br />
The same hands that hold the universe are holding my life.<br />
And I know...that I'm safe in the arms of Christ.<br />
<br />
Oh oh oooh. Oh......Oh oh oooh...(2x)<br />
<br />
Every day I see Your power all around me.<br />
The colors of a rainbow & all of the birds that sing.<br />
The same hands that hold the world are holding my life.<br />
The same God who made the heavens knows my name.<br />
<br />
And I'm safe in Your arms; You never will leave me<br />
You're right by my side; You are all that I need.<br />
The same hands that hold the universe are holding my life.<br />
And I know...that I'm safe in the arms of Christ.<br />
<br />
Oh oh oooh . .. Oh ...... Oh oh oooh....(2x)<br />
<br />
Every day I see Your endless love all around me.<br />
'Cause You sent Your Son to die on a cross at Calvary.<br />
The same hands that hold the world came down to save us.<br />
The same hands that made the heavens bled for me.<br />
<br />
And I'm safe in His arms -- the God Who saved me.<br />
Who sent His Son<br />
Just to save my soul.<br />
The same hands that hold the universe came down and died for me.<br />
And He rose again, and He set me free!<br />
<br />
I'm safe in Your arms<br />
You never will leave me<br />
You're right by my side<br />
You are all that I need<br />
The same hands that hold the universe are holding my life<br />
And I know that I'm safe in the Arms of Christ.<br />
(repeat)<br />
By Alysa Yates<br />
age 14<br />
<br />
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Tammihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11625966252985649159noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898498593098848898.post-19727363623657777592013-01-18T22:17:00.000-05:002013-01-22T20:05:35.901-05:00STAR Quality<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null"><img class="mainImage" src="http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/0601/pleiades_gendler_big.jpg" style="background-color: white; height: 438px; width: 581px;" /></a></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, <br />and those who
lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. Daniel 12:3</h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Earlier today, as I was putting on my makeup, I began to think of the pressure young people (or older people for that matter) have to "be or look a certain way"...then I pondered the question of how many people are aspiring to be a "star" and to have a "star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame." I'm sure there's many people, young and old, who have that aspiration.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Then my thoughts turned to a scripture in Daniel that speaks about being like a star that shines for ever and ever. Hmmmm. Hollywood has seen many "stars" come and go; and they will keep coming and going, but one thing remains certain: their star quality dims and eventually dies as soon as they take their last breath. No more will they enjoy the satisfaction of making another movie, entertaining another person, singing another song, or performing another comedy act on this earth. Their star quality will fade away.</div>
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<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
What does a person have to possess to have God's "Star" quality? </h3>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>Those who are "wise."</strong> Wise (Hebrew: "sakal") means "cause to consider." What a "wise person" says or does causes the people around him or her to stop and consider what they are saying. Psalm 111:10 sums it up here: <em><span style="color: #351c75;">" The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts
have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise."</span></em> </div>
</li>
<li><strong>A leader or "guide".</strong> Someone who leads others to have a change of mind about their sin, and turn to God (and His righteousness) which can only be found by accepting Jesus' payment for sin.</li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Today many cars are equipped with OnStar ~ a built-in Safety, Navigation & Communication system. OnStar's services are: Emergency, Safety, Navigation, Diagnostics and Connections. But even without OnStar, we have <span style="background-color: #134f5c;"><span style="color: white;"><strong>Polaris, The North Star</strong>.</span></span> It hardly moves in the northern sky, while all other stars in the Northern sky revolve around it. Steadily shining its light as a point of reference, Polaris has guided many a lost traveller to safety. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img class="mainImage" height="266" src="http://cs.astronomy.com/resized-image.ashx/__size/600x600/__key/telligent-evolution-components-attachments/13-64-00-00-00-43-19-84/Night-sky-10_2D00_18_2D00_09-2.jpg" style="background-color: white; height: 400px; width: 600px;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stars trailing around Polaris (time lapsed photo)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;">Do others look to us for answers to life's toughest questions? More importantly, do we lead them to God when they do? A wise person, of "star" quality, will do just that. Millions of people are lost and can't find their way. Because of the "gravitational pulls of sin in this world," so many people are lost and on their way to an eternity without God. It's extremely important for a child of God to serve as a point of reference and point them to God! </span> </h4>
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Eternal Shine</h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I used to read Daniel 12:3 and think it meant if we were wise and led others to Christ during our time on earth, that we would shine in eternity. <span class="toptitle2">But He says if we are wise, we will shine on earth by telling others about Him; and if we direct others to get back on the right course by turning them to God, then God will keep our light shining for ever and ever. </span><span class="toptitle2"> </span></div>
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<span class="toptitle2"></span> </div>
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<span class="toptitle2"><img height="480" src="http://getfile3.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/monicks/wwAHhGCiutBizcxmvhDHAovoHwnueEBasvAicEieEgopfrtwrjBzlsttAJfl/media_httpspacefellow_itltI.jpg.scaled1000.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span class="toptitle2"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><em><span style="font-size: large;">If you think about it, what's better: A "star" on the Walk of Fame, where hundreds of people trample over it daily ~OR~ to shine for all of eternity, as the stars in the heavens?</span></em> </span> </span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span class="toptitle2"></span> </h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="toptitle2">I think I'd rather follow Christ's example, so that I can safely point others to Him, especially in their time of need. (I Cor. 11:1 "Follow my example as I follow Christ's.")</span></div>
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<span class="toptitle2"></span> </div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">Be God's S.T.A.R. !!</span></h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="toptitle2"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Be a</span> </span><strong>S</strong></span>hining example<br /> <strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span></strong>urn others to Christ<br /><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;"> A</span></strong>rouse others' interest in God</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="toptitle2"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;"> R</span></strong>each out to the lost</span></span></div>
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Tammihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11625966252985649159noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898498593098848898.post-18007628028379367112013-01-15T23:09:00.001-05:002013-01-15T23:09:43.877-05:00Rock Bottom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h2>
<img height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uTpPaVGEOJ0/TxReHSbIKgI/AAAAAAAAIMg/iqpz_vuevYU/s640/god+is+my+rock.jpg" width="640" /></h2>
<h2>
If You're at Rock Bottom</h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ever felt like your life circumstances have brought you to an all-time low---like you've reached "rock bottom" ?? I understand. It's totally okay to feel that way. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last night, after seeing a comment someone posted on YouTube about how they have hit rock bottom, my heart began to ponder the idea of hitting rock bottom. </div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What would you do? Well, of course, hitting rock bottom makes us feel totally discouraged and almost about to give up hope, right? Then it would make sense to "LOOK UP".... I mean, after all, when you're at the very bottom---"Rock Bottom"---that's just about all you CAN do, is look up. Right? Well, yes, and no. Of course, LOOK UP---Look up to GOD....He's our only hope and deliverer. . .</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What if when we've hit that lowest point, we make a conscious choice to "not look up" but remain discouraged, and in a sense, "look down" (FACE down). Well, think about it for a minute. Instead of looking up, we turn our face down, almost in a sense of defeat right? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But look again.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
II Samuel 22:2 says, <span style="color: blue;">"He said: "The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer..."</span> The LORD is my what? My ROCK. So, if we can truly claim this...if Jesus really is OUR LORD, then HE is also our Rock..... So what if we've hit "rock bottom?" It would seem that if we turn our faces down, we will find none other than our ROCK, holding us up! Oh my goodness. Even if we get discouraged, and just waller in our sadness, choosing not to "LOOK UP" to Him, we will still find that He is there, no matter which way we turn. The Lord is my ROCK...and I'm at "rock bottom"-- so it seems here we have a sweet picture that He has never left us, even in the trials and storms. He is all the more nearer simply because we HAVE "hit rock bottom." </div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">The Lord is close to the broken hearted <br />and saves those who are crushed in spirit. <br />Psalm 34:18</span></h3>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Just wanted to share that quick little thought (and lesson) that He showed me last night. Share it with someone you know that may feel as if they're at "rock bottom." This will truly give them a new perspective on their circumstances. I know it did for me! <br />Thank You, Lord!! </div>
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Until next time,</div>
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Tammihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11625966252985649159noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898498593098848898.post-32941557312288981652013-01-13T23:06:00.001-05:002013-01-13T23:08:00.149-05:00What to do with Memories?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Memories</h3>
Some are sweet. Some are painful. Some cause our hearts to race just at the thought of seeing that special someone's face one more time, if only we could. <br />
<br />
Even though memories can be a cherished treasure, sometimes the memories from our past can keep us chained in our present, unable to be free, if we allow them the chance. <br />
<br />
No matter, God has allowed us to have memories. He wants us to look back and remember what He has done for us, how He has delivered us in our times of need--so that we can apply His faithfulness to our current situation. Yet He also says we should forget the past and press forward, straining towards the goal of His high calling.<br />
<br />
God doesn't want us to be held captive by the memories of our past. He wants us to let go and look forward. <br />
<br />
Last year was very difficult for our family, true indeed; but it's a New Year, and God willing, I am only five months away from graduating from the ultrasound program. Instead of looking back, wishing "if only" or "what if," I will look forward to the new day that is dawning. . . knowing that He is the One Who holds each sun rise in His hands.<br />
<br />
Here is a song that I recorded over the weekend as a tribute to this lesson.<br />
<br />
God bless you all as you serve Him.<br />
</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nstwOyhIC-g" width="420"></iframe><br /></div>
Tammihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11625966252985649159noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898498593098848898.post-58391103006925349122013-01-05T02:30:00.003-05:002013-01-05T02:30:39.429-05:00It's Okay to be Beaten<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
The past year has been the most difficult year for me & my family. The first big UNEXPECTED storm was Bryan's kidney cancer and surgery, and him being out of work six weeks. Then another hospitalization just recently for another dear loved one. Mix all that in with the obvious demands of life in general, and being enrolled in the ultra-intense ultrasound program, and what we have is a recipe for exhaustion and discouragement. </h2>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;">But there is a lesson from 2012: <em>It's okay to be Beaten.</em></span></h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><u>2012 Theme</u>: "Trials and Storms" </span></h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">....in fact, too many to write, caused me to collapse at the Savior's feet on New Year's day. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">However, during that time of sharing my heart with the Lord, and telling Him how I felt beaten beyond belief from the past year's storms, the Holy Spirit brought a Bible verse to mind: "<u>He</u> (Jesus) was beaten beyond recognition as a human." </span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+52%3A14&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Isaiah 52:14</span></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><em>Just as there were many who were appalled<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-TNIV-18711A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> at him<sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-TNIV-18711a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+52%3A14&version=TNIV#fen-TNIV-18711a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup>—<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-52-14">his appearance was so disfigured<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-TNIV-18711B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> beyond that of any human being </span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-52-14">and his form marred beyond human likeness<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-TNIV-18711C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup>—</span></span></em></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-52-14"> I began to wonder if perhaps the purpose for my 2012's trials and storms were to "beat me beyond recognition" so that others would no longer see "Tammi" but rather <em><u>Him</u> ????</em> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-52-14"></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-52-14">That's when I looked up the definition of "beaten."</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-52-14"></span></span></span> </div>
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-52-14"><h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>beat·en</em></span></h3>
<div class="snum" style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.syvjournal.com/slideshow/902/blacksmith/blacksmith7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.syvjournal.com/slideshow/902/blacksmith/blacksmith7.jpg" width="212" /></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="background-color: yellow;">1</span><span class="ssens"><strong><span style="background-color: yellow;">:</span></strong> hammered into a desired shape</span></span></div>
<div class="snum" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">2<span class="ssens"><strong>:</strong> much trodden and worn smooth</span></span></div>
<div class="snum" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="ssens"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><strong>3:</strong></span> being in a state of exhaustion </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Of course, the <span style="color: magenta;"><span style="color: #444444;">#3</span> </span><span style="color: #444444;">definition</span> is how I was feeling. But after looking up the definition tonight, I wonder if <span style="background-color: yellow;"> #1</span><span style="background-color: yellow;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">definition</span> is what God has been doing ?? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> </div>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="color: #990000;">He is allowing these storms to "hammer" me into a desired shape: His purpose for my life.</span></em> </h4>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><u>It's Not About Me</u></span></h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">During times of distress, it's very easy for me to become self-absorbed, "bogged down," worried & even question God. . . my eyes are turned inwardly, and I fail to remember that God loves and is concerned for every single human being on the planet, and wants <u>everyone of us</u> to <strong>know Him</strong>, to <strong>be freed</strong> <strong>from our</strong> struggles with our <strong>sinful nature</strong>, and <strong>to experience His power, victory</strong> and<strong> love!</strong> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">If I turn my eyes upwards, I will gain a different perspective of the situation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>How can the lost and hurting souls around us know that God is love, full of compassion, patient, kind, merciful, strong, tenderhearted, faithful, true, (and the list could go on...) unless His children are reshaped into His image and used by Him to reach others?</em></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><u>But It Hurts</u>!</em></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Because of our inherited, fallen nature, we are all born with a predisposed "shape" ~ <em>one bent naturally to do wrong</em> ~ maybe <u>not all of the time</u>, but enough that we're unable to accurately serve His purpose for our lives. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSmCVv8aY_fpMn8HZ_qTTIFBSo1dMguHoXvZ1RW2EPlGPajU608Hnz6SHPHd3vujLel0l4bUNbV0lll0CL8sY_Jld-p8voZXAQ8ku9uyDXFxJAPjBzdQORDU3MAmKlhs9obqKMahnWeY/s1600/Jesus+Hands2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSmCVv8aY_fpMn8HZ_qTTIFBSo1dMguHoXvZ1RW2EPlGPajU608Hnz6SHPHd3vujLel0l4bUNbV0lll0CL8sY_Jld-p8voZXAQ8ku9uyDXFxJAPjBzdQORDU3MAmKlhs9obqKMahnWeY/s1600/Jesus+Hands2.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Think of iron being heated white hot, then hammered relentlessly into shape, then tempered in cold water and reheated and hammered again. If the iron doesn't stand the test, it is thrown into a scrap heap. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="background-color: yellow;">This "business" of being tried by fire, hammered by storms, and plunged into icy cold waters of despair <span style="background-color: white;">serves a purpose </span></span><span style="background-color: white;">of </span><em><u><span style="background-color: white;">The</span> One Who created us ON Purpose, WITH a Purpose</u>: <strong> God's.</strong></em> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Is it imperative for us to be reshaped? Yes, because our sinful nature has predisposed us to being disfigured and unusable in God's holy hands. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><u>Beyond Recognition</u></em></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">No matter how painful and overwhelming life's storms can be, I'm so thankful that I will not have to suffer the agony that Jesus willingly endured as payment for my sin. Because He was beaten beyond recognition, died a brutal and humiliating death on the cross ~ all for the purpose of reconciling my relationship with Him, why would I <em><u>not</u> </em>allow Him to reshape me? </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_Iny0___SPLR_zY97j9GqvHHDMhngmIRzzjVeLxAx9HRWCh60vnfvlPOd38TrrgcZXjOUdyn-xjfjhM11n37kG_nVT9euiL98H98mLedby7omBKGdwPCWaaqxDGPWu0hoJ-tp_41LQQ/s1600/Potter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_Iny0___SPLR_zY97j9GqvHHDMhngmIRzzjVeLxAx9HRWCh60vnfvlPOd38TrrgcZXjOUdyn-xjfjhM11n37kG_nVT9euiL98H98mLedby7omBKGdwPCWaaqxDGPWu0hoJ-tp_41LQQ/s320/Potter.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>A Promise and a Purpose</em></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Even though life's circumstances can sometimes be very painful, it's comforting to remember God is in control. <a href="http://bible.cc/romans/8-28.htm" target="_blank">Romans 8:28</a> says as long as I am willing to serve His purpose, He has promised to turn everything (including the painful storms and bad times) into something good.<br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8; color: #274e13;">In doing so, He uses our lives to reach out to others as shining examples of what <u><em><strong>He longs to do for them!</strong></em></u></span> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." <br />Jeremiah 29:11</span></h4>
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Tammihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11625966252985649159noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898498593098848898.post-18899962375901127952012-11-15T10:11:00.001-05:002012-11-15T10:11:56.065-05:00Whom Shall I Fear...Then he sent<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-9689E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup> horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city. <br />
<span class="text 2Kgs-6-15" id="en-NIV-9690"><sup class="versenum">15 </sup>When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, <em><strong>an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city.</strong></em> <strong><span style="color: #990000;">“Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?”</span></strong> the servant asked.</span><br />
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<span class="text 2Kgs-6-16" id="en-NIV-9691"><sup class="versenum">16<em><strong><span style="color: #b45f06;"> </span></strong></em></sup><em><strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">“Don’t be afraid,”<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-9691F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup></span></strong></em> the prophet answered. <em><strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">“Those who are with us are more<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-9691G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup> than those who are with them.”</span></strong></em></span><br />
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<span class="text 2Kgs-6-17" id="en-NIV-9692"><sup class="versenum">17 </sup>And Elisha prayed, <span style="color: #783f04;"><strong>“Open his eyes, <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, so that he may see.”</strong></span> <span style="background-color: yellow;">Then the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-9692H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup> of fire all around Elisha.</span></span><br />
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<span class="text 2Kgs-6-18" id="en-NIV-9693">II Kings 6:14b-17</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VzIABaImiK4?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br />Tammihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11625966252985649159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898498593098848898.post-72034925774712117492012-11-10T21:38:00.001-05:002012-11-10T21:38:27.720-05:00Always<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My daughter asked me to listen to this song in the car tonight...she handed me her earphones and I began to listen....Even though it's not a new song, I'd never heard this before. I began to hear the first verse but my heart is so heavy, it couldn't bear to finish listening ...so I asked her to please turn it. . . My heart has been so broken, and I just couldn't bear to cry anymore. Soon we got to our house...Bryan pulled into the garage and then my daughter said, <em>"MOM! Turn up the radio! I can't believe this song is on!! It's the same song you told me to turn off earlier tonight!"</em> She stepped out of the car and let me sit there in the garage, listening, sobbing, and taking it as a message from the Lord. I knew it was God's way of speaking to my heart <span style="color: red;">"Listen to this song. Be encouraged. I will not delay."</span><br />
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Claiming His promise!! Do not delay, Father. I declare my trust in You.<br />
In Jesus' Name,<br />
Amen.</div>
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Tammihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11625966252985649159noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898498593098848898.post-74882989732852115552012-10-29T15:58:00.005-04:002012-10-29T16:03:16.084-04:00Sandy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>Hurricane Sandy has been here, & she doesn't seem to want to leave. . . .</em></strong></span></div>
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We've been feeling the effects of Hurricane Sandy since mid Saturday. And it has continued to be rainy, windy and colder than usual here. . . Just wanted to post a new little video of a song that will help us to remember that no matter what storms we may be going through, the Lord has His eye on us and has promised to take care of our every need. . . .Earlier this afternoon I was hearing this "strange" sound outside my window, and when I opened the window it was the sound of a few birds singing. . in the rain and wind!! ?? I thought, "WHAT IN THE WORLD?" but it's a lesson to me. . sing in the rain...sing in the storm. We know Who is in control. . and cares for us even more than we could ever imagine.</div>
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Hope you all have a good week. . .and enjoy the following video. . . take care.</div>
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Hugs,</div>
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tammi</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ
Jesus. Phil. 4:19</span></h3>
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Tammihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11625966252985649159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898498593098848898.post-2100328683658378772012-10-25T22:16:00.001-04:002012-10-25T22:16:39.371-04:00Hope for the Journey: I Will Rise<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><em>Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. </em></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><em>Though I sit
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><em>Michah 7:8</em></span></div>
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Until we reach heaven, we will face many a battle while on this earth. I pray that the Lord will use this arrangement to give hope to those who may be fighting a battle today, or maybe feel as if they've been "knocked down" by the enemy. May the LORD give us all the strength to carry on. <span style="background-color: yellow;"><em><strong>He will soon bruise the enemy under our feet.</strong></em> </span> That means we will be standing upright, on our feet, and not "knocked down!" So. . .Be encouraged. "Be thankful, for this is the will of God for us, in Christ Jesus."</div>
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<em><span style="color: #351c75;">The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #351c75;">The grace of our Lord
Jesus be with you. Romans 16:20</span></em><br />
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Tammihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11625966252985649159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898498593098848898.post-38675906791734709672012-10-20T22:49:00.003-04:002012-10-21T14:38:05.926-04:00Is There Light at the End of This Tunnel?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Every now and then I need to be reminded that God's timing is perfect. He is not bound by time like we are. That concept is extremely difficult to fathom for our finite minds. When we're going through <u>what seems like</u> an endless tunnel, feeling almost trapped by the circumstances that have surrounded us, we can become overwhelmed because "nothing seems to make sense." </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDjGszay8AphtFdoD8_8tiFQaEq1bYjZRoQ0wvTCewVCXjh31Ndokl8rsvzfLCqO0caZkNJVCdja_GqwUlX_JYI4cuBMm5edEqEY_foR0j5cdsC_2Fs7xwO8sGLhJ0w0Qmg6diSos0rA/s1600/chase+on+beach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDjGszay8AphtFdoD8_8tiFQaEq1bYjZRoQ0wvTCewVCXjh31Ndokl8rsvzfLCqO0caZkNJVCdja_GqwUlX_JYI4cuBMm5edEqEY_foR0j5cdsC_2Fs7xwO8sGLhJ0w0Qmg6diSos0rA/s320/chase+on+beach.JPG" width="138" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The other morning I whispered to the Lord "There seems to be <u>no light at the end of this tunnel</u>." Then I reached for a Bible verse on a card that is in a little "bread box of promise cards." Here's the verse that I drew. <span style="color: #cc0000;">John 8:12 ~ <em>"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life."</em></span> It was as if the Lord directly responded to my prayer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I had been feeling like "I've sought You, and Your Guidance, Father, each step of the way. I have asked for Your will to be done, and yet I feel like my present circumstances make no sense....things don't seem to "feel" as if they are "working out" as I thought they would. I feel like I'm "in the dark" as to the<strong> big picture</strong> of Your purpose. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Can There be Light in the Darkness?</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In John 8:12 Jesus says He is the Light of the world and if we follow Him we will NEVER walk in darkness. The world in which we live <em>IS</em> dark because of sin. However, if we follow Jesus step-by-step each day, we won't walk in darkness ~ we won't "walk" (or live) as the world lives: continually in sin and darkness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Even though we follow the Light of the world (Jesus) there<u><strong> will be times of dark storms</strong></u> that we have to endure. <span style="background-color: yellow;">With God's help, we can still walk uprightly, even in the midst of these dark storms.</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Darkness vs. Burdened</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Perhaps I've been confusing my feelings of "being in the dark" with feeling<strong> burdened</strong> by life's circumstances. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">God hasn't promised to tell us <em><u>why</u></em> He allows everything that happens to us. There will be times that circumstances leave us "scratching our heads, wondering <em>'why?</em>'." This <strong>feeling</strong> <em>"in the dark"</em> to the Sovereign will of God <u>can easily become a burden</u> if we don't<span style="color: #660000;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><u><em>quickly</em></u> take it to Him with a trusting, thankful heart.</span></span> </span></div>
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In every thing give thanks, for THIS is the will of God. </h4>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">When things don't make sense, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">when there seems to be "no light at the end of the tunnel" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">~ ~ ~ ~</span></div>
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<em><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Be thankful in all circumstances, </span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">for <u>this is God's will</u> for you who belong to Christ Jesus. </span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">I Thessalonians 5:18</span></em></div>
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And when you're running out of steam: </h3>
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<em><span style="color: blue;"></span></em> </div>
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<em><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"> <span style="color: #783f04;"> The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?<br /> T</span></span></em><span style="color: #783f04;"><em><span style="font-size: small;">he LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?<br /> </span></em><em><span style="font-size: small;">Psalm 27:1</span></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: small;"> You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning;<br /> my God turns my darkness into light. <br /> Psalm 18:28</span></em></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><em><span style="font-size: large;">I thank You, LORD, for even though things don't quite make sense, You are my Light; You are my strength; You are my salvation; You are my Hope and my Future; You are my Shepherd; You are my Guide; You are my Provider. You are the One Who has promised to "</span></em><span style="font-size: large;">teach me what is best for me," and to "</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-48-17"><span style="font-size: large;">direct me in the way<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18632E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup> I should go." (Isaiah 48:17) <em>I believe Your Word to be true. I believe that one day the "fog will be lifted," and I will understand what You were doing during these circumstances. . . and I believe You will enlighten me soon, because "</em>I would have fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in
the land of the living." (</span><span style="font-size: large;">Psalm 27:13) <em>In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.</em></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-48-17"></span></span></span></span> </div>
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Tammihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11625966252985649159noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898498593098848898.post-23910763935357363632012-10-07T23:38:00.001-04:002012-10-21T00:55:56.628-04:00Tips to Feel B.E.T.T.E.R.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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How to Feel Better</h2>
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Ever had one of those days (or years) when you just can't seem to pick yourself up out of the "discouraging dumps". . .you start to lose interest in the normal things that you once enjoyed. ?? Well not long ago my daughter was telling me how she felt so discouraged and just wanted me to help her "Feel Better." "Please tell me what to do, Mom! I don't like feeling this way." When your child is in need of help and you don't have a clue how to help them, take the request to the Lord. After all, He is their Heavenly Father and loves them more than you ever could. So that's what I did. I quickly whispered, "Father help me to help HER know how to feel better."<br />
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Almost immediately an acrostic began to come to my mind, so I started jotting it down.<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">B</span>- Busy.</strong> Get busy. Most of us find when we have nothing to do that's when the enemy comes in to steal our joy, tempt us to do wrong. Simply put: <em>"Idleness is the Devil's workshop."</em><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">E</span>- Exercise</strong>. I know this may seem silly. But really it's not. When we exercise our bodies, the special little chemicals in our brains called Endorphines are released, and they are our bodies' natural way to help us feel GOOD emotionally.<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">T</span>-Think Positive</strong>. Guard your thoughts. Being idle can tempt us to think negatively, if we're not careful. Whatsoever things are of GOOD REPORT, think on These Things. <br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">T</span><span style="font-size: small;">-Treat others as you want to be treated.</span></strong> Sometimes when I'm burdened or discouraged, I find my thoughts to lean towards the negative spectrum...causing ME to feel negatively about everything <em>AND EVERYONE</em> around me. If I think negatively about others (or even myself) then I am apt to TREAT others (or even myself) unkindly.<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">E</span>-Eat right.</strong> I know...this seems obvious. . but think about it. When we're discouraged, we're apt to either STOP eating all together, or eat TOO much---and it's likely that we're eating too much of junk. . . causing a vitamin and mineral deficiency...which has a direct affect on our brains (our thoughts, and subsequently our bodies ~ which affects our relationships.) It's like a snowball affect. <br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">R</span>-Rest & Relax</strong>. Discouragement tends to keep us awake at night, which in turn steals our bodies' time to regroup, refresh, fight germs, and replenish the neurotransmitters called serotonin....those have a direct affect on our thoughts and impact whether we will feel "good" or "bad." Relax....Rest in the LORD..He has control of every aspect of our lives. This should cause us to breathe a sigh of <em>Relief!</em> <br />
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It amazed me to see just how QUICKLY the LORD gave me a response to share with my daughter. I got tickled as I began writing the letters and acrostic down as He was guiding my thoughts. I told her that if you notice, these tips are even in PERFECT ORDER. If we are NOT BUSY then it snowballs downhill from there. God is so good. He says, "Before you call, I will answer, and while you are still speaking, I will hear." That means even before I came to Him with this problem, needing an answer, He already had the answer...and while I was still speaking, He took the time to listen to me....then gave me the solution to share with her. . and NOW I'm sharing this with you.<br />
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Simple tips...but I hope that you will always remember when you're feeling discouraged, these are some practical tips to putting you on track to Feeling B.E.T.T.E.R. <br />
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Feel free to pass this little "Rx" ( prescription) along to anyone you know that may need some encouragement. :)<br />
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Hope you all have a great week!</div>
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<em><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Thank You, LORD, for answering me so quickly when I presented this problem to You. I am still tickled at how quickly You responded by giving me these thoughts to share. I pray that You will receive glory for all that is done this week in our lives. . .may we always look to YOU to help us. </strong></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: blue;"><strong>In Jesus' Name, Amen.</strong></span></em> </div>
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Tammihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11625966252985649159noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898498593098848898.post-79449259493972539102012-09-23T17:19:00.001-04:002012-10-21T00:56:18.426-04:00Update on Michael<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Just wanted to sharе an Update on my cousin, Michael:</h2>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Just wanted to update you on Michael as far as his treatments are concerned. They have had to stop all types of treatments for now due to some complications from the chemo. The doctors are trying to find out just how to treat this rare cancer in his liver (which Michael has named "Joe," after Joe Frazier, the boxer who lost his life due to liver cancer.) The nerves in his feet have been damaged from the chemo. Even in all this Michael, has continued to have his good sense of humor. Please pray for the doctors to find out what type of cancer cell they are dealing with and how to treat it without damage to the rest of his body. Thank you for your prayers for Michael and his family. God bless you for all you do to help keep these prayer requests before the Lord.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><em>1Peter 5:7</em></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><em>"Casting all your cares <span id="misspell-0">upon</span> the Lord for He cares for you."</em></span></h2>
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Tammihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11625966252985649159noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898498593098848898.post-30923572752816896032012-08-12T23:08:00.002-04:002012-09-18T18:44:32.997-04:00When the Dust Settles<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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He raises the poor out of the dust.<br />He lifts the needy out of the ash heap.</h2>
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He settles the barren woman in her home <br />as a happy mother of children. Praise ye the Lord.</h2>
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Psalm 113: 7, 9</h2>
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During my short break I've been straightening up the house, cleaning, re-organizing---doing much needed chores that have been overlooked due to my strenuous class and clinical schedule the past 8 months. I came across a little index card booklet that has Bible verses and thoughts that I've been jotting down over the past few years. Like jewels that have meant a lot to me, these verses have been set apart, in the hopes that I can quickly refer to them in time of need. Well, the above Bible verse is one that is on a card in this little collection. </div>
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It was very much what I needed to be reminded of tonight. On the back of the index card is a note. . I had looked up the words "Dust" and "Ash Heap" in the Strongs Concordance. . .and here's what's written on the back of the card: "<em>Dust</em> is what's left after a war zone, or storm." "<em>Ash heap</em> is what is left after a fire."</div>
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<u><em>He raises the poor out of the </em><span style="background-color: yellow;">Dust</span></u> . . . <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="background-color: yellow;">"What is left after a warzone or storm."</span></em></span></h3>
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"...<span class="text Gen-3-19">for dust you are </span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Gen-3-19">and to dust you will return.” <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-75C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> <br />Gen. 3:19</span></span></h3>
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While living in this world, we can count on one fact to remain constant: LIFE IS HARD. It's one stinkin' battle after another. Each morning I am faced with another battle, and it's not just the Battle of the "Bulge" but even more so: the "Battle of my Flesh." I am in a battle with my FLESH, my selfish desires, my lack of dependence on the Holy Spirit's power within me, EVERY single DAY of my life. No matter how old I get, my flesh is still my number one enemy. <strike>Sometimes </strike>A LOT of times, my flesh wins. . and I end up discouraged, frustrated, and almost to the breaking point of giving up. And that's where I'm found: <em><strong>in the dust</strong> on the battlefield</em>. The enemy has ridden off with the trophy, and all that's left is me, covered by the dust. My heart is poor...needy...weak....lean....beaten down. But Jesus said, "blessed are those who are poor in spirit..." As I lay on the battlefield, wounded, alone, covered in dirt and dust, unable to see anything in front of my face due to the dust storm around me, my heart hears the sound of Someone walking towards me. Still unable to see, I feel the Lord reach down and begin to pick me up, out of the dust. </div>
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<u><em>He lifts the needy out of the</em> <span style="background-color: yellow;">Ash Heap</span></u><em> . . .</em> <em> </em></h3>
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<em><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="background-color: yellow;">"</span><span style="background-color: yellow;">What is left after a </span><span style="background-color: yellow;">fire."</span></span></em></h3>
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"He has cast me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes." Job 30:19</h3>
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<strike>Sometimes </strike>A LOT of times when life is hard, storms are raging, things aren't going as "I" would<em> "like them to be going,"</em> my heart grows weary and turns <u>from</u> being thankful, <u>to</u> grumbling, complaining, or even "harbouring hard thoughts of God." If my inward temptations to become bitter are coupled with the outward calamities of "life," then my soul becomes tossed as if in
a raging storm, and I'm filled with confusion. </div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">The fact is, God is in the process of restoration. . . He says, <em>"See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace
of affliction." Isaiah 48:10</em></span> God is purging the old sinful flesh that I battle daily; and He has chosen to purge me of my flesh in the hot furnace of affliction. The Heat is almost unbearable. But as I melt in the fiery furnace, and am become as an ash heap, the Refiner lifts my restored spirit out of the fleshly ash heap that has been purged away. </div>
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<strong><em>He lifts the </em><u>needy</u><em> out of the ash heap</em></strong>. Who exactly are "the needy?" Who are the ones that are melted down and found in an ash heap? The needy are the ones "<a href="http://concordances.org/hebrew/34.htm" target="_blank">in want, poor, cared for by God</a>." When my grief over my sin has stripped me down completely, I realize my emptiness, my inability to reach God of my own strength...I am truly "in want." Were it not for God's grace and mercy, through His Son Jesus' shed blood on Calvary, I would remain forever "in want." But as the last part of verse 9 says, "Praise ye the LORD!" I am cared for by God!</div>
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<em><u>He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. </u>The Dust has Settled.</em></h3>
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What exactly IS LEFT after the "dust settles?" Well, after I have battled (and <strike>sometimes </strike>A LOT of times, LOST to my flesh) my heart is poor---grieved---at how I've lost another battle. Yet, God raises me OUT of the dust. God pities me as His child, and truly cares for me. He takes it upon Himself to remove the tarnish and restore me by placing me in the furnace of affliction. My flesh (sinful nature) is turned into a heap of ash, and that's when God lifts me out. I feel empty and barren. Fruitless and scarred. Yet He settles my heart, as a joyful mother of children, because the Fruit that is borne is of His Spirit, not mine. As long as I live on this earth, I will battle my flesh. Yes, but each time the dust settles, maybe it'll be less and less of my "Dusty Flesh" left. No matter what, He will always settle my heart after each battle...and one day He will settle my heart and soul in my eternal Home: Heaven...when I will shake the dust of my sinful nature from my feet, once and for all! Never to battle it again. Finally Free. Finally Home. Finally Settled.</div>
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Tammihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11625966252985649159noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898498593098848898.post-21181387717203040882012-07-27T00:28:00.001-04:002012-10-21T00:56:50.642-04:00Can it Truly Be?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img height="116" src="http://www.wednesdaynightservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/15th_anniversary_gifts_flyer-p2446897235169873542mcvz_400.jpg" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;" width="200" /></h2>
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It's so hard for me to believe, but it's been 15 years since my sister, Sherri, went to be with the Lord. I remember standing in the florist shop ordering flowers for her funeral, and thinking, "Surely the Lord is going to return soon, because I can not bear the thought of living without her...and He won't put more on us than we can bear...this is clearly too much. I know He must be on His way back. We won't be here in another 10 years...surely." Well....it's been 15. . .and has that caused me to doubt Him? Has that caused me to become bitter? Has my faith diminished? Certainly one would think that any of those would be reasonably expected outcomes, especially considering how I distinctly recall saying "Surely He will not expect us to actually have to DEAL with her loss on a daily, or even worse: YEARLY basis." </div>
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But here I sit. . . 15 years later. I can truly testify to the fact that God is faithful. No matter WHAT circumstances cause your grief. Sudden tragedy..Sudden loss of a job. Sudden death of a loved one. Psalm 34:18 says The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. I clung to that promise even when I could not even pray any words to express my grief.</div>
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In the wake of her sudden death, and the days leading up to her funeral I recall very little...guess from the shock. But one thing God allowed my memory to retain, and subsequently He has etched it into my heart: Standing at her casket the night before her funeral. People were lined up outside, waiting to come in. . .and there was my former piano instructor . . as we stood at Sherri's casket I told Lynn, "I can never play again. .. how can I play from a heart that is broken?" She said "You have all the more reason to now." I didn't understand. .. but that was 15 years ago. . . Now I understand. </div>
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God uses music as a tool in the healing process. . .and in the few months or even years after she passed, I could not hear certain songs sung without boo-hooing. One specific song was "Serenaded by Angels." Couldn't hear it sung, or played on the radio. </div>
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How could I continue to PLAY from a heart that was broken? In order to get the refreshing juice from grapes, they must be crushed. . .and little did I know that God was going to use Sherri's untimely death to become a platform for me to offer encouragement and comfort to others. . .and do it through the music that He caused to come forth from that once crushed spirit and broken heart of mine. </div>
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God is faithful. 15 years later, here I sit . . .with a healed heart. . . still thinking of and missing my sister, but with a new perspective. God WILL allow us to go through hard times, sometimes they seem even more than we can bear...but it's to reveal HIMSELF to us. . and draw us closer to Him. </div>
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And below is a musical arrangement of none other than Serenaded by Angels. . in memory of my sister's 15th year with the Lord. Her time in eternity has only just begun.</div>
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Tammihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11625966252985649159noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898498593098848898.post-58365845300372351782012-07-15T23:51:00.001-04:002012-07-15T23:53:05.179-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)</h2>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "Charis SIL", charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Even though you may be wondering where this road you're on is going to take you, just remember, God is with you. He is taking you on a journey that may not make any sense to you yet, but one day it will. Trusting in His plans for your life should give you hope and the promise of a prosperous future.</span></span></h2>
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</div>Tammihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11625966252985649159noreply@blogger.com2