tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90235573791339494382024-03-13T04:35:45.748-07:00Only Hope onlyhope89http://www.blogger.com/profile/12311548077451177339noreply@blogger.comBlogger134125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023557379133949438.post-18978658208011777312024-02-11T14:39:00.000-08:002024-02-12T08:33:16.581-08:00Museums and Monuments<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0Dhr9WsyR_vfQxaDZyWgY1gzX9mMDWIiOibTyHgXs_oJBEhpTwNcvAFV1U9QKgJ_gHys7vNJ0k2crBFZxQ5Nonc_TjuodtG7wvdlK0g7FuxM4Gsyk4EKOdY5WeeekjSw-WHNok1CLSVFhElCGIlej_VRbAEt8Akt7UDpIYXXgxCE_YFi5QLhcCSYLVA/s640/IMG_0798.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0Dhr9WsyR_vfQxaDZyWgY1gzX9mMDWIiOibTyHgXs_oJBEhpTwNcvAFV1U9QKgJ_gHys7vNJ0k2crBFZxQ5Nonc_TjuodtG7wvdlK0g7FuxM4Gsyk4EKOdY5WeeekjSw-WHNok1CLSVFhElCGIlej_VRbAEt8Akt7UDpIYXXgxCE_YFi5QLhcCSYLVA/w640-h480/IMG_0798.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">A few weeks ago, I finally made it to the nation's capital. I had all kinds of ideas about what it might be like from movies I had seen and from talking to others, but as in usual fashion, the Lord surprised me in the way in which He met me there. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I went to Washington DC to visit my friend, whom I had originally met at the library and whom I had remained friends with through letters, Zoom Bible studies, and getting together when she came back into town.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Throughout the weekend we rode the metro, visited museums, saw many important buildings like the Capitol and Library of Congress, went to the Kennedy Center for a show, walked around Georgetown and the Tidal Basin, ate at some local places, glimpsed the White House, and even saw some snow! It was a lot of fun seeing the sights and having a personal tour guide as well as catching up with my friend!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">As we took in the sights, I couldn't help but think about the rich heritage that surrounded us. Each monument uniquely highlighted the lives that had gone before us and the sacrifices that had been made. They were reflections of the people and events that had made our country strong and prosperous and it humbled me to stand among so many years of history. While I did immensely enjoy all the famous landmarks, I think the thing that surprised me the most was visiting the </span><i><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202124; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Smithsonian National Museum of American History</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">. Somewhere between seeing the original flag and the lyrics to the Star-Spangled Banner etched across time and visiting the pop culture display that had carefully curated America through the decades, the Holy Spirit told me to take note. The entertainment section was filled with everything from Star Wars to Hamilton, Dorothy's red slippers to Michelle Kwan's ice skates, and a variety of relics like old-fashioned baseball mitts, iconic lunchboxes, and music from every decade.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">While it all was fascinating, there were a couple of displays that made a significant impression. One of those was the <i>Star Wars</i> exhibit. I of course loved seeing R2-D2 and CP3O, but it was the description about its origin that really spoke volumes to me. The display shared the story of how George Lucas created his "galaxy far-far away" in response to a nation that was reeling over Vietnam and the President Nixon situation. The words read, “George Lucas offered a tale set in a ‘galaxy far, far away’ where a struggling republic was fighting for survival. The saga’s motley heroes—a Jedi farm boy, a princess, a pirate, and a Wookie pilot, even droids—inspired hope and raised an enduring question: How can we build a virtuous republic?"</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Another iconic tale just feet away also talked about how it was shaped by the state and morale of the nation. As I stared at Dorothy's slippers from <i>The Wizard of Oz</i>, I was reminded that this tale had met audiences amid an economic depression and the prospect of a second world war. Frank Baum’s young Kansas heroine embodied bravery and helped Americans discover what truly mattered in the middle of some tough times. This display talked about the way "her [Dorothy's] story resonated with audiences facing what felt like nearly insurmountable challenges of their own."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">As we explored these displays and many more, it led to a conversation that is still rolling around in my heart. My friend and I discussed how interesting it was that the feelings and current events of the nation throughout history dictated what its art and entertainment looked like at that time. Like with Luke Skywalker or Dorothy, the art produced was in response to what was happening in the world.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />This prompted a few thoughts. First, what are the stories and entertainment of our time right now going to tell future generations about our society? What can we as Christ-followers do to change that portrayal for good? And what specifically has the Lord gifted me with that will speak His light and love into a generation that seems so lost, so confused and so offended? <br /><br />We may not have paintings hanging in a gallery or be involved in producing something that will speak to the masses, but our lives are saying something. In the same way that caring for others, turning the other cheek, and serving those in need speak to those in our lives, our self-centered attitudes, unsympathetic hearts, and lukewarm responses also speak volumes. Every day we have the opportunity to add values of love, mercy, compassion, light, integrity, joy, peace, patience, kindness and so much more into this broken world. But we also can add anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, hopelessness, doubt, fear, and shame. Whether we like it or not, we are a part of the brushstrokes that are making this generation's masterpiece, and I can’t help but wonder: <i>do we like what we are creating?</i><br /><br />As I reflected on these things, I felt the Holy Spirit say to me: <i>The world needs your voice...it needs a purposeful light that points to the truth. You have something unique to add.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">This truth stirred me in a fresh way, reminding me of the unique gifts I have been given and how much more I could be using them. But it's not just me. Our generation</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> needs your voice too. It needs your talents, your personality, and your one-of-a-kind purpose to be fulfilled. It needs you to remember that you are a carrier of Christ's love even when you are having a bad day, have been wronged, or find it easier to go along with the current. This world needs you to be you</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;">—</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">the you that God created for such a time as this.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Maybe that does look like creating something unique through art, media, or words. But maybe it looks like teaching something to the next generation, setting aside time to do something for someone else, stewarding the abundance God has given you, or finding that thing that your heart is passionate about and turning it into a Kingdom project. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Perhaps it’s raising little ones in truth so that they can go out and add their light to the world, inviting the lonely, or saying yes to something beyond yourself. Maybe it is choosing to say no to what the world offers and living in a way that is counterculture. Maybe it’s speaking up in love when you hear lies of the enemy. Or maybe it is simply a daily attitude of surrender.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">DC reminded me that each one of us adds something to this generation, to this world, and to this day. Whether it ends up in front of hundreds or is simply displaying God's glory to a few, Christ calls us not to sit on the sidelines and watch but to do our part. He calls us to use our time wisely. He calls us to add good things into our families, friendships, workplaces, cities, or wherever else He has placed us. After all, museums and monuments show us that time is fleeting. Let us seek to live lives that last beyond just today. Let us strive to say something worthy. And let's not let our generation fall on our watch.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">-Only Hope</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Mia, thank you for continuing to extend an invitation to me and for hosting me when I finally made it to DC. It was so neat to see a small part of your world, as well as so many cool sights. Your friendship has meant a lot to me and I am so grateful for all the many adventures we've been a part of together!</i> And to my new friend April, h<i>opefully, one day, we can laugh about being stuck overnight at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport due to snow and ice. That will always be a part of the story. </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Jj8KfOYFWAtlTeELAapBM96A6p1VRK0CCryAsvqttL4KVv_g1rQxfn7b7xTp2QD4_0eAy1cBTw3fvXA9aZkAOA9fhb-asuyvQbiAQKA4MZsVna5rnWmExbesaojpJGaLT_Gv_og1lYT0JRqOnjXm_ruWOHoncigEAeQ88D6KA9yedJ4398ZdndADQLk/s640/IMG_0596.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Jj8KfOYFWAtlTeELAapBM96A6p1VRK0CCryAsvqttL4KVv_g1rQxfn7b7xTp2QD4_0eAy1cBTw3fvXA9aZkAOA9fhb-asuyvQbiAQKA4MZsVna5rnWmExbesaojpJGaLT_Gv_og1lYT0JRqOnjXm_ruWOHoncigEAeQ88D6KA9yedJ4398ZdndADQLk/w300-h400/IMG_0596.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTnpAM5bpNX4aPpOLXTZWSAqkOVYzjF24gq5muYvILqSHVOt9vjNohyphenhyphentMaf4KbFYUTXLiyUbBRTe7MdGhW8SHlBfi27dIP41VNmqOjnAe7GRxXuQyAoQKMxJyC2bhWjsDxmkCtQ_fwLjziDshl6PRlVQvh_0irOlajwvTzvVsLbg201wAsOi7HatGGvEQ/s640/IMG_0613.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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color: #222222; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p>onlyhope89http://www.blogger.com/profile/12311548077451177339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023557379133949438.post-39128314818637120192023-12-20T12:18:00.000-08:002023-12-20T12:27:56.489-08:00Promises<p></p><blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaiYqage7RL8Kq_Zb90L0SY2ILnCoW47dUZYxKPrwvpIrxnEy9b1UDFAc-wItShEd7b9UpQiTQyyfy-cuKhalTYt4ZiPpQ-n618x3RXOf3su6qQO0zD39uNwSzdlqp6umcXK8OfdjPYMuQqyXMmuf6a0A_4fopHsdyInS4aaKlVLKByUvvmxiq8H0lgiA/s640/Christmas%202023%20(2).PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="640" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaiYqage7RL8Kq_Zb90L0SY2ILnCoW47dUZYxKPrwvpIrxnEy9b1UDFAc-wItShEd7b9UpQiTQyyfy-cuKhalTYt4ZiPpQ-n618x3RXOf3su6qQO0zD39uNwSzdlqp6umcXK8OfdjPYMuQqyXMmuf6a0A_4fopHsdyInS4aaKlVLKByUvvmxiq8H0lgiA/w640-h458/Christmas%202023%20(2).PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br />"Thank God for His gift that the words can't describe!" 2 Corinthians 9:15</blockquote></blockquote></blockquote>If I’m being honest December is always filled with a combination of highs and lows. I love Christmas itself—the traditions, the celebration of Jesus, being with family, and the festivities. I love that people seem a little kinder and the world seems a little brighter. I love the movies and the treats and the decorations. I love the special food that my mom makes and the way we gather around to watch <i>It’s A Wonderful Life</i> and listen to my dad read <i>The Christmas Story</i> out of <i>Luke Chapter 2</i>. I love being together and looking at lights and now seeing Christmas through the eyes of my niece and nephew. And I love seeing family you don’t get to see as much throughout the year and swapping memories from days gone by.<p></p><p>What I don’t love, however, is the hustle and bustle and stress of it. The long lines are enough to make me want to hibernate through the winter. Having to find people gifts, which is not my love language, and juggling all the things on my calendar makes me antsy. Trying to come up with a Christmas card when it’s just me, seems a little anticlimactic. And the cold weather really isn’t my thing. More than once I’ve had to remind myself to lean into the true meaning of the Christmas season and not get trapped by all the things that we have made it instead.</p><p>So this year, as the calendar changed from November to December, I was surprised that my heart was abundantly overflowing with pure Christmas joy; the kind of joy I hadn't experienced since I was kid. The lights seemed brighter. The songs seemed merrier. And the events coming my way were going to be filled with wondrous fun. I was determined to make the most of the season, especially in light of my extra-festive perspective. And everything was going according to plan until suddenly my season was ushered in not with cider or carols or trimming the tree, but with aches and chills and a fever of nearly a hundred and three.</p><p>Like a balloon being deflated, my Christmas joy evaporated overnight as it seemed my "perfect" holiday was already ruined. Held up in my bed, I was no longer in a cheerful mood. I didn't care about eating treats or seeing lights or going to parties. I had been hopeful for all of those things and only one day into the month that is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, things had already been derailed. I knew deep down that being sick wasn't the end of the world. It just really wasn’t what I had planned on the brink of such a promising December.</p><p>Amid these not-so-jolly thoughts, I felt that quiet tug, “Use this.” At first, I wondered what the Lord could possibly have for me to discover but then I realized quickly that it was the same lesson He was trying to teach me in all seasons of my life. Like so many times before, I realized that my definition of "Christmas joy" was based on circumstance. Joy doesn't come from everything going right. No, it's much, much deeper than that. A nod of Holy approval resonated inside my heart as I thought, "Christmas isn't about perfect...it's about promises."</p><p>After all, the first Christmas fulfilled a promise that God's people had been waiting on for four hundred years. It was a promise of the coming of a King. The promise of silence being broken from God above. The promise that they were not forgotten. And a promise of the rescue for all mankind. I considered the very first Christmas and wondered what their joy level might have looked like that night. They were completely unaware that everything was about to change and they had no idea that God Himself was about to collide with the earth He created with His own hands. Mary and Joseph surely didn’t understand it all. They were weary and roofless and most likely trying to figure out how to get through each day as they journeyed to Bethlehem. I don’t think the shepherds quite got it either. They were just going to work like any other ordinary night. The Inn Keeper didn’t know that he was fulfilling a prophecy by turning Mary and Joseph to the barn. The wise men didn’t know that their gifts would be recorded for all time. No, none of them were anticipating a season of holiday events. They didn’t decorate trees or bake cookies. And I'm pretty sure their circumstances were far from perfect and not ones they would have picked. And yet, in the middle of their messy, mundane, ordinary lives they found the greatest joy they would ever know. It wasn't because of anything they did, but because God was faithful to come just like He said He would. In that coming, God showed us that hope is not futile; it is fruitful. We can believe that He is true to His Word, that He cares, that He is involved, and that He is in the details, even the ones that don't quite go according to our plan.</p><p>And maybe that’s the lesson that I’m supposed to take to heart this holiday. When we accept that Christmas and life are not about perfection, perhaps we can see the promise a little better. When it seems God is silent, we can remember He will speak again. When it seems that God is far away, we can remember that He comes down to our level and resides with us. When it feels like we are forgotten, we can remind ourselves that God knows every intricate detail down to how much hay is needed to cradle His son. And when our idea of perfection gets a bit derailed, we can confidently know that God’s perfection is unfolding exactly the way He wants. I hope you take a moment this Christmas to breathe in God’s promises in your life. Take time to remember that He is good and faithful. That hope in Him is not void. That He is no stranger to the circumstances you are experiencing. He was there in the beginning before the world began. He was there in the stable and the fields the night His son entered our world. And He is God with us, Immanuel, right now, right here.</p><p>Merry Christmas 2023!</p><p>-Only Hope</p><p>God is WITH us in our struggles.<br /></p><p>God is FOR us when it seems all else is against us. <br /></p><p>God will carry us THROUGH our pain. </p><p>God will SUSTAIN you.</p><p>God's PEACE will guard your heart.<br /></p><p>God DELIGHTS over you with singing.</p><p>God will INSTRUCT you and TEACH you in the way you should go.<br /></p><p>God is your REFUGE and STRENGTH, your HELP in times of need.<br /></p><p>In all things, you are MORE THAN CONQUERERS because God loves you.<br /></p><p>God will NEVER LEAVE or forsake you.</p><p>God's perfect LOVE casts out all FEAR.</p><p>NOTHING can separate you from God's Love.</p><p>God's NOT DONE with you.<br /></p><p>(from Youversion Bible Plan: Dealing With Uncertainty)</p><p><br /></p>onlyhope89http://www.blogger.com/profile/12311548077451177339noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023557379133949438.post-60172494992124090922023-08-19T12:07:00.008-07:002023-08-27T12:30:05.745-07:00Boston Strong<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitCaOzjsb4-Bg7DBg3RWFUDNHB1oKWoBwww_TJy3GJ2a4ei9MeUnj1dKmJ7F2cYtoJVTpkAnhaJhreLYDQHugPaOUQAHIhBGWyTKG8DzW5INNLfIiKMzvLFWBuOZcToNjV46qIFsyXkTXBKY-Byn1DpGm_OtDSRtnd7o92vecEHGP8JzfAJO5IqsM7-NI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitCaOzjsb4-Bg7DBg3RWFUDNHB1oKWoBwww_TJy3GJ2a4ei9MeUnj1dKmJ7F2cYtoJVTpkAnhaJhreLYDQHugPaOUQAHIhBGWyTKG8DzW5INNLfIiKMzvLFWBuOZcToNjV46qIFsyXkTXBKY-Byn1DpGm_OtDSRtnd7o92vecEHGP8JzfAJO5IqsM7-NI=s16000" /></a></div><br />Going on a mission trip to Boston this year came somewhat as a surprise and when I finally did decide to be part of the team, I still wasn’t quite sure what to expect. As we drew nearer to our departure date, I knew some of the details but I didn’t have an abundantly clear idea of EXACTLY what we would be doing. There was talk about deck work and completing other projects at a sober house in Weymouth, Massachusetts. We knew there would be a family fun opportunity and worship nights, yet much of it remained a mystery. There was also a time when who I was going to be rooming with was a question mark which only added to the unknowns. I like to think that I'm an easygoing person that can roll with whatever comes, but the truth is that deep down I want to know what things are going to look like before I take a step, and that it is a trait that does not always mix well when it comes to living by faith. But even so, as all these things whirled around in my heart, I tried to simply hold fast to the advice that our leader gave us in preparing for the week, which was to be flexible and available for whatever God wanted to do. <p></p><p>So even though I had no idea how to fix a deck or who my roommate was going to be or what I would even be called upon to do over the next seven days, I took a deep breath and tried to push aside my need to know all the answers before making a move. I knew the first step was simply to go, but what met me on the other side of that yes was far different than I ever expected. The act of trusting would serve as a catalyst for fresh revelation as the week unfolded. </p><p>Our first day was filled with early morning travel, check-in at the college dorm where we were staying, and our first taste of the worship nights that would occur over the next several evenings. We were also met with non-air-conditioned rooms and the joys of community bathrooms. It felt a lot like missions meets camp meets conference and I could tell it was going to be an interesting experience. </p><p>The next three days followed similar routines. We met for breakfast in the cafeteria, gathered our pre-packed lunches, hopped into our vans affectionately known to us as “Bella’s iPhone” and “Bullet” and headed to our site for the day. Our group plus two church members, Bobbie, and Julia, gathered for morning devotion and prayer and then set about working on various projects until lunchtime. Lunch was a break to rest, eat, and gather briefly before heading back to work. We’d usually pack up mid to late afternoon and return to the college for showers, dinner, and worship nights. The day would end with our group gathering at picnic tables underneath hanging lights as we discussed the day and what God was showing us.</p><p>Our free day came on Friday and my group headed to a little place called Salem. We spent the morning there exploring and visiting the city and learning about life during the Salem Witch Trials. Later that afternoon we traveled to the city of Boston and did some more exploring. This included a trip to the famous Mike’s Pastry where we all bought sweet treats including different flavored cannoli and chocolate rolls. The following day we took a ferry ride into the harbor and had lunch. Saturday afternoon and evening were spent at a family fun night promoted by the church that was sponsoring the week. Our team ran the dunk tank and raised around $ 1,000 dollars for the local food bank. It was wet and wild and work like I had never done before but in the end, tons of kids were dunked and we were able to do some good for the community. Throughout the week I was able to see the birthplace of Abigail Adams, the Witch House, the Boston Common complete with a Paul Revere Statue and the Old North Church in the distance, Faneuil Hall, the Old State House and Boston Massacre site, the Paul Revere House, and the Harbor where the Boston Tea Party took place. It was amazing to see and walk in a lot of the places that I had only ever heard about and studied in history class, and it was cool to be so near where such important things in our country’s past took place.</p><p>But as impressive as it was to stand among those famous historical sights, the most incredible thing was the history being brought to light in my own life through the Holy Spirit. While we were working on-site at the sober house, I did several different jobs including staining the deck, putting mulch in flower beds, sweeping, pulling weeds, and handing out invitations to the family fun night. It didn’t seem like much, but as the broken places started to be mended around the house and the deck started to be transformed, I felt the Holy Spirit at work. Working at the sober home was tangible proof that restoration was possible and that new life could come from broken- and worn-down things. As I helped to make things new for those men at the sober house, God wanted to do something new in me. There were things in my heart and life that had been chipped away at, forgotten, broken, and left unattended. I had let weeds of insecurity, fear, bitterness, and doubt grow wildly to the point that they were becoming overgrown and starting to choke out new things trying to take root. I had broken places that needed mending and some areas that were in desperate need of transformation. This took me somewhat by surprise but the deeper I dug into the flowerbeds of my heart, the more I saw things that had become lodged in the soil that were never meant to be there. </p><p>Along those same lines, I was humbled by the phrase, “You have stayed on this mountain long enough” from a devotion called <i>Stay in the Story</i>. It was a phrase that had come from Deuteronomy 1:6 when the Israelites were getting ready to enter the Promised Land after being stuck in the wilderness for forty years. Again, I felt as if the Holy Spirit was poising the question, “Aren’t you tired of staying in that same thought pattern, that same place, that same circumstance? You have stayed there long enough. It’s time to move on…it’s time to pull up some of the weeds you’ve let grow wild and to look to the new thing that I am doing.”</p><p>Everywhere I looked that week, it seemed the Holy Spirit was trying to get me to see that same message of restoration and a sense of bringing old things back to life. One of the things I loved the most during our work time and what served as a visual for all that God was showing me was that the couple who did most of the major landscape work uncovered some stairs that had been overgrown by brush and growth. None of us had any idea that those stairs were even there and that they led to a lower garden area. If they had not cleared out the old and dead overgrowth, we would have never found them. And what a visual for our own lives. We never know what hidden treasures are waiting to be uncovered in our stories. We never know what clearing out the old and the dead and allowing God to restore us will allow us to discover. Those hidden steps remind me that new life does not come from neglect, but rather an intentional cultivating of the harvest and a clearing out of the old and dry places.</p><p>I was surprised how doing simple staining and yard work could unveil so much to me that week, but how sweet to walk away with a sense of renewal and unloading of the things weighing my heart down. The word I got from the Lord was abundantly clear. He was saying to me, it’s time to let broken places be mended. It’s time to move on from that mountain. It’s time to let different things grow. And it's time to clear away the old and dead to make room for the new. I hope the things I learned encourage you to do the same. Be brave, grab the garden tools, and go to work. I believe in you, and I can’t wait to see what is uncovered in the process for both me and you!</p><p>-Only Hope</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjh7UNYF-Bf6BPQd6V9Q1MoTdaX11uhOvQsUpG-DT1he0_ri8tkwjqo19HpxLF6cby9ADN6BR1EZ2KrEg47BG7vTgK9XDd_NBRbm2wMa34ReNGyuGsIdHKwT1poeMSyxlRLES-x_GthvBY6SU7SxtkM5meGlZT-KAIb09cu_2FEyDdxYn2_5rSIe4-LrD4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjh7UNYF-Bf6BPQd6V9Q1MoTdaX11uhOvQsUpG-DT1he0_ri8tkwjqo19HpxLF6cby9ADN6BR1EZ2KrEg47BG7vTgK9XDd_NBRbm2wMa34ReNGyuGsIdHKwT1poeMSyxlRLES-x_GthvBY6SU7SxtkM5meGlZT-KAIb09cu_2FEyDdxYn2_5rSIe4-LrD4=s16000" /></a></div><p><b>Cherie, Andrew, Barry, Kellie, Chris, Steven, Sarah, Emily, and Jordan</b>—<i>what a week! From our early morning travels to the Lobster Stop, to being movie stars for Jordan and everything in between, thanks for such a fun experience. I enjoyed the many laughs, the moments where we got real about Jesus, the sightseeing, and getting to know each of you. It was also really cool to see the impact of your work from the previous year show up in the present. Thanks for letting me be a part of it! <br /><br /></i></p><p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqy4wsZKDwRbxY-5UYJyOyFN5LLZF9Hy59vj0TKJqY4nIcMoTfYwFnSAJvfZ0PPt52v8j1-gHl9_QcYDOv7jjt4fE_Z54cX-P_BRwtZ04TI8zuK3rzX4quTu6zbILSrdzlmAqCIDHav2n2_U7jqXtEoUNAPu_1CJDzYk-cXkkL7f8qgoVZq3-IiULbuv4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqy4wsZKDwRbxY-5UYJyOyFN5LLZF9Hy59vj0TKJqY4nIcMoTfYwFnSAJvfZ0PPt52v8j1-gHl9_QcYDOv7jjt4fE_Z54cX-P_BRwtZ04TI8zuK3rzX4quTu6zbILSrdzlmAqCIDHav2n2_U7jqXtEoUNAPu_1CJDzYk-cXkkL7f8qgoVZq3-IiULbuv4=s16000" /></a><br /><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Staining the Deck at the Sober House</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5u2Ll_AnyXSz7KdjnJFodn-PLwBnVCcE-P0m7iu3EhEXYxlVqXw8ZmN3ZW36rDI6EVeGGgGbqpOnAAZsYBdZMSQvG33KezOOS6T_1DDONiTFM96IJzvxsq8bB0N1leQ6a6xQK9KZRWXdKwuEeDwHzY-ocD7AW4YNfAJ4okZ8ryZiPPZ6hHhN1nRyetk0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5u2Ll_AnyXSz7KdjnJFodn-PLwBnVCcE-P0m7iu3EhEXYxlVqXw8ZmN3ZW36rDI6EVeGGgGbqpOnAAZsYBdZMSQvG33KezOOS6T_1DDONiTFM96IJzvxsq8bB0N1leQ6a6xQK9KZRWXdKwuEeDwHzY-ocD7AW4YNfAJ4okZ8ryZiPPZ6hHhN1nRyetk0=s16000" /></span></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The Team with the owner of the Sober House and two church members </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJodxhShXBjapSwuroCDtvlyCVEFdWK-ChWCApnh6j2v21YB3Z3UdTwsTOpB0o1brybD9leIVJnhcs_j6M2MmH74YKceFS6c5YPDK_bVA9dkea6vExgtvq1-TGhztSA86F03Dkq6gfEYegB3arRZscjyu_2K07_cHxLEZNlBv7WbHUvM9_NcI9ihmV1iY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJodxhShXBjapSwuroCDtvlyCVEFdWK-ChWCApnh6j2v21YB3Z3UdTwsTOpB0o1brybD9leIVJnhcs_j6M2MmH74YKceFS6c5YPDK_bVA9dkea6vExgtvq1-TGhztSA86F03Dkq6gfEYegB3arRZscjyu_2K07_cHxLEZNlBv7WbHUvM9_NcI9ihmV1iY=s16000" /></span></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Birthplace of Abigail Adams<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhazczzIV12kS1hG0FQJMDG5jkdnlJMOv9pZSg2kjApGjsbMyVbXO9s9BsG-lNlLhbwTNfrDfbm9PdmO8MldRiex6D8vcYe2lIQUmVRQDzZEUqg5LH53SNK3xn2CWMxoRkY_Tc4kso1vZdBxs_GVkUKei88BT74eOWeowOBaOV_q8fOyZrHcF8zSgJZzEY" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhazczzIV12kS1hG0FQJMDG5jkdnlJMOv9pZSg2kjApGjsbMyVbXO9s9BsG-lNlLhbwTNfrDfbm9PdmO8MldRiex6D8vcYe2lIQUmVRQDzZEUqg5LH53SNK3xn2CWMxoRkY_Tc4kso1vZdBxs_GVkUKei88BT74eOWeowOBaOV_q8fOyZrHcF8zSgJZzEY=s16000" /></a></span></b></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Our meeting place at night on the college campus<br /></span></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSGJLcqJ9iGDtu0cOFSEHqOWuMp0XTYPlGR1ednB92xPb6RbYn3wGcw-qkqkqZ_EZrWEnuJvWfHDat4M-NiCr27NbXQsXNJwmzbBjvWGWRjQXoQpnvnOoYxpXCpwdvSXYrdmI65k_l58Nc4YCJQ6hRw8RxkgI4qSL7ozYh8CScC7hy1XS_ZrfvAoL_lrE" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSGJLcqJ9iGDtu0cOFSEHqOWuMp0XTYPlGR1ednB92xPb6RbYn3wGcw-qkqkqZ_EZrWEnuJvWfHDat4M-NiCr27NbXQsXNJwmzbBjvWGWRjQXoQpnvnOoYxpXCpwdvSXYrdmI65k_l58Nc4YCJQ6hRw8RxkgI4qSL7ozYh8CScC7hy1XS_ZrfvAoL_lrE=s16000" /></a><br />The famous "Witch House" in Salem-former home of Judge Jonathan Corwin and is one of the few structures directly tied to the Witch Trials in 1692</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUm5zrV27BKxVrn3hg9YiyRDvmFNKeZMTqf6DMkNqwe1tiNhwWemvDTLzVa0LiV48U9RH2Psiru9diTsmLK_l3DaqJXSaEQlXb8nau5QoCb75Jjo9rhA1qTzPqzz8H2f9nRLSD5_-_N1871_APOSaUueUDybosXjEYj56b2KsBhSPxEvOt3MG2tXd1L1o" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUm5zrV27BKxVrn3hg9YiyRDvmFNKeZMTqf6DMkNqwe1tiNhwWemvDTLzVa0LiV48U9RH2Psiru9diTsmLK_l3DaqJXSaEQlXb8nau5QoCb75Jjo9rhA1qTzPqzz8H2f9nRLSD5_-_N1871_APOSaUueUDybosXjEYj56b2KsBhSPxEvOt3MG2tXd1L1o=s16000" /></span></b></a></div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">First Church in Salem- dates back to the 1600s<br /></span></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifPh1xS6WBls_c6gGXvx-xvvxKthlnAt5ib7OQVfu_JfdSd_nKb7nPDk3cbuFyNmXwp-NrYV1rwtLNzESSYIQZYFXPupv3n1g_PVo1yPNsFIyUTdd1XXNyVKZ4gXzgBFPzerdoE5f3mGolFkpURmU69di0rfwM2QsQb8Ba5o213xAtzZl9OY6yLH6NAl8" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifPh1xS6WBls_c6gGXvx-xvvxKthlnAt5ib7OQVfu_JfdSd_nKb7nPDk3cbuFyNmXwp-NrYV1rwtLNzESSYIQZYFXPupv3n1g_PVo1yPNsFIyUTdd1XXNyVKZ4gXzgBFPzerdoE5f3mGolFkpURmU69di0rfwM2QsQb8Ba5o213xAtzZl9OY6yLH6NAl8=s16000" /></a><br />Really pretty garden spot in Salem</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmDLVrSNcJAOowEZQvnnxZMEKBmjfvkWQsZgua3Z3PV4vIWya-Mjx83EwxNMbBLsrCmaQO3f9Jlwj0Q0YjUG0DEdv4pGCzVRm1ApCrrrQm4LPd9TlSh2Jo_bUJLkL-65Uy85GXtk3nN4rWzF_2iwYpbs2IuwH6ORmCEZ0QtpwE0ubfVNHk35F3Ib_pEn8" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmDLVrSNcJAOowEZQvnnxZMEKBmjfvkWQsZgua3Z3PV4vIWya-Mjx83EwxNMbBLsrCmaQO3f9Jlwj0Q0YjUG0DEdv4pGCzVRm1ApCrrrQm4LPd9TlSh2Jo_bUJLkL-65Uy85GXtk3nN4rWzF_2iwYpbs2IuwH6ORmCEZ0QtpwE0ubfVNHk35F3Ib_pEn8=s16000" /></a><br />Salem Witch Museum</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgri8ZZ8pUyn8xlXwExp1c3fMQHp8kQjYYs6XH-h2CVmLxkSYPV7Oc6unEey7Vrpp59dE2uR9FsPJ7ZwkKTll7RIqrZy3ZFkuGmtk13B2eAoXITdTYmoT5KYPCrJjA4Ks6a00Ob6ED7GwA4bi24clKgrNsUz_WZYojNBVvtamFcftuMab1rZHBm-3cf6vc" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="449" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgri8ZZ8pUyn8xlXwExp1c3fMQHp8kQjYYs6XH-h2CVmLxkSYPV7Oc6unEey7Vrpp59dE2uR9FsPJ7ZwkKTll7RIqrZy3ZFkuGmtk13B2eAoXITdTYmoT5KYPCrJjA4Ks6a00Ob6ED7GwA4bi24clKgrNsUz_WZYojNBVvtamFcftuMab1rZHBm-3cf6vc=s16000" /></a><br />Paul Revere Statue and Old North Church in Boston Commons<br /></span></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg30NbV0Hx_JcXkKefMxUgh5ZaID1Qy1uUNWxR9UoKMzGehQyfu5dme5w3UVXDUzi9HZ_ZcB4-Gi7hC16jUQMCQmxi9fWSRHR_-67w7uXHX4z010AwUP9OKNeXjFO9RV7_DaT-otvcWdOZ0RSq2B8nO8g4N3XzLfG47MwC0thjZK5JOo4iGWqavDS-mksQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg30NbV0Hx_JcXkKefMxUgh5ZaID1Qy1uUNWxR9UoKMzGehQyfu5dme5w3UVXDUzi9HZ_ZcB4-Gi7hC16jUQMCQmxi9fWSRHR_-67w7uXHX4z010AwUP9OKNeXjFO9RV7_DaT-otvcWdOZ0RSq2B8nO8g4N3XzLfG47MwC0thjZK5JOo4iGWqavDS-mksQ=s16000" /></span></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Chocolate mousse cannoli and chocolate roll from Mike's Pastry<br /></span></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_6WTCq-M38vZ4qcw5wgE6V_80AqYGp8z3D0FIvouuUqON07t8HNVENoyB51iGUkpWDa1IklzrZd3QOaZOCrUYzrIUCXUrL0fnZFqse_-Z2VaxNd7caT7KDBprbKLcYUjPaCO_AIDDXmdF7_ARIHr6g-VXdsLN_CbsGfltW2HpGEgc26zvpPBZGGDliyI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_6WTCq-M38vZ4qcw5wgE6V_80AqYGp8z3D0FIvouuUqON07t8HNVENoyB51iGUkpWDa1IklzrZd3QOaZOCrUYzrIUCXUrL0fnZFqse_-Z2VaxNd7caT7KDBprbKLcYUjPaCO_AIDDXmdF7_ARIHr6g-VXdsLN_CbsGfltW2HpGEgc26zvpPBZGGDliyI=s16000" /></span></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Walking the Streets in Boston</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHUSHV-7TKrkCMYaNxOpx_kC6SE5IBY9sWArRyvWQFzqC0o5Sx5o4uk8jAfy4J_uG8r2gLcCp0QcBQLY_2hhoUJA_Wrwvkz-OL7FPhDvIiFSrQiQuJzXweOi28WhVWibeLgsNS6MGIOdR8nKXZtwUaCNJvZ0zAjkbNTlzC0SepXhnNXefcWPTJWKpEkdw" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHUSHV-7TKrkCMYaNxOpx_kC6SE5IBY9sWArRyvWQFzqC0o5Sx5o4uk8jAfy4J_uG8r2gLcCp0QcBQLY_2hhoUJA_Wrwvkz-OL7FPhDvIiFSrQiQuJzXweOi28WhVWibeLgsNS6MGIOdR8nKXZtwUaCNJvZ0zAjkbNTlzC0SepXhnNXefcWPTJWKpEkdw=s16000" /></span></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Paul Revere House</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiltjVZqYsp9HVcN87j3paRznIjCvvs4AFPcYI29rbH55fc0uWT_NKT8MykErxiIFj0SvRyU1cSmZ2BVuqERV6DPNj-bWQXdvfismNu5xWdli7KYmBPH7KvRiqTfPzENyehSM0q04pgGqLY21fHf0A6rQ-4hWZ7_aDtOYU1tUOBlCuwD-hC7iC9ccjz2Ew=s16000" /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Paul Revere House in the Middle of the City</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9S3_1JRCQ4zYonBoymSW8xn3xmWapP6tnDm4mOHBv6aoA0w1rts4FjuvrzwUNTClV_e6iiFqyzGaMfmRwQo7N8SxmmbcmWF0_u0MNP6ZeILUPMp2-tDnxX62hukPPyd3AnAK2KSHCEsMfZzH4Y0cAxIhu1R_Mre0A2SrvhIk5qNwWFu2U-F7j0D2CAFo" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9S3_1JRCQ4zYonBoymSW8xn3xmWapP6tnDm4mOHBv6aoA0w1rts4FjuvrzwUNTClV_e6iiFqyzGaMfmRwQo7N8SxmmbcmWF0_u0MNP6ZeILUPMp2-tDnxX62hukPPyd3AnAK2KSHCEsMfZzH4Y0cAxIhu1R_Mre0A2SrvhIk5qNwWFu2U-F7j0D2CAFo=s16000" /></a><br />City of Boston</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0-182HP7TTPPl5tYEO1a4J1UGdMiEvaUXexugo8MA4PeQD8tiQ_HQXXHuzX8Ly5x7ugm66qEO7--LdRsxmXNDO5qJgI0Iv9IEaAtG9NmbxmTJSegTTyMNaPqBz4BP-PgD1tnz6CIVWfPCGaPF51RjSqqviKQmT4KKheMzAGf4HHLhjHSQOIZ8YCkXhhs" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0-182HP7TTPPl5tYEO1a4J1UGdMiEvaUXexugo8MA4PeQD8tiQ_HQXXHuzX8Ly5x7ugm66qEO7--LdRsxmXNDO5qJgI0Iv9IEaAtG9NmbxmTJSegTTyMNaPqBz4BP-PgD1tnz6CIVWfPCGaPF51RjSqqviKQmT4KKheMzAGf4HHLhjHSQOIZ8YCkXhhs=s16000" /></a><br />Boston Harbor<br /></span></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirrFDI-Lc3_rKcKY4rsGgtrrWJRnb5NY75xydtTt5yJLr-73ZXmLACk9BR_QGQ8IppYjguusNb0lk-IB_tA3SB3B8QXkhpNr0gjK-7JygUnm9kHSQr8FmP6s3--dao-LO752Jp7tavH77OR_RB6MFfVHAyI45fB3XKaruk3x2o1W6oAYKYhlBNoHnj3NM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirrFDI-Lc3_rKcKY4rsGgtrrWJRnb5NY75xydtTt5yJLr-73ZXmLACk9BR_QGQ8IppYjguusNb0lk-IB_tA3SB3B8QXkhpNr0gjK-7JygUnm9kHSQr8FmP6s3--dao-LO752Jp7tavH77OR_RB6MFfVHAyI45fB3XKaruk3x2o1W6oAYKYhlBNoHnj3NM=s16000" /></span></b></a></div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">On the Ferry in front of a Boston backdrop<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKmHXrDnykBBeMOcAwa9QfSxC8y9Wj8djwVXItTcWiHfmoILZSGN9Qb530AiDXTeSFiVhQZFW0cZrnfZVDFiaRtQspxeL8VKowx29-Dm9brGCCL374TeCiPoKXE1NaBYRQW0w97WkuvAYtArMw2AbXclUdxqK2Z0K39Jt-alUmoFBhPcUlPhotKUNln_s" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKmHXrDnykBBeMOcAwa9QfSxC8y9Wj8djwVXItTcWiHfmoILZSGN9Qb530AiDXTeSFiVhQZFW0cZrnfZVDFiaRtQspxeL8VKowx29-Dm9brGCCL374TeCiPoKXE1NaBYRQW0w97WkuvAYtArMw2AbXclUdxqK2Z0K39Jt-alUmoFBhPcUlPhotKUNln_s=s16000" /></a></span></b></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">“God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">From early days in our history to today we are One Nation under God!</span></b><br /><br /><br />Video from trip! Courtesy of Hunter Street Baptist Church<br /><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/415u3rbnu4c6860ejlc7p/Boston-Missions-Final-02.mp4?rlkey=8mjiakelqmpt0gzxxvm6ody5a&dl=0">https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/415u3rbnu4c6860ejlc7p/Boston-Missions-Final-02.mp4?rlkey=8mjiakelqmpt0gzxxvm6ody5a&dl=0</a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /></div><i><br /><br /></i><p></p><p><br /></p>onlyhope89http://www.blogger.com/profile/12311548077451177339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023557379133949438.post-11462321082906449852023-08-05T17:41:00.000-07:002023-08-05T17:41:01.072-07:00Page by Page: Letter to the Library<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLnsyBnRX6Oq1HcBvs1AEiPri1jdvzAfYZLje8EbGHYvhWqA59CUwodyXIL4EPtsTrw3tFIN5i2MC1lnWF4IVi6zmXoGxdPg5lMu6A8gZpXkUFSbia1jBJ7uvrtlvlkvYFYYEXjsMtqbBC4B3oqpyswzOwdl7INsY_KFmZxFKBneWEYtTNFr4DSKHgGw/s640/IMG_0393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLnsyBnRX6Oq1HcBvs1AEiPri1jdvzAfYZLje8EbGHYvhWqA59CUwodyXIL4EPtsTrw3tFIN5i2MC1lnWF4IVi6zmXoGxdPg5lMu6A8gZpXkUFSbia1jBJ7uvrtlvlkvYFYYEXjsMtqbBC4B3oqpyswzOwdl7INsY_KFmZxFKBneWEYtTNFr4DSKHgGw/w323-h431/IMG_0393.JPG" width="323" /></a></div><br />If I’ve learned anything working in libraries over the last nine years, it’s that stories are powerful. Stories shape us, they take us through seasons of growth, introduce us to treasured friends and challenge us to leave different than we came. Stories are made page by page and chapter by chapter and the only way to discover where they will lead is to keep reading.<p></p><p>The story of my life has recently taken a twist as I found myself at the end of a really good chapter. I turned the last page of my library career, at least for now, and I can’t help but reflect on the ways my time there shaped me and was a part of my own story.</p><p>As I traveled down memory lane, I realized that my library journey actually began in middle school when I was a library aide. The library for me then was a quiet place of refuge and a hideaway from the changing world around me. It was a place where I didn’t have to worry about popularity or what others thought. I could just be with the books!</p><p>Being a library aide continued into my high school years and again it was an oasis that I tucked myself away in, even when I didn’t have to be there. I remember discovering one of my favorite authors in that high school library, putting out the newspaper every morning (back when the news was still printed), and most of all the sweet librarians who poured into me and made high school just a little bit better.</p><p>While I didn’t immediately turn to a career in libraries, my love of being around books led me to pursue an English degree in college. It took a few unexpected plot twists along the way but eventually, the Lord led me back to the world of libraries-this time as a job. I started part-time as a “page” which in the library hierarchy means you shelve and alphabetize books. It’s not the most glamorous of jobs but it sets a solid foundation to build upon. I then moved to the technology department which consisted of providing a myriad of computer help including printing, faxes, scans, and more. My first full-time role came somewhat later and combined shelving and computer assistance and also added things like circulation and kid's programming. From there I moved to another library and focused on tween programming and began leading and being a part of bigger roles. I finally landed in the Adult Department which helped me engage in community events and take my skills to higher levels. From shelving to helping patrons, to planning programs-each position was a different adventure with its own unique set of challenges and rewards. All of it provided me with opportunities to sharpen and increase my skills and molded me into who I am today.</p><p>That journey by itself may seem insignificant, but God was using all my experiences at different libraries and in different roles to weave a masterpiece of undiscovered interests and hidden talents. I didn’t know I would enjoy graphic design but creating posters for events became a delight to me. I didn’t realize how much I loved event planning until I got to dream up library programs and be a part of some really awesome events. I would have never guessed that there was a leader within me until the opportunity arose and I got to do things that required me to step into that role. I surprised myself with my crafting abilities and uncovered a love for making creative videos. I found great joy in being able to help cultivate an environment of encouragement through the funsquad. And I got to meet the sweetest group of ladies at an independent living home through an outreach book group. These are the things that I look back on fondly, that I realize are purposes the Lord had for me to discover, and that added to my story in deep and meaningful ways.</p><p>And while I can see that now, I could have never known what the story would have ended up looking like on the first day. There were times I didn’t enjoy it. There were times I wanted to quit. And there were times when I couldn’t see anything beyond where I was at that moment. But I can also see that there are things that never would have happened or come into my life if I hadn’t persevered. Though I couldn’t always see it or sense it, God was at work in my life the whole time and He was intentionally leading me down the exact path He knew I would need to travel.</p><p>My brother recently reminded me that David in the Bible had a similar story of building his resume with some unusual experiences. A notable part of his story was that David was anointed to be the next king WHILE he was still working in the fields. His royal status didn’t happen right away but rather many years and trials later. But the calling came while he was still young and unprepared and years away from the great things he was going to do. That’s because God saw from the beginning what was going to happen in David’s life and He placed David exactly where he needed him to be in order to learn and experience the things that would ultimately help him in his calling as the next King. David’s journey reminds me that small moments don’t always make sense at the time but are working to lead us to an anointed place beyond the here and now. </p><p>The library taught me to embrace the story, trust the Author, and dive into the pages that will take me on a journey that is greater than me. While it’s been bittersweet to say goodbye to something that was my life for so long, it is also exciting to look ahead to the new thing that God is doing. The best advice I can give myself and anyone else who finds themself in need of it is that nothing is a waste. We must remember that God knows where the story is headed and He is at work even when it doesn’t feel like it. He sees the first chapter and the last and knows exactly where to weave the story in between the two. Remind yourself that your days in the fields and fighting giants are leading to a crown of victory. It may take time. It may look different than expected. It may show you things about yourself that you never knew. But it is coming, sweetly and assuredly. Believe that what you see today isn’t the whole story. There is more to learn, more to experience, and more to write!</p><p>-Only Hope</p><div><div><i><u>To all the libraries </u>that I’ve called mine <u>and to all the friends</u> that have been a part of that journey...</i></div><div>thank you from the bottom of my heart for being in my story.</div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>-From talking Alabama football on the plaza, doing tech and theater stuff, and laughing at the titles in the mystery room…</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>-to princess events, cookies and coloring, stories under the stars, “the trick” and being a part of a small-town family…</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>-to my tweens and to my adults, to the funsquad, to jar jar binks and the bad movie club to Handmade with Holly and forest festivities of all types…</i><i>my heart is full and overflowing.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>I loved being able to be creative, to do fun things for patrons, to encourage my fellow co-workers, to put on a L’oscars, to make Holly’s Highlights and dress up for things, and to be able to record songs like “hold my ham” and “onion ring of fire”. I loved that the library led me to England and allowed me to meet and reunite with some of the best friends I’ve ever known. I loved doing photo shoots and being on tv and making fun posters. I loved getting to know special patrons who always made my day brighter, having some really awesome co-workers, and simply just being able to look up and be among books. Libraries will always be a part of me no matter where life takes me. And to those of you who have made my days brighter, laughed with me, encouraged me and so much more I am so glad to have met you. Here’s to all of you!</i></div><div><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /></div></div>onlyhope89http://www.blogger.com/profile/12311548077451177339noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023557379133949438.post-52922167495584678262022-12-20T18:49:00.004-08:002022-12-22T14:42:44.861-08:00Baby Jesus: Bundle of Joy<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7a3piyP9hBGRPVJRSSHFUfJl-SahIYg9xXuK2PhLGj-sBzDKib9HAbpv3A5PzsPWRrpsHLr4anE08gdP0GZNz6l6-sMcVVAg2eUHRFo_hWFd6JlUjpgjfgo0Q_-z1wL7kY9_xf_ShIqBwP99rHzS79KQAN1Uo6toly4p6lw-H_4gT_gBXksVOVXz/s1920/baby%20jesus%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7a3piyP9hBGRPVJRSSHFUfJl-SahIYg9xXuK2PhLGj-sBzDKib9HAbpv3A5PzsPWRrpsHLr4anE08gdP0GZNz6l6-sMcVVAg2eUHRFo_hWFd6JlUjpgjfgo0Q_-z1wL7kY9_xf_ShIqBwP99rHzS79KQAN1Uo6toly4p6lw-H_4gT_gBXksVOVXz/w432-h243/baby%20jesus%202.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="text Luke-2-6" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" id="en-ESV-24971" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> </span><span class="text Luke-2-7" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" id="en-ESV-24972" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span>And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7</span></div><br />As usual, the Christmas season has been blowing past me in a blur—filled with final exams, work tasks, shopping, and mounds of to-do lists. I found myself thinking, “If I can just get to Christmas, maybe then I can enjoy it.” And as true as that may be of how I am feeling and how we live our lives, that statement made me stop and pause. Christmas isn’t something to get to; it’s something to experience. And if I was going through the advent season with this mentality, something was off. I searched my heart in an attempt to slow down and I realized that this year the thing that seems to capture my attention centers around the fact that Jesus Christ was a baby. I’ve always known He was an infant, but more recently I’ve been struck by the thought of what that actually meant.<p></p><p>These fresh stirrings on the subject of the Christ child probably have something to do with the fact that I’ve spent a lot of time with the two new littles in my life—my niece and nephew. Being around a newborn (or two) changes the scenery of your life just a bit and I'm seeing that first-hand. These days when I step into my brother’s apartment, I am usually met first by the dog who looks like she is one cry or dirty diaper away from asking to live somewhere else. My eyes then take in piles of tiny blankets and bottles and burp cloths. All around the room, there are baby swings and bassinets and play mats, and car seats. And somewhere within the organized chaos, I find the babies—sometimes awake, sometimes asleep, but usually a combination of the two. Often when one is happy, the other one is screaming, and vice versa.</p><p>It can be wildly crazy, but also wonderfully beautiful because amidst all the cries and diapers and formula, there are two tiny treasures that are already uniquely displaying their personalities. Kentley smiles in a way that melts your heart but also has the lungs of a lion. She likes to be rocked and talked to constantly. Liam likes to look around from his perch or absorb cuddles, but he also takes to squealing a lot for no apparent reason. He even has perfected a ninja move that will knock his bottle away when he no longer desires it. It never ceases to amaze me what new things they do when I am with them. But as many leaps and bounds, as they make, the fact remains that they are still completely dependent on us to do everything. Babies are the picture of vulnerability, trust, and dependence because they know nothing else. And in that innocence is a surrendering to someone who knows what they need more than they do at this stage in life.</p><p>The more I spend time with them, especially during this time of year, I can’t help but think of the first Christmas and the baby we celebrate. To my disappointment, there’s not a whole lot recorded in the Bible about Jesus as a baby. We know He was swaddled and laid in a manger. We know He got some powerful gifts, and we know His mom treasured all of it. Scripture gives us the smallest amount of details of how He was presented to the temple and of their journey to Egypt and then back to Nazareth, but Jesus’ baby book seems to be missing from the collection. We don’t know where He was when He took His first steps or what His first word might have been. It doesn’t say if Mary and Joseph were sleep deprived or if they struggled to bathe Him or hold His head up as they learned to be first-time parents. And we don’t know if Jesus liked to be rocked or if He preferred to sleep in the hay and watch the world from His safe place there.</p><p>As I begin to imagine the scene, I wonder so many things about God as a baby. Did He find the animals in the stable curious? What caused His first smile? When He wrapped His tiny fingers around His parent’s hands, could they feel the power of God the Father in His grip? And what did it feel like for the God who knows all things to become a baby who knew no things?</p><p>As much as I would love to know all these things about baby Jesus, perhaps they are not included in the Bible because that’s not really the point of Him becoming a baby. Maybe the point of becoming an infant was that He humbled Himself to a lowly and vulnerable position completely dependent on others. Could it be that the Creator of the Universe “came low” as a model for us to do the same? Maybe Christmas isn’t so much about the stable and the manger as it is a reminder to us to submit to our Heavenly Father in obedience. Perhaps this Christmas the Lord of Heavenly hosts is calling us to willingly climb down from our self-seeking tendencies and offer our dreams, desires, plans, and schedules to His divine authority. And maybe He is asking us to have vulnerable and open hearts that are dependent on Him to give us what we need in this season of our life. </p><p>Jesus could have come to earth in a lot of different ways, but He chose to come defenseless and small. Not because He was small, but because in small moments of obedience, big things can break forth. I think entering as a helpless babe was an example for all of us to enter into His presence the same way. This holiday season, when you gaze upon the manger scene and you see the tiny baby at the center of it all, remember that He chose to do that so a work could be done. The King of the World endured spit-up and wobbly steps so that we, His beloved children, could see what utter dependence on the Father looks like through the eyes of His son. Let us humble our hearts as we seek to follow that example.</p><p>Merry Christmas 2022!<br /><br /></p><p>-Only Hope</p><p><br /></p>onlyhope89http://www.blogger.com/profile/12311548077451177339noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023557379133949438.post-46318682881217451242022-10-23T10:02:00.005-07:002022-10-27T20:15:39.879-07:00Liam and Kentley<p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUP8xZebBkceFcWAV_8zii7AxNFOlqYjl7cRSf5gUNYwvWs3EE2R_VI4U4W3uSGEts_nB8A2gBsehHyUe98Aw5ffULoxfSlw2NlYFgF_Q-aeymCN5wBlEwDIFoejmqduBsy4qhCC0BoZmt8dfpcJwGT0VtPydTIj__2uTvRP0gZS7Ki-C51-E9Bc2-/s2000/blog%20pic.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1429" data-original-width="2000" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUP8xZebBkceFcWAV_8zii7AxNFOlqYjl7cRSf5gUNYwvWs3EE2R_VI4U4W3uSGEts_nB8A2gBsehHyUe98Aw5ffULoxfSlw2NlYFgF_Q-aeymCN5wBlEwDIFoejmqduBsy4qhCC0BoZmt8dfpcJwGT0VtPydTIj__2uTvRP0gZS7Ki-C51-E9Bc2-/w490-h351/blog%20pic.png" width="490" /></a></div><span id="docs-internal-guid-695ae59d-7fff-322f-328a-451b26dbac7d"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">On September </span></span><span style="font-family: times; white-space: pre-wrap;">30, 2022, at 7:44 am, I was awarded a title I had yet to hold before that moment. Born at 34 weeks, William Kent Parker Jr. "Liam" and Kentley Anne Parker graced our world with their presence and made me an Aunt. From the moment I saw their little faces, I was smitten. Being an Aunt was going to be sweet! </span></p><p style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-695ae59d-7fff-322f-328a-451b26dbac7d" style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space: normal;"></p></span><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: times;">For weeks leading up to their arrival, baby Liam had been on everyone’s radar. It seemed like he wasn’t getting the nutrients he needed to grow big and strong and the doctors had been watching him with a close eye. His mom was doing everything she could to help him and his sister go for as long as they could but a time came when they needed to be delivered for everyone's safety.</span><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqBxiwXPPtfNWM6MYcE555T0IjNO8FGSAfS3pHzfuaSzj8GbF-7X6RdbkLSkLqlJbbXU74GXmOHsGQUUXCPSy1cozqGUdqDQqCwCdiLdYQscB1MkgEgYZbInG94aO8kG2A8hblY9ipM_iW4gbNoI9oAAMV2f_l28Qettv2GKNDFmT1BqB-FFCZYNi8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="865" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqBxiwXPPtfNWM6MYcE555T0IjNO8FGSAfS3pHzfuaSzj8GbF-7X6RdbkLSkLqlJbbXU74GXmOHsGQUUXCPSy1cozqGUdqDQqCwCdiLdYQscB1MkgEgYZbInG94aO8kG2A8hblY9ipM_iW4gbNoI9oAAMV2f_l28Qettv2GKNDFmT1BqB-FFCZYNi8" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: times;">Liam was born first, followed less than a minute later by Kentley. Ironically both babies weighed the same–only 3 pounds and 13 ounces and immediately headed to the Nicu. My brother FaceTimed us on his phone a little later and we got our first glimpses of the tiny treasures. They were so little, but they were here and they were ours! </span><span style="font-family: times;">
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</span></span></div><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtRGV58fVUq4yrVBTvm4vAYuCqk5-RT1N18bXqFy0_0mp2EsBhHigEvHlQJt1czfRmfcoggK6YLWjB9xyEcvkHC9HgTGtuZbhJ8vLjFJDcI-DK0OlEIO_ScEYnfobvppvr_cF1ecapP9M-eZ-Bs1xkIPoU88EdgEvNG--C505owix8c7v_R-h7Jw_f" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="487" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtRGV58fVUq4yrVBTvm4vAYuCqk5-RT1N18bXqFy0_0mp2EsBhHigEvHlQJt1czfRmfcoggK6YLWjB9xyEcvkHC9HgTGtuZbhJ8vLjFJDcI-DK0OlEIO_ScEYnfobvppvr_cF1ecapP9M-eZ-Bs1xkIPoU88EdgEvNG--C505owix8c7v_R-h7Jw_f" width="180" /></a></div><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">After only a day, the concern </span><span style="font-family: times; white-space: normal;">turned from brother to sister as Kentley took a trip to Children's Hospital due to an infected intestine. At just three days old, she underwent surgery and was put on antibiotics and fed through a pick line to try and help her intestines heal. She was the bravest little girl I knew and she let everyone know it. She was feisty and sassy and quickly earned the nickname "Queen Bee" from doctors at the hospital.</span><span style="font-family: times;">
<br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">The first time I got to spend the whole day with Kentley was something special. I told her stories about how her grandparents met and about the day her dad was born. I told her silly things about her Aunt and explained that she has a puppy waiting for her at home and that she needed to get better because we had a lot of fun things to do like play and build forts and read books. And all the while she looked up at me with the sweetest most inquisitive expression as if she was really listening and taking it all in.</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtPHkAFB8cj_Cu7K4Jlfkr7vNzSBJNd5zNpqgO9dPqlY8ImMbE0SX4Kj5y9oJDiZnUPkpevLVdP-1ynEzugLKraN95eny8IHX98forsYXlO3Wj3sR87XA7LrOJaezwYXqseNi6INJ6O8FKmlmOYuUmtMfsqJSjhSgrfQrEdeYtANLgd2dUaKFqrlSX" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="487" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtPHkAFB8cj_Cu7K4Jlfkr7vNzSBJNd5zNpqgO9dPqlY8ImMbE0SX4Kj5y9oJDiZnUPkpevLVdP-1ynEzugLKraN95eny8IHX98forsYXlO3Wj3sR87XA7LrOJaezwYXqseNi6INJ6O8FKmlmOYuUmtMfsqJSjhSgrfQrEdeYtANLgd2dUaKFqrlSX" width="180" /></a></div></div><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">The first time I got to hold Liam, he had been home for two days. He had been thriving in the Nicu, taking his bottles, maintaining his temperature, and putting on a little weight. In a mask and gloves, I held my nephew for the first time and again couldn’t believe how small he was in my arms. He cooed and wiggled and held the interest of his dog, as well as everyone else in the room. Because he is a preemie, he has to take bottles more often and has a lot of catching up to do till he gets to his actual due date. But that doesn’t seem to stop him. Every day he does new things that marvel and astound us, especially considering he isn’t even supposed to be here yet.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbYsIaBP_TrNDfB363m2hsK_1nu7wys1v1Qc9E8oWYY3Bl6__UusK_woARl7C8U2jWcDKm_xacoPXjWEKzVHGgESt3VJPKenLWj1yGJcXPdxmGF5uQZR2060oQH7RP-XJFZXh7ACwERr7XSqZtJhU42Dse8zcixITL5n88gq50m7VYD0k6BQSBwy2n" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="487" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbYsIaBP_TrNDfB363m2hsK_1nu7wys1v1Qc9E8oWYY3Bl6__UusK_woARl7C8U2jWcDKm_xacoPXjWEKzVHGgESt3VJPKenLWj1yGJcXPdxmGF5uQZR2060oQH7RP-XJFZXh7ACwERr7XSqZtJhU42Dse8zcixITL5n88gq50m7VYD0k6BQSBwy2n" width="180" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">Every time I visit Kentley at the hospital, I am so thankful for the kind medical team that takes care of her. I watch as the nurses change things and measure her and do all the things they have to do to her while machines beep in the background. Sweet little girl (while letting them know she isn’t happy) takes it all like a champ. My heart aches for all she is going through, and all her parents are going through, but I am thankful for all the feats she has overcome so far and the fact that we are not walking this journey alone. She is strong and brave and we are believing that if anyone can fight this, Kentley can.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEsbPy3SETeEx4wLl4QQ-_VnS5egEN_Wb5JyVV3yDbEaB4gx5L18b019jwEdJMY4yTGfq7abwvgBVpaWIfO8QUdqyZYy7KyC6vemrmJWWu10k78KF0I-tyqk0SQOnYbtp5roUz4WVKYw-XbpmQn0rkKjXLiALLwo-hykh_av4LUiRCX5JidcQx9Gwy" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="487" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEsbPy3SETeEx4wLl4QQ-_VnS5egEN_Wb5JyVV3yDbEaB4gx5L18b019jwEdJMY4yTGfq7abwvgBVpaWIfO8QUdqyZYy7KyC6vemrmJWWu10k78KF0I-tyqk0SQOnYbtp5roUz4WVKYw-XbpmQn0rkKjXLiALLwo-hykh_av4LUiRCX5JidcQx9Gwy" width="180" /></a></div><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: transparent; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">While Kentley </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: times; white-space: pre-wrap;">takes command of the room, Liam for the most part seems to be laid back and calm. But like his sister, he’s inquisitive too. He looks around the room and takes it all in as if he is trying to figure this strange new place out. He doesn’t seem to be bothered by his dog constantly checking in on him and he loves his bottle and paci and wearing cute clothes! He has lots of checkups and a lot of growing to do, but each day he makes progress. He is conquering so many firsts and eagerly awaits the day he can be rejoined by his little sister. He is trusting that he will get where he needs to be one baby step at a time. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: times; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtJdO8ic1rDjgOVpXUlVytOWyXf9byPmtCWZ9xMuxHzVlB_igheVrHBpXSc13MPtVV7bT7J_wBXqe6cH4sECEzf0Lmn58z40gDSg7-QrNewKzG1qXFF7zJKKWtQWq4dI4FeAfNUFJVgqvR5DP7GC_x8hRRZQ_ZMMj8j5nOZ7IQ2K6VLTstJgB1jH7H" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="487" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtJdO8ic1rDjgOVpXUlVytOWyXf9byPmtCWZ9xMuxHzVlB_igheVrHBpXSc13MPtVV7bT7J_wBXqe6cH4sECEzf0Lmn58z40gDSg7-QrNewKzG1qXFF7zJKKWtQWq4dI4FeAfNUFJVgqvR5DP7GC_x8hRRZQ_ZMMj8j5nOZ7IQ2K6VLTstJgB1jH7H" width="180" /></a></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: times; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: times; white-space: pre-wrap;">We have made Kentley a window full of scriptures and notes in her room proclaiming the names and promises of God. We pray that even in the darkness of the trial Kentley would be a light to the nurses and doctors and to those that hear her story. She faithfully shows us each day how to walk through tough things and trusts that those taking care of her will get her to where she needs to be in the future. She is ministering to others and proving that trials are not the end. They may slow us down, but they do not have to keep us from hope tomorrow.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7Gi3wwC-wT79wjjEUCUR-1hlaU--bOR024_d2qzLODIvvVBtYBghnY70UtXf4SfGATUZsXqSYdMGH4YTBm-2vRGvaqy8etsPfGd3ntT-XSwjulzaEJXwy_3v5sMomLvwVInhHpp3qxOo--UMzJ1H1di7mlSqkNEsmTelAvex3dt3s0JY2XkZuPbIK" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="865" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7Gi3wwC-wT79wjjEUCUR-1hlaU--bOR024_d2qzLODIvvVBtYBghnY70UtXf4SfGATUZsXqSYdMGH4YTBm-2vRGvaqy8etsPfGd3ntT-XSwjulzaEJXwy_3v5sMomLvwVInhHpp3qxOo--UMzJ1H1di7mlSqkNEsmTelAvex3dt3s0JY2XkZuPbIK" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There’s a song called </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>In Jesus Name (God of the Possible)</u> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Katy Nichole that I affectionally call </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kentley’s song</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. We play it over her and pray the words. Maybe they are words we all need sometimes.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The lyrics say:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I speak the name of Jesus over you</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 9pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In your hurting, in your sorrow</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will ask my God to move</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I speak the name 'cause it's all that I can do</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In desperation, I'll seek Heaven</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And pray this for you</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 9pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I pray for your healing</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That circumstances would change</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I pray that the fear inside would flee in Jesus name</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I pray that a breakthrough would happen today</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I pray miracles over your life in Jesus name, in Jesus name</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i>In the mighty name of Jesus, all things are possible</i></b></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: transparent; white-space: pre-wrap;">We may not be facing being born premature or fighting a sickness, but there are seasons we go through when we can’t always see to the other side. There are moments when we need the God of Possible to move. And there are times that we feel like life is too much. Liam and Kentley have taught me that no matter what the circumstances seem, no matter what you are facing and no matter what you see in the present, there is hope. They are teaching me to keep going and keep fighting. To be faithful and courageous in my battles like both of them. And to trust that the One taking care of me knows what I need and what is best for me in this season. Seeing everything these babies are going through encourages me that I have the strength to get through my challenges too. May they remind you today that you can make it to the other side of whatever you are walking through. With God, all things are possible.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Only Hope</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Will and Jaime, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I know this isn’t how you pictured things. I know you’d choose differently, but you are doing a good job. I know you are tired and low on strength, but I also know you have more strength than you know. I’ve seen both of you walk through hard things before and you are capable of doing this. You are brave. You are lights to the world. You are doing the best thing a parent can do–loving your children unconditionally. Don’t give up. You will see the other side of this.</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNDQ66DH55_jt4QCUpKefIRHUXwp_Pa8ZnUQLyTljAj_PFHUVznOWgUjHjNa1r6Xqhd-oUjxVojNkrxmp5MMAEoUg0rf69nDVCXYN1frgfA2xXVXXd9YMmoUhIl5ZVc6KYni5yEnGXg79JNbdSh80bu8UNwhy3nehneK7bEuN8J5wyMnwvdJnr7NO7" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="487" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNDQ66DH55_jt4QCUpKefIRHUXwp_Pa8ZnUQLyTljAj_PFHUVznOWgUjHjNa1r6Xqhd-oUjxVojNkrxmp5MMAEoUg0rf69nDVCXYN1frgfA2xXVXXd9YMmoUhIl5ZVc6KYni5yEnGXg79JNbdSh80bu8UNwhy3nehneK7bEuN8J5wyMnwvdJnr7NO7" width="180" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBeKvo84UYfHBijVcZlvW2gSQjaYqcsz3JLsTKNCaswI_91BCdLUCdYiW5U42QWoHvBWkHsXlgpL7ey_emMXuX77Zm253bv38ewLK_bLz40Q1gvCpo9E_SvPci2bF6sYm5GQ93Z7WMeoApb7N3CCRgKQtoV-jOJw9TC1yy5LQKjpVpe915wgDrw0T9" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="487" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBeKvo84UYfHBijVcZlvW2gSQjaYqcsz3JLsTKNCaswI_91BCdLUCdYiW5U42QWoHvBWkHsXlgpL7ey_emMXuX77Zm253bv38ewLK_bLz40Q1gvCpo9E_SvPci2bF6sYm5GQ93Z7WMeoApb7N3CCRgKQtoV-jOJw9TC1yy5LQKjpVpe915wgDrw0T9=w182-h243" width="182" /></a><br /><br /></div> <br /><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Liam</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">you are such a sweet boy! I can’t get enough of you. Keep on growing so that you will be a strong man of God one day. I can’t wait to see what your personality is like in the days to come and the unique story God writes for you!
</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirHZMwxPye62xmcVPmjLSybqLqUl_JSyLtN5pWH0riwUTkvCsgTo4IiunakXoFOGej153Bbi4REqNc0KXBriSd3YDk8O25RSNi5El2njl5JKDZnSiMc8vZzDcbFaug6c-YmrPvTv3RoEwiRnI_HA1Jnb_ncTVZP0P8OCtc07KbnHl28EAV50deRR9u" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="487" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirHZMwxPye62xmcVPmjLSybqLqUl_JSyLtN5pWH0riwUTkvCsgTo4IiunakXoFOGej153Bbi4REqNc0KXBriSd3YDk8O25RSNi5El2njl5JKDZnSiMc8vZzDcbFaug6c-YmrPvTv3RoEwiRnI_HA1Jnb_ncTVZP0P8OCtc07KbnHl28EAV50deRR9u" width="180" /></a><br /><br /></div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-family: times; font-style: normal; white-space: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Kentley,</b> you are </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: times;">so brave and I love your feisty spirit! Keep fighting sweet girl and know that a whole world of people can’t wait to hear the good news that you are home and well. God has big plans for you and I can’t wait to see how He uses you!</span></span><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvNptSRZcHtGGlug4d41dNgMSvXyMMMtA1Es3QEWfUDMfNo3v1TJ_K2O08-V66bDh6P2Gbgj422k0zwxSFnrGXd_qYnfP4fLAWJoB52AG5Ljx5wkw7HDdSvWja-z3a04-Fh6NM1cLAXp-e827VA3UER2475YclioQPZMXE-yO-Utmh7DUdMGqgtcNy" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="487" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvNptSRZcHtGGlug4d41dNgMSvXyMMMtA1Es3QEWfUDMfNo3v1TJ_K2O08-V66bDh6P2Gbgj422k0zwxSFnrGXd_qYnfP4fLAWJoB52AG5Ljx5wkw7HDdSvWja-z3a04-Fh6NM1cLAXp-e827VA3UER2475YclioQPZMXE-yO-Utmh7DUdMGqgtcNy" width="180" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Thank you to Everyone</b> <i>that has checked on the twins, prayed for them, brought us meals, given us gift cards, supported us, and been there on this journey! It means more than you know and we are so appreciative of your love and kindness for our family. We are continuing to glorify God in this and pray for Liam to grow and Kentley to be healed in Jesus' Name. Please keep praying with us.</i></span></div><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> </p><div><br /></div></div>onlyhope89http://www.blogger.com/profile/12311548077451177339noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023557379133949438.post-49792116287936937152022-07-25T10:57:00.001-07:002022-07-25T11:12:10.379-07:00Once Upon Exeter<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrm_AjRf3f9QB31jXN-OynhTXUlTQ42IpaRBG9nhBJCB5wvNqu0rusQlca1l615tdoTvBkEfzzkhdRhUznyX8ofjiMbQi-lHxLM-JGtpCU6cf7Z3oBLV2dIKGu88P7S8WS49ziTWAvfy5XHxB1xgw3aDAmCcMR4kIXBcXCk9RxSmZoglQ2yM3OE9bl/s4032/IMG_3924.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrm_AjRf3f9QB31jXN-OynhTXUlTQ42IpaRBG9nhBJCB5wvNqu0rusQlca1l615tdoTvBkEfzzkhdRhUznyX8ofjiMbQi-lHxLM-JGtpCU6cf7Z3oBLV2dIKGu88P7S8WS49ziTWAvfy5XHxB1xgw3aDAmCcMR4kIXBcXCk9RxSmZoglQ2yM3OE9bl/w640-h480/IMG_3924.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Rolling green moors, beautiful Cathedrals, riverside walks, fairy gardens, Exmouth coastlines, English cottages, and a lot of ice cream and laughter recently dotted the pages of my life as I traveled to Exeter this June. After three long years and a worldwide pandemic, I was finally back in England and ready for the adventure that would accompany it. And like all of my mission trips before, I eagerly awaited to see what stories would come; Exeter and the Lord did not disappoint.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYKd1BXraOBqcnA5JQs4fD_6XJ5UGrzWSGvpi6BEsfqquA8fltK0Y9ncAqFOcmtltXbaLTWlpiB4Rub2JieD2wF6W9zas-IxFpoVx2wIO8nAJK2kWGEWzbpXSD12o3YIyFtNVbyZQmHQmnORxn7yJBUeTLVceat1vrNI7moMpzc65MGpipyLqhGTV/s1024/image000000.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYKd1BXraOBqcnA5JQs4fD_6XJ5UGrzWSGvpi6BEsfqquA8fltK0Y9ncAqFOcmtltXbaLTWlpiB4Rub2JieD2wF6W9zas-IxFpoVx2wIO8nAJK2kWGEWzbpXSD12o3YIyFtNVbyZQmHQmnORxn7yJBUeTLVceat1vrNI7moMpzc65MGpipyLqhGTV/w320-h240/image000000.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">One of my favorite things was trying to get a glance at the allusive fox who visited our host’s home most evenings. Our host, who was a lovely lady and that became a forever kind of friend, quickly told us of her fox and how she hoped we would be able to see him. She also told us that her grandkids sometimes got embarrassed when she asked for a take-away box at a restaurant for the fox. I immediately loved that story and knew that I would be sorely disappointed if I were to return home without seeing him. Finally, on the second to last night, a group of us saw him from the upstairs window. Amongst giggles and whispers, memories were formed and friendships were deepened. This was one of the many moments we had spent together that week and the fox represented the magic of all we had experienced.</div></span></div><span style="text-align: left;"></span></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwe2K0UUy2ESLW4P74Byw28tBcbr5sJFQMB5IyNefmwCI9gxIuxf1mM5NeC8QyW2GtjU3o672XXZ65cWj5nmOHTy1VfVPKE-OgDRphyMgOtkF3ETbyy76eVXvF3YfE0ATYnZ8gy8m4sWui8kgzqZPrRQvbzOShhb4ljBX28aOXwza_72gt6zJ07kxf/s4032/IMG_3028.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwe2K0UUy2ESLW4P74Byw28tBcbr5sJFQMB5IyNefmwCI9gxIuxf1mM5NeC8QyW2GtjU3o672XXZ65cWj5nmOHTy1VfVPKE-OgDRphyMgOtkF3ETbyy76eVXvF3YfE0ATYnZ8gy8m4sWui8kgzqZPrRQvbzOShhb4ljBX28aOXwza_72gt6zJ07kxf/s320/IMG_3028.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Another memory tucked deep in my heart, is the moment that I looked up and saw friends from the last time I had been in England waving and excitedly yelling “hello” as we approached the church steps. Text messages, cards in the mail, swapping of birthday and Christmas presents, and countless facetime calls across the ocean had not only kept us in touch but had also kept us deeply a part of each other’s lives. We sat together in church and then spent a lovely afternoon walking by the quay (pronounced “key”), eating ice cream, and savoring just being together. Our time went too quickly as I knew it would, but I was grateful to have had even a few moments with them.<p></p><p>I also met a new friend and a precious soul while going door to door with my partner! She opened her door to us and then her home and eventually, I believe her heart. We quickly discovered that she had been through so much in her life. She was considered blind, she had lost her son a few years before and that very day had been told she was going to have to go on dialysis. We showed up at her door and in her life in the middle of all this and I don’t believe that was by accident. I believe when she needed hope, when she needed God–He sent us. We were able to talk with her several different times, including leading her to Christ and seeing her at the outreach event later in the week. On one of our visits with her, she said, “Every time I need something, you show up.” To which I replied, “Do you think perhaps God is trying to show you something?”</p><p>I also met several babies and their moms at the toddler group one morning, but one lady, in particular, comes to mind. She was there with a foster baby and as we talked further, I discovered she was trying to adopt this baby. She began to share that after being previously told she could adopt her, she was suddenly having to contend with relatives who had come into the picture and now wanted the baby. She wasn’t sure if she was going to be able to adopt the little one after all. All I could think to do was try and encourage her. I ended up talking to her again later and then on the way out told her that I was praying for her. It didn’t feel like a lot, but maybe she will look back on a really hard time in her life and see that God was there with her in the middle of it.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhipV0x8AbVUXcvKwGIi5CHXSrx8fp7K5OWGopdIbzKnycjhig03CqhEMp8J-E6-yPdYVjNwCl7IaR076WmCJPLMtIpsc2KAcdD-E6CNqDfnStt0QUaXVP79Wzi3g2mpwqIHOY7FL3wv3F0GGu_DJvMK1XFYacSNbdKlPUCqDog8CVOUrmmc7irXUWJ/s4032/IMG_5261.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhipV0x8AbVUXcvKwGIi5CHXSrx8fp7K5OWGopdIbzKnycjhig03CqhEMp8J-E6-yPdYVjNwCl7IaR076WmCJPLMtIpsc2KAcdD-E6CNqDfnStt0QUaXVP79Wzi3g2mpwqIHOY7FL3wv3F0GGu_DJvMK1XFYacSNbdKlPUCqDog8CVOUrmmc7irXUWJ/s320/IMG_5261.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">One family we really got to know while there was the Pastor’s family. I am still so encouraged by the way they opened their hearts and home to us. We went on different adventures in the 9-passenger van, able to see things that were only possible because they took the time to take us there. We ate dinner at their house, played Rummikub, made friends with their dog, and got to know this sweet family throughout the week. It was a privilege to watch the way God is using them to reach their community. </div></span></div><p></p><p>I met another person on the street while going door to door. She didn’t live on our assigned road or even in the area, but somehow God orchestrated a chance meeting one afternoon. We talked with her a bit and invited her to the event and then she went on her way. It wasn’t till a few days later when I was walking across the church sanctuary now filled with face painters and games and a giant bouncy house that I heard someone call my name. I turned and there with a huge smile on her face was the girl we had met on the street corner. Later when she left, she gave me a hug and said, “I’m so glad I ran into you and that you invited me to this.” It was something so simple and yet to her, it was more.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbwdQ7lC0Ef7vaKmddiTUUzHiiL1wr5q7YB_qUpMm2gE747XXyQ0fMBQzvocfgmxZCJOQ1FUZ6cWARBG4yOmyUVX0okrIOLZXwMQhhK3PSPNAdpHeMuH0NdYE-FNeNDWPo3xqormGkMSE4kAmzHSVy49bRSA05SkUXMxHEFrl6zpMFEW4qMPrfdXo/s1600/e85d404b-52f2-4667-84ec-d12dfa447e4f.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbwdQ7lC0Ef7vaKmddiTUUzHiiL1wr5q7YB_qUpMm2gE747XXyQ0fMBQzvocfgmxZCJOQ1FUZ6cWARBG4yOmyUVX0okrIOLZXwMQhhK3PSPNAdpHeMuH0NdYE-FNeNDWPo3xqormGkMSE4kAmzHSVy49bRSA05SkUXMxHEFrl6zpMFEW4qMPrfdXo/s320/e85d404b-52f2-4667-84ec-d12dfa447e4f.jpg" width="320" /></a>These were just a few of the many things that happened that week. I could write much more and talk about each person individually, but there isn’t room. After returning home and journaling my memories and reflections, I kept pondering what it was I was supposed to write about after this trip. Thinking about all these stories I shared as well as others, it seemed obvious. I kept coming back to the idea of people. Every memory and every story ultimately pointed back not to things like riding past Stonehenge or fish and chips or the beach (even though those things were all incredibly amazing), but to the experiences and moments I had shared with others. At the same time, I was also reading <u>Once Upon a Wadrobe</u> by Patti Callahan, which is all about the power of stories and I knew it was more than a coincidence. The Holy Spirit was connecting the dots. It came in one line from C.S. Lewis’s character when he said: <b>“Every human interaction is eternally important.”</b></p><p>And that’s when it hit me; like really hit me. </p><p>The people strategically placed on my team, our host who opened her home up to us, the family who had traveled to see us, the lady who is now a sister in Christ, the ladies I met at toddler group and on the street, and the Pastor and his family and all the church members we met along the way were all more than just stories or memories. They were people who I had interacted with on purpose as part of a much bigger picture than I could ever begin to comprehend. Our time together and our interactions mattered. Each story is really a part of a much greater story. And that isn’t just true of England or of a mission trip. It’s true every single day in every single place we go.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs21Rh9_RKuK195cA4anQhfsZGB-0mgSNZeGNSVzGV0ayP8NoqS23Kh24rcDkSvF9Aa6KtKImcIJbSXSYCe2jn8ia6BQNKpoiyn-OOj7u7rus6f-J4GX-drgfmPzJevM7eDGtpchBmjDE6ISUX9onsPlxgpQ9ip8h8xrUmRnYzjXRG82knIge72SjW/s1024/61be1258-b48b-4014-85ee-083a5e9a87ea.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs21Rh9_RKuK195cA4anQhfsZGB-0mgSNZeGNSVzGV0ayP8NoqS23Kh24rcDkSvF9Aa6KtKImcIJbSXSYCe2jn8ia6BQNKpoiyn-OOj7u7rus6f-J4GX-drgfmPzJevM7eDGtpchBmjDE6ISUX9onsPlxgpQ9ip8h8xrUmRnYzjXRG82knIge72SjW/w329-h247/61be1258-b48b-4014-85ee-083a5e9a87ea.jpg" width="329" /></a></div><p><br />Exeter taught me much, but perhaps the greatest thing is the reminder of being open and intentionally aware of the people and the interactions that God places in our lives. Not a single one is accidental. Not a single one can afford to slip through the cracks. It's important and people matter. And the time we spend with them has eternal ripples. We are already making a difference, the question is what kind of a difference? Look at the people and stories that make up your life and your days and know that they matter. You matter. And what you do speaks volumes into eternity.</p><p>-Only Hope</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboQAyzO-HPnLjMIQy2My8thR_lCcno4Lcno1i2r6xrbonwG5LG4L_kAwzSNvvelbxmCU3erZ4qQ_Kma7t2pPxXVxyz1Hdz0x7sMCBde7hj01lAxGxEzgqBebnZiNj3VpRu7YBe7tZkiQvtU_hSz1Dhmg2fahYr5PCyROlyPRBNz91GZhBBl3iDRBE/s1024/3eb162b7-e50e-4444-8e92-bd1a7e16ffe1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboQAyzO-HPnLjMIQy2My8thR_lCcno4Lcno1i2r6xrbonwG5LG4L_kAwzSNvvelbxmCU3erZ4qQ_Kma7t2pPxXVxyz1Hdz0x7sMCBde7hj01lAxGxEzgqBebnZiNj3VpRu7YBe7tZkiQvtU_hSz1Dhmg2fahYr5PCyROlyPRBNz91GZhBBl3iDRBE/w400-h300/3eb162b7-e50e-4444-8e92-bd1a7e16ffe1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><b>To the Team- Bethany, Brian, Dwain, Marc, Natalie, Phil, Robbie, Stephanie, Vicki, and Wyatt-</b><br /><i>It was such an honor to spend this time with you, especially as we worked together to make a difference for the Kingdom. There were so many great memories and moments shared with every single one of you! And so much laughter. Thank you for all that you did and for making it an unforgettable week! I treasure our time together and I am thankful to have served alongside you! </i><br /></p><p><b>Sandra-</b><i>Thank you so much for opening up your home to us girls. From the funny things you said to the places you took us, to the meals you made--it was all wonderful. You are one of a kind and I hope you know how much you mean to me. Tell the fox hello!</i> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRN5HB67KCRyaIUsmhgSf1Nozy8-gaeVgPmwmuzmMK5fCcLdRxFRK8oakz3t8q3m824aiKnMkQPqhIYcsMrCZO34vGQSS85_0TI6jB6Nz6KWYjbaQmKaoFgsF_BIZZnfuxieEOyP3wa81lEMNcRBi1CSLZ4uXbxOOnPERhG1v5nBJ0utUXjVTkjrZ0/s4032/IMG_5299.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRN5HB67KCRyaIUsmhgSf1Nozy8-gaeVgPmwmuzmMK5fCcLdRxFRK8oakz3t8q3m824aiKnMkQPqhIYcsMrCZO34vGQSS85_0TI6jB6Nz6KWYjbaQmKaoFgsF_BIZZnfuxieEOyP3wa81lEMNcRBi1CSLZ4uXbxOOnPERhG1v5nBJ0utUXjVTkjrZ0/s320/IMG_5299.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><b><br />Alistair, Wendy, Becky, Cousley Family, and so so many others at St.Thomas-</b> <i>Thank you for all that you did for the team. You welcomed us, fed us, and let us into your hearts and lives. You are making a difference in Exeter and I'm so glad to have been a part of it! Praying for you all!</i><br /><p></p><p><b>Prayer Partners-</b> T<i>hank you for covering us in prayer. It makes a huge difference and I am blessed to be able to call upon you!</i></p><p><b>And to My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ-</b><i>Thank you for the opportunity and the experiences You provided. I'll keep going as long as You let me. You are what makes all things possible. I couldn't do any of this without You.<br /><br /></i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2IhgfI_tlfkHCr5pKRraT-T8GQ3hLx4To0wueICx7AK5V4h0VoKBtoA4AGzlY3kNEJpETpQ5aH63L6V5ro1KIF37PzSjjV-Z4Mpt4h4huocRMWWWSUPj4_3-C2T7msEe_vdAkzkGruRVHooI78cUvwnxEsxx8DRxC2HbD3N7vnzyVEF1NBgqi9-Bk/s4032/IMG_3036.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2IhgfI_tlfkHCr5pKRraT-T8GQ3hLx4To0wueICx7AK5V4h0VoKBtoA4AGzlY3kNEJpETpQ5aH63L6V5ro1KIF37PzSjjV-Z4Mpt4h4huocRMWWWSUPj4_3-C2T7msEe_vdAkzkGruRVHooI78cUvwnxEsxx8DRxC2HbD3N7vnzyVEF1NBgqi9-Bk/s320/IMG_3036.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_nbRTofgfHGJc-Zky-yobGrHtsQJePjRvTw6Cz7EfUZuGA-u6rjTCMldvZsqhvDwmCwtx9NB3miEo5sZZl66LpKpBOsbI76hTWpARjb0C9k5Y9v50tomg6e5fE0hDG-NJUMKCGIdmO0mIVbKhlJEIjYwlWqwX-yxXWET92Ttt_YFPUIEpD2qyoGM/s4032/IMG_5538.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDq0J5-spE_uVXpt6UHYr3ZtzsksRe4oKabLp-zNeuxKnvAZk3eiOlwXOFHr2MFQ0U5dfOk7mP3WA9_qGDKBuwk_d8GIcD0gd9tYsTWOhslfiS9knLR1874whpgAfljKZ49LcvVUBnexqeq2c0jUrLTyh1wADEI4cSqyjVv-eVG9ld2GVdNWc9EqKu/s320/IMG_3841.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIMSqNvRrDok-EKkHEe6h8crC6gRxMpGI1B7YFrtCsLlHFrih8-xm1T7DtM2rbGERgIxsIq0MNtJCo4ySr1gUifyZ4Di-tagB1Ngl0xM7v-u0Me6Aqj7ZMyPL96rr-9N-4QXRamS1pPekKAgopzMsH9kGaD25E5M-LYkHffMKJg_X0YyjoYolASEc/s4032/IMG_4074.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIMSqNvRrDok-EKkHEe6h8crC6gRxMpGI1B7YFrtCsLlHFrih8-xm1T7DtM2rbGERgIxsIq0MNtJCo4ySr1gUifyZ4Di-tagB1Ngl0xM7v-u0Me6Aqj7ZMyPL96rr-9N-4QXRamS1pPekKAgopzMsH9kGaD25E5M-LYkHffMKJg_X0YyjoYolASEc/s320/IMG_4074.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i><p></p>onlyhope89http://www.blogger.com/profile/12311548077451177339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023557379133949438.post-66400372758002688652022-04-30T19:47:00.042-07:002022-05-02T11:20:07.376-07:00Mile High Faith: Adventures in Colorado<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdG9Srf8ZVXemFXlBk_beLrDFhmvC2Qh00rrNUgpy1VZBSvUd47yMRfdzcnaKTFrCp9OT_VglbXoIUKtMzNmB8xW2ryvIzLiyPC_xfdWLLDsBIPLVsI5wKbH7r1o4IgTW2JQ04DKLmbD0coFkMsiTut3zVy5yL2ExEBSP2rLzRlI5zN3srY8IqkCEh/s4032/IMG_2321.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdG9Srf8ZVXemFXlBk_beLrDFhmvC2Qh00rrNUgpy1VZBSvUd47yMRfdzcnaKTFrCp9OT_VglbXoIUKtMzNmB8xW2ryvIzLiyPC_xfdWLLDsBIPLVsI5wKbH7r1o4IgTW2JQ04DKLmbD0coFkMsiTut3zVy5yL2ExEBSP2rLzRlI5zN3srY8IqkCEh/w400-h300/IMG_2321.JPG" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><span class="text Hab-3-19" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" id="en-NIV-22788" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; position: relative; text-align: start;">The Sovereign <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> is my strength; H</span><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><span class="text Hab-3-19" style="position: relative;">e makes my feet like the feet of a deer,</span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;" /><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Hab-3-19" style="position: relative;">He enables me to tread on the heights. <br />Habakkuk 3:19</span></span></div><br /> <span> </span>I think it was somewhere in route to the Denver Airport that I looked out the window at the Mile High City and knew that the rugged and majestic beauty of Colorado was not something that I would easily forget. And while it may have hit me at that moment as we were saying goodbye, the lessons I learned from Colorado actually started way before we ever left Alabama.<p></p><p> <span> </span>We were wrapping up the trip's interest meeting several months prior to leaving when the words “altitude poisoning” came up in the conversation. A slow panic began to filter through my mind as I let that phrase settle. Apparently, you can get altitude sickness if you travel to a higher altitude and are not properly hydrated. I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to go on the trip yet at that point and that little revelation had me temporarily wondering if maybe I shouldn’t. And yet, I couldn’t shake it. I couldn’t stop thinking about how interesting it was that you could get sick from being too high up if you were not intentional about keeping hydrated. I could feel that there was something the Holy Spirit wanted to do with that imagery.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wQ3JZosL8wG--oNNYGNZFh4Ox81xLzT8_vCnx9ElgJF3Q4R1R6NDHPai35xGM8Iisd0KO5fgBaTA6mevRx1o0MoZU7WzrPIQmvBCd-ar6FOiB3mQduRKyucfopB7Umu7M7yIRSWj9BKOj6j9xxrq7rOMjWwCBKegwJJX4vxB4vSmYMSDdvhzVENj/s4032/IMG_1999.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wQ3JZosL8wG--oNNYGNZFh4Ox81xLzT8_vCnx9ElgJF3Q4R1R6NDHPai35xGM8Iisd0KO5fgBaTA6mevRx1o0MoZU7WzrPIQmvBCd-ar6FOiB3mQduRKyucfopB7Umu7M7yIRSWj9BKOj6j9xxrq7rOMjWwCBKegwJJX4vxB4vSmYMSDdvhzVENj/s320/IMG_1999.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> <span> </span>And Colorado was just the place to see what God was trying to show me firsthand through the analogy of staying saturated. While there, we helped serve <i>The Local Church</i> in Arvada by doing things like facility clean-up, serving and connecting with those in the community, and promoting the church and its services, but we also did some sightseeing. One simply cannot go to Colorado without seeing the mountains up close. In order to do this, we traveled by plane, mini-van, and even a gondola and made sure to continually fill up on water everywhere we went along the way. It took a lot of steps and transportation methods to get to the top, but looking out at such splendor and beauty made it all worth it. <br /><br /> <span> </span>There were a few times on the trip that I could tell that it felt harder to breathe and there were a couple of moments that I had a headache or felt a little dizzy. It was quickly remedied with ibuprofen and of course, water, but the struggle was real. I could see how someone climbing up the side of a mountain like Denali or Everest could be in real trouble if they didn’t prepare beforehand. It’s no wonder they must train and immerse themselves in full-out preparation before taking on a challenge like that.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNe-uL1ZYXulNKBUQwjTJL07h8-oFpL5-Y66BxuFJO3bLARV5OivP5zhE82Xsp36-fA-X16qWbFDKqiJOshNPIz0lyMC88NyVBm3ajIpRInbnyh0ByTEWySZ3qPnEy7-9Iuj3He47Ejns3GMkyKqyX65DqJPyc3Ez4XYjj5JQy0_y2-TPMCRNJB1g/s2576/IMG_2130.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2576" data-original-width="1932" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNe-uL1ZYXulNKBUQwjTJL07h8-oFpL5-Y66BxuFJO3bLARV5OivP5zhE82Xsp36-fA-X16qWbFDKqiJOshNPIz0lyMC88NyVBm3ajIpRInbnyh0ByTEWySZ3qPnEy7-9Iuj3He47Ejns3GMkyKqyX65DqJPyc3Ez4XYjj5JQy0_y2-TPMCRNJB1g/w233-h311/IMG_2130.JPG" width="233" /></a></div><p></p><p> <span> </span>Similarly, we believers must also train and immerse ourselves in spiritual things before we go into battle with the challenges we face. We must steep ourselves in the right armor because just like with mountain climbers, it sometimes gets hard for believers to breathe when operating at a different altitude than that of the world, especially if we aren’t prepared for it. We breathe in all kinds of things every day that leave us panting with discontentment and a thirst for things that will never satisfy us. Culture constantly chases that mountain high feeling but fails to realize that going to the top of the mountain doesn't happen overnight or by accident. It is achieved by taking intentional steps and putting in an effort. There are things that must be done in order to get to the top and that often means a surrendering of ourselves for a higher purpose. </p><p>In Colorado, that meant drinking lots and lots of water to avoid that altitude discrepancy. In our everyday lives, it’s a matter of drinking the Living Water–of staying connected to the source so that we can function at our best capacity. Being a disciple of Jesus often elevates us above the things of this world, but if we aren’t filled up with the right things, we won’t be able to stay at that altitude without starting to feel a few side effects. Sometimes we try to straddle the things of this world while also seeking to live God’s way and we find ourselves breathing heavy and combating a sickness of the soul. All because we don’t know how to adjust our patterns. Seeking to be intentional about staying hydrated in God’s word and in His presence are the keys to being able to go higher. </p><p></p><p>I journaled these words upon returning and I think they sum it up nicely: “<i>This will sound cliché, but you can’t fully understand and appreciate the Rocky Mountains until you are there, standing in front of them and gazing upon their glory with your own eyes. And I think the same can be said of God. You have to be standing in His majestic presence to truly understand the magnitude of His beauty</i>.”</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTdyjeWK-lCMg5A0eEu8ruT7duTq_4dhC3_m8V8ZrJEzyOrH6Zz58UxSi0JEWZIF2eKIRfXi7HI8XesPpPbN1Gbfm-UPMYrQVsUI2YcL-Rgg0NBIVLfEwtUWsXoMGPdTO0aCY7TMRTnG2K9XPlpkb9ZtdSH2DH2lIkXBXhwrHxZ6bhTTq3uErTm55/s4032/IMG_2284.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTdyjeWK-lCMg5A0eEu8ruT7duTq_4dhC3_m8V8ZrJEzyOrH6Zz58UxSi0JEWZIF2eKIRfXi7HI8XesPpPbN1Gbfm-UPMYrQVsUI2YcL-Rgg0NBIVLfEwtUWsXoMGPdTO0aCY7TMRTnG2K9XPlpkb9ZtdSH2DH2lIkXBXhwrHxZ6bhTTq3uErTm55/s320/IMG_2284.JPG" width="240" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div> <span> </span>I shouldn’t need a mountain to remind me that spending time in God’s presence is more than just life-giving, it is life-changing. And I shouldn’t need something like altitude poisoning to show me that staying hydrated with the right things makes a huge difference. But the truth is I sometimes forget to simply be in the presence of God. To breathe Him in and soak His refreshing spirit into all areas of my life. Simply put, if I want to go to high places, I have to prepare beforehand. Colorado taught me many things, but perhaps the greatest is that beauty begins with surrender.<p></p><div>-Only Hope</div><div><br /> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> ***************************************************</span><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyVCO5t7pQgafsYMYleBdtz31-FQJYfcUX7QD5kjnQdMVrK7QV5wt3gF2XRowXuW_mPjs0cPyjq0d0M5GBiOQgU0Egi9lCmHshDtdl2yfWagOIUz1Ep05uukQi5FGOF1dljyAs0RKtjzjpr7dJr3rbj9p18Aok6cL77GCSw2O6jTpv_i3RRZSdmOa/s3088/IMG_3375.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="3088" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyVCO5t7pQgafsYMYleBdtz31-FQJYfcUX7QD5kjnQdMVrK7QV5wt3gF2XRowXuW_mPjs0cPyjq0d0M5GBiOQgU0Egi9lCmHshDtdl2yfWagOIUz1Ep05uukQi5FGOF1dljyAs0RKtjzjpr7dJr3rbj9p18Aok6cL77GCSw2O6jTpv_i3RRZSdmOa/s320/IMG_3375.jpeg" width="320" /></a><br /></div><br /><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-455a6623-7fff-9ff4-11ee-8330e2c0ef8f"><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To the team</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-So many laughs! I still wake every once in a while and wish I was in Colorado heading out in our van to Hunter Bay and whatever adventures await us for the day. What a refreshing week for my soul and what an honor to work alongside you guys. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Where to even start? From the Flatirons in Boulder and Hotel Boulderado (such a lovely place) to seeing Red Rocks, riding to the top of Keystone in a gondola and seeing the infamous Breck, to visiting Sapphire Point (twice), to trying schnitzels, bizarre shrimp tacos and teaching some kids that Alabama is in fact in North America, to Beaujo’s Pizza, a rocky take-off in Denver and most importantly making an impact for Jesus in Arvada, it was a trip to remember. I am so very thankful to have spent that time with each of you as well as for the things you taught me and the joy you provided. It’s so exciting to be a part of helping a new church plant seeds and I can’t wait to see the ways the Lord breathes on it. Let’s go again sometime, okay? ;) </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Also, I’m not sure how this happened but I think I somehow became the trip moocher as every single person at one point either paid for a meal for me, shared food, or something along those lines. (French Toast, Tacos, Cookies, Crepes, Pizza, Newks, and dessert all come to mind) You guys didn’t know it but this was a major blessing because I had paid quite a lot extra to be on the trip as I was not an official HS member. So truly, thank you!!!!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">P.S. There are roughly 71 doors and 101 wheels at my house. Just thought you should know.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Justin</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>You, inspire me! I love your vision and heart and how you are out there winning souls and changing lives in the name of Jesus! Thank you for letting us be a part of the beginning of the Local Church story and welcoming us to your city! Arvada was really neat and so beautiful! I can’t wait to see what happens from here! Praying for you and the church. </i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“2 Sugars” Jerry</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-<i>You got the trip kicked off with a bang by earning that nickname! I love the way that you would say something witty and funny out of nowhere and bring a smile to the conversation. And of course, I am thankful for the hand sanitizer after the lizard sign in the bathroom at Sapphire Point. After hearing your testimony, I was reminded that even despite the worst circumstances, the strength of the Lord sees us through all things! You are living proof! Thanks for being faithful and obedient in that.</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tyler-</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>You will always be my door hanger partner-in-crime! Thanks for navigating us and taking the lead on that. You did an awesome job! And you also semi-saved me from sliding down Sapphire Point which is much appreciated! Thank you for always being so nice and taking the time to stop and talk to me whenever you see me. I’m also thankful for our deep talks while canvassing and your insight into spiritual things that we are both navigating through with those in our life. We also had some good laughs and “me too” moments. I enjoyed getting to know you better and making a new friend! </i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Derrick</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- <i>I was glad to have you on my row in the van. We rocked the middle seats! Also, you should know that I don’t think I will ever go into a restaurant the same way again. You taught me so much about simply valuing the server and how to order (even if I might not order the same things as everybody else). And you found us some good eats along the way! You cracked me up when you practically chased the waitress into the kitchen over dessert and when you asked Jerry if he had any alcohol…rubbing alcohol you quickly clarified. Good times. </i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chris</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-<i> I honestly can’t think about you without giggling just a little. There are at least ten different things you said that still have me laughing. And to meet someone else with the jaw surgery connection is pretty cool. (Well not that you had to go through it, but that we can relate) On a serious note, you and Brandy modeled a life of generosity like hardly anyone I’ve seen before! You guys definitely impacted me more than you know. Thanks for all the laughs, for spending your 39th with us, and for enlightening us about grizzly bears vs gorillas. Team grizzly bear all the way!</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><i> </i></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brandy</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- <i>I love your sense of humor and the way you really invest in the things and people around you. I’m so grateful that you were on the trip, and that through it, we discovered a shared love of tv shows, party planning, and style secrets! Thanks for being my “go-to” anytime I had a question. You made our adventures so fun and helped keep us all organized and on track. I mentioned this in Chris’s note, but I wanted to tell you as well that you guys really modeled generosity on the next level and taught me more than you could know. I am definitely better for having met you and I’m so glad to have a new friend! Can’t wait for Downton!</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brock-</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> <i>You lead us like a champion…no, like a Brock-star! How fortunate we were to have you on this trip as our own personal Coloradoan guide. Your spirit and zeal for life are so contagious. And I still think it’s way cool that you are on a radio show, among the many other awesome things you have done. I also wish I had your people skills. You have a way of uplifting everybody you come across without even trying. Thank you for everything you did organizing the trip and for continually bringing a smile to my face. Your jokes had me laughing non-stop! And thank you for helping us see as many cool things as we could in our free time! It wouldn’t have been the same without you! Go Broncos!
<br /></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGLquh-5gxsgXQ-OX5YspEg_LD_A9JkhgnLLsORKmqi4W9dWotOzm5PNELdqcSRv3SV9YUIUtynrqmnC-0oAgMkAYkT9KzYZn3ZwbdvB5K_mT30sGCFWdDwEqMNzk_1p1i8nr7HF9pKJLfLbDwBfVMoTuANND3cUh2WzGFgk8_O2TDQXuS8-ZqUVH/s4032/IMG_2060.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGLquh-5gxsgXQ-OX5YspEg_LD_A9JkhgnLLsORKmqi4W9dWotOzm5PNELdqcSRv3SV9YUIUtynrqmnC-0oAgMkAYkT9KzYZn3ZwbdvB5K_mT30sGCFWdDwEqMNzk_1p1i8nr7HF9pKJLfLbDwBfVMoTuANND3cUh2WzGFgk8_O2TDQXuS8-ZqUVH/w241-h320/IMG_2060.JPG" width="241" /></a></div><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>
</i></span></p><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span></div>onlyhope89http://www.blogger.com/profile/12311548077451177339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023557379133949438.post-5502359382918966982022-02-10T13:14:00.007-08:002022-02-10T19:52:49.234-08:00Chosen<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3jIiXvRIubbN8sh37J9zySoCQuid2nXZ2RHCnBp1SdTHd8W9I40krLWEOEgcyczTt0EvLrNqTJt0TRWtuHhyntHAaTeCWY6TqAw_rNl9ytVk9WJsbBtW6IxYNWFKZdnRK6SkDjXwoDRuoeNMFr08cHQWbhQ_Gqqcwe1bP-CRojxDPYjVeYyIQccPb=s760" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="760" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3jIiXvRIubbN8sh37J9zySoCQuid2nXZ2RHCnBp1SdTHd8W9I40krLWEOEgcyczTt0EvLrNqTJt0TRWtuHhyntHAaTeCWY6TqAw_rNl9ytVk9WJsbBtW6IxYNWFKZdnRK6SkDjXwoDRuoeNMFr08cHQWbhQ_Gqqcwe1bP-CRojxDPYjVeYyIQccPb=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br />I recently just watched the first season of the television show, <i>The Chosen</i>. There were powerful moments in every episode, but I was particularly drawn to the portrayal of Jesus calling Simon Peter to follow Him. There was something about seeing that same story I’ve read all my life come alive on the screen that touched me in a brand new and fresh way. <p></p><p>In this story, we find Simon Peter in a real bind. His debt is due and he has no way to pay it. Simon attempts to go out fishing one last time with the hope that he will catch enough fish to settle his accounts. Hours pass as he sits in his boat and casts the net over and over again. And time after time, he brings up nothing. Weary from waiting for something that seems like it is never going to happen, Simon becomes beyond frustrated. At the end of his own ideas and strength, he looks up at the Heavens and expresses the disappointment rolling around in his heart. </p><p><i>"I’ve served You and I’ve tried. I’ve been waiting for so long but nothing has happened. You promised a Messiah; a miracle; an answer, but we haven’t seen any evidence of it. Where are you God?"</i><br /><br />His cries, not so unlike some of mine sometimes, appear to go unanswered. Instead Simon’s brother Andrew and his friends John and James show up and spend the rest of the night helping Simon reach for what seems more and more impossible with each dwindling hour. </p><p>Enter Jesus. </p><p>Jesus urges Simon to cast the net again. Simon and Andrew explain that they have been doing it all night and have caught nothing. But Jesus doesn’t back down. I imagine that there must have been something about the way Jesus asked them to try again that persuaded them. With a heavy sigh, Simon picks up the net and tosses it out once more. It’s the same action he has done all night, except this time there’s something different. This time Jesus is IN the boat. And the result is more fish than they know what to do with. Simon is overwhelmed with joy and disbelief. Why would this happen now after everything he had tried unless he was witnessing something beyond himself. Could the promised miracle they had all been waiting for be standing right in front of him, even if the packaging looked a little different than they expected? </p><p>The camera pans from Simon to Jesus and the audience sees an enormous grin. It’s abundantly clear that Jesus is rejoicing with Simon and that seeing their reaction touches His own heart with joy. </p><p>That picture of Jesus smiling at Simon froze in my heart too. Jesus wanted to fill Simon, to give him not only what he needed, but a life that was far beyond him. He wants the same for us and desires to step into the middle of those things that we have nearly given up on believing for in our lives. As the story played out in front of me, I heard that still, small whisper, “throw your net out one more time and believe.”</p><p>I don’t know where that call to faith meets you today or what net has continually come up empty in your life no matter how many times you’ve put it out there. I don’t know what situation causes you to cry out and ask God where He’s at. But I want to remind you today that no matter what it "feels" like, God isn’t absent. He is there, in the middle of it, urging you not to give up. And He longs to fill your boat and rejoice with you. But while God wants His best for our lives, we must also realize that following Jesus isn’t just about what He provides for us. Sometimes it’s about what He wants to do in us and what He is calling us towards. Simon Peter went from an empty boat to the rock on which the church was built, but it didn’t happen overnight or without some belief and bumps along the way. It happened because He choose to let Jesus on his boat and in turn in His life. Simon shows us that we have to give Jesus permission to get in the boat before He can fill it. </p><p>Simon and his friends weren’t the only ones Jesus chose. Deuteronomy 7:6 says, “<i>The Lord your God has chosen YOU to be a people for His treasured possession</i>.” He reaches down and calls us to be His very own. No matter what personality traits, past experiences, insecurities or wounds you carry and feel may disqualify you, God wants you to know that He still chooses you. He will always choose you. Not only that, but He goes to great lengths for us.</p><p>So whether you’re a fishermen in debt or someone just trying to make it through today, knowing the depths of God's love and call at the heart level enables us to go out and make a difference. That same message to Simon Peter is for you too. Throw <i>the net out again and watch what God will do. </i>You never know where a filled vessel will end up. I wonder, what might God be choosing you for? </p><p>-Only Hope</p><p><b><br />Luke 5:4-11</b></p><p><i>4 When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Push out into the deep water. Let down your nets for some fish.” 5 Simon said to Him, “Teacher, we have worked all night and we have caught nothing. But because You told me to, I will let the net down.” 6 When they had done this, they caught so many fish, their net started to break. 7 They called to their friends working in the other boat to come and help them. They came and both boats were so full of fish they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he got down at the feet of Jesus. He said, “Go away from me, Lord, because I am a sinful man.” 9 He and all those with him were surprised and wondered about the many fish. 10 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were surprised also. They were working together with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will fish for men.” 11 When they came to land with their boats, they left everything and followed Jesus. Luke 5:4-11</i></p>onlyhope89http://www.blogger.com/profile/12311548077451177339noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023557379133949438.post-70313375635391378352021-12-24T09:35:00.001-08:002021-12-24T09:36:33.098-08:00Be Present<p><span style="color: #222222; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSbxIbEVwWD_AV3plmlM2mljbepEZy--9qRaEiI2yz45HxRMZUbwntEJu91YdcKBLzooCVWQheCfrYPTtswTc0imlLV4diT1GyJ0w4BqdJ-gZB_QcTRFpwX-x5Ru9xlZrOhJlw_CyJhMhA_ixdWSu-WDdDVHgMGHsFwoVmqOvqhJQQ9EP1VaZWxdSx=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSbxIbEVwWD_AV3plmlM2mljbepEZy--9qRaEiI2yz45HxRMZUbwntEJu91YdcKBLzooCVWQheCfrYPTtswTc0imlLV4diT1GyJ0w4BqdJ-gZB_QcTRFpwX-x5Ru9xlZrOhJlw_CyJhMhA_ixdWSu-WDdDVHgMGHsFwoVmqOvqhJQQ9EP1VaZWxdSx=s320" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;">As I sift through my to-do lists, my calendar, and all the things I want to accomplish during this season, something checks my spirit. These words roll around my heart, “Be present.”</span></span><p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-74bba3d6-7fff-5997-a5a3-574d3d3e8b1a"><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I start to argue that I am present, but I know that isn't always true. My mind wanders and my heart longs for future things and I find myself becoming distracted from what God wants for me today. Sometimes it’s not that I’m looking ahead, but rather that I can’t seem to let something go from yesterday. I jump between where I’ve been and where I hope to go, somehow forgetting about where I am. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Perhaps that reminder to pause and be intentional is more needed than I thought and not just at Christmas but in everything. I want to be involved in the little minutes that make up my life instead of always focusing on the milestones. Memorable milestones and achievements are made up of a thousand little moments that we might miss if our focus is singular. And so during this last month, I’ve heard the whisper numerous times and tried to heed the call to participate in that specific conversation or that particular task or that at the moment event.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">It’s a great reminder, but it’s also more than that. I think there’s a deeper reason that the Holy Spirit revealed this message to me during this month that is often so busy and filled with festivities and packages and things to do. Hearing those words in this season leads me to believe that maybe the best present isn’t something wrapped in shiny paper and a bow, but rather us being present in the places God has planted us in and being attentive to the people He has placed in our lives. What if the most life-changing thing we have to give this Christmas isn’t something you can find inside a store, but rather something inside yourself?</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Maybe it’s offering words of forgiveness and healing to someone.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Maybe it’s putting your phone down and really listening to the person across from you.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Maybe it’s giving your time to serve someone else.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Maybe it’s using your words to speak life into someone.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Maybe it’s a simple act of kindness that touches a stranger's day.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Maybe it’s reaching out to someone lonely and reminding them they are valued.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Maybe it’s holding someone’s hand as they walk through something difficult.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Maybe it’s infusing hope into a situation that seems impossible.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maybe it’s unceasing prayers on behalf of a hurting soul.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">And maybe it’s simply choosing to be available and open to each day. You never know the difference that your attention and presence might make in the life of someone else. And you never know what God may have for you on the other side of being present in your life.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Author Robin Jones Gunn says it this way: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for”. (Sunset Lullaby, 230)</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To me, that sounds a lot like </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be Present</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. As I mentioned it’s been my word or rather words this Christmas. I think it could be a word for you too. A message to savor the moment. To show up. To focus. Perhaps it’s a reminder not to always be looking to tomorrow or hoping for someday, but rather to cherish this day. Maybe it’s permission to let go of yesterday and what-ifs and move fully into today with no hindrances. And possibly it’s an opportunity to ask what God might be trying to show you in your current situation or place. Don’t miss a divinely appointed assignment because you aren’t paying attention to God’s promptings. God modeled this when He gave us the gift of His presence on a starry night in Bethlehem when He came close. May we do the same.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Merry Christmas 2021!</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">-Only Hope</span></span></p><br /></span>onlyhope89http://www.blogger.com/profile/12311548077451177339noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023557379133949438.post-80699679069622361412021-10-16T14:38:00.010-07:002021-10-20T09:02:45.798-07:00New York State of Mind<div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator"><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5GLAuWaEXVpviGCvSw026xiWokEc0VLkE-gQIMm7UcXfRLRZrnyey4nzkjkFYXe6K7XYh0qgHB4LN84e6ihmK_5AcOU9IuSqodCZH0tLQGVaLZSRDYFMb7twjbjHSLU3oqhBtb5O3fw/s1426/IMG_9366.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="1426" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5GLAuWaEXVpviGCvSw026xiWokEc0VLkE-gQIMm7UcXfRLRZrnyey4nzkjkFYXe6K7XYh0qgHB4LN84e6ihmK_5AcOU9IuSqodCZH0tLQGVaLZSRDYFMb7twjbjHSLU3oqhBtb5O3fw/w407-h273/IMG_9366.JPG" width="407" /></a><br /></div><i><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">"</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">So it’s paramount that you keep the commandments of </span><span class="small-caps divine-name" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;">God</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">, your God, walk down the roads he shows you and reverently respect him." (</span><span style="text-align: left;"><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial">Deuteronomy 8:6 MSG)</span></span></i></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Ever since I was little, I’ve had this idea that one day I could see the New Year’s Eve ball in New York City. And this past month, it came true! Okay, so it was September and kind of hot outside and there was no confetti, but nevertheless, I found myself standing in Times Square and lifting my gaze to the home of the colorful orb. It was a great moment. But it wasn’t just great because I was finally there, seeing in person what I had only ever seen on television. It was good because of the people standing next to me and the moments we had shared together as a part of the call to bravely go somewhere else and give of ourselves. I was in New York as a part of a mission team.</span></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiOBIvcEeRn7DBZdBah3xzo3vMDc-cRyplY5lVj6qq6S5DL7DNwSQld-LDsN1m8efnhKxNUmRiUJoEeAWMrZdXkfTMDKu7Bdyi5rOXYwThQ9H53Qt-tvVl3-y2Ix6im3dCmuntRVsJqw/s3022/IMG_8964.JPG" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2778" data-original-width="3022" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiOBIvcEeRn7DBZdBah3xzo3vMDc-cRyplY5lVj6qq6S5DL7DNwSQld-LDsN1m8efnhKxNUmRiUJoEeAWMrZdXkfTMDKu7Bdyi5rOXYwThQ9H53Qt-tvVl3-y2Ix6im3dCmuntRVsJqw/w263-h242/IMG_8964.JPG" width="263" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I’ve gotten the same question a lot. And that is, wh<i>at was your favorite part?<br /></i></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i>And for someone like me that’s nearly impossible to answer. I enjoyed helping encourage those who were so eager to learn English. I loved the camaraderie of our group. I was overjoyed riding the ferry to Governors Island and seeing Lady Liberty. I loved the Brooklyn Bridge and the buildings and the lights. And I was beyond excited to be standing outside the New York Public Library and saying hello to Patience and Fortitude, the famous lions that </span><span style="font-family: arial;">guard it. I was touched as I looked upon the Freedom Tower and at the 9/11 Memorial almost exactly 20 years after the attacks. I was in awe of the architecture of Grand Central Station. I looked forward to our group’s daily devotions and felt adventurous riding the subway, because honestly you never knew what was going to happen. I enjoyed being with Florence and soaking in the courage and bravery that she exhibits in her life every day. And I loved just being able to look up at the stars from a different perspective and add another chapter to my story, another place to my travel log.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">While this excursion to one of the biggest and busiest cities in the world was full of oh so many laughs and good times, it also left a valuable imprint on my heart. I could talk all day about my favorite things, but I think perhaps a better question is<i> what did I learn in New York?</i><br /></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIbrCSuTaRVvb8bpXfTbZ3Yy420jcn3gEa3UqtY14N2feqv5sJq5BL_sGnK0q79_IZqALvzDpT2gvOCAM5ZhzYdswibyhc6bYFK8qyE3LP9crGl63_KmLsI9s6HgyktdrIeFUUGWKG3M/s1249/brooklyn+bridge.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="937" data-original-width="1249" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIbrCSuTaRVvb8bpXfTbZ3Yy420jcn3gEa3UqtY14N2feqv5sJq5BL_sGnK0q79_IZqALvzDpT2gvOCAM5ZhzYdswibyhc6bYFK8qyE3LP9crGl63_KmLsI9s6HgyktdrIeFUUGWKG3M/w294-h220/brooklyn+bridge.JPG" width="294" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;">When I think back to the week we spent there, I can’t help but think of all the walking and navigating (thank you Nancy, Florence, Lesa and friends) we did to different places. Besides the rides to and from the airport, we either walked or took the subway everywhere. And in that, you learn a few things. You learn to live by the signs that guide you. You keep an eye on the lights that tell you whether you can cross the intersection. You learn the difference between an express train and a local train. You become a professional at swiping your metro card and moving through the turnstile. You memorize your subway stops and count the tiny, glowing dots to know how long of a ride you are in for until it’s time to leave. And most importantly, you just keep moving, one step at a time, until you reach your desired destination. But the thing about New York walking is that you don’t just walk at a leisurely pace, you move with purpose. And that’s a lesson that I can’t seem to shake because what I experienced is that walking the streets of Brooklyn and the Bronx not only shows you a new way of navigating; it teaches you how to walk with a new confidence. A confidence full of focus and intentionality.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There’s something to be said for taking time to stop and notice the things around you, but my week in New York made me realize that sometimes I stop for too long. I recently heard author Bob Goff say something along the lines of “sometimes we get stuck and make permanent homes in places that were just supposed to be a temporary campsite.” If I’m honest, there are places I’ve camped for far too long, and it’s in some of those places that I've simply stopped moving. Maybe that’s you too. Disappointments stopped you in your tracks. Scars made you cautious. Hurts left you broken. And fear made you stationary. Instead of walking with confidence, you find yourself nursing a limp. A limp that slows you down and keeps you from thinking that you’ll be able to reach the place you set off for in the beginning.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxtVzlPJ7LfYq9Ms0BqrBcaYxfByB0CHYh1c0q0nZmU1HmhAPqzgQAgvfx8NEE_ZXZEJ40TTc4d5hh1v3Ju-xSy-Pn_YD4mTYDlu_BN5Q7JVWnvvf9AGIayXAzSB09dhlYJ_nZ6vc_XI/s2048/29166B29-F045-4C3E-8F4B-194C0DE15A1D.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: arial; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxtVzlPJ7LfYq9Ms0BqrBcaYxfByB0CHYh1c0q0nZmU1HmhAPqzgQAgvfx8NEE_ZXZEJ40TTc4d5hh1v3Ju-xSy-Pn_YD4mTYDlu_BN5Q7JVWnvvf9AGIayXAzSB09dhlYJ_nZ6vc_XI/s320/29166B29-F045-4C3E-8F4B-194C0DE15A1D.jpeg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;">That kind of limp makes me think of Jacob in the Bible, which is exactly the scripture that Florence’s pastor preached from while we were there. Jacob’s name means <i>deceiver</i> and he lived a life that was worthy of it. But God stepped in, and Jacob wrestled with an angel. One definition of the word </span><i style="font-family: arial;">wrestle</i><span style="font-family: arial;"> is “to take part in a fight” and that’s what I’ve always imagined the scene to be like, but another definition states it means to “struggle with a difficulty or a problem” (Oxford Dictionary). Jacob wasn’t just a guy trying to pick a fight. He was a guy who was wrestling with the things inside himself that he no longer wanted anymore. He was a guy who dug deep and decided he was not letting go, not stopping, until God did a work. Jacob was fighting against the tendency to become complacent and stationary in an okay place because he knew there was a greater place. And while it’s true that Jacob walked out of that fight with a limp, he also moved forward with a brand-new identity and a name as mighty as a nation. But he only got there because he put himself in the position to be blessed. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCuJUZLTTGVghNWLsEVoDebiD0oyUvCeI8AtBvIL2D_Pt_MiP-ZtVEcWrmdaSwXzp18JkDh5YuM6dzN2xoskLbIqyWFZzixaPvB2Rq8g_uw6cM9-rLi6DpEFI0-c3ln8OTc0FNBrm-s5A/s4032/IMG_8350.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: arial; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCuJUZLTTGVghNWLsEVoDebiD0oyUvCeI8AtBvIL2D_Pt_MiP-ZtVEcWrmdaSwXzp18JkDh5YuM6dzN2xoskLbIqyWFZzixaPvB2Rq8g_uw6cM9-rLi6DpEFI0-c3ln8OTc0FNBrm-s5A/s320/IMG_8350.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;">All the walking we did in New York eventually led us to some amazing places. It connected us</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> with people. It took us to incredible sights. It allowed us to see and do things we wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise. But we only got there because we positioned ourselves in the right places. If we had stopped</span><i style="font-family: arial;"> halfway</i><span style="font-family: arial;">, we would have never made it </span><i style="font-family: arial;">all the way</i><span style="font-family: arial;"> to the amazing things New York had for us. And I believe the Holy Spirit is encouraging us the same way in our lives. He whispers that our limp doesn't disqualify us; rather it gives us a story to tell. Like Jacob, we can choose to wrestle through to the other side. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">That swagger mentality I learned walking the streets of New York also translates to other areas of life. With God as our guide, we can move to and through the places He calls us to with a new attitude. But we will never make traction if we remain timid, hesitant, and unwilling to wrestle through. Is there some place on your journey that you’ve stopped? Is there an area that God is calling you to display confidence? Could there be something new God wants to show you in this season of your life? Take those steps of courage friends. Be intentional. Be confident. And anytime you start to feel unsure or unsettled or like you might be stuck, remind yourself to approach those things with a New York State of mind.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">-Only Hope</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: arial;">To my prayer partners</b><span style="font-family: arial;">-thank you so very much for taking time to cover me and the team in prayer. I could feel your prayers and I’m so very blessed to call each of you treasured friends!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b>To The Group-</b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3FegtT5N3TgIfC2vbbwodR7jYWDcp6JvHibYXoUrDHZww9W9AIZcnXAXbZqcg82AZmGviGA9iaxYT8S8Y0SLPDH2T9oN22nyucp0MOCDuqpw3-V4pcyPfBlvi89zlMoN7xhtF0RgPHyk/s800/IMG_9131.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: arial; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3FegtT5N3TgIfC2vbbwodR7jYWDcp6JvHibYXoUrDHZww9W9AIZcnXAXbZqcg82AZmGviGA9iaxYT8S8Y0SLPDH2T9oN22nyucp0MOCDuqpw3-V4pcyPfBlvi89zlMoN7xhtF0RgPHyk/s320/IMG_9131.JPG" width="320" /></a><b style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Florence</b><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">, </span><i style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">you inspire me! You are brave and kind and out there winning souls and changing lives in the name of Jesus! Thanks for showing us how to have courage and love and for welcoming us with open arms</i><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">.</span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Nancy</b>, <i>you led us like a champion! Thank you for taking on the “569” team as Lesa said and for letting us do so many awesome things! I’m so glad God brought us all together. You constantly make me laugh and want to be like you when I “grow up.”</i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Lesa</b>,<i> what a sweet and kind soul! I loved soaking up your gentle words of wisdom and bonding over all things literary. You encouraged me so much and I’m so glad we met through this trip. Also, you provided the coffee which makes me Jolly Holly. The way you love others and touch their lives inspires me.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Lou Ann</b>,<i> you have the best laugh! I loved how we could just look at each other and burst out in giggles. And we like the same pizza which pretty much seals the deal. We also checked people into class like the dream team! I learned a lot from you and enjoyed getting to know you!</i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: arial;">Susan</b><span style="font-family: arial;">, </span><i><span style="font-family: arial;">you are my roll tide partner-in-crime and such a delight. I loved our chats and spending time with you and introducing you to hibachi. You have an amazing spirit and attitude! We will have to go to a conference soon!</span></i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Ashley</b>, <i>I’m so proud of the way you kept at it! You are super sweet and have an amazing personality! Keep trusting God for His perfect timing and plan for your life because He’s got one. I enjoyed getting to know you!</i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Bethany</b>,<i> I know I kind of got you into this and the subway/airplane wasn’t ideal, but I couldn’t imagine a better roomie and fellow adventurer. You rocked the teaching thing and continue to show me how to have a servants heart. Thanks for saying yes, laughing with me and for always being there for me! You make my life all the sweeter. </i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i> </i></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKP6QAuuen_omPMHrf2OX9dxif6BmaEWVHV0i5d9kLozRoHL53lZmwyeWmmkMYOnu0R_iCOF0Dd8QYH45y0opZjUbdpY1d2pdxgEHM6focBsyCSF1DANtpCBk0oEdZbBiAQk4ceH2eNs/s4032/IMG_8640.JPG" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKP6QAuuen_omPMHrf2OX9dxif6BmaEWVHV0i5d9kLozRoHL53lZmwyeWmmkMYOnu0R_iCOF0Dd8QYH45y0opZjUbdpY1d2pdxgEHM6focBsyCSF1DANtpCBk0oEdZbBiAQk4ceH2eNs/s320/IMG_8640.JPG" width="320" /></a> <br /><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrXxk-Bvkq4GCNFOvzpkfDN83XJTb2zczVA5X0MxADwgmT9tzN437pxIXzYfH7HMeRPO4bQdiqtmclU6P_Gon6khM67F_9W78qpWakVfQp3CFTMrp4B3harQ8qMOIaId1DbMNiI6Vsrk/s1293/IMG_8999.JPG" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1293" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrXxk-Bvkq4GCNFOvzpkfDN83XJTb2zczVA5X0MxADwgmT9tzN437pxIXzYfH7HMeRPO4bQdiqtmclU6P_Gon6khM67F_9W78qpWakVfQp3CFTMrp4B3harQ8qMOIaId1DbMNiI6Vsrk/w297-h275/IMG_8999.JPG" width="297" /></a><br /><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzUmQIIpksuHptHO8EDak8yeHXJyrxFDKC0H9myRJuatrkm1U_MYUgdzwa0lwqHGqMxHAB8o8FAPKPzsIwKH8uhwr-w5C_XFY49-zJIeACPdor7FOQLuFcR3vVGPQmBtG8dOH8HMSTlM/s4032/IMG_9253.JPG" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzUmQIIpksuHptHO8EDak8yeHXJyrxFDKC0H9myRJuatrkm1U_MYUgdzwa0lwqHGqMxHAB8o8FAPKPzsIwKH8uhwr-w5C_XFY49-zJIeACPdor7FOQLuFcR3vVGPQmBtG8dOH8HMSTlM/s320/IMG_9253.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cVVg0VMEwHksw8PxvD4Uc79GMcg0VT5DWFI2_lfflMGAkOXIdJj4UpSc7GyIz3igyRN5aSumJkLyQmbcRO8p2xS9TVRCyaXgriNZNA73SIccfWkhvtGpFg3eifdMFOLevdupeQ1U4hs/s4032/IMG_9297.JPG" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cVVg0VMEwHksw8PxvD4Uc79GMcg0VT5DWFI2_lfflMGAkOXIdJj4UpSc7GyIz3igyRN5aSumJkLyQmbcRO8p2xS9TVRCyaXgriNZNA73SIccfWkhvtGpFg3eifdMFOLevdupeQ1U4hs/s320/IMG_9297.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDEQh3PtPF9oIxlq3M8Sd3nFSlk31hBms869ZOcZvNqjtCD8vYHQxrXqVSD5ghod3guzzbsmb8al9jRfj8bZwjAdO6sEE3As0XNHbEuoRBKc_F46Of9zf0itHJhV4961g2ooE5iazK-M/s2048/77228BC9-BAAD-4F87-AD54-087230AB236A.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDEQh3PtPF9oIxlq3M8Sd3nFSlk31hBms869ZOcZvNqjtCD8vYHQxrXqVSD5ghod3guzzbsmb8al9jRfj8bZwjAdO6sEE3As0XNHbEuoRBKc_F46Of9zf0itHJhV4961g2ooE5iazK-M/s320/77228BC9-BAAD-4F87-AD54-087230AB236A.jpeg" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMeWpzgEQjrJShkZrUMdrSpCbxMiVITxwFqPxiMpdeMPhOaxtMuWiZsf8ctK1SJfYuN3LlKq-HsG2Ag-0PkCxf289lEJhma7nQAlFfoSQ2N3l1rIgPQx6Ukpg5BBf6xMBBtKUIVSvXmU/s4032/IMG_8576.JPG" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMeWpzgEQjrJShkZrUMdrSpCbxMiVITxwFqPxiMpdeMPhOaxtMuWiZsf8ctK1SJfYuN3LlKq-HsG2Ag-0PkCxf289lEJhma7nQAlFfoSQ2N3l1rIgPQx6Ukpg5BBf6xMBBtKUIVSvXmU/s320/IMG_8576.JPG" width="240" /></a></p><div><br /></div>onlyhope89http://www.blogger.com/profile/12311548077451177339noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023557379133949438.post-70006544803762130912021-08-17T17:25:00.007-07:002021-08-18T20:57:48.998-07:00Lessons from the Ocoee River<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDTmhFnrG7aBO-c-w92Sf0DdlDby_NfHULzoow2na81n319obrqAmsz-vWXvqnPv19whbWdY8YNzo1wH8a84zjS7m_KagAMDhziJJe8SwQiw9p9qUEW8gW3VdNYpR-SeOsjrY5gIY2fs/s4898/IMG_7727.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDTmhFnrG7aBO-c-w92Sf0DdlDby_NfHULzoow2na81n319obrqAmsz-vWXvqnPv19whbWdY8YNzo1wH8a84zjS7m_KagAMDhziJJe8SwQiw9p9qUEW8gW3VdNYpR-SeOsjrY5gIY2fs/w400-h266/IMG_7727.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"> </span></i><i><span><span style="font-family: arial;">“Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21</span></span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span><span> </span><span>The text came through from my friend asking if I wanted to go whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River. My immediate thought was YES, followed by a series of anxious thoughts like…</span><span><i>what if I can’t do it? I seriously have no upper body strength. What if I get thrown out of the raft? What if I'm not good at it?</i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> Another quieter voice posed: <i>What if you love it? </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> In the end, that inner spirit of adventure won out as I decided it was something I wanted to do and that I wasn’t going to let fear dictate my actions. I texted my friend to sign me up and imagined the fun that would soon await us.<br />It was about two weeks later as we were sitting in the pre-rafting orientation, that I wondered what exactly I had gotten myself into. The guy up front was talking about how to properly put on your life jacket (more than just clicking the pieces together), the multi-step procedure if you fall out (wait, what...I thought that was just me being me), and how if you don’t hold your paddle correctly, the person sitting next to you could lose teeth (gulp). Signing a heap of papers including a waiver and medical/emergency info added yet another level of nervous excitement. As the orientation wrapped up, the guy called out, “Some win and some swim.” I laughed along with the group, but on the inside, I was trying to remember everything I was supposed to do if it turned out I was in the “some swim” category.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Next, we got helmets, life jackets, and paddles and boarded an incredibly hot and cramped bus. At least all of us were on this adventure together. We curved around the mountain roads getting occasional glimpses of what we were about to do ourselves. We unloaded and were assigned to our rafts. My group was in raft number 5 with Cole!</span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDEzDn2OuNKU6fVSDhyphenhyphengQaLrB0fC1HK9fOLr7n4eS6bLI-4lKjEc6WNQDWqr3z8jwxgTMmeXZaw0xfkQ2aLwrIm832tig3I7o7m_wOFu9ZH6hRoECu3rH9MpruxFaUPKyBii12q9S5PA/s4898/IMG_7726.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDEzDn2OuNKU6fVSDhyphenhyphengQaLrB0fC1HK9fOLr7n4eS6bLI-4lKjEc6WNQDWqr3z8jwxgTMmeXZaw0xfkQ2aLwrIm832tig3I7o7m_wOFu9ZH6hRoECu3rH9MpruxFaUPKyBii12q9S5PA/w400-h266/IMG_7726.JPG" width="400" /></span></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Cole positioned us in the raft and gave us a crash course in rafting 101. We paddled, we spun, we went backward, we leaned in and we practiced huddling down in the raft so as not to fall out in particularly rapid rapids. The goal was to work together as a team and move as one. Finally, it was time to start our adventure down the Ocoee River. I took a breath, looked at the river before me, and tightened my grip around the paddle. This was it.<br />“We approach our first class 4 rapid pretty quickly,” Cole called out. “Just do what I tell you and we’ll make it through fine.” He called out instructions and we paddled and suddenly we were in the rapid. Water surged around us and splashed onto us as we zipped through the current. Just as quickly as it had started, it was over, and I was all smiles. After making it through that first rapid I knew I could do this and that it was going to be a fun ride. </span></span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnRNFIVRnbVZ4WFUS7crk5FZMGxGF3a1DG0ei2sYX9RBU1VTzJiQIVNIe-1oeI1nkV8h5tXfqqhzQ66nzpalwSZ16mkgW4dDl4YtPq7lzw00X_wx6JHwX1DcO_ndrVLwQkcIVuydP-lU/s4898/IMG_7725.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnRNFIVRnbVZ4WFUS7crk5FZMGxGF3a1DG0ei2sYX9RBU1VTzJiQIVNIe-1oeI1nkV8h5tXfqqhzQ66nzpalwSZ16mkgW4dDl4YtPq7lzw00X_wx6JHwX1DcO_ndrVLwQkcIVuydP-lU/w400-h266/IMG_7725.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Cole was encouraging as he told us what to do at each bend in the river and each rapid. He helped us avoid rocks and not fall out. At the end of the journey, he told us that we did an awesome job and had a very clean ride. The reason for our success—we listened to the voice of our guide and allowed him to direct us through the twists and turns. We wouldn’t have been able to navigate them as well on our own, but Cole was experienced with the river. He knew the strokes to make, the places the rocks were located and the direction we needed to head at each fork along the way. He even knew what to do to get us back in the raft if we did fall out or got stuck.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> As I looked up at the mountains around me and took in the beauty of the day, I couldn’t help but think how rafting had so many life lessons packed into it and how it was the perfect picture for finding success in our everyday lives. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We encounter those kinds of moments often in life where we think <i>what if I can’t do this thing I am being called to do?</i> <i>What if the unknown twists and turns are too much?</i> <i>What if I fall or worse, what if I </i><i>fail? What if I get it all wrong? What if it’s too much? </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>I</span>t’s in those moments that we can lean in and listen for the voice of our guide, the Holy Spirit. God knows the strokes we need to make in the water, the rocks we will come up against and the direction we need to paddle. If we will tune our ears to focus on His voice, He will lead us through any challenge we face. And we can come out on the other side having experienced an adventure (we would have otherwise missed) because we choose to walk with God instead of clinging to fear.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> It seems like a simple lesson, but I remember thinking how profound it was that day as I went down the river. When I’m chasing what I want, I don’t always stop and listen for what God wants and in that, I’ve found myself needlessly paddling against the current, instead of riding through it. I’ve exhausted a lot of energy when I could have been floating. Who better to trust than the One that intimately knows every rock, every rapid, every heartache, every challenge, and every inch of the journey? The One that knows every part of the story? When we relinquish our agendas, desires, dreams, problems, and hurts, Jesus will navigate us through the tough things. When we let go of trying to do it ourselves, we will find a strength beyond what we imagined. That day on the river, I was reminded that sometimes we must let go in order to go through. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">He promises to see us through in Isaiah when He says, “<i>When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, Your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” (Isaiah 43:2-3)<br /></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNdEgHaOKR3RfE9FLpMKEZhM4whgeCXxfDg39TSqGaTRfUgjF1MpeNNRm96YwlAw27_hj_4Ai0JAwlsM8b_TLSlIkPC0gb48wxO42vzTCBoxaoRgpQt3evGxSBJ3bs9z7JwsJjAhwh50/s4898/IMG_7721.JPG" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNdEgHaOKR3RfE9FLpMKEZhM4whgeCXxfDg39TSqGaTRfUgjF1MpeNNRm96YwlAw27_hj_4Ai0JAwlsM8b_TLSlIkPC0gb48wxO42vzTCBoxaoRgpQt3evGxSBJ3bs9z7JwsJjAhwh50/w400-h266/IMG_7721.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I loved every minute of the rafting trip and I’m so glad I was able to go and be a part of it. I want to remember the things I learned that day in the future when things look uncertain, or when the unknowns of life crash over me like water. I want to remind myself that sometimes saying yes to the adventure is scary, but it is worth the ride. Every breath-taking, beautiful, fun-filled moment.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I hope you too will have courage as your story unfolds. I hope you will learn to lean in and listen to where the guide is leading you. I hope you will say yes when it’s the right thing for you despite the fear that may envelop you. And I hope you have the time of your life—in full and complete surrender. Grip the paddle, not the fear. And go forward into the adventure you are being called to endeavor.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">-Only Hope </span></p><p><i>Candace, thanks for inviting me on this adventure! I enjoyed it so and loved spending the day with you. Cole, Drew, Collin, and the University of Alabama Crew, what a blast! We will always have conversations about movies, ghosts in graveyards, our souvenir pictures, and so much more. And we can fondly remember eating Chattanooga pizza and cinnamon bites together! Thanks for paddling hard, making sure I didn't fall out, and going on the ride! :)</i></p><br />onlyhope89http://www.blogger.com/profile/12311548077451177339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023557379133949438.post-86055337789590852922021-07-18T13:08:00.003-07:002021-07-19T09:32:17.839-07:00Even...<p> <span style="font-family: times;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVglZW3wsIlO3m9Cn7yyDeFg2kLFD0Zu_RTTksou-Y0ApLKx5vyt-JozKcXS3V4Q5fovTHFFuxgZUMjW7c6LFLqRKG2JtiOXLjoYxlOslxs31u9qalZLu3mpNPhuMKlhE5s-r07KoUIQ/s2000/lion.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1428" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVglZW3wsIlO3m9Cn7yyDeFg2kLFD0Zu_RTTksou-Y0ApLKx5vyt-JozKcXS3V4Q5fovTHFFuxgZUMjW7c6LFLqRKG2JtiOXLjoYxlOslxs31u9qalZLu3mpNPhuMKlhE5s-r07KoUIQ/s320/lion.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;">As the melody of a song drifted through my headphones the other day, these lyrics washed over me and EVERYTHING around me stilled. Lauren Daigle’s recognizable voice soothed places in my heart that I didn’t know were ruffled until that moment with these words: </span><p></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p></blockquote><span style="font-family: times;">Even the sparrow has a place to lay its head</span><br /><blockquote style="text-align: left;"></blockquote><b><span style="font-family: times;">So why would I let worries steal my breath?</span></b><br /><blockquote style="text-align: left;"></blockquote><span style="font-family: times;"> Even the roses, You have glowed them brilliant red</span><br /><blockquote style="text-align: left;"></blockquote><b><span style="font-family: times;">Still I'm the one You love more than this</span></b><br /><blockquote style="text-align: left;"></blockquote><span style="font-family: times;">You tell the seasons when it's time for them to turn</span><br /><blockquote style="text-align: left;"></blockquote><b><span style="font-family: times;">So, I will trust You even when it hurts</span></b><br /><blockquote style="text-align: left;"></blockquote><span style="font-family: times;">You give me everything</span><br /><blockquote style="text-align: left;"></blockquote><span style="font-family: times;">You give me everything</span><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">You give me everything I need</span></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"> The song is called <i>Everything</i>, but there was another word that was repeated in the song, that I thought was interesting. And that was the word <b>Even</b>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">I wondered why that little word would stick out to me so much and then I realized it had been a reoccurring theme between me and God for quite a long time. Sometimes it was a comparison. Lord, <b>even</b> they have x, y, or z. Sometimes it was a question of heading in the right direction. Jesus, <b>even</b> as I take this step, I am not quite sure. Sometimes it has been laced in wondering. God, I am <b>even </b>more confused. And sometimes it’s been a mustard seed. <b>Even </b>so, I am going to trust You, Lord. <b>Even</b> if it does not make sense in this moment or this season.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">Time and time again, I have offered that phrase up to the Lord hoping He would turn it into something else; hoping things would look different. What I never considered was that every time I released an <b>even </b>to the Father, He offered it back to me. God took my <b>even’s</b>, my declarations of not understanding, and my wanting things to be measured in a certain way and exchanged them for His own. Scripture tells us:</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i><u>Even</u> the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. -Matthew 10:29-31</i></span> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i><u>Even</u> to your old age and gray hairs I am He, who will sustain you. -Isaiah 46:4</i></span> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i><u>Even </u>though you walk through the darkest valley, you can fear no evil. -Psalm 23:4</i></span> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="font-family: times;">Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly [AKA <u>EVEN</u> MORE] beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us. -Ephesians 3:20</i></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">The Bible is filled with promises that tell us we have Someone that cares about our worries, anxieties, and questions. Maybe you just simply need that reminder today—that Jesus is in your midst. He is caring for you at this very moment. He is working behind the scenes, and He sees you.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><i>Even when you feel less than.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><i>Even as you are walking through something.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><i>Even though it doesn’t look the way you thought.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><i>Even if you never understand this side of Heaven.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">That might not necessarily make it easier, but hopefully, it helps make it doable. When you remember that God is everything you need, you can let go of the things you don’t need. When you remember that He is holding the whole world in His hands, you can open yours in surrender. And in that sweet surrender, you can lay down your “<b>evens</b>” at His feet and watch Him do things only He can do. Letting go is scary. Walking down a road full of unseen twists and turns can be hard. I am not saying it isn’t. But I am saying that we can trust Him <i>even if, even though, even when, and even as </i>life happens all around us.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">There is a quote from the book, <i>The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe</i> that has meant a lot to me lately. It comes from a conversation Susan and Lucy are having with the beavers and it goes like this:</span></p><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><b><i style="font-family: times;"> "Is he—quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion."</i><br /></b><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><b><i style="font-family: times;"> "That you will, dearie, and no mistake," said Mrs. Beaver; "if there's anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they're either braver than most or else just silly."</i><br /></b><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><b><i style="font-family: times;"> "Then he isn't safe?" said Lucy.</i><br /><i style="font-family: times;">"Safe?" said Mr. Beaver; "don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you." (C.S. Lewis)</i></b><p><span style="font-family: times;"> Every time my heart reads those lines it is stirred, and I believe the reason is because I recognize those feelings and thoughts in my own self. I think we ask the same thing of God sometimes. <i>Are you safe? Can I trust You? Can I be sure that this thing You are calling me to is going to work out in a good way? </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">I’ve asked those questions—more than I’d like to admit, but you know what I’ve been re-learning lately? Sometimes all we can do is choose faith, even when we are yearning for answers. Sometimes when it feels scary, we must trust that it is still good. And sometimes we have to remember that God gives us everything we need, not everything we want. Let’s lay down our evens. Let’s exchange them for something greater than what we see. And let’s believe as Mr. Beaver said, “God is good.” </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">After all, He’s the King. And He is beyond worthy to wear His crown. 😉</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">-Only Hope</span></p><div><br /></div>onlyhope89http://www.blogger.com/profile/12311548077451177339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023557379133949438.post-6529172849207851862021-04-19T19:33:00.004-07:002021-04-20T20:35:12.028-07:00Surprise Blooms<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuUHMl7-tyXizCzEa1l942X_q4lwzLw-04d-f69YN0fvvQndIHqzSffDpsOxLCsP9x7SWlmOqjnOQHIzhH9lRcjAS9z8PgTezv2hEqblZ_5xjjwuJFK999yvOEAzW0JSsizO_r3ov9jg/s640/IMG_6954.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuUHMl7-tyXizCzEa1l942X_q4lwzLw-04d-f69YN0fvvQndIHqzSffDpsOxLCsP9x7SWlmOqjnOQHIzhH9lRcjAS9z8PgTezv2hEqblZ_5xjjwuJFK999yvOEAzW0JSsizO_r3ov9jg/s320/IMG_6954.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">My dad has some purple irises in the backyard that we thought might have died a few years ago. Before that, without much thought on my part, they had come like clockwork every spring around Easter. And then, one year they didn’t. That one year turned into several years and we were afraid their blooming days were over. It seemed that their growth had stopped and that their flowers were on strike. And it seemed like maybe it was time to dig them up and plant something else. While we could see no evidence of anything happening with the once stunning flowers, it turned out that they weren’t quite done yet. They had more life to live and more beauty to give to the world around them. Hidden to the human eye, but nevertheless there, life was brimming underneath the soil. And one spring day several years after their last bloom, (or so we thought) my dad looked out the kitchen window with a smile and said, “The irises are back.”<br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">I pondered these things and much more on a walk the other day. I looked up to see some wispy clouds in the distance and felt something stir within me. These words rose to the surface of my heart: <i>Close your eyes and imagine what life would look like IF…</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">I closed my eyes and took a deep breath as several images filled my heart.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Lord whispered something that was somewhat surprising but also not in the least bit unexpected. He said, "<i>I CAN DO MORE."</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">It struck me in that moment how He didn’t say, “I can do <i>that</i>-those things I had been thinking about seconds earlier.” But rather He said, “I can do<i> more</i>.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">I immediately thought of Ephesians 3:20 which says,</span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is in work within us.”</span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Message Version says it like this:</span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“God can do anything, you know-far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around, but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us.”</span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">I've come across this scripture several times lately and I don't believe that is by accident. I believe that God is trying to get me to see something more. I believe He wants that for you too, so let's dig a little deeper. The first truth that needs to be settled in our hearts is that God can do anything! We are quick to offer up those words to others but slow to believe them about the situations in our own lives. It is important that when we ask for things, we acknowledge WHO we are asking and WHAT He is capable of doing in those situations. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The second truth is that <i>God’s more</i> might look different than ours. Ephesians never promises that God will do whatever we ask, but rather that He has the ability to do more than we can imagine. Placing our faith in Jesus means that we trust Him even when the outcome is different than we expected. God sees a much bigger picture and He knows what is ultimately going to bring about something good and something greater in our lives. So when He says He will do more, it doesn't necessarily mean that things are going to work out the way we think. It means that He is going to do more than we can see at that moment. God is going to multiply what we currently have in the present to make an eternal echo in the future. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">I don’t know what your empty flower bed looks like. I don’t know what you are waiting on or hoping for or what has stopped growing in your life. I don’t know where you are in the process of wanting to dig up dead plants, but I do know that God has more for you; that He is gently working within. Settle in your heart that He has the ability to do all things. Yes, ALL THINGS. And be open to the truth that God's more might look a little different than yours. When you are feeling like you don't matter remember that “God sees you. He hasn’t forgotten you. He hasn’t overlooked you. He’s intimately acquainted with your entire being-your hopes, fears, and dreams” (Youversion Bible App). And He is working underneath the soil to bring about something more than you can see or imagine right now. Cultivate your garden. Water the seeds. And then wait expectantly by the kitchen window for a sign of life. You never know when a new season, full of surprise blooms is right around the corner. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">-Only Hope</span></p><div><br /></div>onlyhope89http://www.blogger.com/profile/12311548077451177339noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023557379133949438.post-32285281046106927062021-01-31T13:51:00.126-08:002021-02-06T12:08:32.997-08:00Book the Flight<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3v-GeUhnWu_pAHRBMfYYsS2lkH5SET-G3RVMMy8Toe7CI5YNyZ2d2R-jFA69jO4u3fDOJ8r2kK-Jm_EQ8pkXQ9EAHvpcAP_GswBlTc1cCJduBCH0V5jUhV6eRwzBUv0ysdHslQJuGHV0/s4032/IMG_0288.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3v-GeUhnWu_pAHRBMfYYsS2lkH5SET-G3RVMMy8Toe7CI5YNyZ2d2R-jFA69jO4u3fDOJ8r2kK-Jm_EQ8pkXQ9EAHvpcAP_GswBlTc1cCJduBCH0V5jUhV6eRwzBUv0ysdHslQJuGHV0/s320/IMG_0288.JPG" /></a></span></span></div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />I unwrapped my piece of chocolate, ready to savor the taste of the morsel inside and also curious about what words would be found inscribed across the wrapper. What I read made me laugh. It said, “book the flight.”
</span></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-24c3e38e-7fff-cc50-2c02-69a73ddf5c1f"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If only.
</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Months before, I had done just that. I had tried to book a flight for another overseas expedition, and then COVID-19 had entered our lives. Oh, how I wished I could get on a plane and soar above the clouds, leaving all this craziness in our world on the ground below. But as far as I could see, there would be no flights in my near future. Normally I would read the quote and then throw it away, but this time something compelled me to save it. There was something about it; something about those words that gave me hope. And something deep inside that said if I hung on to the belief that I could soon book a flight somewhere, then maybe just maybe I could make it through this time of uncertainty we have been living in together over the past year. </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But the more I thought about those three words, the more I became convinced that the Holy Spirit had a deeper meaning for me in them. It wasn’t necessarily a literal flight I was supposed to book; it was a mental one. It was choosing to go higher than what I could currently see in front of me. It was taking a step of faith. And it was walking into the unknown, not knowing where that might lead. Booking the flight simply meant doing that next thing, even if the next thing seemed scary or hard or impossible.</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I pondered those words, I thought a lot about flight. I know a lot of people are uneasy about flying, but to me, there is just something about that moment when you break through the clouds and see things from a different perspective. Sometimes that is exactly what we have to do in life as well. We may face turbulence and resistance while stationary and attempting to lift off, but when we finally experience that breakthrough, we see everything differently. When you are in the air you can see above the horizon. You can see for miles and you have such a different vantage point than before. And in the process you go somewhere; you end up in a totally different place. I think the trouble though is that too often it is much easier to stay grounded where we are than to have the courage to go somewhere else or do something different. I am certainly not immune to this. I'm writing it to myself as much as to you because if I'm honest, I cling to safety and security and what I can see; but in that, I never really go anywhere. Seeing is such a great gift and yet such a hindrance to our daily trust. </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I recently read a powerful book that included this statement: “What I was seeing wasn’t all that was happening. Past seasons where I have seen God’s faithfulness remind me that I don’t always see God working in the midst of my hard days...most of the time it is thousands of little shifts so slight that the dailiness of His work doesn’t register in real-time. God is intervening and weaving and working, but our human eyes can’t detect it. God isn’t oblivious to what is happening. I don’t know what He is doing. And I don’t know how and when I will start to see Him move. But I do know His silence is not proof of His absence. And my broken perception is not evidence of His broken promise” (TerKeusrt, Lysa, Forgiving What You Can’t Forget).</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I see a lot of parallels in flying on an airplane and in the words Lysa TerKeurst used to describe our lives. When we fly we can’t see every single movement or control every aspect of it. We can’t see what the pilot is doing or how the plane works or the little movements it has to make in order to stay in the air and perfectly function. We just have to trust. </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
And just like putting our faith in the hands of the pilot, we can also decide to put it in the hands of the Creator. He lets us choose. He lovingly waits for us to step aboard, but also kindly points out the exits. It's up to us. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My last few devotions have had the same theme of courage, which on paper sounds amazing, but in your heart, you kind of secretly wonder what is on the horizon that you will need to muster that courage for. Taking steps is not always easy, but without them, we never go anywhere. I'm not sure what this looks like for you. Some of us need the courage to say yes, or perhaps, to say no. You may need the courage to stand up for what is right even if you are standing alone. Maybe you need the courage to venture into the unknown and to try something different. Or perhaps you need the courage to stay and to do it again when it seems like nothing is changing in your situation. I feel convinced that this is a message I am supposed to pass along, so let me encourage you with those same words I received as you think about this new year and all it may hold for you. Have the courage to </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">book the flight-</span></span><span style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;">whatever that looks like for you in this current season of life. Take a higher ground approach in your thoughts and in your choices and in everything you do. And take those next steps. You never know where the journey might take you. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">-Only Hope
</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LY7UtxFYILhbJ11l9xk6bx4b6tPYgIhBgJkv_pufwh2yQNrNR0LgLaKOE44bUQdA0kPYoE5yvDQ40BrfMtkICYrtUd1XMYWzDg9xRVfdg3j4KQg43SOOv8ihU3qyxkvjkSeLw2Tz-M8/s640/IMG_6523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LY7UtxFYILhbJ11l9xk6bx4b6tPYgIhBgJkv_pufwh2yQNrNR0LgLaKOE44bUQdA0kPYoE5yvDQ40BrfMtkICYrtUd1XMYWzDg9xRVfdg3j4KQg43SOOv8ihU3qyxkvjkSeLw2Tz-M8/s320/IMG_6523.jpg" /></a>
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"We may not always know God's will, but we can always walk in God's ways. That means that even if we don't know what is next for our lives, we continue to obey God and what He has called us to RIGHT NOW!" (God's Plan For Your Life Bible App Plan by Switch)</span>
</span></div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>onlyhope89http://www.blogger.com/profile/12311548077451177339noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023557379133949438.post-296245802858577702020-12-15T21:19:00.014-08:002020-12-16T18:52:39.501-08:00Hindsight is 20/20<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfZDTUhwGDVwBb-b6qKupMFdOMuAVMgFhUcz_eNA_QUI1qLNXF4O9e2jViv_kHbauVy_3kgIUDXPmEd1dip7_OuC1v8eKE-wuii7TY5wSKWhwTY5oYmCUmFhUn5eua2w5A_Ps4Vv5UQs/s700/tolkienquote.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="560" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfZDTUhwGDVwBb-b6qKupMFdOMuAVMgFhUcz_eNA_QUI1qLNXF4O9e2jViv_kHbauVy_3kgIUDXPmEd1dip7_OuC1v8eKE-wuii7TY5wSKWhwTY5oYmCUmFhUn5eua2w5A_Ps4Vv5UQs/s320/tolkienquote.jpg" /></a></div></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If there is one thing that the year 2020 has taught me, it is this: to stop and be still. To appreciate all the little things I used to take for granted. To look up when the entire world is in a state of uncertainty and wondering what will happen next. And it has reminded me how to stand on solid ground when everything else has been shaken. Yes, this year has been a year for the books, but perhaps it’s not a chapter we want to completely dismiss just yet.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I think about the things that have changed since March; about what we lost and what we gave up. Who would have ever imagined that we wouldn’t be allowed to gather for in-person church services? Who could have dreamed that travel would temporarily cease to exist? Or that jobs would be lost and that people would be separated from being able to see loved ones. Who could have foreseen the loneliness, the isolation, and the anxiety that would sweep over us as we waited to see what would happen next? And who could have known that the turn of a decade laced with the promise of vision and anticipation would instead leave us stumbling and stuck?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">No, this year certainly did not turn out the way it was supposed to. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Or at least, not the way <b>we</b> thought it was supposed to.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">When I consider all the things we walked through this year, I can’t help but also think about what was on the other side of those things. Because in this year of hardships and changes and things being like we’ve never known before, there was also an indescribable beauty. I would never wish the loss of life or jobs or the number of other things the pandemic brought, but could it be that in all that we faced, there was still also something good to be found in this year?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It was in the middle of this mess that my relationship with the Lord went even deeper. It was when I couldn’t be around friends and loved ones that I learned how much they meant to me. And it was when things were taken away, that I was reminded to be grateful for having them in the first place. This year has taught me to look for beauty in the ashes, to TRULY appreciate all things, and to remember the truth of that song we used to sing in Sunday School that said, “God’s got the whole world in His hands.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Maybe this year wasn’t the best of times and maybe it would have been better to skip it altogether, but I can’t help but think there’s something we were supposed to learn through all of this. I recently heard John Maxwell share this story and I can’t think of a better lens through which to consider the past nine months. He called it “A Babe in Bethlehem” and it goes a little something like this: </span></p><p></p><blockquote><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">“A century ago men were following, with bated breath, the march of Napoleon, and waiting with feverish impatience for the latest news of the wars. And all the while, in their own homes, babies were being born. But who could think about babies? Everybody was thinking about battles. . . .In one year, midway between Trafalgar and Waterloo there stole into the world a host of heroes! In 1809 Gladstone was born at Liverpool; Alfred Tennyson was born at the Somersby Rectory and Oliver Wendell Holmes in Massachusetts. And on that same day, Abraham Lincoln drew his first breath at Old Kentucky. Music was enriched by the advent of Frederic Chopin at Warsaw, and of Felix Mendelssohn at Hamburg, but nobody thought of babies. Everybody was thinking of battles. Yet. . . which of the battles of 1809 mattered more than the babies of 1809?” (F. W. Boreham, Mountains in the Mist: Some Australian Reveries [1919], 166-67, 170)</span></i></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I imagine that a lot like us, the people of 1809 could only see the challenges. Their focus was on the war, the loss, and the devastation. I’m sure they must have wondered when it would be over and eagerly hoped that 1810 would usher in a different set of circumstances. But meanwhile, in that same year that seemed so useless and unnecessary, world changers were taking their first breaths. Babies that would go on to change history and influence those around them were being born at what seemed to be just the wrong time. Except it was really “just the right time” because God was at work even in what seemed like a year that was filled with nothing good.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">As we focus on the most important baby’s birth this December and what that meant for humanity, may we also think about the new thing He wants to do within each of us. COVID-19 came into our world this year, but something else was born too. Amidst all the things we lost and had to give up, I believe we also received room for something new to come about. I believe there is an idea, a hope, a dream, or a revelation that came to life inside each of us during 2020. And that we will see the fruit of things planted this year in the years to come. After all, a seed first grows in the darkness before it bursts forth and produces a crop. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So keep going, friends. This year may have been difficult and unusual, but there was beauty in those ashes and there were moments worth celebrating. I’m ready to see what a new year will bring, but let’s not forget to reflect on what this past year brought us through. Let’s not forget to look for the good. Or despise meager beginnings. And let’s not forget that God is always at work. After all, hindsight is always 20/20. Merry Christmas!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">-Only Hope<br /><br /> <b>Here's to some of the good that came from 2020!</b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziFYtBZGXY3hz5RDLGXJiiqtPCB0g2853lmbgg1zsK7Lman7jW55sRjgGWDo6xu_-cGrYZtSKSu6AWsobGqnApAeP5cH0gj31fCdoU3iMCYof1TxVUjwLQQ-jzatPmj2ouWI0PD_FwKk/s640/IMG_5003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziFYtBZGXY3hz5RDLGXJiiqtPCB0g2853lmbgg1zsK7Lman7jW55sRjgGWDo6xu_-cGrYZtSKSu6AWsobGqnApAeP5cH0gj31fCdoU3iMCYof1TxVUjwLQQ-jzatPmj2ouWI0PD_FwKk/s320/IMG_5003.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7I7j0eFA73KCPPb-5Tv6WxoBT7LW7LzFV5UwpxylgdVqzDGEUwzF5j8zVvRtB9yKJnKbS_VzsJbuerELvN-AeDPUN3JGH642xYDXRQofLmm0MbWCWw9gpkOKNE91UXuC0-RMNjbHKlc/s640/IMG_5421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLT93a5fV0ssY4vte6hUJL6G1vMhWe3JSsKdtd-PM-_DjStz1iId8A4qAYBYtZ2Eb2D4BGNJ1fRn_oEwTJIA1QC6PcXBMqTLPVEW6eZo67gdYW0Lmw52gVm-61MPD5wt29XvWnx4rNvCM/s1277/IMG_3520+%25281%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1277" data-original-width="957" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLT93a5fV0ssY4vte6hUJL6G1vMhWe3JSsKdtd-PM-_DjStz1iId8A4qAYBYtZ2Eb2D4BGNJ1fRn_oEwTJIA1QC6PcXBMqTLPVEW6eZo67gdYW0Lmw52gVm-61MPD5wt29XvWnx4rNvCM/s320/IMG_3520+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Lu8gcxnRVV5DMTgRB47okoBxyIgiysno9NfZn5BV3viLaVUEs5UHpwq6CXXf4QuQnnaalKk0oHYaTqABqb9g4p7UiBuZhKAh6DRcq19i89J8-580w6M6eicsroGaLzey9Nb25XEzqXU/s640/IMG_2008.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Lu8gcxnRVV5DMTgRB47okoBxyIgiysno9NfZn5BV3viLaVUEs5UHpwq6CXXf4QuQnnaalKk0oHYaTqABqb9g4p7UiBuZhKAh6DRcq19i89J8-580w6M6eicsroGaLzey9Nb25XEzqXU/s320/IMG_2008.JPEG" /></a><br /><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="p" face="Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span class="text Isa-61-3" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="color: black; position: relative; text-align: start;">To bestow on them a crown of <b>beauty</b></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="p" face="Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="color: black; text-align: start;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-3" style="position: relative;">instead of ashes,</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="p" face="Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span class="text Isa-61-3" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="color: black; position: relative; text-align: start;">the oil of joy</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="p" face="Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="color: black; text-align: start;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-3" style="position: relative;">instead of mourning,</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="p" face="Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span class="text Isa-61-3" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="color: black; position: relative; text-align: start;">and a garment of praise</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="p" face="Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="color: black; text-align: start;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-3" style="position: relative;">instead of a spirit of despair.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="p" face="Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span class="text Isa-61-3" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="color: black; position: relative; text-align: start;">They will be called oaks of righteousness,</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="p" face="Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="color: black; text-align: start;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-3" style="position: relative;">a <b>planting</b> of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="p" face="Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="color: black; text-align: start;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-3" style="position: relative;">for the display of His splendor.</span></span></span></span></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> -Isaiah 61:3</span> </span></p></div><br /><br /><br /><p></p>onlyhope89http://www.blogger.com/profile/12311548077451177339noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023557379133949438.post-24337112506823792492020-11-12T20:08:00.003-08:002020-11-12T20:11:32.534-08:00Miracle Math<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8MXmulDMm6o9-2ZacAn7j4USkvDh274JEr9DCc9v_QRuG7Wa6EV98KNWlA0jDl4q5_bteXSzozA7pWiWYwxc3_IEDYYVOk6eOAePy-6K9jWuT2JeBJL6RmNpTM_DuV_4AiWsci0_QlI/s750/IMG_5741.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8MXmulDMm6o9-2ZacAn7j4USkvDh274JEr9DCc9v_QRuG7Wa6EV98KNWlA0jDl4q5_bteXSzozA7pWiWYwxc3_IEDYYVOk6eOAePy-6K9jWuT2JeBJL6RmNpTM_DuV_4AiWsci0_QlI/s320/IMG_5741.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The same two stories have found their way to me lately. The first is the one about the boy with the fish and bread and how his little ended up feeding thousands (John 6:1-15). The other is the one about three siblings named Martha, Mary, and Lazurus and how they discovered God is always on time even when it doesn’t look like it (John 11:38-44). The common denominator in the two stories appears to be having faith when it seems impossible. They both point to continuing to believe when it doesn’t add up. And they both have to do with math. Yes, math. The kind of math where you add something plus something else and you get something far greater.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Can I be honest? Math has never really my thing and I never dreamed I would be writing about it, but here we are, in this together. Lately, the Holy Spirit has been showing me that God does math a little differently than I was taught in school. I always assumed that math was supposed to be a straightforward subject. You have a formula, you follow it and you get an answer. At least it works that way some of the time, for some people. I remember during class when the teacher was working out the problem, this theory made perfect sense. I could do any math problem, as long as it was EXACTLY like the example. The problem came when the question looked different than I thought it was going to look. There was more than one occasion that I found myself staring blankly at the test paper as foreign variables were added and I was faced with something I had not seen before that moment. I did the best I could, but let’s just say there’s a reason I’m an English major.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I think back to those days of struggling in math class and I can’t help but realize how often I still feel like I’m in a classroom trying to figure out the answer. It turns out life can look a lot like a math equation and that math class might actually have been a cleverly disguised manual on how to do life. How often are new variables thrown into our circumstances and we find that things don’t look anything like we thought they would at the start? How often have we been in the middle of what looked like an impossible problem? Maybe it’s that we discover that we have a bigger need than the available resources? Perhaps it is that we have waited and prayed and watched for Jesus to show up and then buried hope, our dreams or relationships when He didn’t make it in time? The disciples found themselves in that place. So did Martha and Mary. And I’m guessing that you have too. No matter what the packaging looks like, we’ve all experienced a season or a situation where a touch from Jesus would go a long way.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I was pondering some of these thoughts on the way home from work one day when I felt the Holy Spirit point out, “I don’t do math like you do math. I AM all-knowing and have unlimited resources. I can see beyond today and beyond this moment and I never miscalculate or make mistakes. You can trust me because even though things don’t add up to you, they make perfect sense to Me. I work using God math.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This reminds me of a version of Ephesians 3:20 that I love. It says, “Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for His miraculous power constantly energizes you.” (Ephesians 3:20 TPT)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In other words, I think, Ephesians 3:20 is saying that it may not seem like your answer is going to come out right or add up, but it will. Jesus is at work: multiplying, providing, healing, and bringing dead things back to life. God won’t only ace the test, He will get the bonus question too. And in time, you will be able to see that He was patiently teaching you how to work through the problem in order to do more than you could imagine!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Someone special to me recently recommended a song called Four Days Late about when Jesus showed up four days after Lazarus had died. The song ends with these words:</span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Lord, we don’t understand why you waited so long<br />But His way is God’s way<br />Not Yours or mine<br />And isn’t it great when, He’s four days late, He’s still on time</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Whatever place you are waiting on God for, remind yourself that He is on time. Whatever problem you find yourself stuck on, know that He has the answer. He can provide. He can heal. He can mend. He can bring to life. He can defeat. He can multiply. And He can claim the victory! Jesus did it for Lazarus. He did it for the five thousand. And He can do it for us too. Pastor Steven Furtick calls it, “miracle math” because when God gets involved with your little, He makes it a lot. And that’s math I can get behind.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">-Only Hope</span></p><div><br /></div>onlyhope89http://www.blogger.com/profile/12311548077451177339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023557379133949438.post-44142164219891781332020-08-25T10:21:00.003-07:002020-08-26T20:20:26.720-07:00Look Up<p><i><span></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkcbDgkMkigCYMmmhR4HY_8UVS-F6aCH50JXS7M6UV75I0OAw5kfaoL9gzYdaT8JKOjdKmzyH0HvQ78Th-an96Ik4L94adA3WrsruGKDOhyphenhyphene6RKHcRdNCAa9BsgsQ5U9WkcIaj_gtxPaE/s880/rainbow-sky-rain-mood-landscape-color-flawlessness-rainbow-colors-close-up.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="252" data-original-width="880" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkcbDgkMkigCYMmmhR4HY_8UVS-F6aCH50JXS7M6UV75I0OAw5kfaoL9gzYdaT8JKOjdKmzyH0HvQ78Th-an96Ik4L94adA3WrsruGKDOhyphenhyphene6RKHcRdNCAa9BsgsQ5U9WkcIaj_gtxPaE/w512-h146/rainbow-sky-rain-mood-landscape-color-flawlessness-rainbow-colors-close-up.jpg" width="512" /></a></span></i></div><i><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day.” Exodus 16:4</span></span></i><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Imagine the scene with me. Moses and the Israelites are on the move. They’ve just seen miracle after miracle and they were probably expecting to step RIGHT into another one—you know the ultimate one of being past all the Egypt stuff and living their great new lives. Instead, they stepped into the desert. There was no milk. There was no honey. They couldn’t even find water. They must have had a hard time equating the same God that could open and close the sea to the One that had suddenly become very quiet. And because things didn’t add up they started to complain and grumble. I can hear them now. <i> Why would God do everything He has done and then leave us in a dry and desolate place? How much more of the “desert” will we have to endure? If only we could be back in Egypt. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Sounds a little familiar doesn’t it?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">How many times have we scoffed at the wilderness of 2020, longing to be back in 2019? How many times have we complained and grumbled and told God that we were over this current season of wandering? How many moments have we wondered if this is ever going to end and if anything better could really be out there waiting beyond the horizon of what we can only see today?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">If anybody gets it, the Israelites do. I imagine they would invite us to the campfire and swap stories of the life they knew in contrast to the life they were currently living in at that moment. I bet they would talk about all the things they had seen, only to come to a future they could not see. And I bet they would admit that their faith was being tested on a daily basis. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I’m not even saying I would blame them, but in their grumblings, there were a few things they had forgotten. And I think those lessons are equally important for us to remember at this moment in time.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The first is that Egypt may have been familiar, but it was not forever. God had something better! I think sometimes we forget exactly what the Lord delivered us from when the blessing becomes delayed. We look back longingly at what we had because it’s what we know, but we will never be able to fully see the fulfillment of His promises as long as we are looking backward.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The second thing the Israelites easily forgot was that God had already been faithful time and time again. God had proved his faithfulness through plagues, pillars, and partings and yet they wavered in the pause. God doesn’t stop being faithful just because He doesn’t answer or provide in the way we think He should. Pastor Steven Furtick put it this way, that sometimes we “confuse God’s love with conformity to our agenda.” God is always good and that doesn’t change, even in the wilderness. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The last lesson the Israelites learned is that sometimes God walks us through a desert in order to equip us with what we will need on the other side of our victory. There was something greater on the other side, but the Israelites had to be willing to walk through the hard and dry land that would lead them to that place. There were some things they had to learn and some things they needed to let go of before they were ready for what was ahead. And there were some places of trust that needed to be settled in their hearts.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I think that’s exactly why God introduced the manna the way He did when they asked Him to provide food. It may seem like a hassle to have to go out and gather again and again, but God was more interested in teaching them dependence on Him than comfort or convenience. He was more interested in showing them that He would provide exactly what they needed for that place. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I actually had a different idea to write about, but I felt the Holy Spirit prompting this idea of daily dependence on God because I think that’s exactly where we are right now in our lives and in our world. Manna is not some outdated Old Testament breakfast item; it’s a lesson of trusting. It’s a lesson of knowing that our God will provide exactly what we need each day. He will fill us up. And He will be enough.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">But that only happens if we actually go out and gather it. Our role is to seek Him. We must come into His presence in order to be filled with His strength. We must admit our dependence on Him and believe that He will bring the manna.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I’m not sure what you’re walking through in this season. Maybe it’s a job loss. Maybe it’s waiting for test results. Maybe it’s wondering what the future is going to look like now. Maybe it’s simply a weariness from all the changes and decisions that have to be made on a daily basis. Whatever your wilderness looks like, remind yourself that you’re not alone. Look up to the One who provides. To the One who brings just what we need for that day, that moment and that struggle. Watch the manna fall and gather what you need. And then trust that more will come tomorrow. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">-Only Hope</span></p>onlyhope89http://www.blogger.com/profile/12311548077451177339noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023557379133949438.post-75809260915444293612020-06-25T20:06:00.003-07:002020-08-25T21:25:16.106-07:00Faith Over Fear<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span face="">My brother and I went fishing the other night and the memory has stayed with me. There’s something about the water that soothes my soul. It takes patience. It takes quiet. It takes setting aside some time. But it’s worth it because, for a moment, I can just be still. And catching a fish is kind of fun too. </span></div>
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<span face="">This particular fishing expedition was a little different however in the fact that the sun was setting as we arrived and by the time we really got into the thick of it<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">—</span>it was dark. I realized as I scanned the murky water for the shape of the bobble that my fishing success had always come on the premise of being able to see what I was doing. I suddenly found myself having to rely on what I could feel rather than what I could see. I held the rod in my hands waiting for the slightest nibble or pull. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to reel a fish in if I couldn’t see what was going on in front of me.</span></div>
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<span face="">As I waited on the edge of the bank, I reflected on the situation and the words echoed inside my mind. <i>Not being able to see what is in front of me.</i> That was a feeling that I had become quite familiar with lately. I thought about the previous fifteen weeks and about the things we have been experiencing in this new normal. I thought about the things that have changed due to COVID. And I thought about the things that haven’t. I’ve learned a lot about myself and life and about trusting God on a deeper level in this season, yet sometimes I still feel exactly like I did as I stood on the bank in the darkness waiting for something to happen.</span></div>
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<span face="">Waiting for an answer. </span></div>
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<span face="">Wondering when it will come. </span></div>
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<span face="">Willing the Lord to act. </span></div>
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<span face="">And it’s not just coronavirus that ignited these questions. I’ve been asking them for a while. I’ve been waiting for a while. Maybe you have too. </span></div>
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<span face="">As the crickets chirped around me and I gazed at the night stars above, I was reminded of the phrase that the Holy Spirit has been pressing upon my heart. And that’s the action of choosing faith over fear. </span></div>
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<span face="">I looked up the word “faith” and the definition said, “<i>Complete trust or confidence in someone or something</i>.” I keep coming back to the word <i>complete</i>. I think perhaps there are a lot of moments that we say we are trusting God for something when we really mean, “I’m giving Him a shot first, but if it doesn’t work out the way I want, then I will take it into my own hands.” I know I’m guilty of this. I also know God doesn’t want just a chance. He wants an opportunity. He wants room to do something beyond what we can imagine, but that means putting up a vacant sign and moving out. That means surrendering every bit of it and being willing to accept whatever comes. That means choosing faith when you are staring at fear. That means still trusting when the diagnosis isn’t good. That means continuing to hope when you are discouraged. That means doing things you don’t necessarily feel like doing in that moment.</span></div>
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<span face="">I’m not saying this is easy. I’m still working on it every single day. But I think it’s necessary if we want to do the things God is calling us to do. </span></div>
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<span face="">I read this line in one of my Bible studies this week. “<i>We have to keep believing that God can, even when He isn’t at the moment</i>” (Wendy Pope, Hidden Potential). I think that’s the measure of success for putting faith over fear. It’s in our actions. It’s in what we keep doing. Things won’t change if we only try once, but when we start to repeat a choice or a thought, it becomes a mindset. It becomes a lifestyle. So that means we keep believing. Even when the future is uncertain. Even when we can’t see what we are doing. The Bible says it this way in Acts 27:25, “<i>So keep up your courage, for I have faith that it will happen just as He told me</i>.” I believe the author uses the phrase, “keep up your courage” to indicate that this will be something you have to continue to do. His message is this, “On those hard days when it seems like it is NOT going to happen and you can’t see beyond the moment you are in, keep at it. It’s coming. It’s going to happen because God is faithful.” </span></div>
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<span face="">It’s because of God’s promises that we can have confidence in tomorrow. We can have hope when all seems bleak. We can look at the world around us and have peace. No matter the situation, we can choose to have faith over fear. So whether it’s fear, anxiety, the virus, uncertainty of what tomorrow will look like, an unstable economy, unmet desires, brokenness, loneliness, unrest in society, or anything else that might be causing you to worry<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">—</span>speak faith over it. And keep at it because the Name of Jesus is above all things. He is the source of faith we draw from when the fear comes our way. He is God with us.</span></div>
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<span face="">-Only Hope</span></div>
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onlyhope89http://www.blogger.com/profile/12311548077451177339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023557379133949438.post-83117014494953077802020-04-30T18:03:00.000-07:002020-05-10T13:21:06.794-07:00Labor of Love<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZlLLV-c7tCsKcvy2rG4eRcQHcd70DmLAI4nM5W6NohJf2Q6NXo2tfVNMuGQ1vewRdNYFiKal6_tivbgPctvzAK4dgH7nI-fCo8WW0AKeUHsp02YOovuWC7swYBYM_P-G71Pj2Wcso-Y/s1600/f8c3cab7-2227-4fd3-b86b-091422af46d1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="575" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZlLLV-c7tCsKcvy2rG4eRcQHcd70DmLAI4nM5W6NohJf2Q6NXo2tfVNMuGQ1vewRdNYFiKal6_tivbgPctvzAK4dgH7nI-fCo8WW0AKeUHsp02YOovuWC7swYBYM_P-G71Pj2Wcso-Y/s320/f8c3cab7-2227-4fd3-b86b-091422af46d1.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have always been fascinated by architecture, even from a young age. I remember learning about different types of columns in school and then pointing them out to my family every time we passed one. I took pictures of every lighthouse and interesting building I came across on family trips. Later my scrapbooks became full of places like the Roman Forum, the Colosseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and Buckingham Palace. I look at buildings now and I marvel at all it took to bring them to the place where they stand today.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It takes a lot of work and careful planning to</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">build a lasting legacy.<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interestingly enough, I not only have an admiration for buildings, but I am actually pretty good at building things as well. I’m not talking about cathedrals or skyscrapers, but if a piece of furniture comes into the house needing to be assembled, I am called upon. It’s something my dad and I do together from time to time. And even though we don’t always start out enthusiastically when a project is looming over us, we always share a surge of pride when it is finished. As I started thinking about the process of building, I realized I have learned some very valuable lessons along the way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am no expert, by any means, but there are things you pick up after a while. First, it helps if you lay all the pieces out in the correct order. It’s also a good idea to make sure that all the parts are there and that you have the correct tools. Following the directions leads to greater success than trying to figure it out on your own, even if they seem to be taking you somewhere you didn't expect. And it helps to have a lot of patience. And a lot of faith that the steps will lead you to what you desire.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think God’s heart for us is similar. He is constantly working on building us and our lives to be astonishing masterpieces. He is carefully laying out the pieces in the correct order so that we will become sturdy and useful. He requires patience and surrender on our part so that He can do His best work. He knows that when you combine the right pieces, in the right order, that your work of art will turn out just the way it was intended. And when He stands back and looks at what He has put together, God is so very proud.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With perfect timing, I’ve also been learning about a building project that God was very interested in throughout the Old Testament. For days, I have read about the many different specifications that He desired in building the Tabernacle. I have to admit that after pages of descriptions, I started to wonder what I could take away from the passages. I know the entire Bible is God-breathed and important, but the chapters on this subject seemed to be endless and irrelevant to me personally. Unless I had missed a divine assignment, I wasn’t planning to construct a tabernacle any time soon. I wondered why God would take the time to be that specific. And why would He be so detailed and decide to record it for generations of people to read?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then it hit me.<br /><br />The thing the Holy Spirit was trying to get me to see is that <b>God is a God of details</b>. He is in everything. He is right here. Right now. As I type these words and as you read them, God knows exactly what you and I are going through and what we need. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He sees the place we are in, the questions we are asking, and the challenges we are facing. And He knows the desires of our heart. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And if He cared enough to plan out every single detail of the building of the tabernacle, then I think we can trust that He is in every detail of our lives too because "He made us and He personally knows our heart" (Kupecky, Kelsey: The Chase).</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God is not surprised by the season we are in or the blueprint we are holding in our hands. He knows what the end piece is supposed to look like and He knows what it is going to take to get there because not only Has he read the directions, but He wrote them as well. God has carefully laid out all the pieces and we must trust that He will put them together in the right order and in the right way. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The question is not one of <i>is God with us</i>, but rather are we are inviting Him to be there? Are we willing to trust that He has orchestrated every little thing down to the last detail and are we ready to follow His plan even if it looks hard or scary? Are we willing to let go of our control and believe that He is in every situation?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No matter what stage you are in right now, don’t give up on the carpenter. He may work slowly. He may make a mess in the process. And at times it may look like He doesn’t know what He is doing, but He does. He sees the whole picture. And He is building with love. With purpose. With intention. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He is building His greatest labor of love. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Only Hope</span><br />
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onlyhope89http://www.blogger.com/profile/12311548077451177339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023557379133949438.post-85712133899569934312020-03-31T20:03:00.000-07:002020-04-03T16:37:40.720-07:00Rise Up<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“I have<b> raised you</b> up for this very purpose, that I might show you My power and that My Name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Exodus 9:16</i></span><br />
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<span font-family:="" new="" quot="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;" times="">The same little phrase “rise up” has found its way to me multiple times over the last couple of weeks. I just didn’t realize it right away. It was in Bible verses the Lord revealed to me. It was in words people said to me and it was also in two different songs, but I struggled to make the connection at first. As I began to think about this next blog post, I could not seem to figure out how to start. It’s not that I didn’t have a lot of things I could write about during all of this Covid-19 craziness; it was more of a question of how to put it all into words.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And then in a sermon about <i>The God of Miracles</i>, my pastor said, “God didn’t create this season that we are in, but He is using it.” And that statement reminded me a lot of what my Bible plan had been walking me through recently</span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 15.84px;">—</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">the incredible story of Joseph and his rise from a damp, dark prison cell to a high position over Egypt. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I kept thinking about what Joseph proclaims to his brothers as he reveals his identity to them. Instead of rehashing the cistern incident from many years before, Joseph assures them, “Do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, <i>because</i> it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you” (Genesis 45:5).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The beautiful thing about Joseph’s story is there was <i>a because</i>. And there was a purpose. God was at work in the situation the whole time, even when things looked really bad. Even when it looked like things were never going to change. God used Joseph’s background, his experiences, the place he was in and his faith and did something with it that only God could do. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">He saved the lives of many. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Through Joseph God brought understanding, a plan, and hope. And I believe the same is true for us. We as believers are in this time and this season to bring hope to the world around us. We all have a unique set of experiences and a calling on our lives and we have been orchestrated to be here in this place. God has sent us wisdom and truth from His word <i>ahead of this</i> so that we may offer it freely during this time. Like Joseph, we too have understanding, a plan, and hope. We have an understanding that God is with us in this crisis. We have a plan to trust Him through it. And we have hope that brighter days are coming.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I think it was as I was humming some of the words to a song from the musical <i>Hamilton</i>, that the phrase I talked about at the beginning finally stuck. The two little words had been there in my spirit all along, RISE UP!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The lyrics are about Alexander Hamilton not wasting his life or death, but I think they apply just as well to us right now. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>We’re gonna rise up (time to take a shot)</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>We’re gonna rise up, rise up</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It’s time for faith to rise over fear. It’s time for us to use the shot we have been given to point the world around us to Jesus. It’s time for hope to have the last word. And “it’s time for us to prove what we believe about our God" (Pastor Chris Hodges).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I know things are different and scary and hard right now, but we have an opportunity to make a difference, even in small ways. We have a choice about what we will do with this shot.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Whatever that phrase “rise up” means to you, do it. If it means being there for your elderly neighbors</span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 15.84px;">—rise</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> up. If it means checking in on the people you are social distancing from to see how they are doing</span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 15.84px;">—</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">rise up. If it means having a little more patience than normal with all the changes and challenges</span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 15.84px;">—</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">rise up. If it means putting some good out there amidst all the negativity</span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 15.84px;">—rise up.</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> And if means exercising faith about the power of Jesus in the middle of your fear</span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 15.84px;">—</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">rise up!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I’m right here with you and we are going to get through this. One day at a time. Keep fighting. Keep going. Keep Rising!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">-Only Hope</span></span><br />
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onlyhope89http://www.blogger.com/profile/12311548077451177339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023557379133949438.post-11472984050269626672020-02-29T11:51:00.000-08:002020-03-01T14:20:38.834-08:00Nothing Without Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Lately, I’ve felt a call to love better. I know that’s probably not the best way to phrase it grammatically, especially coming from an English major, but it’s the best way I can think to say it. The Bible talks about love a lot and I know we are supposed to do it, but sometimes if I’m being honest...it’s messy. People are difficult. Time is precious. And life is demanding. And these things leave the love equation extremely lopsided and a bit confusing. But true to His nature, the Holy Spirit has been teaching me a lot about this topic. Maybe that is because in my quiet time at the beginning of the year, I journaled about wanting to know what God’s love looks like more. I don’t know if it’s in response to my prayer or if it’s just on God’s heart for His people to get this right, but it seems like every devotional I’ve been reading has been talking about God’s way to love. I’m grateful because I’m tired of seeing the wrong examples and living in a world that doesn’t know what it means to put someone else first. I want to love better.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And for that reason, I think it was no coincidence or accident that on a cold, Sunday night in January, I found my self sitting next to someone who was learning all about having a new heart and loving others in a new way. It definitely was not something I was expecting as I stepped into that night. I simply loaded up my potluck plate and sat next to someone I had met only six months earlier.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Fork lifted and ears attuned, I tried to focus on the many different conversations around the table. There were several different ones happening all at once, but I couldn’t help but be drawn to the man next to me and the story he was sharing. He had been through quite a lot since the last time I had seen him. I listened attentively as he described the details leading up to his triple bypass surgery. A surgery he had no idea was going to become a part of his story or save his life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I remember at one point, he mentioned that before he went in, someone at the hospital said, “You know what type of surgery you are having right?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">He nodded.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“And what that means?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">He nodded again with all the faith and courage he could muster at that moment. “It means I might not wake up.” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">That phrase “I might not wake up” stuck with me and my perspective shifted. If things had gone differently, I would not have been sitting by him that night. I was suddenly filled with a renewed gratitude for the many things God does for us without us even knowing most of the time. I was overwhelmed by the gift of that night and that divine placement at the table. I was thankful that I serve a God who is alive and active and at work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I also wondered if it had been me who had come face to face with that question, what would have been going through my mind? My heart?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Have I leveraged my life...my time...my love...in a way that people have been impacted? Would I have done everything I wanted to with the relationships in my life? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The rest of the table broke off into different conversations, but we continued talking about God’s presence in hardships and trials. It was the kind of conversation you have when your head knows God is in it, but your heart is asking why you had to walk through it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I sat there desperately wanting to encourage him and say something that would be profound. Something that would mean something. And in that moment of me wanting to help him, God flipped it and I ended being the one encouraged.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It was a simple statement, a handful of words, that might have gone unnoticed but God made sure I was listening. The man shared this:</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I feel things more after the surgery. I have more empathy towards others and I’ve changed. I have a different heart towards things and people.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I felt the Holy Spirit ignite in my heart as He whispered, “That’s why Jesus came. And that’s what a surrendered heart looks like. That’s what it means to love better.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">1 Corinthians 13 is often quoted when talking about love, but I think perhaps we’ve heard it so much that we don’t always stop to think about what it is really calling us to do. Let’s take a minute to read it with a fresh perspective. 1 Corinthians 13:1-8:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I<i>f I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, <u>but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal</u>. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and i<u>f I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.</u> 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,<u> but do not have love, I gain nothing</u>.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. </i><i>8 Love never fails.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I recently saw it defined like this:<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">1. <b>Love is Patience.</b> Patience means calmly enduring problems, not lashing out at others but turning to God instead.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">2. <b>Love is Kindness.</b> Kindness considers others first and does not just want what you want.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">3. <b>Love is Not Jealous.</b> Not being jealous means celebrating other’s wins, trusting God and recognizing that the other person may need that attention that day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">4. <b>Love Doesn’t Brag.</b> Not bragging means not trying to impress others, and it means being humble and talking about the other person instead of just talking about yourself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">5. <b>Love is not Arrogant.</b> This means not being cocky, praising others, being friendly to all and not being judgemental. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">6. <b>Love Doesn’t Seek It’s Own.</b> Love is not selfish and puts others first.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">7. <b>Love is Not Provoked</b>. Love does not lose its temper, does not yell and responds rather than reacts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">8. <b>Love Keeps No Accounts of Wrongs</b>. It is not resentful, it does not think about wrongs and forgives daily.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">9. <b>Love Does Not Rejoice in Unrighteousness</b>. It doesn’t have fun doing wrong, it removes stumbling blocks and does not participate in unGodly things.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">10. <b>Love Rejoices in Truth</b>. It has fun doing right, says yes to Godly things and enjoys good things.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">11. <b>Love Bears All Things</b>. It is supportive, encouraging during troubles, is willing to be interrupted and it listens.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">12. <b>Love Believes All Things</b>. It is trusting, thinks the best of others and gives the benefit of the doubt. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">13.<b> L</b></span><b style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">ove Hopes All Things.</b><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> It is confident that things will get better and praises through the storms.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">14. <b>Loves Endures All Things.</b> It hangs tough during difficult times and sticks it out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">15. <b>Love Never Fails</b>. It is dependable, on time, and does what it says it will.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">(List from Barry St. Clair and Bill Jones)<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If you’re like me, that list might be a little overwhelming at the moment. I’m not saying those things are easy (trust me, I’ve got some work to do), but I included it because I think it’s a great reminder of what love could look like if we let God help us. It’s a work in progress, but imagine what things could be like if we picked one or two and started practicing these things in our daily walks? So I leave you with this—who is in your life that you could love better? Who is walking through a hard time, or in need of a friend or something that only you can offer? Who is that difficult person you’d rather avoid that might actually need you to not give up on them? Who is it specifically that God has planted in your garden; a place where you have the ability to water and cultivate and watch beauty bloom? There are many little things you can do...write them a card, text them, call someone, help them do something, ask them how their day is, encourage them and just let them know you care.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Christine Cain says it this way: “There’s a realm of influence</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">—</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">a group of people</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">—</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">that only you can inspire, encourage and lead. There’s a plan only you can complete.” I would go a step further and add, there’s a group of people God has in your life that He is also calling you to love. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Only Hope</span><br />
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onlyhope89http://www.blogger.com/profile/12311548077451177339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023557379133949438.post-23009508521590960002020-01-25T17:20:00.001-08:002020-02-08T11:20:52.463-08:00Walk As Far As You Can See: Lessons From Highlands College<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<i>“Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105</i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> For the first time in two years, I did not go to class on a Tuesday night. It was strange to think that as Highlands College students gathered together for the start of a new semester, I wasn’t there. Don’t get me wrong; I was glad not to have to write papers or study for a test or juggle work and school, but something inside me felt off. In my new-found freedom, a sense of sorrow lingered behind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I looked sheepishly at my friend and confessed. “I’m kind of missing not having class.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> My friend raised an eyebrow in my direction. “You’re sad about not going to school?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I nodded. “Yes, I know. I’m kind of a nerd.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> But if I’m being honest, it is more than that. Highlands College was the adventure I had not intended taking until God stirred my heart to want more. To trust Him more. To look beyond what I was supposed to be doing and into what He was calling me to do. It was the catalyst that had given me wings to be able to do things I never thought possible. And it was the one thing every week that lifted me and spoke into me like nothing else. To put it simply, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I think my classmate Kelly Davis said it best when she said, it now feels like there is a void.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>As I thought about this recently, the Holy Spirit tugged.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <i> Write about it.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I wasn’t convinced. I wanted to share the things that had shaped me and inspired me and taught me how to be a next-level leader and encourager, but would anyone else get anything out of it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> “God, I’m not really sure people want to read about that.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> His response: <i>Use it. Share what you learned.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> So here goes. I could probably write much more than any of you would want to read about the things God taught me during my time in my classes, but I’ll just skip to the end because that is where things got interesting. As Highlands College drew to a close, my thoughts began to focus on what the future held. It began to feel like crunch time. I was navigating not getting my hopes up with trying to remain expectant of God’s ability at the same time. I had expressed to myself and to others and even to God that I felt a pull towards ministry and even though the dream remained, I was unsure of what that was going to mean or how long it would take to get there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> My thoughts bombarded my heart like tiny darts.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">What would next semester look like? And the one after that? Would the door open quickly or would there be a wilderness before the Promised Land? Would my dreams even end up looking anything like I thought they would or would God step in and define them in a completely different way? And maybe the ministry He had in mind for me wasn’t the type you get paid for, but rather the kind you do where you are already planted. </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was contemplating these things for what felt like the one-hundredth time when my teacher, Coach Tim Spurlock, ended class with something that caught my attention.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Take the lantern and walk as far as you can see.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">He paused for effect and I found myself hanging on his every word.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">He said it again. Take the lantern and walk as far as you can see.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I watched as Coach Tim pretended to hold up a lantern and take a step, and then another, and another. I imagined the light of the lantern stretching just far enough to see what was right in front of him at that moment. As I was visualizing his lesson, he added:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Each step will illuminate the next step.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The truth surrounded my heart like a flood. I was never going to see the whole picture right away. I had to be willing to let it be painted stroke by stroke or step by step. It is only when we take a step that the next one be revealed. When we move forward, the light of the lantern will reach ahead of us and bring to light the things we need to see in that season. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I’m not sure what answers you need right now or what unknown stretches out before you at this moment. But I know this; it won’t happen if we don’t exercise faith. If we don’t lean into Jesus and ask Him, the light of the world, to be our lantern. To illuminate the path. And we have to be willing to say yes to where He is calling us. T</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">o being diligent, step by step, as the path unfolds. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I came across another statement that speaks to trusting God with the unknown. It said this:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1) God loves me enough to want the best for me.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">2) He is wise enough to know what’s best for me.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">3) He is powerful enough to get the best for me.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">(from Barry St. Clair and Bill Jones)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I keep repeating that phrase to myself every time the enemy comes against me. Every time my mind demands an answer. Every time things are not going like I hoped. And every time I feel like things are never going to change.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And things have not been solved overnight, but the reminder that God is sovereign over all the details of my life has brought freedom. Freedom to trust that He will make sense of it in His time. And a reminder that <i>He is at work even when we can’t see it </i>(Leeland, Waymaker).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">So don’t give up. And don’t get discouraged. Even when you find yourself in a season that requires you to move into the unknown. God can make a way. And He is the light that makes the darkness tremble. Hold up the lantern and watch all the places the light touches. And then take a step.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">-Only Hope</span></i></div>
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<u><b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">20 Leadership Principles From Highlands College</span></b></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>1. Live with Integrity</b>. (Steve Blair)</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Make sure you choose to live with integrity in everything you do. People are watching.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>2. Lead Up.</b> (Coach Tim Spurlock) </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Even if you are not the leader, you have the potential to influence those who do lead.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>3. See what could be, not what is.</b> (Matt Minor) </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">When you look at a situation or a person, call out what could be instead of just focusing on what is currently happening.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>4. Attitude determines altitude.</b> (John Maxwell)</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Your attitude determines how far you will go.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>5. Be the thermostat and not the thermometer.</b> (Chris Hanna)</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you are a thermometer you rise and fall based on outside factors, but if you are the thermostat, you set the temperature of the environment.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>6. Make the most of every environment you walk into. </b>(Rusty Dorr)</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Every time you are involved with a team or project, lift it up and make it better.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>7. Walk with people in tough times.</b> (Matt Minor)</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Be there for others and help them walk through tough times. See it through to the end.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>8. Get better.</b> (Katy Hodges)</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Continually strive to learn and grow and become a better version of yourself.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>9. Steward what God has given you well and recognize the mantle you carry. </b>(Casey Floyd) </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Be responsible with what God has entrusted you with and recognize the influence you carry as a Christ-follower and leader. </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>10. Have a spirit of excellence.</b> (Chris Hodges)</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Do everything to the best of your ability. </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>11. Be intentional. </b>(All of Highlands College)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>12. Surround yourself with the right team.</b> (Beth Cunningham)</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Who you are around is important. Choose people wisely and guard who you allow to speak into you.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>13. If leadership is bad, learn from it. When you are a leader, do it differently.</b> (Kellen Coldriron)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>14. Be a part of what God is already doing.</b> (Chris Hanna)</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Look for the ways God is already at work in you and around you and operate in that.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>15. Don’t give up on your dreams even if it takes a long time.</b> (Chris Hanna)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>16. Everything speaks. </b>(Kellen Coldiron)</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Everything we do says something to the world around us. </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>17. God has given us gifts and time—it’s about what we do with them.</b> (Chris Hanna)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>18. Do not let “the lesson die with you”.</b> (Kellen Coldiron)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>19. Distinguish yourself.</b> (Chris Hanna and Matt Minor) </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">When people look at our lives do they know we’ve been with Jesus? Can they tell that there is a difference in you?</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>20. Mistakes are okay. Not trying is worse than failing.</b> (Kellen Coldiron)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>To Highlands College</b>- Thank you to everybody who invested in me and was a part of the journey. I loved every minute of it! <i>Pastor Chris Hodges, Mark Pettus, Scott Johnson</i>, and the entire team, thank you for having this dream and turning it into a reality. I can only imagine the eternal impact HC is making. <i>Chris Hanna, Steve Blair, Gina Cox, Rusty Dorr, Beth Cunningham, Katy Hodges, Kellen Coldiron, Casey Floyd, and Coach Tim Spurlock-</i>-thank you for being my teachers. Thank you for your wisdom, time and invaluable lessons each and every week. Thank you to <i>Bill Golden</i> who saw ministry potential in me way back when and planted a seed. Thank you, <i>Pastor Matt Minor, Robby Bentley and Kenslea </i>for helping me get the process started. Thank you to so, so many people who were apart of this adventure through prayers, texts, conversations and more. Special shout out to my buds<i> Kelly and Riley</i>! You guys are the best seatmates in the world. Thank you to work, in particular, <i>Daniel and then April</i>, who let me off early when the time changed halfway through. Thank you, <i>Dad, Mom, and Will </i>who have each given yourself to the ministry at different times and shown me how much reward that brings and for being there in the trenches with me as I walk out this calling. And to <i>God Almighty</i> who called the leader out of me in the first place, THANK YOU for taking ordinary, quiet people like me and doing something incredible with their lives. Thank you for calling me on this adventure. I can’t wait to see where the story goes. I’m believing what will be, not what is.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">-HP</span></div>
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onlyhope89http://www.blogger.com/profile/12311548077451177339noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023557379133949438.post-51613475624595163282019-12-25T15:53:00.000-08:002019-12-27T10:13:22.721-08:00Wise Men Seek Him<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJl4fa-bwYDu8UBGr0FNbPefePVjr4VLb4WLdZM5Q4V3RnuZWJkZ4Zxte52ZIHYBdLvRt4ty-F4dGyjVumm0mNu3C4D2yQ41DMUk-yR6_DZDST9ejR-HIiaX_JnRCIPNKqmPKAkQ6NULA/s1600/IMG_3039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJl4fa-bwYDu8UBGr0FNbPefePVjr4VLb4WLdZM5Q4V3RnuZWJkZ4Zxte52ZIHYBdLvRt4ty-F4dGyjVumm0mNu3C4D2yQ41DMUk-yR6_DZDST9ejR-HIiaX_JnRCIPNKqmPKAkQ6NULA/s320/IMG_3039.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It often seems that before I fully get immersed into the Christmas Season it’s over. There are beautiful lights and decorations around every corner, Christmas music playing in the background everywhere you go and plenty of invitations to get together and add to a fun, but ever-growing to-do list. It’s been called the most wonderful time of the year and I do love this season, but if I’m being honest, too many times I’ve been distracted. Too many times I’ve let the demands of a busy schedule overshadow the power of what the season means. Too many times I haven’t fully unwrapped all the gifts of Christmas. This year I wanted that to be different.
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I did not see it at first, but an interesting thing started to happen this year. The Holy Spirit began to weave a theme throughout these December days that would ultimately tie together in a beautiful way. As I finished up final papers and sipped on hot chocolate and tried to embrace the season for all that it was, I started to notice a theme of giving like never before. God dropped this idea of gifts in my heart in a new and fresh way through a handful of special moments and people in my life. Like never before, I found myself seeing the blessings of gifts all around me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Picking out a Christmas tree with my grandfather like we used to do when I was a child reminded me that <b>time</b> is a gift and we should make the most of it. An invitation to a lovely evening at a friend’s church Christmas party this year was an example of what it looks like to be a <b>blessing to others </b>and make sure that you are intentional about touching those in your life. Being able to be a part of making Christmas special for a family through delivering presents highlighted the gift of <b>generosity </b>and what it means to look beyond yourself. Receiving unexpected cards full of treasured words and gifts from not one, but several people this year reminded me how the gift of <b>encouragement</b> and letting people know that you are thinking about them can make a huge difference. Having a friend throw a holly jolly tea in my honor highlighted the gift of <b>friendship</b> and what it looks like to do life together. <b>Spending time</b> laughing and swapping stories with friends and family reminded me that God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and that the gift of His blessings in our lives is something to never take for granted. Through going on adventures both overseas and in my own backyard with someone who has taught me so much, who has been there in the ups and downs and who makes me laugh and be braver than I ever thought I could, comes the gift of <b>hope and courage and never giving up</b>. Seeing the excitement of the anticipation of Christmas through the eyes of one very special little girl and her family in Welwyn Garden City, England taught me about the gift of <b>childlike wonder and expectancy</b>. And of course, the most important gift of all found in the journey from the manger to the cross is the ever-present reminder of the gift of <b>love.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> As I stopped to think about all these gifts and the things that the Holy Spirit was showing me, I thought about some other gifts. I thought about the first gifts and how the men who brought them to baby Jesus were doing more than just honoring the Newborn King. They were giving us a roadmap to how to seek Christ during this season and how to obtain <i>exceedingly great joy</i> in our lives both now and all year long.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The lesson of the wise men can be found in Matthew 2:9-12 and it says this:
“<i>After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was.10When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother, and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way</i>.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I believe the wise men teach us three significant things. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The first thing they teach us is to seek. The life Application Study Bible explains, “The Magi traveled thousands of miles to see the King of the Jews. When they finally found Him, they responded with joy, worship, and gifts. This is so different from the approach people often take today. We expect God to come looking for us, to explain Himself, to prove who He is and give us gifts. But those who are wise still seek and worship Jesus today, not for what they can get, but for who He is” (LASB commentary note on Matthew 2:1,2). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The second lesson we find is one of generosity or giving. Their tangible gifts, alongside their faith, and worship honored the Lord and brought them great joy! Again the Life Application Study Bible sums it up by telling us that “the Magi brought gifts and worshipped Jesus for who He was. This is the essence of true worship--honoring Christ for who He is and being willing to give Him what is valuable to you” (commentary on Matthew 2:11). The gifts the wise men choose to present to Jesus signify their belief in His ability and who He claimed to be. We can also choose to give of ourselves and show the hurting world around us that joy is not found in circumstances, but in the hope of Jesus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The third lesson we can learn from the wise men is that an encounter with God changes things. The Bible says, “they magi left...another way.” As we seek the Lord and worship Him, our lives will be transformed and we will begin to go another way. Time spent with the Lord has the power to change us if we allow it and it all starts with a posture of seeking, giving and receiving. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> As I said, this Christmas season has been a lot about gifts for me. I was blessed to have so many of you give me special things and moments this year, as well as the revelation about what the wise men in the Christmas story can teach us. These things combined reminded me that God is at work all around us. He truly is Immanuel-God with us. And I believe this idea of gifts is what God desires of us in this next season of our lives. I believe He wants us to give-give our time, our hearts, our worship, our thoughts, and our lives to Him and to others. We have an abundance of opportunities every single day. I’ve seen that firsthand this year and beyond that, I want to be able to do that for someone else. I want to be more intentional as I give the gifts of inviting others, being generous, encouraging those in my life, being a better friend, spending quality time, spreading hope, inspiring courage, spurring perseverance, bringing wonder, having a heart of expectancy and above all else loving better. The wise men modeled the way to honor Jesus through their actions of seeking, giving and being transformed. Let us do the same!
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Merry Christmas 2019!
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">-Only Hope</span><br />
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onlyhope89http://www.blogger.com/profile/12311548077451177339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023557379133949438.post-16298123590904395492019-09-10T08:19:00.002-07:002020-01-25T17:20:55.541-08:00Expectant <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhedfd0MiCtHFes3OCyjujElWF8xQlxPYebYHRrjRJJa_RBR_48OvJQC8LFP4gtWT1oS0X0vVHK-K0j7DroVNVubmAH-k12aBUZm9VMB1pwZnFU03AAtq-b4fl1oSx7oLkvGmp-lourk0/s1600/micah+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhedfd0MiCtHFes3OCyjujElWF8xQlxPYebYHRrjRJJa_RBR_48OvJQC8LFP4gtWT1oS0X0vVHK-K0j7DroVNVubmAH-k12aBUZm9VMB1pwZnFU03AAtq-b4fl1oSx7oLkvGmp-lourk0/s400/micah+7.jpg" width="317" /></a><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“I want to go to Greece.” My sweet friend Lauren exclaimed as we dreamed about what the future might hold.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I nodded, “I’d definitely go there. I’m also kind of feeling Ireland and Scotland right now.” I added imagining what kind of fun an adventure like that might bring into my life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Somehow the conversation shifted to Disney World. I was six the first time I ever visited the place where dreams come true, while my friend was a little bit older. We talked about our experiences and what our perspectives had been like visiting when we were younger.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“We should plan a trip there now.” We agreed with laughter and optimism that would make Walt proud, but knowing the idea would probably not take flight anytime soon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> As the laughter died down, the conversation went deeper. We began to share about the things God has been teaching us, primarily about expectancy and believing God could do immeasurably more than we could imagine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“I think God is calling me to work for a non-profit organization one day.” My friend voiced with an excitement that made me sure that it had indeed been inspired by something more than just a whim. She went on to explain the reasoning behind it and how God had moved in unexpected ways to give her this revelation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“I can’t let go of the idea that God is calling me towards vocational ministry.” I told her. “And the other night as I was driving home from class, the image of a publishing company in Nashville popped into my head.” These were both things I had thought about before, but that had not come to fruition yet. I admitted to my friend that I almost didn’t want to say them out loud for fear of disappointment or maybe hearing God incorrectly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>She nodded in understanding and then added a profound thought. “I’ve been learning that we have to call things out. We have to speak God’s power over it.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I let that statement settle into my heart. She was right and it seemed God had been trying to show me that over and over lately. I recently read a sentence in a book along these same lines that made an impression on me. It was the kind of sentence that stays with you long after you turn the page and finish the book. It was the kind of truth that unties the nice, neat bow you’ve wrapped around Christianity and challenges you to go the distance in your faith. It went like this: “A god small enough to be understood is not big enough to be worshiped” (Evelyn Underhill).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>That sentence moved me because I’ve always struggled with wanting to see clearly. I want to see the next step or how the story unfolds. I want to know. And I want to understand.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>God on the other hand keeps asking me to trust even in the middle of complete darkness.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I remember learning this lesson early on when we took a field trip in school to the Children's Hands-On Museum one day. I’m not sure what their main theme was, but there were a lot of lessons and activities about bats that day. We looked at their sleeping patterns. We ate fruit to see what their diets consisted of and near the end of the day, the people in charge of this museum decided it was a good idea to blindfold a bunch of little kids and make them find their parents by sound alone like bats do in dark caves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I don’t know if it was the fear of making a mistake or an early sign of stubbornness, but I peeked.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Yes it’s true. I lifted my blindfold up (They should have tied it tighter if they didn’t want this to happen) and located my mom. I left that day victorious as a bat, but the lesson of trust was lost on me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>As silly as that story is, I think that’s how some of us have been walking with the Lord. We listen for His voice or His direction, but cannot hear it over all the other voices we are listening</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">to and when we don’t hear it, we peek in other directions. We lift up the blindfold and take it upon ourselves to do things instead of staying the course and listening for that still small, familiar voice. And in these moments, we trade our sturdy faith for a cheap imitation that looks like victory, but only leads to a life that is less than God has called us to live.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I love the conversation I started this post with between my friend and I because it was full of hope and dreams and what ifs. But what I love more than that is how God used it to show us that He is not a far off, someday, kind of God. He is a right here in the moment God. The heart of our conversation wasn’t found in overpriced souvenirs or bucket list trips, it was revealed in the things God is doing in our lives right now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I’ve realized my need to understand God is similar to the lesson of the blindfold that day at the museum. Perhaps, if I fully trusted, it would give God the room He needs in order to do the impossible. Maybe if I stopped trying to figure things out on my own, God could lead me to what He has for me. And maybe just maybe, if I could fully comprehend that a God worth serving is incomprehensible, I would start to view things a little differently.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I was watching a Lifeway Bible Study video the other day about Gideon from speaker, author and actress Priscilla Shirer. As she began to lead up to one of the points she was making, she talked about how there has been a book on the New York Times Bestsellers List for over 500 weeks. It’s a book that has been read by millions of people. That book is called, <i>What To Expect When You’re Expecting.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I know that title is in reference to something different, but I think it perfectly sums up what God wants for us in our lives. I think He desires an attitude of expectancy. And I wonder what our belief in God’s ability might be if we were to take that posture with everything.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>That’s not to say that things will always work out. Sometimes God’s protection is greater than our desires. Sometimes there will be moments of uncertainty before we can understand where He is leading. And sometimes we won’t understand the answer until we get to Heaven, but I don’t think God calls us to a life of expectancy so that He can make everything work out. I think He designed it for us because He knows that when we surrender in a posture of expectancy, it allows Him room to work. It’s when we open our hands, that He can fill them. And it’s when we listen for His voice, that He can call us closer to Him and show us the way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Micah 7:7 says, “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me” (NIV.) The Message says it like this, “But for me, I’m not giving up. I’m sticking around to see what God will do. I’m waiting for God to make things right. I’m counting on God to listen to me.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>My friend and I are going to try to speak expectancy over the things God is doing in our lives. You should too. Let God’s voice lead you to the place He is calling you. Trust that God is at work. And remember He is there no matter what it looks like in this moment. Here's to believing the best is yet to come!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">-Only Hope</span>onlyhope89http://www.blogger.com/profile/12311548077451177339noreply@blogger.com0