tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20185691748216146802024-03-13T11:44:44.261-04:00Grapes In The DesertGod's goodness to us is sweet and refreshing, even in the barren times.Rebecca Lynn Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13007726824540376507noreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018569174821614680.post-10096881050855977022018-07-11T12:04:00.000-04:002018-07-11T12:04:49.819-04:00Mercy on Mt. Rainier<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The day dawned perfect for hiking to waterfalls and enjoying
the beauty of creation.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It was one of
those rare days in the Pacific Northwest where Mt. Rainier could be seen in all
its glory!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>So we took off, in the
morning, and headed for the trails.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We were not disappointed.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>We walked beneath the towering pines, traversed a log hewn bridge across
a swollen creek and drank from the pristine water of the falls.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>By late afternoon we had worked up an appetite.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We drove on to the lodge for dinner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We arrived early, so we set off on a nearby, paved pathway
to pass the time.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>There were many other
people milling about as well.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It was one
of those days you just have to take advantage of.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We found ourselves, along with others, on a
quaint wooden bridge.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It stood over a
creek, where water sought to find a path between the boulders, coming down from
the mountain in the distance.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We stopped
as I tried to capture the beauty with my camera and take the obligatory selfie.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As we turned to leave the bridge, two brothers, perhaps 3
and 5 years old, walked toward us.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The
older one accidently bumped into the younger one, knocking him over.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As he fell, he rolled toward the edge of the
bridge.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I can still see the scene
replay, in slow motion, in my mind.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I
lunged for the boy, but just as my hand was about to take hold of his leg, he
disappeared over the edge.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>An
involuntary, guttural cry came forth from my body.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I was sure the child was dashed upon the
rocks below.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I got up, looked at my
husband in shock and all I could say between cries was, “I tried, I tried”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As the father came rushing over, I followed him around the
end of the bridge.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>There lay the boy, perfectly
fit between two boulders, crying but alive.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The father grabbed him up and hurried up to the bridge.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>An EMT was also enjoying the day with his
family and came over to offer his assistance.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>After giving the boy a thorough exam, he said the boy appeared to be fine.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>No blood.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>No broken bones.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The parents took
him on to the lodge to be further examined.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>I simply stood there sobbing and thanking God for a miracle!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had never experienced anything like that before.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I grew up babysitting and had planned heroic
rescues many times in my thoughts, but I never had to put one into action.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I spent the rest of the day and night
replaying the scene over and over again.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>I was horrified that I couldn’t save him.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I kept thinking, “if only I had…I should have
done… What must people think of me, that I could not stop him?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Did I really do all I could?”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I truly wasn’t sure, until the next day when
I felt the bruise upon my knee.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The
bridge was about 6-8 feet above the ground.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>I saw where he went over the edge and where he was found.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I still can’t figure out how he ended up
where he was, other than an angel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I began to wonder if Satan had tried to destroy the boy and
me, or if God had a lesson for me, or both.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>I have no doubt the enemy is always looking for a way to destroy us, but
it was indeed a lesson that God is Sovereign.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this
all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We are hard pressed on every side, but not
crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but
not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:7-9)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We often forget that we are part of a bigger story God has
written.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>When we begin with our smaller
story, we think it is all about us.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This
leads us to believe we are responsible for the outcome, as if the plot resolution
is up to us.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We must secure a happy
ending.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Our life must go well.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>So, in my case, I had to be the hero and save
the boy; failure being my greatest fear.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The truth is, neither my success, nor my failure determined the
outcome.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>God did.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It was not my action that saved the boy, but
God’s mercy.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The morning after the incident, I read what Paul says in
Romans 8:37, “We are more than conquerors through Christ who loved us”.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Christ overcame through His death and
resurrection, not by triumphing over His circumstances.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We too overcome by the way of the cross, the
way of love.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>When we relinquish our
lives to the will of God, we find true life. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Life does not consist in living well, but
loving well.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“Yes, everything else is
worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my
Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage,
so that I could gain Christ and become one with him.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>(Philippians 3:8-9)<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>So whether we receive a “happy ending” in our
current circumstance or not, we can trust in both God’s sovereignty and His
goodness.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We can trust in His love. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It is only then that we overcome the enemy of
our souls.</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span>Rebecca Lynn Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13007726824540376507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018569174821614680.post-10470689466126255552018-03-26T13:31:00.000-04:002018-03-26T15:18:42.170-04:00100 X<h1 class="passage-display" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span class="text Matt-19-29" id="en-NIV-23792" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="woj" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: blue;">And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife <sup></sup>or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.</span></b> </span></i></span></span><span class="text Matt-19-29" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="woj" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i><span style="color: blue;"></span></i></span></span></h1>
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<span class="text Matt-19-29" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="woj" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i><span style="color: blue;">Matthew 19:29 NIV</span></i></span></span></h1>
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<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "bahnschrift" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Recently I had a friend ask me why I never adopted
any kids.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I don't talk much about our
decision not to adopt, mostly because I fear people won't understand.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I mean...it's what you do when you can't have
kids, right? Only it wasn't just about us.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span style="font-family: "bahnschrift" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Of course we thought about it, but ultimately it
wasn't what God had planned.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This is the
part I fear sounds a little odd.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Many
years ago...as I dreamed of being offered a child, I distinctly heard the
Spirit in me say, "give it to Sara (name changed)".<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>What?!<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>She too was struggling with infertility.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>A few short weeks later, I did, indeed, receive a call about a baby
needing adopted.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Was I interested?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Oh, the agony of that moment!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>How I went over and over this with God,
"what if this is my only shot?".<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>And yet, I submitted and made the offer to my friend.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span style="font-family: "bahnschrift" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">The road between there and here, was a long one,
with many ups and downs.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>However, I am
now fully content.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I trust in God's plan
for my life, because it really isn't my life any way.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>"I have been crucified with Christ and I
no longer live, but Christ lives in me.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who
loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span style="font-family: "bahnschrift" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Please don't feel bad for us, because God is
faithful and has His own way of gathering a family.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Almost 22 years ago I left my home and family
to come to a distant land (hey from Oregon to Indiana seemed like it).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>And then I gave up having my own
children.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>But, I am living the reality
of Matthew 19:29.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I met my husband here, I was given great in-laws, I have friends who have become family, my brother
now lives here, we support children through Compassion International, and I am blessed with so many
kids in my life to love on and be loved by.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>I am truly blessed and God is faithful to His Word. I have no doubt I will reach 100 X and then... I will be welcomed home.</span></span></div>
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<br />Rebecca Lynn Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13007726824540376507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018569174821614680.post-13210309206912699552018-02-22T09:10:00.000-05:002018-02-22T09:10:15.988-05:00I Got Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWdHt_yDbs7W5abxd_p-4DU-EsndbFKs0e_J8ZNEkDMBVASfPxPi6Eog-WnAIOJoHPQS5Xnvz7tiY2bqmd-TNI9j-5yl8WPUgFxwlRNIjpKp7m-53w_txs7KVK4PRh50WkFEB0US339XNG/s1600/I+got+out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="754" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWdHt_yDbs7W5abxd_p-4DU-EsndbFKs0e_J8ZNEkDMBVASfPxPi6Eog-WnAIOJoHPQS5Xnvz7tiY2bqmd-TNI9j-5yl8WPUgFxwlRNIjpKp7m-53w_txs7KVK4PRh50WkFEB0US339XNG/s320/I+got+out.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This morning, as I went to my Facebook page to share a video in remembrance of Billy Graham's passing, I saw this photo and the message struck me. The photo is from a game, but the truth rings loud and clear of another escape.</div>
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"<span class="text Col-1-13" id="en-NIV-29479" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: &quot; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29479AC" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29479AC" title="See cross-reference AC">AC</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 8.26px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></sup> and brought us into the kingdom<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29479AD" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29479AD" title="See cross-reference AD">AD</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 8.26px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></sup> of the Son he loves,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29479AE" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29479AE" title="See cross-reference AE">AE</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 8.26px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></sup></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Verdana,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span class="text Col-1-14" id="en-NIV-29480" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: &quot; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><sup class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: &quot; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </sup>in whom we have redemption,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29480AF" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29480AF" title="See cross-reference AF">AF</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></sup> the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1:13-14</span></div>
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<span class="text Col-1-14" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="text Col-1-14" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Yes, I got out!! I have been set free from slavery to Satan and now walk in light. The proof of my innocence is Jesus. In Christ I am clothed with His righteousness (Galatians 3:27) and He is my mediator, interceding on my behalf (Hebrews 9:15). </span></div>
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<span class="text Col-1-14" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="text Col-1-14" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">The difference between the game I played and true freedom, is that the game I played was undertaken on my own merit and ability. Salvation is based on faith in Jesus' blood alone. It is He who sets us free. Release comes from our surrender to Him, not our own effort. </span></div>
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<span class="text Col-1-14" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="text Col-1-14" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Praise to the One who sets us free and says, "<i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Verdana,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">So if the Son sets you </span>free<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Verdana,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">, you will be </span>free<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Verdana,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span>indeed</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Verdana,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i>." </i>(John 8:36)</span></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><b></b><i></i><i></i><br />Rebecca Lynn Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13007726824540376507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018569174821614680.post-1286079340251230882018-01-01T14:48:00.000-05:002018-01-01T14:51:15.445-05:00 The Full Jar<span style="background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: black; display: inline; float: left; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i> If you go back to my post from last February, you will find this.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> <img class="CSS_LIGHTBOX_SCALED_IMAGE_IMG" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzzdiLhAyJ4wixBW-O_sFBB_wSh82TDqbnYJ80YZ68vq_s-LBO5bawZVGVWBrobu7V4KI2GzdsO3Eo-ICCxgKV_sGV1jrcVaDhulxgYcqIhNaJmCIMVuIFNvgw9PwJbmBg0p2ZZ9gsRWu/s200/Empty+jar.jpg" width="200" /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: black; display: inline; float: left; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: black; display: inline; float: left; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: black; display: inline; float: left; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i>I am recording the ways God is evident in my life; the good that He brings me. We sometimes wonder if He is there, especially in the hard times. So, I want to record reminders of all the ways He shows up. He can be seen in the simple and the complex; the small and the big things of life.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: black; display: inline; float: left; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: black; display: inline; float: left; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">This is my jar one year later: </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: black; display: inline; float: left; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUaTlqzx6J6Sl-tMF76o5gDzVUDVIH_4FyvJK49IU6H021EJZjhvFx4LkGE5V3geWZtjHxTD36GFeWPguxSH_OIvUkmkpkaWITyIQyepFC3R_3SrdjtCNIr1ynFScI3OrSII8rkYfo1kxs/s1600/DSC_9389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="1200" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUaTlqzx6J6Sl-tMF76o5gDzVUDVIH_4FyvJK49IU6H021EJZjhvFx4LkGE5V3geWZtjHxTD36GFeWPguxSH_OIvUkmkpkaWITyIQyepFC3R_3SrdjtCNIr1ynFScI3OrSII8rkYfo1kxs/s320/DSC_9389.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: black; display: inline; float: left; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: black; display: inline; float: left; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I tried my best to remember to write down each thing as it happened and today it is full.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: black; display: inline; float: left; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKE51oSSRPf4aWVM0gIpGmjUuS8g3PjnWTdcJecrXTAlSOzsLQLLMd_BGAI6fXcGjEQOYvEjmn6u4Yy0wpcmRLu_5FX4HydRnNMt8meoUnaIlAYfDNc6AKDzEkVx9PzuFdKHdONjOFWTj/s1600/DSC_9397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="1200" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKE51oSSRPf4aWVM0gIpGmjUuS8g3PjnWTdcJecrXTAlSOzsLQLLMd_BGAI6fXcGjEQOYvEjmn6u4Yy0wpcmRLu_5FX4HydRnNMt8meoUnaIlAYfDNc6AKDzEkVx9PzuFdKHdONjOFWTj/s320/DSC_9397.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: black; display: inline; float: left; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: black; display: inline; float: left; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I poured them all out. What a beautiful pile of color and blessing! It was a delight to reread each one and remember all that God has been and done for me. Some contained a hint of sadness, but it was overcome by the joy of seeing God's hand working all things for my good. It was a moment of thanksgiving, joy, peace and faith. I highly recommend it!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: black; display: inline; float: left; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: black; display: inline; float: left; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>May your 2018 be filled with all the fullness of God!</b></span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Rebecca Lynn Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13007726824540376507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018569174821614680.post-58713058161479175442017-03-28T17:57:00.001-04:002017-03-28T17:57:26.643-04:00The Missing Gift<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioPhPeIzDggWlX_WUggTOzaPax0ws1CqYlP_dMSDUzV-U6MoNtjx9IiBKvTLiJpXbeAxa4I2YM3VXwj73P8kfysBKeB4-DWrhRTR5YvkPlqzC4BGsxHdwxVdn-F84PXD-t7z72RN40YI7a/s1600/20161221_161904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioPhPeIzDggWlX_WUggTOzaPax0ws1CqYlP_dMSDUzV-U6MoNtjx9IiBKvTLiJpXbeAxa4I2YM3VXwj73P8kfysBKeB4-DWrhRTR5YvkPlqzC4BGsxHdwxVdn-F84PXD-t7z72RN40YI7a/s400/20161221_161904.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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If you read my post "Will My Kitten Go To Heaven?", then you recognize the cutie in this photo. Gracie Lou. She has now been missing for 6 days.<br />
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She had been with us a mere 6 months, but in that short time, I had become smitten. I even gave up on perfectly clean floors and a hairless rug. I have dozens of pictures of her sleeping in the funniest positions. I miss waking up and giving her a morning "rub down", then watching her play with her toys. I miss her popping up in the window to let us know she wants in. I even miss her immediately wanting back out to go chase some unsuspecting bird or mouse. But mostly, I miss stroking her soft fur and hearing that purr, while she tolerated me holding her like a baby. Ha!<br />
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Yes, I know she is just a cat. I am, after all, the last person I thought would be crying over losing a pet. But here I am. I have cried tears over my Gracie. I have asked God the why question (why did He give me the kitten as a gift and then take her away or allow her to be taken, depending on your theology). And I have landed solidly on:<br />
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<span class="text Job-1-20" id="en-NIV-12890"><sup class="versenum">20 </sup>At this, Job got up and tore his robe<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-12890AS" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-12890AS" title="See cross-reference AS">AS</a>)"></sup> and shaved his head.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-12890AT" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-12890AT" title="See cross-reference AT">AT</a>)"></sup> Then he fell to the ground in worship<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-12890AU" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-12890AU" title="See cross-reference AU">AU</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text Job-1-21" id="en-NIV-12891"><sup class="versenum">21 </sup>and said:</span></div>
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<span class="text Job-1-21">“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Job-1-21">and naked I will depart.</span></span><br /><span class="text Job-1-21">The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> gave and the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> has taken away;<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-12891AW" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-12891AW" title="See cross-reference AW">AW</a>)"></sup></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Job-1-21">may the name of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> be praised.”<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-12891AX" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-12891AX" title="See cross-reference AX">AX</a>)"></sup></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Job-1-22" id="en-NIV-12892"><sup class="versenum">22 </sup>In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.</span></div>
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<span class="text Job-1-22">Job 1:20-22</span></div>
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<span class="text Job-1-22">Whether it be a very special kitten, parent, spouse, child or friend...loss beckons to know why. Why would a loving God allow such pain and sorrow? Why love at all, if it only ends in loss? Why follow God, if this is the way He treats His servants/friends? WHY?!</span></div>
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<span class="text Job-1-22">I can't give you a satisfactory answer, other than we live in a fallen world. Any attempt falls short, of comfort, in the moment of pain. In the here and now, so much doesn't make sense and never will. What allows me to align with Job is faith and hope. Faith in a faithful God. A God who IS love and works for our eternal good. (1 John 4:8, Romans 8:28) Hope in the promise of perfection to come. A time when pain and sorrow are no more. (Revelation 21:4) I believe that God's Word is true and His ways higher than mine. I believe that He rewards those who seek Him. I believe because of Jesus, who came, died and rose again to redeem and restore. (Isaiah 61) </span></div>
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<span class="text Job-1-22"><span class="text Rom-8-18"><sup class="versenum"><i><span style="color: #444444;">18 </span></i></sup><i><span style="color: #444444;">I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.</span></i><sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28135AM" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28135AM" title="See cross-reference AM">AM</a>)"></sup></span><i><span style="color: #444444;"> </span></i><span class="text Rom-8-19" id="en-NIV-28136"><sup class="versenum"><i><span style="color: #444444;">19 </span></i></sup><i><span style="color: #444444;">For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28136AN" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28136AN" title="See cross-reference AN">AN</a>)"></sup> to be revealed.</span></i></span><i><span style="color: #444444;"> </span></i><span class="text Rom-8-20" id="en-NIV-28137"><sup class="versenum"><i><span style="color: #444444;">20 </span></i></sup><i><span style="color: #444444;">For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28137AO" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28137AO" title="See cross-reference AO">AO</a>)"></sup> in hope</span></i></span><i><span style="color: #444444;"> </span></i><span class="text Rom-8-21" id="en-NIV-28138"><sup class="versenum"><i><span style="color: #444444;">21 </span></i></sup><i><span style="color: #444444;">that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28138AP" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28138AP" title="See cross-reference AP">AP</a>)"></sup> and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Job-1-22"><span class="text Rom-8-21"><i><span style="color: #444444;">Romans 8:18-21</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Job-1-22"><span class="text Rom-8-21">I don't know what eternity with God will be like, but I know it will be great. David declared "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." (Psalm 16:11) Amen!</span></span></div>
Rebecca Lynn Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13007726824540376507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018569174821614680.post-38580781686799486532017-02-27T16:16:00.000-05:002017-02-27T16:16:23.699-05:00The Empty Jar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzzdiLhAyJ4wixBW-O_sFBB_wSh82TDqbnYJ80YZ68vq_s-LBO5bawZVGVWBrobu7V4KI2GzdsO3Eo-ICCxgKV_sGV1jrcVaDhulxgYcqIhNaJmCIMVuIFNvgw9PwJbmBg0p2ZZ9gsRWu/s1600/Empty+jar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzzdiLhAyJ4wixBW-O_sFBB_wSh82TDqbnYJ80YZ68vq_s-LBO5bawZVGVWBrobu7V4KI2GzdsO3Eo-ICCxgKV_sGV1jrcVaDhulxgYcqIhNaJmCIMVuIFNvgw9PwJbmBg0p2ZZ9gsRWu/s320/Empty+jar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My friend Penny posted this on her Facebook page. I liked the idea, so I found an empty jar. Then I cut colored paper into slips on which to write the good things, because who doesn't want a little color in life? I put a little twist on it though. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOmqANU0-M0FxpMzoxqDzlTDMfM9W5qXCVqvAMzEtZ3aKyqypTY_rE4Y05Tj_p3hZGhnae3PQiPIiCSItBU6eEeCXdJinvd7QvjrOvcSxoEUuKezYApsu_e9DxiZXbsFvDNAzabnorgOYi/s1600/20170109_092114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOmqANU0-M0FxpMzoxqDzlTDMfM9W5qXCVqvAMzEtZ3aKyqypTY_rE4Y05Tj_p3hZGhnae3PQiPIiCSItBU6eEeCXdJinvd7QvjrOvcSxoEUuKezYApsu_e9DxiZXbsFvDNAzabnorgOYi/s200/20170109_092114.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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I am recording the ways God is evident in my life; the good that He brings me. We sometimes wonder if He is there, especially in the hard times. So, I want to record reminders of all the ways He shows up. He can be seen in the simple and the complex; the small and the big things of life.</div>
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A few of the things I have included are: Finding a parakeet nest at the beach (it was really cool!), sending a note to a friend and having her reply that it was perfect timing and content, an opportunity to use my gifts in women's ministry and reading the right Bible study lesson on the right day.</div>
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The last one needs more explanation. It was January 9th. It would have been my mother-in-love's 70th birthday. I was missing her and on the edge with my emotions. When I opened the lesson for that day, the selected scripture was 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, "<span class="text 1Thess-4-13"><sup class="versenum">13 </sup>But <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29617D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-29617D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup>we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29617E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-29617E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup>are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29617F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-29617F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup>the rest who have <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29617G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-29617G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup>no hope.</span> <span class="text 1Thess-4-14" id="en-NASB-29618"><sup class="versenum">14 </sup>For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29618H" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-29618H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup>even so God will bring with Him <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29618I" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-29618I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup>those who have fallen asleep in Jesus." God knew I would need some encouragement that day. HOPE!</span></div>
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<span class="text 1Thess-4-14">There is more; the story does not end here. But that will have to wait for another day, another post. My question to you is:</span></div>
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<span class="text 1Thess-4-14"> <span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;"><i>What's in your jar?</i></span></span></div>
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<br />Rebecca Lynn Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13007726824540376507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018569174821614680.post-2317004985794388222017-01-01T16:00:00.002-05:002017-01-01T16:00:21.987-05:00Journey to Healing - The Next Chapter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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2016 found me once again asking for a doctors help. This time at the Cleveland Clinic. Due to my husbands surgery, earlier in the year, our deductible was met. So, it seemed a good time for a colonoscopy. Okay, is there ever a good time for a colonoscopy? Not really. I did, however, want to find out if there was a physical reason for the pain in my lower right abdomen. And, as no local doctor would do it, to Cleveland I went.</div>
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I had three different tests run. They all came back normal. Great! Wait a minute...what about the redundant colon and colonic inertia Mayo diagnosed me with? According to Dr. Shen there was no sign of them. Halleluiah! The first of October I was prayed over during a healing service and God healed me! That is good news.</div>
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The not so good news, depending how you look at it, is that my bacterial overgrowth is still a problem. So, God left me a thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7). I am okay with that. He, indeed, will give me the grace I need to manage. There is a diet that works and I will be healthier because of it. </div>
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So, I enter 2017 with a goal to do the hard work necessary for my health. A new chapter of living well, maybe not perfectly but intentionally. I pray that this year will find you living well too. Happy New Year!!</div>
Rebecca Lynn Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13007726824540376507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018569174821614680.post-29157797816141629192016-11-16T18:04:00.001-05:002016-11-16T18:04:37.795-05:00The Reason She CriedWhat was it about getting a doll house, that made a 43 year old woman cry? Was it because she had always dreamed of one? Was it because it was the exact replica of her "real" house? Yes...and no. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVClXgCPqHgceZOlBh2mfv9qqw6hqwJAOO2ZUPMZLIRFTSn3oTj8mIA01riEoCt9zlw9sqH5HusijXooWf3s7V8c0do_OxysYCyh4VaueTlDm-a-nnnolGWAu79Uthf7SjfUxM-GGUCmx/s1600/IMG_1746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVClXgCPqHgceZOlBh2mfv9qqw6hqwJAOO2ZUPMZLIRFTSn3oTj8mIA01riEoCt9zlw9sqH5HusijXooWf3s7V8c0do_OxysYCyh4VaueTlDm-a-nnnolGWAu79Uthf7SjfUxM-GGUCmx/s200/IMG_1746.JPG" width="200" />The doll house</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAauYjbc_xcdF8Qf8Ux7jvPrDkPh16fEwhTeva_v2Y1L7QrgCgY5Lkrs3pkGoqmtb4XXf2__Dpm5d8tAvZsRJd4zzImvOIPX70qpqI92j6ykxkLVFNLQNkVqSkcPMvZq8HwfFov2jFVjF/s1600/Lake+House++%2528688%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAauYjbc_xcdF8Qf8Ux7jvPrDkPh16fEwhTeva_v2Y1L7QrgCgY5Lkrs3pkGoqmtb4XXf2__Dpm5d8tAvZsRJd4zzImvOIPX70qpqI92j6ykxkLVFNLQNkVqSkcPMvZq8HwfFov2jFVjF/s200/Lake+House++%2528688%2529.JPG" width="200" /> The "real" house</a></div>
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I am that 43 year old woman, and yes I cried when my father-in-law, Tooger, presented me this doll house. <br />
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If you read my former post, you know that my mother-in-law recently passed away. During a family dinner, the night before her service, we were looking through the family albums. I came across a photo of my husband, as a young boy, playing with a large doll house. I learned that Tooger had built it. I said how jealous I was, because I had always wanted a doll house like that. Someone may have made a comment about building one like our current house, but it was quickly dropped and I didn't think anymore about it. Until it showed up in my loft!<br />
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I was touched so deeply because I felt seen and heard. He heard my heart and put in the effort to build it for me.<br />
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It wasn't just about a doll house, but the need we all have; a deep longing to be known and loved; worthy of someone's effort. While my Father-"in-love" showed me a tangible example of this, it is God who ultimately satisfies our deepest longing.<br />
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<i>God is the one who knows us completely</i>:<br />
O <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, You have <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-16241A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-16241A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup>searched me and known me.<br />
<span class="text Ps-139-2" id="en-NASB-16242"><sup class="versenum">2 </sup>You <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-16242B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-16242B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup>know when I sit down and when I rise up;</span><br />
<span class="text Ps-139-2">You <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-16242C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-16242C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup>understand my thought from afar.</span><br />
<span class="text Ps-139-3" id="en-NASB-16243"><sup class="versenum">3 </sup>You scrutinize my path and my lying down,</span><br />
<span class="text Ps-139-3">And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.</span><br />
<span class="text Ps-139-4" id="en-NASB-16244"><sup class="versenum">4 </sup>Even before there is a word on my tongue,</span><br />
<span class="text Ps-139-4">Behold, O <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, You <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-16244E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-16244E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup>know it all. <span class="text Ps-139-13"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">13 </span></sup>For You <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-16253Q" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-16253Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)"></sup>formed my inward parts;<br /><span class="text Ps-139-13">You <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-16253R" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-16253R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)"></sup>wove me in my mother’s womb. Psalm 139:1-4, 13</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="text Ps-139-4"><span class="text Ps-139-13"><span class="text Ps-139-13"><i>God is the one who loves us perfectly</i> : </span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-139-4"><span class="text Ps-139-13"><span class="text Ps-139-13">See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-30581B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-30581B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup>children of God; and such we are. 1 John 3:1</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="text Ps-139-4"><span class="text Ps-139-13"><span class="text Ps-139-13"><i>God is the one who decided we were worth the effort</i>: </span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-139-4"><span class="text Ps-139-13"><span class="text Ps-139-13"><span class="text John-3-16" id="en-NASB-26137"><span class="woj">But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 <span class="text John-3-16" id="en-NASB-26137"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">16 </sup>For God so <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-26137A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-26137A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup>loved the world, that He <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-26137B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-26137B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup>gave His only begotten Son, that whoever <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-26137D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-26137D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup>believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.</span></span> John 3:16</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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Praise be to God!Rebecca Lynn Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13007726824540376507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018569174821614680.post-72828658946002950892016-11-05T11:29:00.000-04:002016-11-05T11:29:13.102-04:00Will My kitten Go To Heaven?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Will my kitten go to heaven? I don't know. What I do know is...heaven came down through my kitten. What?!<br />
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Let me back up a bit and explain what I mean. My husband, Michael, and I are not pet people. He is allergic, I am a cleany, and it isn't practical, for as much traveling as we like to do. However, around September 12, 2016 a tiny, lost, black and white kitten showed up on our doorstep. She was so sweet and hungry. So, we fed her, tamed her, and built her a house. We were instantly smitten and decided to keep her (outside of course). <br />
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Upon taking her to the vet, we learned a kitten matching her description had been lost from there. How she traveled from town out to our house in the country was a mystery. My heart sank thinking I would have to return her. The owner, however, was happy to find her a new home.<br />
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On Spetember 17th, our world was rocked with the sudden death of Michael's mother; my mother-in-love. To be honest, I am still trying to adjust to this new reality. She is with Jesus, so we rejoice for her, but grieve the fellowship we have lost for now.<br />
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During that first week, our mystery kitten was a great comfort. We even started letting her come in and sleep on a special blanket in the evenings.<br />
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It was one of those evenings, while she was sprawled out on my lap, that I noticed the shape of the white marking on her chest...a <i>heart</i>! </div>
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I believe God is in the details and cares greatly for us. I believe He sent this kitten. The love of the Trinity, sent down from heaven, in the form a kitten bearing the mark of love, to comfort us in our time of need.Rebecca Lynn Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13007726824540376507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018569174821614680.post-82091911569196414532016-09-06T20:19:00.002-04:002016-09-06T20:19:40.095-04:00The Lonely Goose<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This spring and summer our pond was full of Canadian Geese. We even had a gaggle of babies. It is turning to fall now, and they are heading south. All that is...except one. We have one goose left. Unable to fly due to an injured wing. </div>
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The other day, as I drove down the driveway, my heart was sad for this lonely goose; sad that it could not join the others; sad that it could not fly the way it was meant to. Can you imagine being created to fly and stuck on the ground? I can...</div>
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I know what it is like to be unable to do what I was created to do. I was born a woman, created to bear children, but have been unable to do so. As devastating a feeling as that was, in that moment, gazing at our lone goose, it was not myself who came to mind, but God.</div>
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It was Jesus' words in Matthew 23:37 that came to mind, "“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing." Oh how it must grieve God to watch us go on making mud pies in the slums when infinite joy has been offered us!</div>
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We are not living as we were meant to. We were created for Eden. We were created to live in the joy of God's presence. We were created to soar! </div>
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Do you not know?<br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-40-28">Have you not heard?<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18449CG" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18449CG" title="See cross-reference CG">CG</a>)"></sup></span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-40-28">The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> is the everlasting<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18449CH" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18449CH" title="See cross-reference CH">CH</a>)"></sup> God,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-40-28">the Creator<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18449CI" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18449CI" title="See cross-reference CI">CI</a>)"></sup> of the ends of the earth.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18449CJ" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18449CJ" title="See cross-reference CJ">CJ</a>)"></sup></span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-40-28">He will not grow tired or weary,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18449CK" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18449CK" title="See cross-reference CK">CK</a>)"></sup></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-40-28">and his understanding no one can fathom.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18449CL" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18449CL" title="See cross-reference CL">CL</a>)"></sup></span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-40-29" id="en-NIV-18450"><sup class="versenum">29 </sup>He gives strength<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18450CM" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18450CM" title="See cross-reference CM">CM</a>)"></sup> to the weary<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18450CN" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18450CN" title="See cross-reference CN">CN</a>)"></sup></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-40-29">and increases the power of the weak.</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-40-30" id="en-NIV-18451"><sup class="versenum">30 </sup>Even youths grow tired and weary,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-40-30">and young men<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18451CO" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18451CO" title="See cross-reference CO">CO</a>)"></sup> stumble and fall;<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18451CP" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18451CP" title="See cross-reference CP">CP</a>)"></sup></span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-40-31" id="en-NIV-18452"><sup class="versenum">31 </sup>but those who hope<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18452CQ" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18452CQ" title="See cross-reference CQ">CQ</a>)"></sup> in the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-40-31">will renew their strength.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18452CR" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18452CR" title="See cross-reference CR">CR</a>)"></sup></span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-40-31">They will soar on wings like eagles;<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18452CS" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18452CS" title="See cross-reference CS">CS</a>)"></sup></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-40-31">they will run and not grow weary,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-40-31">they will walk and not be faint.</span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-40-31">Isaiah 40:28-31</span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-40-31"><sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18452CT" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18452CT" title="See cross-reference CT">CT</a>)"><br /></sup></span></span></div>
As long as it is called "Today", let us not be deceived by sin's deceitfulness, and turn away from the living God. (Hebrews 3:12-13) By the power of the Holy Spirit we CAN be transformed, day by day, into the children of God we were meant to be. "Let us draw near to God<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30156A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30156A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings..<span class="text Heb-10-23" id="en-NIV-30157"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Let us hold unswervingly to the hope<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30157E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30157E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup> we profess,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30157F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30157F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup> for he who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:22-23)<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30157G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30157G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Rebecca Lynn Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13007726824540376507noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018569174821614680.post-39921161232133163932016-08-22T15:30:00.001-04:002016-08-22T15:30:09.673-04:00Uniqueness Without ComparisonAs I was driving yesterday, from my home to the next town over, I was overcome with the beauty of the scenery. I wish I had stopped and captured it for you, but my description will have to do. It was a long, straight stretch of highway. On either side were fields of crops, dark green, in their summer glory. The sky was a brilliant blue dotted all about with perfect, white, puffy clouds. The scene stretched out before me was glorious and made me thankful to live in the Midwest.<br />
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This after a summer of less than ideal Midwest weather. Maybe that is why it was such a beautiful, perfect day. Or maybe, after studying about God that morning, He had given me new eyes to see it as He did.<br />
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In that moment, as my ordinary Midwest town was transformed into a site as beautiful as any I had seen, I realized that beauty has no bounds, it comes in all different varieties. I have been blessed to be able to travel all over the U.S. and some abroad. This world has many amazing places. But I have been just as in awe of the barren Badlands, as I have the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean, or the majestic Rocky Mountains. <br />
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You see, that morning I had been reading about the two sons and the Father in Henri Nouwen's book, The Return of the Prodigal. The younger son had wandered away, while the older stayed home. The Father celebrated the return of the younger son! The older son was not too happy about that, but he too was invited into the Father's joy. In fact, all the Father had was available to the older son, it always had been. <br />
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We live in this earthly land of comparison, always labeling one thing better than another, or striving to get what we think we deserve, and we project that on God...but that is not God. He loves perfectly with a divine love that allows for uniqueness without comparison. His love rejoices with the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things...His love never fails! (1 Corinthians 13) With God, His love and joy in one does not take away from another; all are deeply loved; all can come to be forgiven. His love is a transforming love that makes all things new, brings beauty from ashes, and turns mourning into dancing. <br />
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So, wherever you find yourself to be, may you find yourself enveloped in God's amazing love and the unique beauty that surrounds you! Rebecca Lynn Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13007726824540376507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018569174821614680.post-71066280231247810242016-04-01T16:01:00.002-04:002016-04-01T16:01:42.606-04:00Boy WonderOn our recent trip to the beach, we decided to take a walk along the shore. As we were walking, a little boy ran right in front of us. He was oblivious to our presence, because his attention was on something far more interesting. As he ran by I heard him exclaim to his sister, "Look what I found!" In his hand was a shell, or some other wonder he had discovered at the edge of the sea. My thoughts went to Eden.<br />
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Is this what God meant it to be like? This boy wonder? When you think about the vastness of God's creation, the magnitude of it's beauty, do you ever wonder why? Why did He go to such lengths? Is it really all necessary? <br />
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I believe it shows us the extravagant nature of our God. I think we were meant to live like that little boy; constantly amazed at new and wonderful discoveries, at the glory of God. <br />
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I read recently, in a book by Mark Batterson, that Arnold Summerfield, a German physicist and pianist, discovered that a single hydrogen atom is more musical than a grand piano (100 frequencies vs. 88). "Every single atom is a unique expression of God's creative genius...every atom echos that original melody sung in three-part harmony by the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Research in "bioacoustics" has revealed that we are surrounded by millions of ultrasonic songs." How cool is that?!<br />
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I was reminded of Luke 19:37-40, "As soon as He was approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen, shouting: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!” It seems they already are. ;)<br />
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We were created to worship God and sing of His excellencies! Will we join in with the rest of creation? Come, let us exalt His name together!<br />
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Psalm 96</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Sing to the Lord a new song;</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Sing to the Lord, all the earth.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #20124d;">2 Sing to the Lord, bless His name;</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #20124d;">3 Tell of His glory among the nations,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #20124d;">His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #20124d;">4 For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised;</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #20124d;">He is to be feared above all gods.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #20124d;">5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #20124d;">But the Lord made the heavens.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #20124d;">6 Splendor and majesty are before Him,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #20124d;">7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #20124d;">8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory of His name;</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Bring an offering and come into His courts.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #20124d;">9 Worship the Lord in holy attire;</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Tremble before Him, all the earth.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #20124d;">10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns;</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved;</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #20124d;">He will judge the peoples with equity.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #20124d;">11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Let the sea roar, and all it contains;</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #20124d;">12 Let the field exult, and all that is in it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #20124d;">13 Before the Lord, for He is coming,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #20124d;">For He is coming to judge the earth.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #20124d;">He will judge the world in righteousness</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #20124d;">And the peoples in His faithfulness.</span></span></div>
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Rebecca Lynn Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13007726824540376507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018569174821614680.post-90121825789354459512016-03-09T16:42:00.000-05:002016-03-09T16:42:11.598-05:00From Seashell to Sand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.”</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity</span><br />
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The above quote has become dear to me, as I am daily faced with suffering in this world. I love happy endings! In my heart I ache for a place with no pain or sorrow. I hate goodbyes! In the deepest part of me there is a knowledge of right and wrong, and that I was made for something more. And so, with C.S. Lewis, I conclude that I must be made for another world. A world where beauty, not brokenness is the norm. And I believe one day, when Christ returns for His bride, we will know that world. But what about now?<br />
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Recently I was able to escape to the beach for a few days of rest. While reading my book, I looked down at the sand. Pieces of it glittered in the sun. Individual pieces of the whole. I picked up a handful and let it fall through my fingers. As I did so, God spoke beauty to my heart. A beauty made from brokenness.<br />
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Have you ever really looked at sand and contemplated its makeup? Tiny pieces of shells; once whole but now broken by the crashing waves of the sea. The sea, which houses life and death.<br />
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Shells are amazing in design, they are home to sea creatures, and have many varieties. An individual shell is a thing of beauty. But an individual shell can only be enjoyed by a few and they are easily broken.<br />
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At first a broken shell is disfigured, sharp, and not much use. But over time, when it has been pounded by the waves repeatedly, it becomes something more. It is still individual pieces, but they are softened and join together with others to form a vast beach. A beach consisting of sand that beckons people to sink their toes in, build castles or just relax against its soft warmth. <br />
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We are like those shells. We are beautiful. We are easily broken. We become wounded, disfigured and not very useful. We may even hurt others who come close. If we remain self-protective, our beauty, gifts and talents will only reach so far. But if we will surrender to what the Lord is doing as the waves of trials break over us, we can become like the sand. <br />
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We will be part of the greater story God is telling; a part of the whole, working together in community; being filled and filling others with joy and peace for the glory of God. Then our brokenness will be beautiful. So, even now, while we wait for the ultimate reality, we can begin to experience His restoration. His beauty alive in us. Christ in us, the hope of glory! (Colossians 1:27)Rebecca Lynn Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13007726824540376507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018569174821614680.post-65041567764033973222015-12-24T12:50:00.002-05:002015-12-24T12:50:25.741-05:00My Christmas Gift<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It is Christmas time. The time of gift giving and remembering the greatest gift ever given. God gave me a gift yesterday. A simple gift. An answered request to delight His child. </div>
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Yes, a gift just because it made me happy and glorified Him in the giving. After all, God is the one who said, "it is more blessed to give than to receive". (Acts 20:35) So, it only seems right that he was more delighted than I.</div>
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What makes it even greater is...I had been pondering life and lamenting my propensity to stumble in my spiritual life. I had just read about David and how, even though he stumbled at times, he was still a man after God's own heart. Isaiah 40:30-31 came to mind, encouraging me that God looks at the heart, not the perfection of our steps, and that it is He who will strengthen me.</div>
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We have a pair of bald eagles that frequent our lake and now, it seems, they have an off spring. In all the times we have seen them perched high in the trees, we have never seen them hunt. So, the other day I said to God that I would love to see them swoop down on the lake. Yesterday, right after my pondering, they did just that.</div>
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We watched as the pair flew in pursuit of a duck. The dusk narrowly escaping, as it dove underneath the surface. We then watched the scene replay over and over, as one eagle kept trying. We never did see the eagle succeed, but its mate was seen eating something at the other end of the lake.</div>
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Who am I that God would give me such a gift? O Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth!</div>
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Psalm 8 (NASB)</div>
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The Lord’s Glory and Man’s Dignity.</div>
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8 O Lord, our Lord,</div>
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How majestic is Your name in all the earth,</div>
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Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!</div>
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2 From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength</div>
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Because of Your adversaries,</div>
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To make the enemy and the revengeful cease.</div>
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3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,</div>
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The moon and the stars, which You have ordained;</div>
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4 What is man that You take thought of him,</div>
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And the son of man that You care for him?</div>
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5 Yet You have made him a little lower than God,</div>
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And You crown him with glory and majesty!</div>
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6 You make him to rule over the works of Your hands;</div>
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You have put all things under his feet,</div>
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7 All sheep and oxen,</div>
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And also the beasts of the field,</div>
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8 The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea,</div>
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Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.</div>
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9 O Lord, our Lord,</div>
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How majestic is Your name in all the earth!</div>
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Rebecca Lynn Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13007726824540376507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018569174821614680.post-27947058041484602642015-12-13T15:26:00.000-05:002015-12-13T15:26:26.603-05:00The Journey to Healing - My HOPE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have found through the experiment of the AIP diet, and then the subsequent fail of staying on it, that my story may not be the miracle some are hoping to hear, but it may just be the hope others are needing to hear.<br />
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Queen Esther. She is my hero. I want to be like her. To be given a grand stage and opportunity to make a difference. I am willing to give my life and with her say, "If I perish, I perish!". But this is not the HOPE to which I have been called. Rather, my journey is one of perseverance. And so I look to the promise of Romans 5:3-5, "And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings perseverance; and perseverance proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"> And so, my journey is a...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><b>H</b>oly</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><b>O</b>pportunity to </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><b>P</b>atiently </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><b>E</b>ndure.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">My prayer has been for a greater faith and for Christ to be formed in me. So, why am I now crying foul when I am asked to follow in His steps of suffering? (1 Peter 2:21) If Jesus was perfected through suffering and I am not greater than my master, should I expect anything less? (Hebrews 2:10, John 13:16) </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">"7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; 8 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:7-11, 16-18)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">God has given me a way to feel better, the AIP diet. It works while I abide by it, but it takes perseverance. When I rebel and choose the momentary pleasure of certain foods, I receive the due pain and discomfort. I cry out to be delivered from my affliction and this is what I hear my God saying,</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"> "Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin." (James 4:17) And, </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">"If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"> if I tell you heavenly things?" (John 3:12) This is the grace of my God. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">He is teaching me to trust Him. For, if I can't accept and obey what is obviously good for my physical well being, because it is hard and contrary to what "everyone else is doing", how will I accept and obey what is good for my eternal well being, which is of greater worth? (2 Peter 1:6-9) He cares too much to let me go on making mud pies in a slum, when He knows the glory that awaits!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">And so, until the day I meet Him face to face and receive my glorified body, I will walk in obedience to what He shows me and faithfully endure for the glory of His Name. Yes, Jesus is worth more to me than chocolate. "For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day." And who knows, maybe someday I'll get a "holiday at sea". :)</span></span><br />
<br />Rebecca Lynn Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13007726824540376507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018569174821614680.post-86954000980328620632015-09-02T19:09:00.001-04:002015-09-02T19:13:22.851-04:00The Do Exist!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This summer was the perfect storm of stressful
circumstances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe the trials and
pressures of life don’t cause our actions, but reveal what is inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some, pressure results in a diamond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me…it was more ugly than beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What should have been an amazing summer,
turned out to be more like living in the midst of the “fire swamp”, and I was
the R.O.U.S.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now
that the summer is coming to a close, I am looking back on it with eyes of
faith and wishing I had been doing that all along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I let the enemy distract me from enjoying the
blessings God was giving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw only
stress and anxiety, because I saw only myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Heavens joy is self-forgetfulness…it is the secret of joy on earth as
well as in heaven.” (Peter Kreeft)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How
does one forget self?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You forget self
because you are too busy looking at the source.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of your faith, who for
the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at
the right hand of God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Hebrew 12:2)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The truth is we cannot serve two
masters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No one can <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">serve</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">two</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">masters</span>. Either
you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and
despise the other.” (Matthew 6:24)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
we love the right one, God, we find all joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God turns all things for our good, the devil turns all good things for
our bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peter Kreeft puts it this way, “All
things are created by God and therefore good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All that is desirable in things is an image of the supremely desirable
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Evil is not desiring evil things,
but desiring lesser goods and desiring in wrong ways (selfishly).”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was serving the wrong master.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some would say I was justified
because of my circumstances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A little
irritability (okay let's be honest, a LOT) is to be expected…right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
I don’t want excuses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want grace, yes,
but grace is not an excuse, it is a second chance.<span class="text"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What shall we say, then? Shall we go on
sinning so that grace may increase?</span> <span class="text">By
no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?</span>
<span class="text">Or don’t you know that all of us who were
baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?</span> <span class="text"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></sup>We were therefore buried with him through baptism
into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the
glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Romans 6:1-4)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>Jesus didn’t come to make us “good
enough”, He came so we would die, and rise to live abundantly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We desire many things, but when we
find the “one necessary thing”; the truth of Matthew 6:33, we find peace and
joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For God’s single gift that fulfills
all our desires is Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Him, God
offers us the only thing He has…Himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And He is the only thing we need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“<span class="text">And my God will meet all your needs according to the
riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="text"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="text"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">How different my summer could have
been if I had seen this sooner!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I had only
followed Paul’s advice from Philippians 4:4-9 which says, “Rejoice in the Lord
always. I will say it again: Rejoice!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not be anxious about anything, but in
every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your
requests to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is
true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is
lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think
about such things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever you have
learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And
the God of peace will be with you.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was there all along. How did I miss it? Well, praise to Him, for His grace is sufficient and nothing is in
vain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will all be perfect in me
now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hardly, but there is hope. "<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">the mystery<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29492A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29492A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed...<span class="text Col-1-27" id="en-NIV-29493">God has chosen to make known<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29493B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29493B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> among the Gentiles the glorious riches<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29493C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29493C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> of this mystery, which is Christ in you,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29493D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29493D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup> the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:26) </span></span>God will refine my character…”<span class="text"> so that the proven genuineness of my faith—of greater worth than
gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory
and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:7)</span><o:p></o:p></span>Rebecca Lynn Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13007726824540376507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018569174821614680.post-90237821326921980142015-07-18T11:39:00.001-04:002015-07-18T11:39:41.380-04:00JTH - Falling Off The Wagon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, let me just start with this disclaimer...trying to stick to this diet while moving and building a house is not for the faint of heart!<br />
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During the past month, I have been faint of heart. Between not having time to prepare properly and being stressed to the max (at times I thought my head would explode and desperately needed chocolate!), I have fallen off the AIP wagon. And I can feel it. :(<br />
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I have only had one full blown attack, when I went totally crazy for a couple days and ate all things off limits. It took a week to recover. UGH! Most of the time I still eat mostly AIP and FODMAP, with only a few indiscretions, and can keep my symptoms at a tolerable level. <br />
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It is frustrating to think of how I have slid backwards in this, but now I know my limits. And my need for this diet is confirmed. There is a sense of control over my health, even though so much of it is still a mystery. No cure in sight, but still hope.<br />
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I have also been reminded how hurtful to our physical well being stress is, and why I have ordered my life in such a way, as to avoid as much of it as possible! Knowing this is all temporary has helped. <br />
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I have to keep refocusing my eyes on eternity and remember what really matters. <br />
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His mercies are new every morning and I will start again.Rebecca Lynn Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13007726824540376507noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018569174821614680.post-44835655657981290672015-05-28T13:15:00.000-04:002015-05-28T13:15:48.702-04:00Hackathon<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.</span></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">1 Corinthians 10:31</span></span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: purple;">There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28639H" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28639H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup> distributes them. <span class="text 1Cor-12-5" id="en-NIV-28640"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.</span> <span class="text 1Cor-12-6" id="en-NIV-28641">There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28641I" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28641I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup> it is the same God<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28641J" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28641J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup> at work. </span>But in fact God has placed<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28653AB" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28653AB" title="See cross-reference AB">AB</a>)"></sup> the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28653AC" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28653AC" title="See cross-reference AC">AC</a>)"></sup> <span class="text 1Cor-12-19" id="en-NIV-28654"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>If they were all one part, where would the body be?</span> <span class="text 1Cor-12-20" id="en-NIV-28655"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>As it is, there are many parts, but one body. (1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 18-20)</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: purple;"><span class="text 1Cor-12-20"></span></span></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: purple;"><span class="text 1Cor-12-20"><span style="color: black;"></span><sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28655AD" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28655AD" title="See cross-reference AD">AD</a>)"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">These scriptures were brought to life for me this weekend. I spent the weekend at a Code For The Kingdom, Hackathon. Hacking for Jesus? Yes! I was witness to a group of smart, tech savvy, Jesus loving people doing what they do for the glory of God. </span></sup></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: purple;"><span class="text 1Cor-12-20"></span></span></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Cor-12-20"><sup>My involvement with Wycliffe Associates has shown me that we don't have to be a missionary or linguist to help in Bible translation. God can use us just the way He has crafted us. Together we can make God's Word available to everyone! </sup></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Cor-12-20"><sup>My personality, my abilities, my interests, my spiritual gifts and even my disabilities can all be used to accomplish the purposes of God, if I will let the Holy Spirit lead. What about you? What do you have to offer? More than you think, I am sure. Check out wycliffeassociates.org or talk to a friend. Sometimes others can recognize gifts in you, that you can't. </sup></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Cor-12-20"><sup>Whatever you do, do it for His glory! And in so doing, you'll find your sweet spot.</sup></span></span></span></span></div>
Rebecca Lynn Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13007726824540376507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018569174821614680.post-41159756218047984932015-05-12T15:03:00.000-04:002015-05-12T15:03:08.608-04:00JTH - ThankfulI have yet to find perfection or complete healing, but I have found thankfulness in the midst of this journey.<br />
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I am thankful for the days I awake feeling good! <br />
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I am thankful for the days I get to start over...because yes...I blow it sometimes.<br />
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I am thankful I have the option to eat healthy.<br />
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I am thankful for a supportive spouse.<br />
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I am thankful for a God who works all things for my good. And yes, I do consider this for my good.<br />
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The truths the Holy Spirit is teaching me through this challenge are priceless. I see this journey as temporary, even if it lasts a hundred years, but the good it is producing in my character is forever.<br />
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You see, I read that an autoimmune condition can not really be cured, as a cure means that the desease has been definitely ended. However, it can be in remission, which is when a disease is temporarily ended or in reversal; a disease remains but shows no symptoms. With an autoimmiune condition, it is about creating a lifelong condition of health through diet, lifestyle, environmental factors and stress relief.<br />
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Wow! That sounds like our spiritual life! Our flesh can not be cured this side of Heaven, but through the right diet (Bread of Life and Living water), a lifestyle of seeking God, removing temptations, and being thankful, we can begin to reverse our condition! Our old nature still remains in our body, but the symptoms are removed in proportion to our surrender to this new way of living.<br />
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When people hear about how strict my diet is they say things like, "That must be so hard!". And it is, but only because my old nature is still kicking. My diet consists of delicious foods, however, I still WANT what everyone else is eating. My mind and taste buds remember the delicacies of the world and my culture says I can have anything I want. It is a fight indeed! But one that can be won with the proper perspective and training, for His grace is sufficient and I can learn to be content in Christ.<br />
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So, on I travel...sometimes running...sometimes walking...and sometimes falling on my face! But I am learning to do it all in thankfulness, for my God is always there ready to pick me up and help me forward. He is faithful and His lovingkindness endures forever.Rebecca Lynn Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13007726824540376507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018569174821614680.post-87206426622167819232015-04-02T10:49:00.000-04:002015-04-02T10:49:48.579-04:00JTH - How Long, O LORD?Was it foolishness or impatience that had me thinking 20+ years of damage could be undone in a month of good eating? Probably a little of both. My old nature is not far from me. Oh, but God is faithful and His mercies are new every morning...weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.<br />
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And so, with renewed commitment I journey on...and as I was pondering the irreparable damage already done to my colon (for short of a miracle of God the redundancy will not shrink back), I was struck by the fact that we can not do irreparable damage to our relationship with God. There is only one sin that is unforgivable, blaspheme of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31), which I believe to be unbelief. But for those who believe, no sin, no amount of time will keep God from redeeming our lives when we turn to Him. We may have to live with earthly consequences of our past sin, just as I may always have to live with dietary restrictions, but we are not excluded, nor will we bear them forever. This Sunday we will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and it is because of His precious blood, that we are made righteous, and one day, even our bodies, will be glorified to perfection! <br />
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<span class="text Matt-6-9"><span class="woj">Our Father<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23292I" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23292I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup> in heaven,</span></span><br /><span class="text Matt-6-9"><span class="woj">hallowed be your name,</span></span><br /><span class="text Matt-6-10" id="en-NIV-23293"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">10 </sup>your kingdom<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23293J" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23293J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup> come,</span></span><br /><span class="text Matt-6-10"><span class="woj">your will be done,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23293K" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23293K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></sup></span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Matt-6-10"><span class="woj">on earth as it is in heaven.</span></span></span><br /><span class="text Matt-6-11" id="en-NIV-23294"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">11 </sup>Give us today our daily bread.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23294L" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23294L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)"></sup></span></span><br /><span class="text Matt-6-12" id="en-NIV-23295"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">12 </sup>And forgive us our debts,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Matt-6-12"><span class="woj">as we also have forgiven our debtors.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23295M" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23295M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></sup></span></span></span><br /><span class="text Matt-6-13" id="en-NIV-23296"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">13 </sup>And lead us not into temptation,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Matt-6-13"><span class="woj">but deliver us from the evil one.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Matt-6-13"><span class="woj"></span></span></span> </div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Matt-6-13"><span class="woj">Matthew 6:9-13</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Matt-6-13"><span class="woj"></span></span></span> </div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Matt-6-13"><span class="woj">Maranatha Lord, Come Soon!</span></span></span></div>
Rebecca Lynn Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13007726824540376507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018569174821614680.post-58734436155111962782015-03-17T10:30:00.000-04:002015-03-17T10:30:34.458-04:00JTH - Week 3<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #274e13;">"I work from the vantage point of helping clients re-frame disease to be an ally, not an enemy. When that happens, we take responsibility for our life and move out of being the victim of our circumstances such as illness. Here is the bottom, bottom line. Your life is trying to wake you up to something through illness. It just is. So go there. I promise there is no downside to taking that positioning in life. Only wisdom. That place of trust that life is waking me up to something. You are doing it though illness. Once you decide this path, things like blaming others, being a victim or arguing against what is present are quickly lost as coping options. Your biggest coping options become love and acceptance. How will I love and accept this event? And this is difficult because denial, victim and blame are socially accepted tools in the healing world, easier to take but ultimately don’t work." Jessica Flanigan, Clinical Nutritionist</span></div>
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I found the above quote while researching AIP recipes this week. It pretty much sums up my next step in this journey. I initially thought I would go on the diet for a month, get better, and then be on my merry way. Yeah, right! <br />
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I have been through all the coping options she mentioned. Denial? Yep, been there. Victim? Woe is me! Blame? You betcha. Even with this diet, I wanted a quick fix, but that doesn't look to be the case. They say 1 month of healing for every year you have been sick, and I have been sick for over 20 years! So, I need to move on to viewing my illness as my ally and not my enemy.<br />
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My nature leans toward destinations. Michael often has to slow me down when we are walking. I go from point A to point B the quickest way possible. But this...this condition, isn't racing toward a destination and so I need to shift my focus to the journey. <br />
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I don't know exactly how this will play out. I have no doubt there will be moments of unrest and temptation ahead, but for now I am resting in the joy of obedience. <br />
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I am learning that my life is not my own. I am not in control. I need to trust God. And I must reorder my life. I can no longer ignore it, forging ahead, hoping it will behave. <br />
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It is giving me a chance to put into practice scriptures, such as Rejoice in the Lord always and Give thanks in all things.<br />
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The truth is, I am at a crossroads. Will I go back to my old path, or will I stop and walk in the good way? God what are you waking me up to? Rebecca Lynn Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13007726824540376507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018569174821614680.post-62478809103632038242015-03-11T10:23:00.000-04:002015-03-11T10:23:54.602-04:00JTH - Week 2Two weeks in and I am starting to see the benefits. My husband has noticed it in the silence. He no longer hears the constant rumble day and night. It's not over yet, but I just may be onto something.<br />
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I have decided to go ahead and take some meds to kick those buggers out quicker and get on with the healing. Praying that goes well.<br />
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My hope is still that after healing, I will be able to get many of the foods back. However, this past week I have grown more comfortable with life as it is and that if need be, I can live like this. The desire for these foods is still there, but instead of looking at it as foods that have been taken away, I am looking at it as choosing foods that will bring healing. I can have what I want and be miserable or have what I need and feel good. It is a choice and a battle of the mind.<br />
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I am such a visual learner that God, in His mercy, gives me these earthly examples to teach me His heavenly principles. For I am seeing such a connection to my spiritual life in all of this; the battle in my mind over what I want, versus what I need; the daily need to depend on the LORD to overcome my sinful nature and temptation; the realization that my character means more to God than my earthly healing or comfort (Romans 5:1-5); that the fruit I am to bear is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control and these are not dependent on my doing or being physically well. (Galatians 5:22-23)<br />
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Might God still give me a miracle healing? Maybe, but if it comes, it will be because of God's wisdom and not my manipulation. I have spent years thinking that if I learned enough lessons, God would heal my womb, like He was just waiting for me to "get it" and then would grant my request. I realize now that God doesn't work that way and am even thankful that I don't always get what I bargain for. I am learning to be content and trust in His wisdom, with eternity in view; to be clay in the potters hand and accept the vessel he has made me to be. And if that means I am to be like Paul, with a thorn in my flesh all my days, then I will be in good company and endure by the grace of God and the strength of Christ in me. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Philippians 4:12-13 )<br />
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<span class="text Phil-3-1" id="en-NIV-29423">My hope...</span><br />
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<div class="chapter-1">
<span class="text Phil-3-7" id="en-NIV-29429"><sup class="versenum">7 </sup>But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29429M" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29429M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></sup> for the sake of Christ.</span> <span class="text Phil-3-8" id="en-NIV-29430"><sup class="versenum">8 </sup>What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29430N" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29430N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)"></sup> Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things...<span class="text Phil-3-12" id="en-NIV-29434"><sup class="versenum">12 </sup>Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29434W" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29434W" title="See cross-reference W">W</a>)"></sup> but I press on to take hold<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29434X" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29434X" title="See cross-reference X">X</a>)"></sup> of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me...<span class="text Phil-3-18" id="en-NIV-29440"><sup class="versenum">18 </sup>For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29440AI" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29440AI" title="See cross-reference AI">AI</a>)"></sup> many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29440AJ" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29440AJ" title="See cross-reference AJ">AJ</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text Phil-3-19" id="en-NIV-29441"><sup class="versenum">19 </sup>Their destiny<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29441AK" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29441AK" title="See cross-reference AK">AK</a>)"></sup> is destruction, their god is their stomach,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29441AL" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29441AL" title="See cross-reference AL">AL</a>)"></sup> and their glory is in their shame.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29441AM" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29441AM" title="See cross-reference AM">AM</a>)"></sup> Their mind is set on earthly things.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29441AN" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29441AN" title="See cross-reference AN">AN</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text Phil-3-20" id="en-NIV-29442"><sup class="versenum">20 </sup>But our citizenship<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29442AO" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29442AO" title="See cross-reference AO">AO</a>)"></sup> is in heaven.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29442AP" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29442AP" title="See cross-reference AP">AP</a>)"></sup> And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29442AQ" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29442AQ" title="See cross-reference AQ">AQ</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text Phil-3-21" id="en-NIV-29443"><sup class="versenum">21 </sup>who, by the power<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29443AR" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29443AR" title="See cross-reference AR">AR</a>)"></sup> that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29443AS" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29443AS" title="See cross-reference AS">AS</a>)"></sup> so that they will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3:7-8,12, 18-21.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29443AT" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29443AT" title="See cross-reference AT">AT</a>)"></sup></span></span></span></div>
Rebecca Lynn Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13007726824540376507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018569174821614680.post-83639014907150225422015-03-03T19:09:00.000-05:002015-03-03T19:09:33.593-05:00The Journey To Healing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One week down...too many to go. <br />
<br />
AIP is the latest acronym to go with my IBS and SIBO. <br />
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What is AIP? It stands for Auto Immune Protocol. It is an elimination diet to aid in the healing of a leaky gut and various autoimmune diseases. Oh yeah, and I am leaving out the FODMAP's as well.<br />
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For me, this is like Custer's Last Stand. This is it...it's either me or the gut gremlins. <br />
<br />
Do I sound as crazy as I feel? It may be the lack of sugar to my brain.<br />
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So here I am, one week into a very restricted diet. I am discovering some new vegetables I didn't know existed. Some are rather good and some I still don't like. Yuck! I am down a pound! Whoohoo! I get tons of meat and all the water I can drink, but I am not going to sugar coat it (pun intended)...<br />
<br />
I cried today.<br />
<br />
The eating part is going better than expected, especially since Michael is participating with me (what a guy!). I have a few cravings, but over all not bad. However, I have not showed any miraculous recovery like I had hoped. I am still the same. I know, I know...it's only been a week and I didn't get this way overnight, but I was really hoping for a miracle turn around. I need to know this is going to be worth it!<br />
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And so I cried in fear that this too would fail. <br />
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By the grace of God, I undertook this for Lent as well as my health. Otherwise, I may have quit today. But, God is giving me the strength I need, because this battle is about more than just flesh and blood and nasty gut microbes. <br />
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<span class="text Eph-6-10"><sup class="versenum">Ephesians 6:10 </sup>Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. </span> <span class="text Eph-6-11" id="en-CEV-27245"><sup class="versenum">11 </sup>Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks. </span> <span class="text Eph-6-12" id="en-CEV-27246"><sup class="versenum">12 </sup>We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. </span> <span class="text Eph-6-13" id="en-CEV-27247"><sup class="versenum">13 </sup>So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day<sup> </sup>comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.</span><br />
<span class="text Eph-6-13"></span><br />
<span class="text Eph-6-14" id="en-CEV-27248"><sup class="versenum">14 </sup>Be ready! Let the truth be like a belt around your waist, and let God’s justice protect you like armor. </span> <span class="text Eph-6-15" id="en-CEV-27249"><sup class="versenum">15 </sup>Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet. </span> <span class="text Eph-6-16" id="en-CEV-27250"><sup class="versenum">16 </sup>Let your faith be like a shield, and you will be able to stop all the flaming arrows of the evil one. </span> <span class="text Eph-6-17" id="en-CEV-27251"><sup class="versenum">17 </sup>Let God’s saving power be like a helmet, and for a sword use God’s message that comes from the Spirit.</span><br />
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<span class="text Eph-6-18" id="en-CEV-27252"><sup class="versenum">18 </sup>Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God’s people. </span> <span class="text Eph-6-19" id="en-CEV-27253"><sup class="versenum">19 </sup>Pray that I will be given the message to speak and that I may fearlessly explain the mystery about the good news. </span> <span class="text Eph-6-20" id="en-CEV-27254"><sup class="versenum">20 </sup>I was sent to do this work, and that’s the reason I am <em>enduring this trouble.</em> So pray that I will be brave and will speak as I should. </span><br />
<span class="text Eph-6-20">CEV <em>italics are my addition.</em></span><br />
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Rebecca Lynn Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13007726824540376507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018569174821614680.post-69584020155903595322015-02-23T08:04:00.003-05:002015-02-23T08:04:59.461-05:00What Makes A Life Beautiful?What makes a life beautiful? Breath.<br />
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God said, “Let us<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26BO" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26BO" title="See cross-reference BO">BO</a>)"></sup> make mankind<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26BP" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26BP" title="See cross-reference BP">BP</a>)"></sup> in our image,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26BQ" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26BQ" title="See cross-reference BQ">BQ</a>)"></sup> in our likeness...So God created<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-27BU" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-27BU" title="See cross-reference BU">BU</a>)"></sup> mankind<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-27BV" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-27BV" title="See cross-reference BV">BV</a>)"></sup> in his own image,<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Gen-1-27">in the image of God<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-27BX" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-27BX" title="See cross-reference BX">BX</a>)"></sup> he created them;</span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Gen-1-27">male and female<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-27BY" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-27BY" title="See cross-reference BY">BY</a>)"></sup> he created them. </span></span>Genesis 1:26-27<br />
Then the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span> <b>God</b> formed a man from the dust of the ground and <b>breathed</b> into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Genesis 2:7<br />
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Every life has value and worth because we are made in the image of God and it was His breath that brought forth life. "For you created my inmost being;<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-139-13">you knit me together<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-16253R" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16253R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)"></sup> in my mother’s womb.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-16253S" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16253S" title="See cross-reference S">S</a>)"></sup></span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-139-14" id="en-NIV-16254">I praise you<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-16254T" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16254T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)"></sup> because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-139-14"><strong>your works are wonderful</strong>, </span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-139-14">I know that full well.</span></span>" Psalm 139:13-14<br />
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The beauty of our lives are not based on the size of our clothes, bank account or house. The beauty of our lives are not determined by whether our dreams come true and we end up with a dream job, husband, 2.5 kids, new automobile or get to travel the world. Neither is the beauty of our life less if our health fails or we die young.<br />
<br />
Jesus came <span class="text Isa-61-3">to:</span><br />
<span class="text Isa-61-3"></span><br />
<span class="text Isa-61-3"> bestow on them a crown<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18847M" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18847M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></sup> of beauty</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-3">instead of ashes,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18847N" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18847N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)"></sup></span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-61-3">the oil<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18847O" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18847O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)"></sup> of joy</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-3">instead of mourning,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18847P" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18847P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)"></sup></span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-61-3">and a garment of praise</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-3">instead of a spirit of despair.</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-61-3">They will be called oaks of righteousness,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-3">a planting<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18847Q" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18847Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)"></sup> of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-3"><strong>for the display of his splendor</strong>. Isaiah 61:3</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-61-3"></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-61-3">I delight greatly in the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>;<br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-10">my soul rejoices<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18854AE" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18854AE" title="See cross-reference AE">AE</a>)"></sup> in my God.</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-61-10">For he has clothed me with garments of salvation</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-10">and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18854AF" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18854AF" title="See cross-reference AF">AF</a>)"></sup></span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-61-10">as a bridegroom adorns his head<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18854AG" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18854AG" title="See cross-reference AG">AG</a>)"></sup> like a priest,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-10">and as a bride<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18854AH" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18854AH" title="See cross-reference AH">AH</a>)"></sup> adorns herself with her jewels.</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-61-11" id="en-NIV-18855">For as the soil makes the sprout come up</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-11">and a garden<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18855AI" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18855AI" title="See cross-reference AI">AI</a>)"></sup> causes seeds to grow,</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-61-11">so the Sovereign <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> will make righteousness<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18855AJ" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18855AJ" title="See cross-reference AJ">AJ</a>)"></sup></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-11">and praise spring up before all nations. Isaiah 61:10-11</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-61-3"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-61-11"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-61-3"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-61-11">Look around at creation, even after the fall, it is beautiful! You are beautiful! I am beautiful! Life is beautiful, because God has breathed it. And in Christ we have a hope and a future, peace and joy...no matter our circumstance.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-61-3"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-61-11"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-61-3"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-61-11">Romans 15:13</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-61-3"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-61-11"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-61-3"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-61-11"></span></span></span></span>Rebecca Lynn Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13007726824540376507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018569174821614680.post-10530444889959959752015-02-18T10:11:00.003-05:002015-02-18T10:11:43.891-05:00Ash Wednesday<strong>It is snowing...again.</strong> <br />
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We got snow/freezing rain last week during our small group bible study. When Michael and I went to leave, one of the guys from our group was scraping everyone's windows. While we sat warming up inside the car, watching him scrape, I felt bad. It was hard to accept such a favor. However, feeling he wanted to do this for us, I began to feel some gratitude and goodwill toward him. That was nice.<br />
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It wasn't until the next week, at our group meeting, when I jokingly suggested he would go warm up all our cars, that I found out he HATES the sound of scraping ice! To him it is likes nails on a chalk board (I am dating myself here). That means what he did for us the week before was a sacrifice, not just a nice gesture he wanted to do. It was hard, but he did it anyway. This made me appreciate his act of service even more.<br />
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As I pondered this on the drive home, I was struck by the parallel to grace and Jesus. For many of us, it is hard to accept such a favor as grace. We are independent and prideful. We want to earn our way. Or we may feel that what Jesus did for us was nice, but we don't really understand the depth of His sacrifice. After all, Jesus is God and He wanted to do it. Right? Then why in the garden, the night before he was crucified, was He grieved to the point of death and prayed three times that it be taken from Him? After being beaten, He couldn't carry His own cross. Yes, Jesus was God in the flesh but those nails still hurt and the crucifixion was torture. The good news is that he did it anyway! Jesus' willingness to be crucified for us, should cause great gratitude and affection toward Him. "For this reason I say to you, her sins which were many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little." (Luke 7:47)<br />
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We are once again, at Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent. The time for repentance and seeking God; acknowledging our mortality, sinfulness and need of a Savior, and looking forward to Easter Sunday and celebrating Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. For "what a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:24-25)<br />
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Last year was my first time fasting for Lent. It was not a time of trying to earn God's favor, but rather came out of a desire to seek Him first and trust Him for all else. And if you read my past posts on it, you know that it was not observed to perfection, but God honored my heart's desire and He was faithful. <br />
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This year my fast is focusing on Isaiah 58 and Romans 12. I will be fasting to offer my body as a living sacrifice and seeking how God wants to use the gifts He has given me to fulfill what Jesus started. "And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him (Jesus). And He opened the book and found the place where it was written, 'The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorable year of the LORD.' And He began to say to them, 'Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.'" (Luke 4:17-19,21)<br />
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Micah 6:8 says, "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."<br />
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Though your fast may look different than mine, for we are one body with many parts, may we all be made a planting for the display of God's splendor!<br />
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Rebecca Lynn Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13007726824540376507noreply@blogger.com0