tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51808569185036562222024-02-19T11:02:16.207-05:00a glimpse insidereflections about life and lessons learned on my journeyJeanettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07678632348518107303noreply@blogger.comBlogger384125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180856918503656222.post-18445202429980708682020-08-26T13:36:00.000-04:002020-08-26T13:36:38.947-04:00Pulling Weeds<p> ***Disclaimer: In preparing to write this blog post, I tried to find a google image for "weed hidden in flowers". What I found, is that there are many people trying to figure out how to hide marijuana in plain sight! That is not the type of weed referenced in this post.*** :)</p><p>Have you ever noticed how weeds like to hide? Sometimes I can look at my flowerbed and think everything looks great. Take a look at these irises...no weeds, right?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GYvWQ1_zd-WPoSN36Cg8KkgRBDi5SlRGwzOMhnA-xJFCUum0nP04PrjRErJfo6g2hkDpvgNF66lgUnM-Q0ysbMMKCgipI3_9fHIMlFLb9GBYPOH-G5wvXMDP6VF9qUQajP4HvhzROfA/s2048/IMG_8070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GYvWQ1_zd-WPoSN36Cg8KkgRBDi5SlRGwzOMhnA-xJFCUum0nP04PrjRErJfo6g2hkDpvgNF66lgUnM-Q0ysbMMKCgipI3_9fHIMlFLb9GBYPOH-G5wvXMDP6VF9qUQajP4HvhzROfA/s640/IMG_8070.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>But when I took a closer look, I found a few of these....</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhDsJNhpR7irLAK8pbsRhXclIXZzf42ZdbvsazOrtXu7wgH4Wz7L4h8q2xOzTn4VmL9yDmcFHmcU8ItcWfza3RzfrbPjtOJShWHGQ0idTdEy3Zz44tl8Xb86mffg4oDzuhQUfQzIY4rw/s2048/IMG_8072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhDsJNhpR7irLAK8pbsRhXclIXZzf42ZdbvsazOrtXu7wgH4Wz7L4h8q2xOzTn4VmL9yDmcFHmcU8ItcWfza3RzfrbPjtOJShWHGQ0idTdEy3Zz44tl8Xb86mffg4oDzuhQUfQzIY4rw/s640/IMG_8072.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The same can be true with our thoughts. We can think everything appears healthy, but then a weed suddenly rears its ugly head. </p><p>I have learned to identify these destructive weeds by my reactions. I can be in a perfectly good mood, when all of a sudden a certain comment or circumstance can cause me to snap. Have you ever been there? It might be one of my kids asking "What are we having for dinner?", but in that tone that suggests he's about to complain about it. Or it could be my husband telling me about plans he's made when I was anticipating him being home. That's when the leaves part, and my weeds of bitterness can be clearly seen.</p><p>Why should we pull weeds? </p><p>1. <i>Weeds multiply quickly.</i></p><p>Hebrews 12:15 (MSG) states <b>"Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time."</b></p><p>One thistle plant can produce thousands of seeds. They can spread and grow quickly. Our bitter thoughts can do the same...coming out with more frequency and intensity. </p><p>2. <i>Weeds compete with other plants for nutrients, sunlight, and water.</i></p><p>Whatever we feed grows. Whatever we starve dies. Weeds steal what our plants need to thrive! I try to watch what I'm letting into my mind. What thoughts am I dwelling on? The more positive and truthful thoughts that I focus on, the more I feed my faith. When things are in a proper perspective, my bitterness lessens and is overshadowed by gratitude.</p><p><b>"Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." </b>- Philippians 4:8</p><p>3. <i>Weeds compete for space.</i></p><p>Roots spread underground and take up space in the soil. The more space taken up with weeds, the less space is available for nutritious vegetables and beautiful flowers. When weeds of bitterness are seen in my life, it takes away from the potential beauty that I have to offer. </p><p>4. <i>Weeds can hide the crop.</i></p><p>Have you ever gone to pick your vegetables and found that they were suddenly too big to be useful? Zucchini is one that can grow quickly. If it gets hidden and you don't pick it in time, the zucchini gets hard and seedy. By keeping the weeds under control, the "fruit" is more easily seen. If I want people to see Jesus through my words and actions, I need to keep weeding the garden.</p><p>These past 5 months of uncertainty and isolation have been a struggle. Conditions are right for the weeds to flourish, but I am determined to keep pulling up those weeds when I see them, so that I can focus on the blessings and let the good stuff grow. </p><p>The next time you see a weed in your garden or flowerbed, may these thoughts of mine cause you to also look inward and pull out any weeds of bitterness that have started to grow. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOgVvHFXRwpQybk7X3ndsauCl7o7pwLdwI0dBid5SytdqvfEVfboWgCiQewfw3q4_Lke0S8YffQOUDkjI7JjFAzm9I4PN03aAwC-PamJsmtF9ScNq5dStbbxC6ZFcc_vdAx7m57q4D60/s1220/Screen+Shot+2020-08-26+at+1.26.56+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="910" data-original-width="1220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOgVvHFXRwpQybk7X3ndsauCl7o7pwLdwI0dBid5SytdqvfEVfboWgCiQewfw3q4_Lke0S8YffQOUDkjI7JjFAzm9I4PN03aAwC-PamJsmtF9ScNq5dStbbxC6ZFcc_vdAx7m57q4D60/s640/Screen+Shot+2020-08-26+at+1.26.56+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jeanettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07678632348518107303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180856918503656222.post-12947582913025153832020-04-06T14:22:00.000-04:002020-04-06T14:37:42.487-04:00Me Too<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A few days ago I picked up a book off my shelf that I had bought months earlier. The title is "Connected: Curing the Pandemic of Everyone Feeling Alone Together". A few months ago the word <i>pandemic</i> held little personal meaning. Now, however, that word jumped out at me.<br />
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In trying to help the reader relate to a pandemic, the author says <i>"We've all seen the movies where a pandemic threatens our collective way of life. Eventually, a cure is discovered and the people are saved from an ominous threat."</i> The book was written in 2014. At that time, pandemics only happened in the movies or history books. Now we are living in one...except the cure has yet to be discovered. If anyone would have told you even two months ago what our lives would be like today, would you have believed them? I wouldn't have. <br />
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It's strange to realize that people around the world are all experiencing the same thing. We sponsor 2 children through Compassion. One is in Bolivia and one in Indonesia. Both of their centers are closed due to the virus. Everyone is being impacted.<br />
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Do you worry if you are doing enough to protect your family? Staying distant enough? Cleaning well enough? Do you worry about you and your loved ones getting sick? Do you get paranoid being out in public when the need arises....imagining germs on every surface and infection lurking in everyone you see? Do you look to the future and wonder how this is ever going to resolve itself? <b>Me Too.</b> I feel just the least bit uneasy, and my first thought is...uh-oh...here it comes. I heard my son cough the other day and must have looked at him strangely because his response was "Don't worry Mom, I just swallowed water wrong." It's like I'm just waiting for the inevitable. <br />
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I've posted a lot about our family having fun and making the best of our time at home. But that worry is always laying just beneath the surface. I daily have to take my worries and give them to God. I try to re-focus my thoughts on what I have control over TODAY. <br />
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I heard Joby Martin say <b>"Worry does not solve tomorrow's problems, it just sucks all of the joy out of today"</b>. How true that is. It doesn't mean not to prepare. It means that when I keep replaying all the "what-if" scenarios in my head, I'm wasting my day worrying about things that probably won't even happen. And if they do, well, it's out of my control. I may as well live in the moment and make whatever time I have with my loved ones count! I want to keep my joy and help spread it to others. I can't do that when I worry, and neither can you.<br />
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So for what it's worth, I just wanted to take the time to say <b>"We're in this together"</b>. These are scary times, but our fear does not have to have the final word. Let's encourage one another and look for the good. There is hope. As we get ready to celebrate Easter this Sunday, remember that the One who overcame death is still very much alive. He loves us. He sees us. He is with us. And He can be trusted with our future.<br />
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This a great devo that helped me this week. If anxiety is getting a hold on you, take the 15 min to watch. I pray your worry will be replaced with peace.<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kmjhDh-Z43s" width="560"></iframe>Jeanettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07678632348518107303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180856918503656222.post-80543786035695669822020-03-31T21:45:00.000-04:002020-03-31T21:45:01.570-04:00Family Fun in LockdownYesterday was my youngest son's birthday. We now have 3 teenagers! He was supposed to have gone to a CAVS game with his Dad (he had won pretty awesome seats at a basketball camp last summer). But instead, we were all at home. He has had a great attitude. Besides getting to pick what we ate all day, he decided our dinner was going to have a "twist". Eating spaghetti, but no hands allowed! It definitely turned an ordinary meal into something we will all remember. And we now have more empathy for our dog, who eats with no hands every day.<br />
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One thing that Brady has been really into lately is Rubik's cubes. He has many different varieties and can solve the basic 3x3 in under 20 seconds. Blows my mind! Since I suddenly have all this time on my hands, I decided that I'm going to let him teach me something that he loves. My brain isn't as quick as it used to be, so I'm only doing it one step at a time. Once I get comfortable with that, I have him teach me the next one. By next week I may have solved my first Rubik's cube 😁<br />
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But the most fun we've had is with our family project! It started out as an idea to record a song. Ever since being in a quartet at church this Christmas, Jeremy and Jacob have wanted to find another song to sing. So we decided to look for a quartet and record it, each of them singing two parts. (It works perfectly that my son has a lower singing voice than his Dad). I found one of my favorite quartet songs, For the Longest Time by Billy Joel. Then this idea came to me to re-write the words and make it a parody....since we were going to be stuck at home "for the longest time". Within a few hours, I had written a rough draft of the lyrics. Who knew I had some hidden songwriting ability. Jeremy and the boys made some changes and tweaked some words and we were good to go! Then it got taken one step further. Instead of just singing the song, let's shoot video to go along with it. This project was getting more complicated by the minute! We have always enjoyed the parody videos that the Holderness family makes (look them up on YouTube if you haven't seen them....they are so good!) Now we were about to create our own.<br />
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We have spent time together, been creative, and have laughed a lot. My husband has amazed me with his video editing skills. We would never have had the time to do this with our normal schedule. What ideas do you have of things that your family could do together that wasn't possible before, but is now? Create memories. Take advantage of the time you've been given. And enjoy our creative attempt to bring a smile to your face :)<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8vt8xF1Nn6g" width="560"></iframe>Jeanettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07678632348518107303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180856918503656222.post-10786460933712989762020-03-23T16:15:00.001-04:002020-03-23T16:15:14.523-04:00Quarantined with Teenagers - Week OneWhile we aren't officially quarantined (no one is sick), we are doing our best to follow the rules and be socially responsible. Our first week at home was filled with some wins and some challenges.<br />
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I knew right away that doing school at home meant we needed structure. I'm thankful that my boys are self-motivated and independent. Even so, if given the choice, video games probably rank higher than school work on their list. So here's what we did that has worked very successfully:<br />
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School Hours 8-3, with a one hour lunch/free time break. <br />
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Activities allowed during school hours:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Must check email and do assignments for all classes</li>
<li>Exercise</li>
<li>Playing instruments</li>
<li>Must do one household chore</li>
<li>Reading</li>
<li>Other non-screen activities</li>
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I have not heard "I'm bored". There's been very little arguing. And as you can see in the picture, they have even been helping each other with homework when needed! WIN! </div>
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Our schedule is typically very full. While it's been disappointing to have all our plans cancelled, it does give us more time as a family in the evenings. We've been watching movies together, playing games, and watching home videos (this always gets us laughing). WIN!</div>
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The most challenging thing for me right now is managing my own time in a way that reduces anxiety and isolation. Trying to find that balance between "staying informed" and resting in faith. It's hard to scroll Facebook anymore without feeling anxious, yet that's how to best stay "connected" to other people. Ugh. How can I stay emotionally and physically healthy during this time? </div>
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My goal this week is to set a schedule for me. Not one that is rigid, but one that gives me a plan of how to productively spend my time. I need to balance the "news" with faith-filled content that gives me perspective. I need to exercise since I now have the time to actually do it consistently! I need to clean those places in my house that NEVER get cleaned. I need to intentionally stay in touch with people. And whenever possible, I need to get outside (maintaining appropriate social distances, of course). </div>
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This way of life may become our "new normal" for a while, so I plan to embrace the opportunity. Being forced to spend time with my family is not a hardship. Grocery shopping online is actually kind of nice. I can do this. You can do this. May we come out of "quarantine" as stronger and healthier people, more thankful for everything we so often take for granted. </div>
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<br />Jeanettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07678632348518107303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180856918503656222.post-45532638464018034042020-03-13T11:01:00.000-04:002020-03-13T11:01:57.246-04:00COVID-19<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The topic of most conversations and facebook posts this week...the coronavirus. This is my favorite meme. What crazy times we're living in! So it's no surprise that as I was reading my Bible this morning, the Scriptures were speaking to me about our current situation. Let me start by sharing with you what I read from Hebrews 13:15-17.<br />
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"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a <i>sacrifice of praise</i>-the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget <i>to do good and to share with others</i>, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. <i>Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. </i>Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you."<br />
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<b>A sacrifice of praise. </b>When events are cancelled that we were looking forward to, disappointment is guaranteed. Our instinct is to complain and grumble. My family has been affected by this as I'm sure yours has. We've had awards banquets and sporting events cancelled. A musical the boys have been preparing for postponed. Tickets for CAVS games that most likely will not have spectators. Not to mention the fact that with schools closing I will be going 3 weeks without pay. There is plenty to grumble about! This is when praise becomes a sacrifice. To choose to think in a positive way and speak in a way that builds others up as opposed to creating more discontentment. I have loved reading posts from people who are choosing to embrace the downtime with family and see the blessings that come with having calendars that are less full. This is my challenge: the next time you feel like complaining, look for the blessing and give praise instead!<br />
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<b>Do good and share with others.</b> I have not been to the grocery store this week, so I have not witnessed the madness firsthand. From what I've heard, there is a lot of hoarding and selfishness happening in our communities. Don't buy more than you normally would. Share with others what you have, including toilet paper! Let's come together and be the good.<br />
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<b>Obey your leaders.</b> I've read opinions on both sides. I don't know what the "right" decisions are. However, I trust that our leaders are more educated than I am on the issues at hand. They are responsible for our communities and our country. If they decide to err on the side of caution to try to contain the spread of this virus, we should listen and obey. Yes, it will be an inconvenience. But they were elected to make the tough decisions and we need to submit to that authority. I would rather be inconvenienced than end up in a crisis. <br />
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These thoughts have challenged me and reminded me to make the best of these days. Be wise, be kind, and don't panic - God is still in control.Jeanettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07678632348518107303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180856918503656222.post-30303830795287410752020-01-12T17:12:00.000-05:002020-01-15T08:22:58.853-05:00Bread and CircusesI just finished reading a book by Levi Lusko called <i>Through the Eyes of a Lion</i>. One analogy he used jumped off the page for me. But to understand it, let me refresh your memory with a tiny history lesson...<br />
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The setting is Ancient Rome. This probably brings to mind chariot races, gladiator games, and the Roman Colosseum. What you might not remember is the purpose behind these games...to prevent civil unrest by keeping the poor happy. Roman leaders believed that if the people were kept fed and entertained (bread & circuses), they would be less likely to notice, complain, or revolt against the empire. And it worked! <br />
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Because I substitute teach at the junior high school, I get some social studies refreshers from time to time. So when I read the sub-title "<b>Satan's Weapon: Bread and Circuses" </b>in Levi's book, I knew exactly what he was talking about. Our enemy has many tactics. When he can't get us to sin, the next best thing is to distract us to the point that we neglect fulfilling our calling. He writes <i><b>"This destruction by distraction is difficult to detect when it's happening, because it doesn't involve bad things but good things - that take the place of the most important things." </b></i> By focusing on superficial things we can easily forget about what matters.<br />
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Sports. Television. Video Games. Casinos. Movies. Concerts.<br />
Are these bad things? No. Do they distract us? You bet. <br />
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Feeling far from God? Distance in your marriage? Kids rebelling or struggling in school? Neighbors in need of love and hope? Poor that need help? We can rise up and do something about these things, or we can numb our minds and appetites with bread and circuses. <br />
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Often times it takes a tragedy to open our eyes and re-focus on what's important. Enjoy life and all it has to offer, but be intentional about what is taking up your time and using your resources. <br />
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It's 2020...the year of perfect vision. Let's keep our eyes open.Jeanettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07678632348518107303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180856918503656222.post-81219432721359135522019-08-12T10:52:00.000-04:002019-08-12T10:52:47.160-04:00Getting Back UpMy boys are fans of the Marvel superhero movies. This summer we decided as a family to start watching through the movies from beginning to end, in chronological order. The first movie in the list (although it was one of the most recent to be released) was Captain Marvel. <br />
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My favorite scene is near the end. Carol's enemy is trying to keep her down by reminding her of all her failures...all the times she was weak, defeated, fallen. But then Carol's perspective shifts. Instead of focusing on the falling down, she remembers what happens afterward....how she gets back up. This is what gives her strength and empowers her to fight.<br />
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As I was reading my Bible this morning, this verse stood out to me. In Mark 9:31 Jesus said <i>"The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise."</i> The disciples did not understand. A Savior that would be killed? That doesn't make sense. And in the first few days after Jesus was crucified, they were only able to see the loss and feel the sadness and disappointment. They had forgotten the second part of this statement....that after three days he will RISE! That is when God's power and promise are revealed and understood. <br />
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In the moment, we tend to only see our failure or loss. But people of faith can look back and shift their perspective from seeing the failure, to recognizing the moment that we got back up. We overcame. That is what gives us strength and hope.<br />
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As my boys get older (now 12, 14, and 16) I have to lessen my control and allow them to take on more responsibility. This is hard because I want to protect them. I don't want them to fail. I want to keep them safe. Yet I also realize that the way they will learn and gain strength is THROUGH this process of failing and getting back up again. When I start to worry "What If...?", I need to remind myself that God is faithful. I now have a child <i>driving! </i>What if...? How do I control that fear? By reminding myself that whatever may happen to knock us down, God is faithful, and we will eventually rise. <br />
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My challenge to you is to look back on your life as Carol did, by focusing not on your failures and heartaches, but on how you overcame them and got back up. You can do it again.<br />
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<i><b>"At the bottom of the deepest, darkest what-if imaginable is a faithful God."</b></i> -Steven Furtick<br />
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<br />Jeanettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07678632348518107303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180856918503656222.post-48780854074658738422019-07-02T09:43:00.000-04:002019-07-02T09:43:47.732-04:00Yoked Together<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NotZNoV8XqajO-T8_TUu7sfDWmXnhtRheXXFjtRPNhzpgl-1P7lAq10GJVeCCbmWZp0ykZDR9gkEjyUk3ix5dwTfQ5Ak1Zh4Sn5D5H-D9ulYUrjTjZ8N-w_v4jExu_Zn4Mg6xMZdTpc/s1600/IMG_5951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NotZNoV8XqajO-T8_TUu7sfDWmXnhtRheXXFjtRPNhzpgl-1P7lAq10GJVeCCbmWZp0ykZDR9gkEjyUk3ix5dwTfQ5Ak1Zh4Sn5D5H-D9ulYUrjTjZ8N-w_v4jExu_Zn4Mg6xMZdTpc/s320/IMG_5951.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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As common as this verse is, I frequently need reminded about what a yoke is, and what this verse is saying.<br />
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<i>Yoke - A wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plow or cart that they are to pull.</i><br />
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This verse tells me two things. First, I am not meant to work alone. A yoke is given for TWO animals to SHARE the load. Secondly, the burden is light. If it's getting heavy, I'm either taking on more than I was meant to, or I'm trying to go it alone.<br />
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Check out this fact: "Farmers used to yoke the young ox with the old experienced ox to train them. The old ox will take the major load and the young one will be walking along and learning from him."<br />
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When I asked Jesus into my life, I became yoked with Him. I am to work alongside Him to spread his love and truth, learning from Him along the way. What a beautiful picture.<br />
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"Then Jesus said, <b><span style="color: red;">"Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light."</span></b>-Matthew 11:28-30<br />
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<br />Jeanettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07678632348518107303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180856918503656222.post-92155406407234469432019-06-21T12:30:00.001-04:002019-06-21T12:30:33.106-04:00Small Groups on Mission<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Over the years I have been a part of many small groups. They are a great way to <b>connect</b> with other people. By meeting frequently, you can keep up with what is going on in others lives and <b>care</b> for each other. By discussing spiritual topics and sharing insight I have <b>grown</b> in my faith. But the one area that we have failed to implement on a regular basis is to <b>serve</b> together.<br />
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Maybe this is why small group attendance starts out strong, and then slowly loses priority. I was really struck by an excerpt from Jen Hatmaker's book <i>Interrupted</i>. It's a bit long, but good food for thought...<br />
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"Obviously, geographic small groups are not new, but their purpose has often been limited by exclusivity: "This is <i>our</i> group for us to do life together." "Our six families have been together for four years." As small-group pastor for years, Brandon observed that community groups structured mainly for the benefit of their members have about a three-year shelf life. At this point, the ties dissolve or the fellowship wanes, and they usually disband.<br />
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I believe more than simply losing interest, small groups like this evaporate because they aren't on mission, and frankly, that gets boring and unfulfilling. How long can we sit in the same living room or Sunday school class with the same people talking about the same stuff? How many discussions can we have about Sunday's sermon? How long can we sacrifice a night a week for a basic repeat of the last gathering? It runs out because we weren't created to serve ourselves; we're not wired to take the role of master, but slave. Blessing blessed people eventually leaves us empty, and despite a church system designed to meet <i>our</i> needs, these words come out of our mouths: "I'm not being fed."<br />
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I believe <b>the largest factor in feeling unfed is not feeding others. </b>It has less to do with your pastor's preaching style or the curriculum you're studying. We have an innate craving to live on mission with God in the dangerous, exciting world. Out there is where we come to life, get over ourselves, are fed. Fulfillment exists in becoming a slave to everyone in order to win someone to Jesus. Discipleship was never simply about learning; it was constructed on <i>living...</i><br />
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If an endless array of Bible studies, programs, church events, and sermons have left you dry, please hear this: <i>living on mission where you've been sent</i> will transform your faith journey. At the risks of oversimplifying it, I've seen missional living cure apathy better than any sermon, promote healing quicker than counseling, deepen discipleship more than Bible studies, and create converts more efficiently than events."<br />
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She goes on to explain how their small community groups function. Two weeks a month they meet for traditional fellowship and discussion, one week for serving together in the community or with a nonprofit partner, and one week apart to intentionally live on mission (inviting neighbors over for dinner, hosting a game night, etc...). <br />
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There are obviously more opportunities to serve near a big city than a small town like I live in, but with some creativity I think this missional component could still be included. It may just be the piece that's been missing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYhrg9Y3cfN0fk6f3siB60CO1eyns70uiDylSKAPKVn0eOkm3-waimxscHPZnOxn3qjmkKdhhO9KZ2oLJ9v8zDtaqygCdZqOpuTUNhFxXjFrh9bdqdN-ZpzyItE9xYaYVfdRYX3YX3zQ/s1600/images-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYhrg9Y3cfN0fk6f3siB60CO1eyns70uiDylSKAPKVn0eOkm3-waimxscHPZnOxn3qjmkKdhhO9KZ2oLJ9v8zDtaqygCdZqOpuTUNhFxXjFrh9bdqdN-ZpzyItE9xYaYVfdRYX3YX3zQ/s1600/images-2.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />Jeanettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07678632348518107303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180856918503656222.post-47339100314539912562019-05-23T11:12:00.002-04:002019-05-23T11:12:46.172-04:00Verse Images: My New ToolAs much as I love routine, I like to change things up a bit sometimes. What I've started doing this past month is creating a verse image after each time I've sat down to read the Bible. It goes like this: I pray for God to speak to me through His Word, and then I open it up and start reading until a verse gets my attention. Then I open up the YouVersion Bible App on my phone and look at that verse in a few different versions. I pick the one I like the most and create a verse image through the app. Doing this creative process helps me commit the words to memory, and gives me verse images on my phone that I can flip through. It's also my plan to use them as a revolving background on my computer so that I'm reminded of the things I'm learning. Now, before you put me on a pedestal, know that this does NOT happen every day. It's just a new tool that I'm trying out - using technology to aid my spiritual growth.<br />
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Here is the image I created today.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3psuivDlESPiCuypjeFKY2ieqYMhQtAzYnx2iO5eC1srQ_M35YxU3OXqYY8s0x3OSkMgtIRW0Mzxx7WX8F7w5C0i5LINzuZZVnDe2lITEayf80pnD9_68oJkAbTRP93c0o0jAw27SLs8/s1600/IMG_5811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3psuivDlESPiCuypjeFKY2ieqYMhQtAzYnx2iO5eC1srQ_M35YxU3OXqYY8s0x3OSkMgtIRW0Mzxx7WX8F7w5C0i5LINzuZZVnDe2lITEayf80pnD9_68oJkAbTRP93c0o0jAw27SLs8/s320/IMG_5811.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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While I chose this version for the image, I really like how The Message worded it the most. This is a paraphrase of what Jesus was saying to the woman at the well, <i>"It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship."</i></div>
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<i>Worship in Spirit.</i></div>
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The first thing that came to my mind was church...the "worship service". Am I just showing up and being a warm body, or is my spirit engaged? Honestly, I have a difficult time engaging in worship during church. That's certainly not due to the music, because our band knocks it out of the park! I just get distracted so easily. Half of the time I run the tech during the service so my mind is focused on cameras and lyric slides. When I am sitting down in the chairs, my mind is all over the place. I see my teenage son picking at the callouses on his hands, the mom with the cute new baby, the drummer getting into his rhythm. If I'm upset with my husband - the worship leader - that can be a major hindrance. And I'm just so self-conscious thinking of how I want to be the woman with her hands raised, singing out for all to hear, but that simply isn't me. So what do I do with that? I use it as an opportunity to pray. I pray for what's on my heart. I let my eyes wander to the couple who I know is struggling in their marriage, and I pray for them. I pray for the mom with squirmy baby, that she would find time to rest and connect with Jesus. I pray for the woman who is grieving, the one who is struggling with addiction, and the one who seems to have it all together. The beauty of the music is more of a pleasant background to my conversation with God. My spirit is still engaged, just not in the way that it is when I listen to music in solitude.</div>
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What if you don't<i> feel </i>like showing up? If your spirit doesn't <i>feel</i> like worshipping? Show up anyway. God has a way of speaking to us when we least expect it - through a song, a sermon, or a person we cross paths with. Show up in obedience with the knowledge that your feelings could very well change. Come as you are - you may just leave different.</div>
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<i>Worship in Truth.</i></div>
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Worship does not only happen in church or when listening to music. We are worshipping God whenever we are living a life in obedience and pursuit of Him - in pursuit of truth. </div>
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I think this includes being truthful about ourselves - being authentic. When we are truthful about ourselves before God, we are led to repentance and dependence on Him. When we are truthful to others, they feel comfortable enough to be authentic too. </div>
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I'm reading a book that I've heard talked about a lot recently - it's even on the #1 New York Times Bestseller list. Maybe you've heard of it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GxqH7cNBaLUSbOMe1-n12uvGUbQtpZrkytS7OxnYqnAUr2ob4CYrvVN1dAJbwdcmJL-Ep9hhKXh1UWDS4xsGD65qCZu2d_UcaSDiCC3wuG8EneOXFKzuZdVNUla7VyUdMORcmO1zXag/s1600/shopping.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="243" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GxqH7cNBaLUSbOMe1-n12uvGUbQtpZrkytS7OxnYqnAUr2ob4CYrvVN1dAJbwdcmJL-Ep9hhKXh1UWDS4xsGD65qCZu2d_UcaSDiCC3wuG8EneOXFKzuZdVNUla7VyUdMORcmO1zXag/s320/shopping.jpeg" width="211" /></a></div>
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You know why I think this book is so popular? Because this woman is so authentic with her experiences and life lessons! We are so hungry for people to be real and tell it like it is. Forget the Facebook feed highlights - we want truth - we want to know others have the same failures and struggles that we do. Yes, it takes talent and a way with words to create a book worthy of reading. But for a book like this, it also takes courage. </div>
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So that's a few of the places this verse took my mind wandering to this morning. May we worship in spirit and truth. </div>
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<br />Jeanettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07678632348518107303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180856918503656222.post-16818343417331933122019-01-28T10:21:00.000-05:002019-01-28T10:21:16.189-05:00Friendship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When it comes to friendships I find myself at both ends of the spectrum. <br />
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Part of me wants connection with other women. I want to be known and to enter into relationships where we can learn from and encourage one another. I think it's an important part of a life of faith...having someone to speak truth into your life and remind you that you are not alone. Being able to learn from those who are more mature, and also help lift up those who are struggling. More than just simple conversations - I want friends who can stop pretending to have it all together and can simply come as they are.<br />
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The other part of me is content to just settle in at home and focus on my family. It's comfortable here. I have my books and podcasts to keep my head on straight. I don't have to risk rejection, deal with drama, or trust anyone with my "stuff". For an introvert, it's a safe place.<br />
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I switch between these two extremes often. Sometimes I'll get in the mood to connect with others and will make plans, but then when the time comes I'm not so enthusiastic about the idea. I've led women's groups both in person and online. They are great for a time, but then attendance plummets and so does my self-confidence. So it's been easier to just not reach out.<br />
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Yesterday morning, my head was filled with all sorts of ideas. I was going to find some women who were in the same boat as me (<i>I mean, I can't be the only one, right?</i>) and be intentional about getting together twice a month and sharing our lives. Different names were coming to mind, some people I know well, and others I've just met. I was going to reach out and it would be great! By yesterday evening I had talked myself out of it. And then I read this...<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">"Fear will present an option that keeps you protected and safe instead of inviting you into the risky unknowns of God's will"</span></b>- Priscilla Shirer<br />
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<i>Ugh. Seriously? Why didn't I just watch TV instead of reading a book that would convict me?</i> But here I am...called to obedience without knowing the outcome. Time to jump!Jeanettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07678632348518107303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180856918503656222.post-14467378506650318752018-11-20T13:45:00.000-05:002018-11-20T13:45:19.414-05:00Hero Maker<span style="font-size: large;">"When it comes to accomplishing great visions, it's never the dreams you dream but the small decisions you make."</span> -J.D.Greear<br />
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My husband was invited to attend a church-planting conference near Chicago. Did I want to go with him? My first response was to say no. It was going to be a quick trip: drive 6 hours, sit in a conference all day, share a hotel room with <i>women</i>, and drive home. Not very appealing. Plus there were logistics of finding childcare for our kids. It was easier to say no. But God had other plans.<br />
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I began to feel guilty, as if I was letting an opportunity slip away. An opportunity to connect with my husband, to create memories, to open myself up to something God may want to teach me. So I decided to put in the effort to make the trip memorable. Through the help of our family, my husband and I were able to drive up early and explore the city of Chicago! It was fun to sight-see and enjoy time alone together. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPS6vv3so909wx1VYAa4vHHEmA_xNkWlHTdEXcA3nCxhqvpe0SwEgTNUY5QjqSB21ji-al5nQ8PvOI4Pp6PE53dHtRdB3gkUX1E6Wv55lKXuxJydTZEo_bdVESEOdbkgrsRSrXWYkJbTg/s1600/IMG_4966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPS6vv3so909wx1VYAa4vHHEmA_xNkWlHTdEXcA3nCxhqvpe0SwEgTNUY5QjqSB21ji-al5nQ8PvOI4Pp6PE53dHtRdB3gkUX1E6Wv55lKXuxJydTZEo_bdVESEOdbkgrsRSrXWYkJbTg/s200/IMG_4966.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
A few days later, we met up with a group from church to attend the conference. I was looking forward to hearing the speakers, but to be honest I was not expecting to gain much from it. While I am involved in church leadership and am all for people spreading the love of Jesus, I wouldn't say "church planting" is one of my passions. My heart is in helping people walk in obedience and strengthen their faith, not in starting new churches. So when I'm at these conferences, I constantly fight the feeling that I don't belong. The theme this year was Hero Maker. The basic idea being that instead of us being the "hero", we should be Hero Makers - investing in and empowering others and thereby multiplying our impact. I took what was said and began applying it to parenting and leadership in general. <br />
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Out of all the amazing speakers, there was one line from a <i>video </i>that spoke straight to my heart. A man was talking about the last words his father said to him, which were "No matter what happens, don't lose your vision." Those could have been God's words to me. I had been sitting there thinking that my vision was too small, too selfish. That my vision should be something else. But I was reminded that it wasn't meant to be. My vision to take two people who have been given a legacy of family brokenness and redeem it. To empower our boys to be heroes who can carry that forward. I truly believe that healing the world begins with healing the family. And it starts with me, with us. It requires making intentional choices and does not always come naturally. I want to do it right, and influence other couples along the way. In that moment I felt the approval of my heavenly Father and knew that I was where I should be. <br />
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Looking back I realize all that I would have missed out on if I would have taken the easier route and simply stayed home. I feel incredibly blessed. <br />
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It's hard to believe that this is only the 3rd blog post I've written this year! I could use the excuse that my boys keep me busy (which they do), but I'd like to be more consistent. If there is a topic that you would like me to write about, please feel free to share. <br />
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<br />Jeanettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07678632348518107303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180856918503656222.post-85699735384884667312018-03-18T18:04:00.000-04:002018-03-18T18:04:03.386-04:00The Very Next Thing<i>"To dwell in the place I have been given. To do the things I have been given. To love the people I have been given. This is not mysterious or far reaching, yet this is the truth of a God-ordained life.</i><br />
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<i>Slowly, I was beginning to understand that it wasn't my productivity that God desired; it was my heart. It wasn't my ministry God loved; it was me. <b>God was glorified, is glorified, when we give Him our hearts, give Him ourselves, and faithfully do the thing right in front of us, no matter how small or trivial</b>."</i><br />
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These words were written by Katie Davis Majors, a missionary in Uganda. Her story is much different than mine, as is the place God has called her to. But what we share is our struggle in motherhood. The struggle of wanting to be used by God, yet feeling like we are caught up in the ordinary and mundane routine of life. Whether we are making meals, changing diapers, breaking up arguments, cleaning up messes, or carpooling all around town, being a mother takes a lot of effort and is often unappreciated by our children. But did you know that in all that activity we have the opportunity to grow in faithfulness?<br />
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Katie describes faithfulness as what we repeatedly do, whether or not we see the results. <i>"Faithfulness is when we pour into hard people over and over, when we continue to serve in difficult situations, when we intentionally choose to lean into Him in our troubles as well as our joys. Faithfulness is a habit formed in our hearts when no one is looking, when the day is done and the stars creep out and our call isn't easy but we don't turn away."</i><br />
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I sometimes get overwhelmed by all the things I feel that I <i>should</i> do. I want to eat healthier, exercise, memorize Scripture, do regular devotions, invest time in other people, spend quality time with my kids, strengthen my marriage, keep a clean house, serve others, and the list goes on.... And quite honestly, when I get overwhelmed, it seems nothing gets done. These are all good things, but what is it that God really expects of me?<br />
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What I keep coming back to is that God just wants me to do the very next thing, the thing right in front of me. He wants me to be in relationship with Him and then simply to walk in obedience. Being a task-oriented planner, this is sometimes challenging. I get so focused on what's to come, that I have a difficult time just being present. My goal now is simply to be faithful to what is right in front of me...or to whatever He puts on my heart. When I think a compliment, I try to speak it. When I feel a burden for someone, I stop to pray or reach out. When my kids want my attention, I try to stop what I'm doing and give it. These things may seem small, but I believe God is glorified through them much more than me going through my schedule on auto-pilot.<br />
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What is the very next thing that God is asking YOU to do? Be present. Be faithful.<br />
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We're in this together.<br />
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<br />Jeanettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07678632348518107303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180856918503656222.post-59468902820847412122018-01-16T12:30:00.000-05:002018-01-16T12:36:16.556-05:00One Secret To Affair-Proofing Your Marriage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Okay, so this may not really be a "secret", but it is something married women generally don't talk about. I won't hold you in suspense, here it is....Have sex with your spouse! Regularly.<br />
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It was actually Scripture that got my wheels turning on this subject this morning. So let's start with that. In 1 Corinthians, Paul is writing to the church on some issues concerning Christian marriage. He writes <b><i>" Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control."</i></b>- 1 Corinthians 7:5<br />
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Whether we do it intentionally or just because life gets too busy, not having regular sex with your spouse is an open door for Satan to walk through. The best illustration I've heard on this came from Gary Thomas. I'm going to paraphrase his story from memory because it's been so long that I don't remember which book it came from! Gary is a runner, even dedicated enough to run on vacation. One year he was away from home in a much more humid environment than he was used to and he failed to bring enough water on his run. He became so parched that as he ran by houses and saw a hose out front, he considered going over to take a drink. A while later, he passed a discarded Coke bottle on the road that still contained a small amount of liquid. Even <i>that </i>began to be tempting. Can you imagine how gross that would be? But dehydration can cause your mind to consider things that normally would be unthinkable. <b>When we deprive our spouses from meeting their physical needs in a healthy way within our marriage, even what was unthinkable before may become a temptation. </b><br />
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What do I mean by "regular"? That could vary for each individual couple. If you don't know what your spouse needs to be fulfilled, you should definitely have that conversation and find out. For me, anything less than once a week would be a huge warning light. I understand that sex is more than a physical act, it has a large emotional component (especially for women). If that warning light goes off in your marriage, the time to act is NOW. Find out what the problem is and take steps to fix it. In every failing marriage that I've come across, the couple does not seek help until the "we haven't had sex for MONTHS" stage. That is heartbreaking and so much more difficult to come back from.<br />
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Because this topic can be so uncomfortable to talk about in person, there are a few books I can recommend that would be a good starting point if you struggle in this area. Every Woman's/Man's Marriage and Every Woman's/Man's Battle.<br />
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Shannon Ethridge writes in a very vulnerable and honest style. She has several books on marriage/sex that may be helpful in restoring your perspective and giving you hope for the days ahead.<br />
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Craig Groeschel is known for saying "When your car runs out of gas, you don't go sell it and buy a new one. You put gas in your car."<br />
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While my marriage isn't perfect, it has always been a priority for me. I didn't have an example to look to growing up, so it's been "learn as you go". I've been blessed to learn these lessons early. I pray for those of you who took the time to read these thoughts of mine, that I will have given you something to think about and that your marriage would be strengthened because of it.<br />
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<br />Jeanettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07678632348518107303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180856918503656222.post-11128297321608692862018-01-15T17:23:00.000-05:002018-01-15T17:23:50.818-05:00Gospel-Centered Mom by Brooke McGlothlin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I think it was the sub-title that captured my attention for this book: <i>The Freeing Truth About What Your Kids Really Need</i>. The title of Mom comes along with so many overwhelming responsibilities that it's easy to feel like we're not enough. And then we compare ourselves with other women and feel even less adequate. One of the blessings of this book is that Brooke shatters the illusion that we are in this alone. Mothers deal with the same emotional struggles, and each one of us can be encouraged by the truths found here.<br />
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<i><b>"Why does it bother me so much to feel inept at mothering my boys? Maybe because it's the thing that I most want to get right."</b></i><br />
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The Gospel-Centered Mom helps us to reset our perspectives. Of course we're not enough, but God is. It's easy to get our parenting priorities out of whack. Maybe we spend most of our energy on providing our kids with a good education, a healthy diet, opportunities to excel in sports or music, or happiness. But what is it that's most important to God? How do we partner with Him to raise our kids? And to what extent are we responsible for their choices and the people they grow up to be? These are some of the issues explored in this book.<br />
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One area that I struggle in is how to spiritually inspire my boys. I liked what the author had to say about this. She writes, <i><b>"Living the Christian life and influencing others for Christ is really as simple as studying the Word for yourself and then telling others what you've learned."</b></i> Lead by example. At times I don't feel like anything sinks in, but I trust that one day I'll see the fruits of my efforts.<br />
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A feature that I really appreciated in this book are the re-caps. At the end of each chapter appear 2 summary statements called a Hard Truth and a Beautiful Truth which reinforce the theme of the chapter. There is also a conclusion section at the end of the book which summarizes the main points of each of the 10 chapters. If you are reading this as a group, discussion questions are provided as well.<br />
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Overall, I found this book to be easy to read, honest, and thought provoking. I recommend it to Christian mothers who desire to raise godly children without being burdened by unnecessary guilt! <br />
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.</span></i><br />
<br />Jeanettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07678632348518107303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180856918503656222.post-23618102684327933972017-12-01T20:57:00.001-05:002017-12-01T20:57:04.267-05:00The Delusion by Laura Gallier<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Don't let the cover art fool you...this is not a horror book (I'm not into that). Instead, it is a book that deals with the spiritual dimension and the battle between good and evil. A teenage boy has his eyes opened to be able to see what we are blind to. Instead of demons and angels, they are referred to as Creepers and Watchmen. He must learn to understand what he is seeing and figure out how to help those who are in danger. <br />
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I really enjoyed Frank Peretti's books, Piercing the Darkness and This Present Darkness, which fictionalize the spiritual dimension. I expected this book to be similar - only targeting a teenage audience. So how did it measure up?<br />
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Pros: There is truth to be found here. The spiritual battle is real. Evil exists, and we are all susceptible to it's influence. Yet there is also good, and prayer is powerful. <br />
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Cons: The descriptions of the Creepers is sometimes too gruesome for my tastes. I'm sure evil is ugly, but I'd rather not dwell on it too much! Also, the main character is pretty dense. It takes him a LONG time to figure things out, and some things he never does. <br />
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That leads me to my biggest disappointment with this book. Nowhere on the cover does it tell you that this is PART ONE of a story. There is no closure or resolution, which is my favorite part! I find it very frustrating not having been warned that this would happen, because I would not have picked up the book had I known.<br />
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<i>*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale Publishers in exchange for an honest review.</i>Jeanettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07678632348518107303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180856918503656222.post-8365383508948872042017-11-17T18:49:00.001-05:002017-11-17T18:49:23.176-05:00Where We Belong by Lynn Austin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Lynn Austin is becoming one of my favorite authors of fiction! While this story is fictional, the idea came from the true story of two sisters, Agnes and Margaret Smith, who lived in the 1800's. "These brilliant, self-educated women discovered a copy of the Gospels dating from AD 500 at the monastery on Mount Sinai...Their trust in God led them to accomplish extraordinary things and live a rich, adventurous life for God's glory."<br />
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This interesting story is told through the eyes of four different characters. The two largest sections of the book are told through the sisters perspective, with two other sections focusing on minor characters. By switching points of view and using flashbacks to develop characters, the story stays fresh and captivating throughout. I also like learning a little bit of history by discovering what life may have been like in the 1800's.<br />
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The main characters are easily likable, displaying faith, hope, and a belief that God has a purpose for each one of us. While this is a work of fiction, there are words of wisdom sprinkled throughout the book that can inspire and uplift. <br />
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*<i>I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.</i>Jeanettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07678632348518107303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180856918503656222.post-92165973388978045112017-10-27T15:30:00.000-04:002017-10-27T15:30:46.663-04:00Whisper by Mark Batterson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What does it mean when someone says that God "spoke to them"? Does God still speak today? If so...how? That's what this book explores. How to Hear the Voice of God.<br />
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<i><b>"Chronic noise may be the greatest impediment to our spiritual growth"</b></i>. That got my attention. Schedules are busy. Our lives are filled with cell phones, televisions, and music. These things aren't necessarily bad, but they can be a distraction.<br />
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In 1 Kings 19:12 God speaks in a whisper. Why a whisper? Here is the author's take on it: <i><b>"When someone speaks in a whisper, you have to get very close to hear. In fact, you have to put your ear near the person's mouth. We lean toward a whisper, and that's what God wants. The goal of hearing the heavenly Father's voice isn't just hearing His voice; it's intimacy with Him. That's why He speaks in a whisper. He wants to be as close to you as humanly possible! He loves us, likes us, that much."</b></i><br />
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So how does God speak? In this book Mark Batterson explores 7 love languages, providing examples of how we can hear from God. God can speak through Scripture, Desires, Doors, Dreams, People, Promptings, and Pain. As I was reading through the stories shared in these pages, I was reminded of times in my life and of other stories I've heard in which God spoke. Not audibly, but in a way that was clear. This book can help someone recognize and discern when God is whispering.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.</span></i>Jeanettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07678632348518107303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180856918503656222.post-83940576647950628712017-10-26T15:51:00.002-04:002017-10-26T15:51:38.668-04:00Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh & Sean McDowell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Evidence That Demands a Verdict was written by a man who set out to intellectually and historically disprove Christianity. Yet instead, he discovered that the claims were true! This book is a collection of the evidence that he gathered, giving Christians a solid defense of what they believe to be true (commonly referred to as apologetics).<br />
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The first version of this book was published in 1972 and was previously updated in 1999. Since then new discoveries have been made and new challenges to the claims of Christianity have come forth. This book contains the same truth as previous versions and is now up-to-date for the current generation. <br />
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While you could read this book cover-to-cover, it is more like a resource book, having 722 pages of text. There is a table of contents, chapter outlines, and a subject index to help the reader find specific topics. I read bits and pieces of the book and found that the text is easy for the average reader to understand. It's not too intellectual. <br />
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My favorite part of the book so far is the author's testimony that he gives at the beginning entitled, "He Changed My Life." It is a very honest, powerful story. He shares not only how he came to faith, but also how his life changed afterward.<br />
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Josh McDowell writes <i><b>"One precaution when using apologetics: God saves - apologetics does not. On the other hand, God often uses apologetics, or evidences, to help clear away obstacles to faith that many people erect, and also to show that faith in Christ is reasonable." </b></i><br />
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If that's what you are looking for, then this is the book for you!<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>*I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.</i></span>Jeanettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07678632348518107303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180856918503656222.post-88644602312714992812017-10-15T17:23:00.000-04:002017-10-15T17:23:14.177-04:00A Time to Stand by Robert Whitlow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I'm subbing at the high school, I enjoy reading a good fiction book now and then to pass the time. This story revolves around a crime that has been committed...a young black man being shot by a white officer. But it goes beyond the crime to explore the racial tension in the community and how that affects the case. While the plot does focus on legal matters, very little of the action takes place in the courtroom. It mainly focuses on Adisa, a young black attorney, who must decide whether she can go against her racial prejudices to defend the officer.<br />
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I enjoyed the book, but a piece of bad theology left me unsettled. In the story, the grandmother of the boy who had been shot stood up at church and announced that she had forgiven the officer and asked others to show him mercy. Instead of supporting that act, the preacher and deacons think she needs to be rebuked. He says "On the issue of whether it's necessary for someone to ask forgiveness in order to be forgiven. Does Jesus forgive our sins if we don't ask him to? I don't think so. If that's the standard he laid down, how can anyone, even Thelma Armistead, forgive someone who hasn't admitted to doing something wrong and asked for forgiveness? Several of the deacons were telling me I have to publicly rebuke her." This line of thinking was never corrected. I know this is a work of fiction, but it bothers me to think that someone may assume this is true. From what I've read in Scripture, we absolutely can and should forgive others, even if they don't ask for it.<br />
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Other than that, the book was well-written and thought provoking. There are 7 discussion questions at the back of the book.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.</span></i>Jeanettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07678632348518107303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180856918503656222.post-46872976752493382322017-09-20T21:10:00.000-04:002017-09-20T21:21:37.887-04:00All Saints by Michael Spurlock and Jeanette Windle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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All Saints is the true story of a dying church in Smyrna, Tennessee that welcomed a group of refugees into their congregation. What resulted was life-giving for both parties. The story is full of examples of God's provision for the community and shows what can happen when people work together for the common good. All Saints has also been made into a movie - showing now at theaters near you!<br />
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Many times a book is better than the movie version of a story. All Saints may be an exception. While I haven't seen the movie, the book left much to be desired. First, nearly half of the book is backstory. While there should be some information leading to the arrival of the refugees at the church, I thought the amount written was excessive. I enjoyed the second half of the book much better. Also, the book is written in 3rd person. It was as if I were reading a news report about what happened instead of someone sharing his/her experiences.<br />
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While I think this story is inspiring and needs to be shared - I recommend skipping the bookstore and going to the movies!<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.</span></i>Jeanettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07678632348518107303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180856918503656222.post-45562047622531100292017-09-02T21:04:00.001-04:002017-09-02T21:04:33.283-04:00Convicted by Jameel McGee & Andrew Collins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2RiLI8q3mPTf46rsW4rC5OPqHBq72z6Ya4g3xRBuHZv7HRumvxX1U1NMCXCjQ4t6SuN9sHE2DTkQFq9UGc_xRVSi05DXtKfk18M7nPlvdl6MvkpChn_vaz2myLTv9dizT-SUmWc43Rrc/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="277" data-original-width="182" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2RiLI8q3mPTf46rsW4rC5OPqHBq72z6Ya4g3xRBuHZv7HRumvxX1U1NMCXCjQ4t6SuN9sHE2DTkQFq9UGc_xRVSi05DXtKfk18M7nPlvdl6MvkpChn_vaz2myLTv9dizT-SUmWc43Rrc/s200/download.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
The tagline pretty much nails it. This is a true story about a crooked cop, an innocent man, and an unlikely journey of forgiveness and friendship.<br />
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Officer Andrew Collins works for narcotics - ridding the streets of Benton Harbor, MI of drug dealers. Slowly his morals start to ebb away though as he begins to lie and plant evidence to ensure the criminals convictions hold. Since he was convinced a drug dealer was guilty, why should he let him get off due to a technicality? That is, until he was caught and discovered he had put at least one innocent man in jail.<br />
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Jameel McGee had a habit of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Due to Andrew Collins false report, he was imprisoned of a crime he didn't commit. He was robbed of 3 years of his life and knew who was to blame. <br />
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So what happens when these two men come face to face? That is the beauty of this tale....while it didn't come easily, they became best friends.<br />
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This story was interesting and captivating the whole way through, with chapters alternating between Jameel McGee and Andrew Collins telling their side of the events. It is a touching example of the power of forgiveness and reconciliation.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.</span></i><br />
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<br />Jeanettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07678632348518107303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180856918503656222.post-80216916548547734152017-07-31T15:56:00.002-04:002017-07-31T16:07:50.376-04:00Online Bible Study?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Recently I heard about a ministry called Love God Greatly and their Bible Study groups, many of which are online. To be honest, the thought didn't appeal to me at first. I've been a part of and have led women's bible studies before, and there's just something special about physically showing up! You can read each other's facial expressions and understand so much from tone of voice and body language. You can give hugs and welcoming smiles. And let's not forget coffee and snacks! Relationships are built easily when we make time to get together. <br />
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But...I haven't been in a women's bible study for years. Why? Because it's too difficult to find a group of women who want to commit to a study AND align schedules to make it happen! I'm in a season of life where my kids activities and therefore my schedule are always changing. Evenings that we do have free I usually try to reserve as family time. So you take multiple women with varying schedules, and it's hard to meet consistently. Maybe this online bible study thing is worth a try! Women can plan their time with God whenever is convenient in their schedule that day, and then post insights and encourage others in a private online group setting. The best part - you can do it in your pajamas!<br />
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So you've probably guessed by now that I'm in for a trial run. And more than that...I feel like God wants me to facilitate a group. It forces me to put the time and effort in. As with anything, the more you put into it, the more you get out of it! I have a month to prepare, because the next study with Love God Greatly (LGG) begins on August 28th and is over 1 & 2 Timothy. If this interests you too, read on for more info!<br />
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<b>Who can join the group? </b>Women only, please<br />
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<b>How long does it last? </b> It begins on August 28th and continues for 6 weeks.<br />
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<b>What do you have to do?</b> LGG publishes a journal that can be ordered through Amazon or downloaded for free. It provides daily Scripture readings, room to journal using a SOAP format, and other helpful tips. LGG also has a blog that posts related devotions 3 times per week. After journaling, simply participate in conversation in a private Facebook group. <br />
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<b>What is SOAP?</b> This is a method of journaling. SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. Click <a href="https://lovegodgreatly.com/lgg/how-to-soap/" target="_blank">here</a> for more info.<br />
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<b>What will we be studying?</b> 1 &2 Timothy. Click <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692929118/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1501473021&sr=8-2&keywords=love+god+greatly+1+&+2+timothy&linkCode=sl1&tag=lovgodgre-20&linkId=fe38f7638a118226ac04c268e0f85809" target="_blank">here</a> for a description of the study or to order the study journal from Amazon.com. You can also get a kids version of the journal <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692929142/ref=as_li_ss_tl?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1501473058&sr=1-1&keywords=love+god+greatly+1+&+2+timothy+kids&linkCode=sl1&tag=lovgodgre-20&linkId=4bba8380422cc47aa323a5897394b4d2" target="_blank">here</a> so they can study along with you!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>How do I join?</b> </span><i> <b>Just let me know you are interested and I will send you an invitation to join the group Facebook page once I have it ready to go!</b></i> Also, you may go ahead and order your journal (see above). There will be a PDF version available for free download at a later date if money is an issue. However, buying the $12 journal through Amazon helps to support the ministry and offers a nicer presentation of the material.<br />
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If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. <b><i>Who wants to try this out with me?</i></b>Jeanettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07678632348518107303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180856918503656222.post-21495437185864411992017-07-12T18:50:00.001-04:002017-07-12T18:50:47.535-04:00Known by Dick and Ruth Foth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Known: Finding Deep Friendships in a Shallow World.</b> Don't we all want that? In this digital age of texting and Facebook, something seems to have been lost, or at least harder to grasp than it once was. I was hoping this book would have some insight into how to navigate these challenges and create more opportunities for deep relationships to flourish. While the book did well at describing the components of deep friendship, it did not address the struggle, and therefore lacked personal connection for me.<br />
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Using Scripture and story, the authors paint a picture of what deep friendships look like. Friends share stories, spend time together, and affirm each other. They are authentic, honest, and trusting. They pursue, invite, sacrifice, and remain. <br />
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<i><b>"Friendship - true, deep friendship - is found in a desire to know and the willingness to be known. It is choosing to walk with another person through whatever comes. A lasting friend knows you and still likes you. And a lasting friend, at the end of the day, is quite simply there."</b></i><br />
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This book is written mostly by Dick Foth, with some comments added at the end of certain chapters by his wife, Ruth. When I read Ruth's comments following the introduction, I thought this book was for me. She was going to add in an introvert's perspective...just what I needed! But instead, her thoughts were mostly poems or stories that didn't address an introvert's struggle. <br />
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Overall, this is a nice book about friendship...defining what it is and sharing some good stories as examples. It provides wisdom on how to be a better friend. But it may leave you right where you started...longing for a deep friendship and not knowing how to take the first step to find one. Just not quite what I had expected.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.</i></span><br />
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<br />Jeanettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07678632348518107303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180856918503656222.post-91590675660097063882017-06-27T16:14:00.001-04:002017-06-27T16:19:23.485-04:00This Life I Live by Rory Feek<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You may be interested in this book because this couple is famous. I, however, had not even heard their names before picking it up. I like to hear people's stories...learn about the lessons and insights their experiences have taught them. That alone sparked my interest in this book, and I'm glad I took the time to read it.<br />
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Rory Feek writes in a blog with the same title: <b><i>This Life I Live</i></b>. Many people have heard about his wife, Joey, and followed their music career and her battle with cancer. This book focuses more on Rory's life before fame and fortune...how God got his attention and prepared him to be a good husband. Like most of us, there are some parts of his story that Rory is not proud of, but he recognizes that those things still have value and need to be told. He writes, <i>"I've learned that most of the time, the things that you're most ashamed of and don't want to tell anyone are the things that can become a new beginning for you. And, in time, God has a way of making those moments the first things you want to talk about because it's from there that He was able to work in your life. To really change you. From the inside out."</i> It is with this spirit of authenticity that Rory writes, and I found it both engaging and easy to relate to.<br />
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This book has the same feel that a blog has - short chapters that either tell a story or focus on a theme. While the book as a whole does flow from start to finish, the individual chapters don't always come in chronological order. Jumping around in time was mildly confusing at times, but I could follow it.<br />
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Every family has a story to tell and lessons to share. I'm glad I got a glimpse into this one...<br />
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And if you like to listen to audio-books: Rory recorded this book himself! I think it would be really cool to listen to an author reading his own story.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>*I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.</i></span>Jeanettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07678632348518107303noreply@blogger.com0