tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8520381985721965162024-03-14T02:01:06.724-07:00FullFill MagazineUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger242125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-852038198572196516.post-76944037463921275532014-09-22T05:57:00.002-07:002014-09-22T05:57:13.847-07:00Empty<div style="color: #008887; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<span>By
Jennifer Nahrstadt</span><span> </span><br />
<span></span><br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">
<div class="normal" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span>Empty nester. I have been struggling with this label for a
year, unable to discern what God has for me in this new season. When I asked him
to give me some verse that would speak to my situation, almost immediately the
story in Mark 5 of the woman with the issue of bleeding came to mind. I was
perplexed until I began to examine her story and God revealed some interesting
similarities.</span> </div>
<table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 296px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="296"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001f655bJpowe0JePjNzEYoJsWgYr587r_L8lL_vVr76HK7muNEdM-OlCDybzPxz3D7DZCWyjoIrzrq2jIi8p083JXUZ8Tx0y1AYGYKcIrt7xn12oRw0DahAyywEEdeEGuyRwGc8pbUHuCtuoaIZIolMw==" shape="rect" target="_blank" track="on"><img alt="October Webinar" border="0" height="170" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://i58.tinypic.com/op8v10.jpg" width="296" /></a> </td></tr>
<tr>
<td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #007da1; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">
<div>
Our October webinar is coming up! <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001f655bJpowe0JePjNzEYoJsWgYr587r_L8lL_vVr76HK7muNEdM-OlCDybzPxz3D7DZCWyjoIrzrq2jIi8p083JXUZ8Tx0y1AYGYKcIrt7xn12oRw0DahAyywEEdeEGuyRwGc8pbUHuCtuoaIZIolMw==" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: #6053a2; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank" track="on">Register today</a> for "Helping
Those Who Hurt" led by Vivian Mabuni on October
8th!</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 19.5pt; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;">"<i>There was a woman who had
suffered continuous bleeding for 12 years</i>..."</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 19.5pt; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span>Twelve years. I groaned empathically when I considered that
she could've felt like she was on her period for 12 YEARS! "Lord, have mercy"
never seemed so appropriate. Very likely, her bleeding was her last thought each
night, and her first thought each morning. It dictated the rhythm of her days,
her weeks, her months, her <i>years</i>. </span></div>
<div class="normal" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span>I thought about what had dictated the rhythm of <span>my
life. <span style="background: white; color: #222222;">Ironically, my son-also
"the issue from my womb"-and his activities no longer brought structure to my
days. </span></span>The years of making lunches, overseeing piano practicing,
and double-checking the calendar to make sure we didn't miss whatever activity
was scheduled had come to an end. I ached as each day began without an agenda,
and wondered what could restore purpose to my days.</span></div>
<div class="normal" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span> </span></div>
<div class="normal" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span>"<span style="background: white;"><i>Bleeding that made her
ritually unclean and an outcast according to the purity laws.</i></span><span style="background: white;">"</span></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background: white;"> </span> </div>
<div class="normal" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span>Jewish women could not attend synagogue while they were
menstruating. They were considered unclean by Mosaic Law. They went through a
cleansing after every cycle in order to be restored to spiritual fellowship.
</span></div>
<div class="normal" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span> </span></div>
<div class="normal" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span>So, if she was bleeding <i>continuously</i> for 12 years she
would <i>never</i> have been allowed to join her community and participate in
services. She was in a spiritual desert. Again, I could relate. As a parent, my
life had been so busy that I'd neglected my soul life with Jesus. Now I didn't
know how to nurture my inner life with God again.</span></div>
<div class="normal" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span> </span></div>
<div class="normal" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><i>For she said to herself,
"If I can only touch his coat, I will be healed." </i></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span>One little prepositional phrase opened my eyes to a startling
reality: what if this woman had no friends? "She said <b><i>to
herself</i></b>..." I imagined and was pained by the real possibility that she
had <i>no one</i> to talk things over with, <i>no one</i> to help her figure out
what to do.</span></div>
<div class="normal" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span> </span></div>
<div class="normal" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span>Surely this wasn't my situation-or was it? Then it dawned on
me that the natural activities that brought me in contact with other women as a
mother of a student no longer existed. In the months after graduation, I looked
around and realized I was alone.</span></div>
<div class="normal" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span> </span></div>
<div class="normal" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span>As I thought about all this, I realized the difference
between this woman and me was that her hope was not placed in a change in her
situation. She knew that although she had expended all her resources she still
had one option. She placed her hope in Jesus to change her situation. She
believed she could entrust her future to him.</span></div>
<div class="normal" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span> </span></div>
<div class="normal" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span>It was clear God was whispering to me: You have the same
choice, daughter.</span></div>
<div class="normal" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span> </span></div>
<div class="normal" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><i>He said to her, "Daughter,
your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be free from your
sickness."</i></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span> </span></div>
<div class="normal" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span>Just as he did then, Jesus is passing close by today. He
invites you to reach out your hand and touch his robe. A new life, a new season
awaits. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div class="normal" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><em>A born and raised
Midwesterner, Jennifer Nahrstadt now lives in Georgia while her only son attends
college "back home." After eight years in the South, her friends say she still
can't say "y'all" convincingly. </em></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-852038198572196516.post-69027862282727715262014-09-07T22:06:00.001-07:002014-09-07T22:06:07.291-07:00Saying Yes to Flips<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
By Caryn Rivadeneira</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
Seven
minutes before the show started, my co-host Melinda leaned over and
asked if I'd take the reins that day. We'd switch roles: She'd be the
co-host, while I assumed the host role.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">
I
said yes-as I usually do-before I even fully realized what saying yes
entailed. Four months into this new job I'd become used to co-hosting<i> Midday Connection</i>,
meaning I'd go ahead and ask questions of our guests, occasionally
welcome listeners back after breaks. I'd even gotten close to good at
simultaneously reading Facebook comments, listener emails and notes from
the producer while listening to our guest, but I had never before
signaled to our engineer that we were ready for our first "break," nor
had I watched the clock creep closer and closer to zero as I tried to
"hit the post"-ending my words with the music.</div>
<table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 146px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;" width="146"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0014iB-DmgHWik-Iafa9tkWQH2dW4VMvw2ewY4OSca-Otbbd4ogs3RZzXhcxLCVwZSmSiSvT4j_aicBuZN92DB5gRSxX6YwUIgHdpNU_yNr518u5GVlOaRbh6hVKIdlqCUUaEIxJfFWb8v4Awc0SBiO7g==" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="webinar" border="0" height="146" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://i58.tinypic.com/otemc7.jpg" width="146" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #007da1; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">
<div>
Don't forget to register for our September webinar on "Answering God's Call"</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">
My
first attempt failed. I started a new sentence without enough time.
Time ran out. The music stopped mid-sentence. I stopped talking, letting
"Hope," of all words linger alone<i> in</i> the air, thinking we were<i> off</i> air. Turns out, I could've finished my thought ("...you stay with us."). The engineer would've worked me in. </div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
I didn't know. But I do now. And I'll never forget.
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
This
is just one example of the crazy ride this-venturing into a career in
radio without much (okay, any) experience-has been. Though I am a
trained journalist and know how to identify angles and ask
conversation-inducing questions, a print journalist career can only
prepare you so much for radio. Questions need to be sharpened;
background affirmations or chuckles need to be axed (there's no editing
"um-hmms" and rambling questions in live radio!). And all this learning
has only been compounded by my mid-life status. When I thought my career
path was obvious, here I am again. Starting something, learning
something new.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
Although
this results in-requires, actually-failure, anxiety and life being
flipped upside-down, being given an opportunity to learn something new
is one of life's great blessings. Because in newness, though we have
failure, we also have growth. Though we have embarrassment, we find
opportunities for accomplishment. Though new opportunities may flip life
upside down, in newness, comfort and complacency-two things that get in
the way of what God is calling us to do-get tossed overboard and let us
fall right into a sweet dependency on God as we step into his calling.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
So
how about a little challenge in the back-to-school season: What if we
all start or try or commit to learning something new? Something way out
of our comfort zone? Something that terrifies or stands to humiliate us?
But something that will stretch us toward becoming more of who God has
called us to be?</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 178px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="178"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0014iB-DmgHWik-Iafa9tkWQH2dW4VMvw2ewY4OSca-Otbbd4ogs3RZzXhcxLCVwZSmSiSvT4j_aicPopigh6Eh3zV2gp5h6orUOHWiNogXgP31vvgqzkF9HQcxXKTt2HR2YRpulObCIdqAtVRYa8Ez_7bhI6YsvNUK2ypGM6UX3b0Y-3IjlMpOTST6r1UiovHrdIlzudRlWXt0esZ9FUCHLNimsE-asyNxjkFtujxoyoPxZ9sChxxZs9fMsGWgE7aZhpNUA3yAepXOzSpgWJdlMA==" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="Broke" border="0" height="265" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://i59.tinypic.com/jq1h53.jpg" width="178" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #007da1; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">
<div>
Get your copy of Caryn's latest book <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0014iB-DmgHWik-Iafa9tkWQH2dW4VMvw2ewY4OSca-Otbbd4ogs3RZzXhcxLCVwZSmSiSvT4j_aicPopigh6Eh3zV2gp5h6orUOHWiNogXgP31vvgqzkF9HQcxXKTt2HR2YRpulObCIdqAtVRYa8Ez_7bhI6YsvNUK2ypGM6UX3b0Y-3IjlMpOTST6r1UiovHrdIlzudRlWXt0esZ9FUCHLNimsE-asyNxjkFtujxoyoPxZ9sChxxZs9fMsGWgE7aZhpNUA3yAepXOzSpgWJdlMA==" shape="rect" style="color: #6053a2; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">here!</a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">
Caryn Rivadeneira is a writer and speaker, along with being co-host and producer for<i> Midday Connection</i>, a production of Moody Radio. She's the author of five books, including the newly released<i> Broke: What Financial Desperation Revealed About God's Abundance </i></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">(IVP, 2014). Connect with her at carynrivadeneira.com.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-852038198572196516.post-56602225330961633502014-09-02T22:08:00.000-07:002014-09-07T22:08:55.390-07:00Painting as Worship<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #333333;">By Christa Parodi</span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #222222; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #222222; line-height: 115%;">When
I heard the words, "He won't love you any better when you become
better. He loves you 100% right now," I desperately wanted to believe,
and even more than believing, I wanted to live with that kind of
freedom. I had the head knowledge, but I had not really experienced the
"I love you as you are" kind of love. The "try harder" and "do more"
part of me wanted to see what it would be like to safely gaze into the
Father's eyes and see what he sees.</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #222222; line-height: 115%;">As
this journey unfolded, I found myself on the floor one day moving paint
around a canvas with my fingers in circular loop patterns. Bravely I
showed up at a Christian worship arts conference all by myself. For this
serious, color-inside-of-the-lines kind of girl, this was a long
over-do invitation to play-to get messy. Insecurities and the pressure
to perform started to mysteriously melt away as the tears started to
flow and drip onto the swirly painting. Salty tears were mixed with a
rainbow of vibrant colors. Even though I did not know where this worship
art experience was taking me, I knew it was my custom designed ride to
finding that place in the Father's heart that I was desperately hungry
for.</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 258px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #222222; text-align: center;" width="258"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001fd0Gp_LrlqCtPgajNm7fFl5FFKh5ew5JRSbUEmeUfLjYcxBUaH7az2XLjPZEteW_J60jXjFNkn9jK4P65peoUPgjwUOUe-bOgh0oI8QB39kHyVhBU1sGaie9AR4tKp1db2TGH6iuY_IsF0Y63P45xj31WzkOzEw48Si2UCLDpUiA-MPv6QwP5TPc__Y9LvBh" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="Resting place" border="0" height="154" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://i62.tinypic.com/idyvif.jpg" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #007da1; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">
<div>
Enjoy a moment of rest! Check out our Resting Place from our issue Friend O'Mine</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #222222; line-height: 115%;">While
this healing encounter on the floor was messing me up in the best way
possible, Jesus was gently opening doors that would impact my community
back home. Sliding open two barn doors and inviting women into a sacred
space where worship and art collide was the next step that took place in
this unlocking of the heart journey.</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #222222; line-height: 115%;">Stepping
foot into what I have named The Worship Barn is an invitation to simply
receive love from Jesus. This isn't one of those step-by-step painting
classes. Tenderly an atmosphere of vulnerability is birthed and worship
flows heavenward and is so brilliantly poured right back all over us.
There's nothing to produce. It's worship. It's wholeheartedly partnering
with the Holy Spirit and realizing that he really is steadfast and we
don't have to be afraid.</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #222222; line-height: 115%;">As
I host workshops for women I have realized that craving a space filled
with permission and wonder isn't just my own unique longing. Creatively,
women are opening up those dry, weary places in their hearts. Brush
strokes glide and fingers pitter pat while healing oil is released over
them by the Lord. Learning how to live from that place of not having to
strive has been given fresh revelation and experience in this barn. In
the process of painting, God has lifted my head and led me on a journey
that has helped me come to him and bring others along as well. May we
stay wide-eyed, sit on the floor with our King and let him fill our
lives with color so we can spread the color of love to a "God-hungry"
world that is waiting with their paintbrushes.</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br /><table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 146px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="146"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001fd0Gp_LrlqCtPgajNm7fFl5FFKh5ew5JRSbUEmeUfLjYcxBUaH7az2XLjPZEteW_J60jXjFNkn80SC7rrM4xq2nD0ke5iwoxzuaTqa3sbYUlL7kbZY74IgEG4MvxTWhus8GDEOGInESfyA86TohS5Q==" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="webinar" border="0" height="146" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://i58.tinypic.com/otemc7.jpg" width="146" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #007da1; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">
<div>
Don't forget to register for our September webinar on "Answering God's Call"</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #222222; line-height: 115%;">Christa
Parodi is passionate about inviting others into a creative space to
discover more about the extraordinary love of God. As founder of The
Worship Barn she gives artists permission to let their worship and art
collide. Christa lives in Ocala, FL with her husband and three children
ranging from ages 12-19.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-852038198572196516.post-21748459272269241352014-08-25T22:09:00.000-07:002014-09-07T22:10:02.323-07:00The "Gift" of Singleness<table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 600px;"><tbody>
<tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF" colspan="2" height="8" rowspan="1" style="background-color: white;" width="100%"><table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="15" cellspacing="0" id="content_LETTER.BLOCK11" style="background-color: white; display: table; margin-bottom: 10px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: white; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><div style="color: #66cc00; font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: 18pt;">
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
by Michelle Watson </div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
Recently
I went to one of the most amazing weddings I've ever attended. Haley
and Caleb are two who have done it right and the feeling of joy on their
day was literally palpable. </div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
Before
the wedding started I was catching up with my friend Dan, a guy I
haven't seen much since serving together on a youth staff in our early
20's. If you were a fly on our shoulders, here's what you would have
heard:</div>
<br />
<table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 184px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="184"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001Inj-7w4ZjrvtqDc4HAav0cIG-Jq61r7zsEJQK0sxBC2IetY-ZMfEOzWPG_9cSsVRgZhQZxqS8lEdL2YpwHGDnVhq2kzj57Wz0FJ0_XIH6COugkjzqes-7IkUFIJF35191arUsfH6YyrLArYWkBGC0w==" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="Webinar" border="0" height="184" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://i58.tinypic.com/otemc7.jpg" width="184" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #008887; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><div>
Have you registered yet for September's webinar on "Answering God's Call" with Jacky Gatliff</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
Me: <i> I LOVE my life! As a single woman I have so much freedom in this season as God keeps opening so many incredible doors!</i></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
Dan: <i>Well, it sounds like God has given you the gift of singleness</i>.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
Me: <i>I'm not so sure that's it.</i></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
Dan: <i>Yes, it definitely sounds like God has given you the gift.</i></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
With
that, the wedding started. And without even realizing that Dan's
comments had been rolling around in my head during the ceremony, as soon
as the couple exited the church I realized that something wasn't
sitting right. I turned to my friend and continued.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
Me: <i>I
don't actually know what the gift of singleness is but I know that I
don't have it. I'm open to marriage if God brings a guy along. But I can
tell you what this is about: <b>I don't fight the Father anymore.</b></i></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
Dan: <i>Maybe you don't have it then.</i></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
A
couple of weeks later I was at a conference and told my friend Paul
this story, prompting him to say something from the platform: <i>"If you're single today then for today God has given you the gift of singleness."</i> Without hesitating, this prompted one woman to shout out, <b><i>"But what if you don't want the gift?"</i></b></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
I
can relate. I'm 54 and have never been married. I used to think
something was wrong with me because a guy hadn't chosen me or deemed me
worthy of taking his name. But I'm so over that now.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
I
finally decided to get on with living my life whether I had a husband
or not. I finally decided not to fight my Abba Father anymore. I finally
decided to accept where he has me rather than constantly demanding he
do life on my terms. </div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
I
guess you could say that for me the gift of singleness is exactly that:
a gift. I'm constantly in relationship with a Father who allows me to
participate in what he's doing, and for me that has nothing to do with
my martial status. And that is the best gift ever!</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 158px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="158"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001Inj-7w4ZjrvtqDc4HAav0cIG-Jq61r7zsEJQK0sxBC2IetY-ZMfEOzWPG_9cSsVRgZhQZxqS8lFIz3Or9qC-BmRkhcus8gYRmvP48Mc9CmoNarEWxw0-uRP2zq19_EAxB4uZwMsNpmmruF5gRyOAVvMc5fUHTBDzN3cIsOjvX5Be2CegpAk04f9b4D1Ii_D3jqHYAV4-oHNlZeGmC3kpSQb3FTtM5SMkxjSurtXyoBgp-_vYoQbybK2wAtHRvd7lH4ga7BVQ2Toibcn0UyAAwKc010SwOHnPsFAbqVffMazjmBxk17xBEXnsG7EVs7ve" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="Book" border="0" height="243" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://i62.tinypic.com/1zwk8dl.jpg" width="158" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #008887; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><div>
Get your copy of Michelle's book today in the</div>
<div>
<i>FullFill</i> store!</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<i>Michelle
Watson is a passionate God-follower whose mess has been turned into her
message. As founder of The Abba Project she helps dads decode their
daughters. Her recently released book is </i>Dad, Here's What I Really Need From You: A Guide for Connecting with Your Daughter's Heart<i> (Harvest House, 2014). Connect at drmichellewatson.com.</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="width: 420px;" valign="top" width="420"></td>
<td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="padding: 10px; width: 180px;" valign="top" width="180"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-852038198572196516.post-2031867492980622782014-08-18T07:00:00.000-07:002014-08-18T07:00:01.620-07:00Invited Into Healing Prayer<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">By Allison Bollegar</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Whether
through heartfelt cries or written liturgical prayers, humans have
yearned for healing and God's kingdom since long before Jesus arrived in
the flesh. Jesus carried on the tradition of prayer and encouraged
prayers for healing as a way to let people know that the kingdom of God
was with them (Luke 10:9). Works done in Jesus' name continue to testify
to the kingdom of God being with us today.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In
Luke 10:1-10 we are invited into the kingdom-work of Jesus, into
healing prayer. Jesus appointed 70 disciples in addition to the 12 and
he said to pray for even more laborers. We are the answered prayers of
our early brothers and sisters in Christ. We are laborers for and in the
kingdom of God. By bringing love and peace, by healing the sick, and by
testifying that the kingdom of God is near, we continue the ministry
Jesus started. We share the same Holy Spirit that was given to God's
people at Pentecost and we rejoice in the promises of Jesus.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 329px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="329"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001OzfGkIQkvDqcR9ClLL2fuCGBVbqF5a59TjdXxrVCoba_ACaZm8XX489A2yeeLLFDAkf-4Mj059Xsa0bfBIFON1XsQJ4xW-QckWcGZwA7fjcCaCPutEKMwmrNhr4GIf2VehHU91bqOf42D-m2kHsZ6ybNb4SQM4KyQHtit0YiH6GRwohjp0_RIavzRzAiuJ2g" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="Prayer" border="0" height="195" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://i60.tinypic.com/5xpt00.jpg" width="329" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #008887; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">For more on prayer click <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001OzfGkIQkvDqcR9ClLL2fuCGBVbqF5a59TjdXxrVCoba_ACaZm8XX489A2yeeLLFDAkf-4Mj059Xsa0bfBIFON1XsQJ4xW-QckWcGZwA7fjcCaCPutEKMwmrNhr4GIf2VehHU91bqOf42D-m2kHsZ6ybNb4SQM4KyQHtit0YiH6GRwohjp0_RIavzRzAiuJ2g" shape="rect" style="color: #6053a2; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">here!</a></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Love
is the distinctive of Jesus' disciples. He reminds his followers of the
importance of love in John 13:34-35: "A new command I give you: Love
one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this
everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
All of the prayers that we offer and works that we perform for the sake
of God's kingdom are nothing if we don't love those we serve.</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">An
emphasis on the kingdom work of prayer and a focus on love for God's
people offers a starting point for prayer. Differences among people of
prayer provide an opportunity for us to learn how to love, pray, and
labor with people who are seeking God's kingdom but may have different
expressions of prayer than us. The kingdom of God is here!</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><em>Allison Bollegar is the founder and executive director of Grace and Gift Ministries, <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001OzfGkIQkvDqcR9ClLL2fuCGBVbqF5a59TjdXxrVCoba_ACaZm8XX489A2yeeLLFDAkf-4Mj059WnKFp5ZJ4AqaDkEWABfbF44x9RucAmmUULMFra5TQPOw==" shape="rect" style="color: black;" target="_blank">www.graceandgift.org</a>.
She is currently working on a double master's degree at the Iliff
School of Theology and at the University of Denver. Her healing ministry
and educational pursuits in psychology, social work, and divinity
provide hands-on ministry experience as well as vision development.</em></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-852038198572196516.post-15299395182501467012014-08-10T20:27:00.001-07:002014-08-10T20:27:27.365-07:00Slow Growth and Puny Tomatoes<div bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>By Tracey Bianchi</span></div>
<div bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>I</span><span>'</span><span>ve
always wanted the title of "expert gardener." Wielding a green thumb,
plunging my hands into the earth, kvetching with others about compost or
pruning. Standing at day</span><span>'</span><span>s end with dirt on
my forehead, hands on my hips, looking skyward to wonder when it might
rain again. I imagine a crop of exotic vegetables and a mesclun salad
that could land on the cover of <i>Real Simple</i>. </span></div>
<div bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="height: 221px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 375px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="464"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001yoPK6MO29ibEivM3hrzcR7o0oSqqpVqYn24Zy2fa7E7mBhMt-Uew8tlF8BWAMWzIsIAPfLRu5ducNif8b2qK8Rs1Qv0NmOZYBUaWWVeVVJzRPWSlP6rYjFxruOs9B7rfzOi2NDbIfK6Mx-oTlw_MlIeLxu7aH8jhDsG6lRQTrhndCmSxioc6n4Ad0fVDoG7W" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="Stuck" border="0" height="193" hspace="0" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://i61.tinypic.com/2uxu2k0.jpg" vspace="0" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #008887; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">Check out "The Work of our Hands" from our issue Stuck!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>Reality</span><span>-</span><span> in mid-June I hastily snatched up the remaining four tomato plants from our farmer</span><span>'</span><span>s
market knowing that real gardeners planted weeks ago. The hold out
plants were slightly yellow, wilted, gasping for water in dusty, leached
soil. It was all they had left. I dropped them into the ground, hoping
for salad options by the weekend. It</span><span>'</span><span>s now
August and the plants are still wilted. Bright yellow blossoms seem
reluctant to turn into fruit and my husband keeps asking, </span><span>"</span><span>So are we going to have enough for salsa?</span><span>"</span><span>If only they would grow faster.</span></div>
<div bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>Metaphors of growth and farmer</span><span>'</span><span>s
fields dot our Scriptures revealing the fact that good growth takes
time. Last summer we removed a dying, 70 year old Ash tree from our
front yard. It took decades to mature and stretch out limbs. I</span><span>'</span><span>ll be dead before another tree envelops this home in its shady fold.</span></div>
<div bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>Spiritual
growth takes more time than we want to give. We are sold lies that we
should be able to ramp up the perfect prayer life, let go of grief, or
kick an addiction in a few small steps. Most of us who have even dabbled
in the Scriptures know that Jesus never ever, ever never suggests a
fast-track to the fruit of the Spirit and yet, we still seek quick
results. </span></div>
<div bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>Reality</span><span>-</span><span>can</span><span>'</span><span>t
show up a month late with drab little plants and expect prize winning
crops. Instead, I have a few measly tomatoes all the while wishing for
the crimson, juicy fruit my neighbor has across the street. The four
plants didn't fail but they didn't thrive either. But next year? Next
year I will pick lush, verdant plants in the early season and plant them
on time. Next year, the tomatoes will really come in. </span></div>
<div bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>What
if next year a drought or insect attacks my little plot and I am left
aching again, replanting and waiting yet again. And on it goes. Is it
any wonder that Paul lists patience as a fruit of the Spirit in
Galatians 5?</span></div>
<div bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>So
as these tangible summer days give way to the tumbling leaves of fall,
may you embrace the long, arduous journey of spiritual growth. May you
wake every morning longing for a new lesson rather than new fruit. And
may the fruit of your labor eventually lead you to the arms of the Good
Farmer Himself.</span></div>
<div bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="left" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 357px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #222222; text-align: center;" width="357"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001yoPK6MO29ibEivM3hrzcR7o0oSqqpVqYn24Zy2fa7E7mBhMt-Uew8tlF8BWAMWzIsIAPfLRu5ducNif8b2qK8Rs1Qv0NmOZYBUaWWVeVVJzRPWSlP6rYjNT50TAYqY4eZGGjfJVFPOCSSEN0IZKLX6G24mU17D1rHxH46qIuTPhSEYTixREHpGhqN5Q9LgaG" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="Friend O Mine" border="0" height="213" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://i59.tinypic.com/ejsewz.jpg" width="357" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #008887; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">
<div>
More from Tracey Bianchi here!</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #222222;"><em>Tracey
Bianchi is the Worship and Teaching Pastor at Christ Church of Oak
Brook, a congregation of 3000+ in the Chicago area. She (along with
Adele Calhoun) is a co-author of the forthcoming book </em>True You: Moving Beyond Self-Doubt<em> and </em>Using Your Voice<em> (InterVarsity Press, January 2015).<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></em></span><em><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001yoPK6MO29ibEivM3hrzcR7o0oSqqpVqYn24Zy2fa7E7mBhMt-Uew8tlF8BWAMWzIsIAPfLRu5dtCFAG6sce4g_CkrFpzMmnSGkr_oC_V1LA=" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #1155cc;">traceybianchi.com</span></a><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #222222;"> </span></em></div>
<div bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-852038198572196516.post-38533426358577934152014-07-28T07:42:00.001-07:002014-07-28T07:42:42.588-07:00The Gift of Telling the Truth<div class="FreeForm" style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>Dorothy Littell Greco</span></div>
<div class="FreeForm" style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="FreeForm" style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>I
have struggled to consistently tell the truth for most of my life.
While my lies rarely impacted others and were certainly not of the
magnitude of Pinocchio's or Charles Ponzi's, they were, none-the-less,
untruths. According to Pamela Meyers in a recent TED talk, "We are
deeply ambivalent about telling the truth."</span></div>
<div class="FreeForm" style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 251px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="251"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001Ar1m1FoR-cSW2tjewo3vKFLLtKG-9bSeLCcxoq56u0J1ep4jsX5cDeegVW7tkbMb4Ph_oygOp4VurJocN5T5KmNLt5XrWQJQ7z7R4m87bMxzNBJxgbTd3s8FK4JRrIAZLSwyjnRFBTlUSGNTycNLpg==" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="webinar" border="0" height="130" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://i60.tinypic.com/29bhisp.jpg" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #008887; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">
<div>
Register today for our August webinar "Healing Prayer" with Lindsay Waymire and Allison Bollegar.</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div class="FreeForm" style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>Though
I did not realize this until fairly recently, my ambivalence was
connected to my fear and shame. I lied because I wanted to be liked and
accepted by everyone. I did not lie about my achievements or status. I
lied when I was angry or had feelings that might be perceived as
threatening or negative. When my boss asked if things were going well, I
lied because I feared that if I admitted how much I hated his
misogynistic comments, I might lose my job. When my husband asked how
much I paid for my new outfit, I slashed $10 off the price because I was
afraid if he knew how much I actually paid, he would be unhappy with
me. Bottom line? I valued being liked and accepted more than pleasing
God. </span></div>
<div class="FreeForm" style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="FreeForm" style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>Ninety-nine
percent of the time, no one ever noticed my deceitfulness. No one
except God. As the Holy Spirit gently convicted me, I began to notice
how often Scripture mentions God's disdain for lying. Until this point, I
actually thought my lies were inconsequential. After all, I wasn't
lying about my tax returns or infidelity. I had conveniently created a
gradation of truth telling, rather than seeing it as a choice between
two polar opposites. We either are telling the truth or we're not. In
God's economy, white lies are still lies.</span></div>
<div class="FreeForm" style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 147px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="147"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001Ar1m1FoR-cSW2tjewo3vKFLLtKG-9bSeLCcxoq56u0J1ep4jsX5cDeegVW7tkbMb4Ph_oygOp4VYUM3EmRKoFyhViL6tFuAXMMMXqNe_Q7wxPrB7RvRRvLxeNKHaap5cftvb9Z7lpuloDf5JMtT895bYAL65NMYdmpYvJJeZIYekDsFqwbxf0w==" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="Relish" border="0" height="176" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://i59.tinypic.com/120kojp.jpg" width="147" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #008887; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">
<div>
A perfect Summer read! Check out our "Relish" issue!</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="FreeForm" style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>My
two greatest desires in life are to love well and to be transformed
into the image of Jesus Christ. Since Satan is the father of lies (John
8:44) and God never lies (Titus 1:2), I needed to choose sides. I began
to confess to my husband or close friends whenever I misspoke, no matter
how trivial. After about a year of this humiliating behavior, I noticed
that my fear and shame were losing their grip. Lies no longer
unreflectively rolled off my tongue. Obedience began to trump my desire
for popularity. I still fight to speak honestly when I know the truth
might create waves. However, knowing the ultimate truth - Christ - has
indeed set me free. </span></div>
<div class="FreeForm" style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="FreeForm" style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<em><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #222222;">Dorothy<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Littell<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Greco<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>photographs beautiful things, writes about relationships and following Jesus in a sometimes confusing world.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #222222;">You can find more of her words and images on her site (</span><span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001Ar1m1FoR-cSW2tjewo3vKFLLtKG-9bSeLCcxoq56u0J1ep4jsX5cDeegVW7tkbMb4Ph_oygOp4Vzuq-O1Vd8nW9-MS5ghK2fiMJLSi5jMQRdItMVG-oq0Q==" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #000099;">www.dorothygreco.com</span></a></span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #222222;">) or by following her on<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>FB (</span><span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001Ar1m1FoR-cSW2tjewo3vKFLLtKG-9bSeLCcxoq56u0J1ep4jsX5cDeegVW7tkbMbqWVPJFZPvajzzJqthT69pjTHIw9Jix10IFtG2goY5LvH_ZjEnOcZciLmMOhq9AbQ7jpFupBFtys=" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #000099;">https://www.facebook.com/DorothyGrecoPhotography</span></a></span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #222222;">) and Twitter (@dorothygreco).<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></em></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-852038198572196516.post-81288102719468158302014-07-21T08:25:00.001-07:002014-07-21T08:25:16.784-07:00Love in Action<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
By Karen Schelhaas</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
It's
a balmy 102 degrees in Juarez, Mexico this time of year, and the
contrast to our home in Colorado is stark. Roads are foot-thick layers
of dust and the homes dotting the landscape are colorful mosaics of
scrap metal, cardboard, wood, and plastic. The only green splashes are a
few sparse vegetables that hard-working families have had the vision to
plant and nurture, adding color to their plates of rice and beans and
tortillas.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
I'm
no expert on short-term missions trips. I know for sure that no one
transforms an entire community in a few short days, and it quickly
becomes clear that there's far more to learn than to teach or
contribute. Our family of seven, including our five children ages 8-16,
drove 10 hours straight south of Denver, and crossed the border in New
Mexico.</div>
<table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 238px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="238"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=00159ihENtu8MXoBBdGmdUldPeyK9v6qs0yCpQh_Gw4sz4-MLqndZKJGjJXBKzUbtImX5tyvHeN9bbrsHfHuzsL6CswSFX86hE50bGte3YoInz0i79RfakZ4GaGxHTm0Q9wL7AhEQiSNkAKlOYFM47365SHZDuuqOx-4vQ5JnFDn_3YE4vrVev5Ew5czI8qi1Rc" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="Nice Girls" border="0" height="132" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://i60.tinypic.com/15dxq2h.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #008887; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">
<div>
Check out "How I Learned I Could Change the World" from our <em>Nice Girls</em> issue.</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">
We brought a truckload of donated diapers and formula, the 43<sup>rd</sup>
such load commissioned by my friend Quinn after she started Babies of
Juarez. Pastors of local churches then distribute the gifts as needed,
combining the spiritual with the physical. Quinn's vision was a visceral
response to the excruciating 6-month waiting period during which
families in Juarez choose not to name their babies due to lack of good
nutrition. I got to hold a chubby one-month old boy during a food
outreach we provided for the community, and when I asked his mother his
name, she shook her finger at me and said quietly "no nombre, no
nombre". Slowly but surely, though, Quinn's tireless efforts are kicking
that miserable 6 months to the curb, hoping it will exist solely as a
cultural norm rather than a necessary evil, and there's evidence to
support the growing shift. Chubby babies bring joy, no matter where you
live. <br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
We
also worked alongside a family building their home, viewing their
long-prayed-over dreams slowly emerging out of the dirt and taking
shape, a monument of sorts. We watched our teenager hang drywall and
install windows while we helped our younger children bang nails in to
the roof, covered in splotches of gooey tar and robin's egg blue paint.
In the end, there were giant, beautiful words the father voiced at the
house dedication, eyes moist and lips quivering as the keys dropped in
to his hands. "Thank you to our great God, for He is a God who hears
us," he said. Indeed. The family's house got built with boards and
nails, but my guess is that as they lovingly turn it in to a home in the
months ahead, they'll remember it being stitched together with a lot of
joy, laughter, and answered prayers.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
The
whole trip was an effort to move toward people in love because God
first loved us, which, to me, is the essence of missions. Playing soccer
on a dusty road in scorching heat with dozens of local kids, holding a
baby we hope will live more than 6 month, tears shed by thankful parents
at the house dedication, and the dozens of caricatures my husband drew,
morphing gorgeous people into funny keepsake cartoons - all of it has
our kids begging to go back, the togetherness etched deeply in their
bones.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="left" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 253px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="253"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=00159ihENtu8MXoBBdGmdUldPeyK9v6qs0yCpQh_Gw4sz4-MLqndZKJGjJXBKzUbtImX5tyvHeN9bbrsHfHuzsL6CswSFX86hE50bGte3YoInz0i79RfakZ4D67Fh37pFX181lAiRBX0bcK8T4osbGcFveewGGEXYoPilvR6zK-ua-itc2XJ-rLY2FWuRH7lK6U" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="Shame" border="0" height="145" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://i57.tinypic.com/6rt553.jpg" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #008887; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">
<div>
More from Karen Schelhaas here!</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span><i>Karen
Booker Schelhaas lives in Highlands Ranch, CO with her husband and five
children ranging from ages 8 to 16. When she's not teaching, cooking,
jogging, cleaning, gardening, entertaining, chauffeuring, volunteering
or counseling, she can be found at her kitchen table with coffee in her
veins, slowly putting her stories into words. </i></span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-852038198572196516.post-53806241967761582462014-07-07T07:00:00.000-07:002014-07-07T07:00:01.055-07:00Safe Haven<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span>By Melodi Leih</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span>I watched a small bird from the couch in my living room. I was captivated by it over several days. I have no idea what kind of bird it was but it was quite small. I saw it repeatedly fly from the wooded area in our yard to the fence post outside my window. I was in awe of how this little bird carried such large twigs, moss and other foliage from one place to the next. I wasn't sure why it kept coming to the same spot on the fence until I discovered where it had built its nest. It had meticulously placed twig after twig, branch after branch in the wreath on my front door. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span>Like many moms I know, this bird took her time creating an environment where her little ones were protected and could thrive. On occasion I saw a few other birds appear to be watching as she created this safe haven. It reminded me of moms I have seen critique other moms on their mothering or how they keep their home. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span>As I watched this little mommy bird I thought of the many times as a mentor I have been able to add to the environment moms around me are creating. The interesting thing I discovered is it really hasn't required much of me except my time. Being present is what they have needed. Being there to listen, pray, share coffee or an encouraging word has been enough for the women in my small circle to continue to gather what's needed for the safe haven they are creating for their families. </span> </div>
<table align="left" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 185px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="185"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001U-e-bgrxhjI14iSAiQn5Zvpp9JJukgpythrE_uwxBDi-kuk8XGagJow2FjHv26nZXjWQ2zhdQgJ0QOePWw0e8a6CNRQhu8z5wevT1s3v-1TGVUTxp5Hw8dfETIrjQFP4nvPe5HuSwTF6QOze5CqWsTo416alWgcZ248DtekOdO0E5xqAekMUqTiDkCvuDv5V" shape="rect" target="_blank" track="on"><img alt="Influence" border="0" height="221" hspace="0" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://i46.tinypic.com/2i03vcl.jpg" vspace="0" width="185" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">Have you read our issue Influence?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span>One of the most impactful gifts I have received was the gift of time. It was a gift I had not asked for nor did I realize I desperately needed. However, that gift has helped me learn to be more mindful and invested in others. Whether you formally mentor or just invest in other women in your life, it is simple to live out this gift. Recently I sent hand written notes to some women and the impact from this small act was more than I could have imagined. Other ways to invest time might be sharing wisdom from scripture or inviting a few women in for coffee and Bible study. Helping with practical needs such as child care for mom friends is another way to invest in healthy families.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
</div>
<div>
<span><div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
What I have learned from the little bird out my window is women work hard to protect, provide, nourish and love those in their nest. They also need a place to stop and rest to be able to continue that work. You can be a place of rest for women by investing and being present in their lives.</div>
</span></div>
<span><br /></span><br />
<span> <br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<em>Melodi Leih is a MOPS Mentor at Hermitage Hills Baptist Church in Hermitage, TN and Regional Developer for MOPS International. She is married to Mike and has 3 beautiful children and an amazing son-in-law. She enjoys music, reading and time with her family.</em></div>
<table align="left" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 319px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #008887; text-align: center;" width="319"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001U-e-bgrxhjI14iSAiQn5Zvpp9JJukgpythrE_uwxBDi-kuk8XGagJow2FjHv26nZXjWQ2zhdQgI9rATcINNToVNTD6MnJ5aGp7Y1dMpqX5ONw_YD79qd-E8YRZkII2496g0VdcBxAZ0N-RgwZ1a2ug==" shape="rect" target="_blank" track="on"><img alt="August Webinar" border="0" height="171" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://i58.tinypic.com/oan907.jpg" width="319" /></a> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #008887; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><div>
There is still time to register for our August webinar on "Healing Prayer"? Register today!</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span> <br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-852038198572196516.post-33930485086808749642014-06-15T20:25:00.002-07:002014-06-15T20:25:19.188-07:00Knit Two, Pray Two<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span>By Tracey Solomon</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span>Dipping the knitting needle into the next stitch, I wrap the yarn and pull it through. As I do, the beautiful lavender, silk yarn glides through my fingers. Wrapping for the next stitch, I whisper prayers for the future wearer of this offering of yarn, handwork and love. "Lord, bring comfort in these stitches." "Lord, let these stitches be a reminder of your love and mine for the wearer." </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span><img align="left" alt="Knit" border="0" height="201" hspace="5" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://i57.tinypic.com/ou05g5.jpg" vspace="5" width="271" /> I dip the needle into the next stitch and continue knitting and praying. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span>I'd love to say this practice was inspired by a Victorian era women's devotional practice I'm trying to revive. Or, that it came to me by divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Or even that I read about it in a book. I didn't. I'd like to because they sound better (and holier) than the truth ... </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span>Prayerful knitting happened by accident one day, when I was multi-tasking. A friend was struggling through something and I decided to knit her a "hug." I wanted to make something tangible to remind her of my love, and God's. I prayed for her between the stitches.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span>Which is when I discovered that knitting helps me both focus and stay awake while praying! </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span>See, I have a problem with sitting still and focusing on prayer. When I try to sit still and focus, one of two things usually happen:</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span>a) I get distracted (Oh look! A squirrel) and forget I am praying . Which is like putting Jesus on hold and forgetting him. Nice. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span>b) I fall asleep. Which is not the same as resting in Jesus. Trust me. I'm not resting. I'm asleep. As in drool may be involved and I could possibly snore. Snoring is not a prayer language. Just saying.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span> </span></div>
<table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 319px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #008887; text-align: center;" width="319"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001kZ29mGmw4nIUphYOH7ri16cC2S8OFLZ3yhEUZwdkYN_M1G2JdfexZ12JTishbFelxmh-fSjBKeky6jvZNu-nzgxsdkYL1JEKW8XTRtzbr5MFD8NmjYm7Siq2nTpYyZu3Pdbvoq0Qk-lFPLnFLK16AA==" shape="rect" target="_blank" track="on"><img alt="August Webinar" border="0" height="171" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://i58.tinypic.com/oan907.jpg" width="319" /></a> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #008887; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><div>
Have you registered for our August webinar on "Healing Prayer"? Register today!</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span>So for me, prayer is not just a spiritual battle, it's a battle between distraction and exhaustion. Maybe, I have "prayer-colepsy" or "PrayDD." Whatever you call it, I'm glad I've discovered that if I pray while I'm <em>doing</em> something. That way I can stay both focused and awake. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span>So I pray when I'm knitting. And while folding laundry, and sometimes in the shower. I rarely fall asleep in there.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span>Knit two, Pray two. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span>It works for me. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span>What about you? What works for you when it comes to prayer? Do you have struggles with prayer? What does your prayer time look like? I can't wait to hear! </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<em><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">Tracey is married to her high school sweetheart, Kyle. They have 3 sons. Tracey serves on the Board of Directors at MOPS International and has a background in pastoral counseling. She loves to knit and is passionate about reaching, connecting with and learning from that "other woman," the one who's different from her. She writes about it on her blog, A Mile in Her Shoes, at<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001kZ29mGmw4nIUphYOH7ri16cC2S8OFLZ3yhEUZwdkYN_M1G2JdfexZ12JTishbFelxmh-fSjBKemGKGXKwVnsdoVTIjo2mvRMnAkUJ7Z6FteOI47Jap4gFw==" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc;">www.traceysolomon.com</span></a></span><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">.</span></em></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-852038198572196516.post-64278211582983766012014-06-09T08:14:00.002-07:002014-06-09T08:14:19.109-07:00Show, Don't Tell<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;">By Margot Starbuck</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;">Though I'm not proud of it, when I am really passionate about communicating something, I create <i>merch</i>.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;">Since I'm a stinky salesperson, these inspirational products eventually get jammed into nooks and crannies around my home. In closets and under beds are stashed countless bracelets that say "Beloved," t-shirts that command "Live Love," hats that instruct "Walk With the Lord" and buttons that announce "I Am For You."</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;">This morning I noticed a cutie pin-back button I designed to inspire writers, and snapped a pic to post on Facebook.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;"><img align="left" border="0" height="232" hspace="5" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://i58.tinypic.com/5cxhzq.jpg" vspace="5" width="238" /> The small turquoise button proclaims "Show, don't tell," and my caption simply offered, "For my friends who write..."</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;">What writers have been told, and what readers know implicitly, is that "telling" quickly becomes wearisome. When a writer "tells" too much, readers shut off their kindles and go pour themselves a Diet Coke. "Showing," though? That's where the magic is. When a writer <i>shows</i>-through vivid stories and dialogue and description-readers keep reading. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;">One of my most visionary friends, Kenny, left a comment on Facebook below my photo, adding:</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;">"For my friends who present. For my friends who lead. For my friends who sell. For my friends who parent. For my friends..."</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;">You can bet my blue button I've been noodling on smart Kenny's insight all day.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;">Kenny had opened my eyes to the fact that what I knew to be true about writing well is true of speaking well. Leading well. Selling well. Parenting well. Whatever opportunities we're given to influence others are enhanced when we <i>show</i>. Not tell.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;">Writing a book to tell my neighbors how to love their neighbors-which, with the best of intentions, I actually did-may not be as effective as learning the names of grocery checkers and Target cashiers and speaking to them by name when I'm out doing errands with a friend.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;">If my neighbor Donna wants her fifteen-year-old daughter to keep her paws off her cell phone when she gets her driver's license next year, telling her isn't as effective as Donna burying her own phone in the glove compartment.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;">The sellers of Vitamix blenders know that paying staff to demonstrate their product in the aisles of Costco-where potential buyers can see and hear and touch and smell and taste-is much more effective than trying to <i>talk </i>customers into buying a Vitamix.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;">Whatever opportunities we're given to impact others are enhanced when we <i>show</i>. What does <i>showing</i> look like in your sphere of influence this week?</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;"><em><b>Margot Starbuck</b>'s most recent book, about the face of God that smiles on us, is called </em></span><span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;">Not Who I Imagined: Surprised by a Loving God</span><em><span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;">. Connect at </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ibGTmpWvU4n8-LRpj-PBnSWU0YNA54584yJEoJODQnYZx2OHvhBs_2X8ASaAmO81BgUiRkd_2JpB4sZLSc5NUFCGD5dRAO0vTeVYXsW1K28=" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Cambria"; font-size: 12pt;">MargotStarbuck.com</span></a></em></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-852038198572196516.post-52240138466743663802014-06-02T07:00:00.000-07:002014-06-02T07:00:00.986-07:00Why Can't We All Just Get Along?<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
By Elisabeth Klein</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span>I met with a new friend recently who is still processing a broken relationship. She has done the hard work, she has turned over every rock. And yet she can't seem to fully let go (her words, not mine). She said something like this, "I just don't know why two Christians who once loved each other well can't end things better than this. Is this really the best we can do?"</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span>I have struggled with this so very much. It seems to me that two people who claim to know, love, trust, follow and obey Jesus <i>should</i> be able to relationally have their acts together, that they <i>should</i> be able to be - at the very least - <i>civil</i> with each other.</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span>Even so, I have a few people in my life who I do not speak to. A small few, but still. These few do not like who I am. And with these few, I have had to come to terms with the reality that distance is the only thing that will make our relationships - or lack </span></div>
<table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 180px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="180"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=00164RNstzcq0I-WA-O7aVNHunewyAznc0iQTRC8vBIw_vG8yMhnMELlLdgj6E7SOkOXYde_y9sior9l93EsZWlrx_eSwfmJyqsOxKtoTkNeMhcwdS8seL-sbgnLSiRT0rUQyCctWJE0VEQgAy17Q3rkgkDQlL8_puwd6zTwr03DAvSeUFfrfaQMA==" shape="rect" target="_blank" track="on"><img alt="Forgiveness" border="0" height="217" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://i60.tinypic.com/2mhequs.jpg" width="180" /></a> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #008887; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><div>
Have you read our issue </div>
<div>
<em>Forgiveness?</em></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span>thereof - work. They are no longer in my life. </span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span>In each of these cases, I have had to choose to move on with a ridiculous number of loose ends dangling between us. Feeling completely misunderstood, completely judged, and sometimes lied about.</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span>Over the past couple years as I've grappled with being divorced and what that means. The primary relationship I was in for the past two decades could no longer be sustained and that made me feel like a relational, emotional and spiritual failure. But I have come to realize something-<i>not everyone gets along. And that's okay.</i></span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span>This may seem like a cop-out. Or like something a divorced person would say to make herself feel better. </span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span>But really and truly, it's just a fact. </span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span>We live in a fallen world. Jesus has not set all things right yet. There is sin and addiction and abuse and people make mistakes all day every day and hurt each other. Sometimes there is nothing that can be done but to part ways. </span></div>
<table align="left" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 276px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="276"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=00164RNstzcq0I-WA-O7aVNHunewyAznc0iQTRC8vBIw_vG8yMhnMELlLdgj6E7SOkOXYde_y9siop2H35OylFWySY5jcRgG9DUgh6kLhl4TLZlDlWNAwUU5tqPrKa5z0FEJscl29DN2JmqboFxUCe8jA==" shape="rect" target="_blank" track="on"><img alt="webinar" border="0" height="147" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://i58.tinypic.com/oan907.jpg" width="276" /></a> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #008887; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><div>
Have you registered for our August webinar on "Healing Prayer?"</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span>So in some quiet moments when past hurts come to mind, I must cling to the grace of it all. Jesus died for things like this. Some things - no...<i>many things</i> - he has resurrected in my life and I am reaping the benefits. But still others, I will have to wait. And I must learn to wait.</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<em>Elisabeth is a single mom to Sara (17) and Jack (15-1/2). She loves spending time with her kids, her friends, reading and writing. She is the author of </em>Moving on as a Single Christian Mom, Living Through Divorce as a Christian Woman: Questions & Suggestions, Surviving in a Difficult Christian Marriage: Questions & Suggestions, Unraveling: Hanging onto Faith through the End of a Christian Marriage, At the Corner of Broken & Love; One Girl, Third World; He Is Just That Into You;In Search of Calm: Renewal for a Mother's Heart; and Calm in My Chaos: Encouragement for a Mom's Weary Soul.<em> Visit her website at <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=00164RNstzcq0I-WA-O7aVNHunewyAznc0iQTRC8vBIw_vG8yMhnMELlLdgj6E7SOkOXYde_y9siooOes3kszGrfxEJFT0daO-zGuhHK7Q4gu5otzuNLihjDg==" shape="rect" style="color: black;" target="_blank">http://www.elisabethklein.com/</a>. If you are in a difficult marriage or find yourself going through a divorce, she has created two private groups on Facebook that she would like to invite you to. Simply email her at <a href="mailto:elisabeth@elisabethklein.com" shape="rect" style="color: black;" target="_blank">elisabeth@elisabethklein.com</a> for more information.</em></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-852038198572196516.post-13966175361147835622014-05-19T07:44:00.001-07:002014-05-19T07:44:21.834-07:00Does Appearance Matter? <div style="color: #66cc00; font-family: Georgia,Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: 18pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">By Carla Foote</span></span></span>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>I
was struck by an article I read recently on a mainstream news platform,
regarding whether or not women should color their hair as they start
graying with age. </span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>First of all, the obvious gender issue - there are no articles about whether or not men should color their hair!</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>Then
I felt the weariness of the topic - another article about appearance
and women. Would we ever get past the "What we look like" issue to be
able to freely live and work based on our minds, hearts, gifts and
abilities?</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="height: 225px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 355px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="463"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001RxZ3clS-FyqX6J_MDXtYaudmQT6Tf4vnRDgllsPMIDlW-C0G9R9erOsMkmqUqyS_0t7gNoqu1J8FAj-BD1LV2fE4FQr8H2GUEEgPshWcsakobSQffgaKAQR2Gbn166XlpE9eviEDLTr9svt4j6BrNapc3qb4SxlzfTjpaxbIRW3oa5S0KWfh2g==" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="Relish" border="0" height="196" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://oi61.tinypic.com/152gbuq.jpg" width="328" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #008887; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">
<div>
Have you read our "Relish" issue? Truly Beautiful!</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>As
a 54-year-old woman who decided about 10 years ago not to start
coloring my hair, I wondered whether or not the article even applied to
me. I am happy with my choice of hair, and I appreciate my friends who
have made different choices. Then I scrolled down to the comments,
something I try to avoid on websites, since people often put on their
crazy side when commenting online. And I felt the fear and resignation
of my sisters ...</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>This comment summed up the thoughts of so many:</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>I
color my hair, period. And will continue to do so as long as I work in
middle-management in corporate America. I am 65 years old and don't want
to be laid off because I look like I'm ready to retire anyway. Most
folks think I'm in my early 50's.Yes, yes, age discrimination may be
against the law but in practice it's alive and well.</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>So
even though the article encouraged women to find their own style and
not be afraid of gray, the comments made it clear that such a decision
was risky in terms of career aspirations for older women.</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>What about the church?</span><span>
Surely those of us secure in the fact that we are made in the image of
God and redeemed by Jesus can be more courageous in our appearances.
After all, there are lots of older women (and men) with active roles in
the Bible - Sarah and Elizabeth come to mind. The Bible even commends
older women to teach younger women. Surely churches and Christian
organizations haven't succumbed to the new and young is better than old
and gray push? </span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>Or have we?</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>When
we quietly push older voices to the sidelines because we are looking
for new, younger voices, are we saying that there isn't room for a
harmonious blend of old, new and in-between voices speaking truth to all
generations?</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>When
we discard church programs which seem dated in favor of the newest
strategy, are we throwing out discipleship principles that have worked
for years in favor of the chase for relevance?</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="height: 315px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 347px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="570"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001RxZ3clS-FyqX6J_MDXtYaudmQT6Tf4vnRDgllsPMIDlW-C0G9R9erOsMkmqUqyS_0t7gNoqu1J8e_nyc-0itwdK3Asqj3ujazM368mvIuiSseRvTWhvLjDYp1pq-7A4st_tkpns0zF-JbSymf5DyNg==" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="Store" border="0" height="239" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://oi57.tinypic.com/o73sdt.jpg" width="332" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #008887; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">
<div>
Looking for a Graduation Gift? Shop at FullFill.org and reinvest in ministry!</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>Don't
hear me wrong. I am absolutely in favor of the relevance of the gospel
message for upcoming generations, and to shared leadership between
generations. But can the church be a place where all ages are welcome at
the table, and where the appearance of being older doesn't necessarily
mean that we are irrelevant to the Christian community?</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<em>Carla
Foote's dark brown hair is now streaked with gray. She loves connecting
with and learning from women of all generations. She is the </em>FullFill<em> blog manager and also writes and edits through www.FinePrintEdit.com. </em></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-852038198572196516.post-64048698458031587772014-04-21T08:23:00.001-07:002014-04-21T08:23:47.036-07:00With Problems and People: Let Your First Stop Be God<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
By Judy Douglass</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Last
week I was speaking to a group of 100 women about Living a Better
Story. I was rushing to pray with the program team. I had my computer,
my speaking notes and a very important sweater to complete my outfit-all
in the passenger's seat. So I decided to go around to get it all, put
my keys in my purse and added it to the pile-and did what I always do-I
locked the door and shut it.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Sigh. Locked out!</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I
could speak without everything but the sweater. It took about 15
minutes to find someone who could break into my car, another 10 to
accomplish the deed. I missed the prayer time, but had plenty of time
before I was up to speak.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Stuff
happens. Problems occur. Many are minor, but some cause anxiety,
frustration, strained relationships, financial struggles; others are
even life threatening. It all adds up to stress. And stress takes a
terrible toll on our health, our attitudes, our energy.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
We
each have our own ways to handle stress: worry, talk to a friend, go
shopping or get some chocolate, take a walk, work harder.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
When
the stress rises in my life, I usually want three things: peace in the
midst of it, wisdom to know what to do and power or strength to handle
it. Only one person can provide these things.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
God knows how to handle each problem, every stressor-and he is willing to tell us.</div>
<table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 297px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #66cc00; text-align: center;" width="297"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001hYEGZhFGU5EwIyHMf10z10T4NVktZz2a5ZOCY6P2lLPPiGH4QOdS4fbVATxPl5XDu6gXAO-2ZjqioolY7jTNFwZb42aiU-cUzPxrDXS8_7CYnrH00HdXHP3PykQpx-hZqZrZV3yThTQ=" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="May Webinar" border="0" height="161" hspace="0" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://oi62.tinypic.com/vxlw13.jpg" vspace="0" width="254" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #a20000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">Register today for our May webinar "Reclaiming Eve: The Identity and Calling of Women in the Kingdom of God"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Peace:
He urges us not to worry, but to rejoice, give thanks and tell him all
about it, in all situations, every time. "Do not be anxious about
anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which
transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7.)</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Wisdom:
He has it-supernatural wisdom. Just ask and he will share. "If any of
you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all
without finding fault, and it will be given to you." (James 1:5)</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Power:
So many situations are beyond my abilities. But God gives us his
Spirit, living in us, filling us, enabling us to draw on his
supernatural power for every circumstance.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
How do we access these amazing provisions? <strong>Let your first stop be God.</strong></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
King David tells us he was always in constant, uninterrupted conversation with God,</div>
<table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="height: 289px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 234px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #66cc00; text-align: center;" width="297"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001hYEGZhFGU5EwIyHMf10z10T4NVktZz2a5ZOCY6P2lLPPiGH4QOdS4fbVATxPl5XDu6gXAO-2ZjqioolY7jTNFwZb42aiU-cUzPxrDXS8_7AUxxZ6fHm1M3eZIvICUiqo_7uLybKCQ6o-u993db8AmQ==" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="April Web" border="0" height="269" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://oi62.tinypic.com/10y1ezo.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #66cc00; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">
<div>
Purchase the previously recorded webinar "With Problems and People: Let Your First Stop Be God" by <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001hYEGZhFGU5EwIyHMf10z10T4NVktZz2a5ZOCY6P2lLPPiGH4QOdS4fbVATxPl5XDu6gXAO-2ZjqioolY7jTNFwZb42aiU-cUzPxrDXS8_7AUxxZ6fHm1M3eZIvICUiqo_7uLybKCQ6o-u993db8AmQ==" shape="rect" style="color: #6053a2; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">clicking here!</a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
that's the key. "I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
not be shaken."(Psalm 16:8)</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Talk with God as you walk through your day. When a problem comes, when anxiety</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
grows,
when stress increases, let your first stop be God. Talk to him: Tell
him all about it. Thank him. Even rejoice. Ask him for what you
need-even as you keep walking, or talking to someone else, or begin
dealing with the issue.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
When we make God our first stop, he will give us the peace, wisdom and power for every problem.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<em>Judy
Douglass is a graduate of the University of Texas with a degree in
journalism. She has been on the staff of Cru since 1964, serving with
various publications. Judy currently assists her husband, Steve, in
giving leadership to Cru. Her primary focus is Women's Resources. She is
the author of four books, S</em>ingle and Complete, He Loves Me,What Can a Mother Do? and Letters to My Children: Secrets of Success.<em> Judy has written for numerous magazines and blogs regularly at www.JudyDouglass.com</em></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-852038198572196516.post-91351597609705717672014-04-14T08:37:00.002-07:002014-04-14T08:37:38.908-07:00I would NEVER... unless of course I would<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
By Elisa Morgan</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I
like to think of myself as one who dwells on the mature side of life
choices. You know, I would NEVER steal, hate, lie etc. After all, I've
been a follower of Jesus for some - what - <em>forty</em> years? I
remove my hand from the bag of chips. I zip my lips on a snide comment. I
muster up the guts to apologize to my husband for the more-than-tacky
comment I do let escape. Through this, that and the other kind of mess,
I've learned to scoot over and make room for what Jesus wants.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Yup - that's me. I would NEVER...unless of course I would.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Same
for Peter who swore his loyalty to Jesus one night in a garden: "Even
if I have to die with you, I will NEVER disown you." (And by the way,
all the other disciples said the same in Matthew 26:35.) Later that very
night - in the wee hours where nothing good happens - Peter's "I would
NEVER" becomes his "...unless of course I would."</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Peter denied Christ. Not once. Not twice. Three times.</div>
<table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 297px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #66cc00; text-align: center;" width="297"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001JnaojLmGrPZgWusrXGTmiVVaETqiIjwLEEMjeMBly4N3AqD15-59ak8gq1V-9XIomOBdA1dsus15a3K-RV4JEmS-BMJ_YYUGNMiFshdHzpSALHVGStAnDggZe1wqE08SCmXdhldE5qE=" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="May Webinar" border="0" height="161" hspace="0" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://oi62.tinypic.com/vxlw13.jpg" vspace="0" width="254" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #a20000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">Register today for our May webinar "Reclaiming Eve: The Identity and Calling of Women in the Kingdom of God"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I can remember my first jaw-dropping pass in this text in Matthew 26:69-75. <em>What?</em> Such a lack of self-censorship! What weenie faith! What <em>fear.</em> In the very guy who Jesus said would be the rock of his church. Loser.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Then
flipping to John 21:15-25 where Jesus "restores" Peter, I'm stunned
that somehow Jesus still thinks him leader-worthy. Even today, I go to
the text expecting Jesus to wag his finger and pronounce Peter a screw
up. Instead, Jesus invites Peter to believe that Jesus loves him - not
once, not twice, but three times - and to demonstrate that Peter
believes this by loving Jesus back.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
In
recent years, I've come to recognize - and embrace - the very real
presence of my own "...unless of course I would" soul holes. I'm broken.
I mess up. I sin. Even</div>
<table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 237px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="237"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001JnaojLmGrPZgWusrXGTmiVVaETqiIjwLEEMjeMBly4N3AqD15-59ak8gq1V-9XIomOBdA1dsus0mZAIqrWCEozNvHEAG3TBEASUyW57JFChRyu3Kvrf66mxx3EXTAitgSmWCbTQaXseusl9eLiOvk4b5pEWBHaEgM94Lrz56BTWke3zdV0Ab9nMEhFrZWrj7pUr3yTAs9tF5TSbLRuF3kwgsbYCIOJBMQCozhlr-pR9415QzGQqBri_P5_TwSwb52YVXpo5d6PQ=" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="BOB" border="0" height="202" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://oi60.tinypic.com/15chy6a.jpg" width="134" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">Buy your copy of <em>The Beauty of Broken</em> today in the <em>FullFill</em> Store (<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001JnaojLmGrPZgWusrXGTmiVVaETqiIjwLEEMjeMBly4N3AqD15-59ak8gq1V-9XIomOBdA1dsus0mZAIqrWCEozNvHEAG3TBEASUyW57JFChRyu3Kvrf66mxx3EXTAitgSmWCbTQaXseusl9eLiOvk4b5pEWBHaEgM94Lrz56BTWke3zdV0Ab9nMEhFrZWrj7pUr3yTAs9tF5TSbLRuF3kwgsbYCIOJBMQCozhlr-pR9415QzGQqBri_P5_TwSwb52YVXpo5d6PQ=" shape="rect" style="color: #bf5300; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">click here</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
after walking with Jesus for nearly a lifetime. Over and over again.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
And
every time, Jesus invites me to believe that he loves me - and to
demonstrate my belief in who he is and what he says by loving him back.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<em>Elisa Morgan, MDiv, (www.elisamorgan.com) is the author of </em>The Beauty of Broken: My Story, and Likely Yours Too<em>, a speaker and the publisher of </em>FullFill<em> (www.fullfill.org).</em></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-852038198572196516.post-84698954496198465692014-03-31T08:01:00.001-07:002014-03-31T08:01:19.820-07:00Honestly Broke<br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span> </span>By Caryn Rivadeneira
</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br />After
a writer-friend read early drafts of my book, Broke: What Financial
Desperation Revealed About God's Abundance, she emailed a note of
encouragement. "It's beautiful," she said. "And funny." Then she added
that she understood being broke. My friend and her husband were in the
midst of a similar financial struggle: wondering how a mortgage would
get paid, wondering how big the debt might grow, wondering why God
wasn't working the miracles for them he seemed eager to weave for
others. <br /><br />"But," she concluded, "I'll never write about this. I can't." <br /><br />And
I understood that too. It isn't easy to tell the world that my once
well-heeled and still well-educated husband and I spent years hovering
dangerously close to that poverty line, that the debt incurred from
uncovered medical expenses and a sinking business threatened to
suffocate us (still does!), that during all this I not only doubted
God's goodness and faithfulness, but his very existence.<br /><br /> </div>
<table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="height: 224px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 360px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="545"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001TqqVrVS0hIMjEbNSGi0uTvY6MRXhDz-q4W4ob6OQu3YoZNfc6WklVF0gMKveKp25I3qQxZpAhVObBY3uV9mL9jbi2_WaSWWc5lPKUu5XjaXn5rL0zg-gyUIidZ6LtltfoNhaJrX7U1ClpH9VQ3049jJJDphZWJvwgaczym_mAzUJH4A66oLMGoc2h9CUsLN8" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="Debt" border="0" height="213" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://oi62.tinypic.com/20qbd6t.jpg" width="353" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #a20000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">
<div>
Have you read "Four Letter Word: Debt" from our issue <em>Courage?</em></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
It's-gulp-humiliating.<br /><br />And
yet, I can't not write about this. Not with what I believe to be true
of my calling as a writer. Not with what I believe to be true of my
calling as a leader.<br /><br />I write not only because it feels great (it's so freeing; it's when I'm most alive!) but because using this gift honors God. <br /><br />Especially
when I lean into the "prophetic" calling I cling to as a writer.
Writers are called to voice what others are afraid to, to bring to light
what others want to keep in the dark. We are called to be vulnerable,
to be open. Even when it's humiliating. Especially so.<br /><br />But
writers aren't the only ones who share this prophetic calling. Anyone
who'd been given a leadership position-whether leading other people,
whether leading in the home, whether leading with our thoughts or
words-is called to risk this same humiliating vulnerability.<br /><br />And
it isn't just because it ultimately feels good (and it does-really! What
a relief to get rid of those masks and veils of shame!). We're called
to vulnerability because it is honors God. Because in sharing our
greatest weaknesses, in sharing our humiliating</div>
<table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 297px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="297"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001TqqVrVS0hIMjEbNSGi0uTvY6MRXhDz-q4W4ob6OQu3YoZNfc6WklVF0gMKveKp25I3qQxZpAhVOb3VMhMT6f5l93C3ZAd2bDkXrCeNBpxJK9278aClJC0Zh49squ-m05YiPxWDO2THvHGyRnp2tnhg==" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="April Webinar" border="0" height="213" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://oi62.tinypic.com/10y1ezo.jpg" width="142" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #a20000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">
<div>
Register today for our April webinar "With Problems and People: Let Your First Stop Be God" with Judy Douglass</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
secrets,
in dragging those skeletons right out of the closet for all the world
to see, we're also showing what God has done. Is doing. And we're
sharing hope for all he</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
will do. <br /><br /><br /><em>Caryn
Rivadeneira is a writer and speaker and serves on the worship staff at
her church. She's the author of five books including her latest, </em>Broke: What Financial Desperation Revealed about God's Abundance<em> (InterVarsity Press, 2014) and </em>Known and Loved: 52 Devotions from the Psalms<em>
(Revell, 2013). Caryn lives in the western suburbs of Chicago with her
husband, three kids and rescue pit bull. Visit her at
www.carynrivadeneira.com.</em> </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-852038198572196516.post-63266253545952596922014-03-24T09:48:00.001-07:002014-03-24T09:48:26.025-07:00The Dry Season<div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
By Joanna Foote</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
When
I first arrived in a rural region of Puebla, Mexico in December, it was
the beginning of what people there called "la cuaresma." The official
translation for that word in Spanish is "Lent," but for the people who I
met in Puebla, cuaresma also meant the dry season.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
As
I continue to journey through Lent, I remember this linguistic
connection and wonder what it means to look at Lent like the dry season.
In regions such as Puebla, the almost complete lack of rainfall for 6
months of the year has striking effects on the landscape. There is
almost no vegetation. The few trees that I could see didn't have leaves.
All the grass on the hills was yellow. Fields without access to
irrigation lay barren.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 247px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="247"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001bBun6rZl_UGaDoP4ldMpr0w_Cjx_W51mNTZFi5t_dQ7FAS3CVkem9_Bn5DmteCnbZyZ9Xopx-T9rGaBbQlQkQGTTcLhoQ6Ndq3sOzVH4SJ5j1KwH3Zv25CsZ8BhEwJoJHgNCHaEkKaB9kzm4PcXdfAebZpmvzbocmlpsmm5439H-ZqAGC4ywgtZGrGhovDEs" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="Valleys" border="0" height="294" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://oi60.tinypic.com/2irt56q.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #a20000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">
<div>
Have you read our <em>Valleys</em> issue?</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span> </span>Similar
to the barrenness of the dry season, Lent is a reminder of when the
Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert for 40 days before being tempted.
Jesus neither ate nor drank and was stripped away from worldly contact
as he prepared himself for his encounter with the tempter. Lent in
Christian tradition is recognized as a time of fasting and prayer as we
intentionally strip away the greenery that the rainy season brings. Now,
part way through the Lenten season, is a good time to reflect upon how
our Lenten sacrifice, if we chose to make one, is helping us or could
help us grow closer to God.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
In
Puebla, the visibility of the dryness has other impacts, namely
economic. In the dry season, only the few farmers with access to wells
can plant. So most of the men do not work and live day to day, trying to
scrape by to at least provide food for their family until the rainy
season.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
This
reality of the dry season has two implications for us in Lent. First,
just as those families hope and pray that God will provide for them in
the dry season, the barrenness of Lent calls us to cultivate a deeper
reliance on God. Second, in consideration of those who live without the
security of savings or steady income, Lent is a particularly appropriate
time to live in generous solidarity with those who do not have economic
resources. In fact, in Christian tradition, almsgiving is a part of the
Lenten season.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The
beauty of cuaresma, whether Lent or the dry season, is that both are
only seasons. We see the dry grass but know that as soon as the rains
come the</div>
<table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 297px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="297"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001bBun6rZl_UGaDoP4ldMpr0w_Cjx_W51mNTZFi5t_dQ7FAS3CVkem9_Bn5DmteCnbZyZ9Xopx-T9CCAdCGnmWcPzA_kxtfN3ThiZDP9VuOx6or6EsKJOBBQGhZF9LmKUcPJRz08XYwlI8uv9KjsoMBw==" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="April Webinar" border="0" height="213" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://oi62.tinypic.com/10y1ezo.jpg" width="142" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #a20000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">
<div>
Register today for our April webinar "With Problems and People: Let Your First Stop Be God" with Judy Douglass</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
countryside
will be lush again. We accompany Jesus in the desert, and afterwards in
his suffering and death, but know that soon we will be celebrating his
resurrection and the promise of eternal life. As we continue a Lent
where we fast, pray, and give</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
to those in need, we do so because of the great hope we have in the goodness and abundance of our God.</div>
<br /><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<em>Joanna
Foote is a recent graduate of Georgetown University who is currently
spending a year in Mexico with a Fulbright grant to research the
reintegration of deported and returned migrants. She has previously
journeyed with immigrants in the US and recently deported migrants on
the US/Mexico border. Her thoughts on migration, Mexico, and faith can
be found on her blog: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" shape="rect" style="color: black;">fromlafrontera.wordpress.com</a>.</em></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-852038198572196516.post-70931243179266281212014-03-17T09:10:00.000-07:002014-03-17T09:10:03.564-07:00Trash Day<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
By Ceil Ryan</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I was sitting at my dining room table, paying bills.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
As
I licked the last envelope, I heard the familiar rumble of the garbage
truck, driving slowly down our street. House by house, the truck tipped
the contents of oversized cans into its front loader. In one motion, the
garbage was gone.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
As
I thought about how good it feels to have all that refuse removed, I
started to wonder about my own life. Over time, I collect refuse in my
mind and heart too. I need to get rid of it, just like my kitchen
garbage. So who are the "Trash Collectors" in my life?</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
All
week, I am faced with busyness, the family schedule and hard choices.
All the stress piles up, like so many scraps from lunchboxes and dinner
plates, in my heart. If my burdens aren't emptied, I'm not going to
function very well. Something's bound to get rotten, and I'm not going
to be very fun to be around.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I
know that Jesus is the ultimate restorer. But I am so thankful that he
also sends us people to help haul away all the pent-up frustrations we
hold so close to our hearts.</div>
<table align="left" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 234px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="234"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001WT_UrkEAmnsA46EG_kA9muCVpP2AfIKcLL8iN84BNUeqPy521DIFlb4zzozqn5rIAUexqRHHOoosHo3vIZSwdXXbj8fAf8LIxRvVQbnTBbxJZg_Yte1UDon-zhYISRR1hisdCYyQNXAjmwQQX6ojuEZDK-5cjpcHDKv2stB68AEdyaH0oc8AB3WxRfsIdgon" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="Friend O Mine" border="0" height="279" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://oi60.tinypic.com/14t4pp4.jpg" width="234" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #a20000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">
<div>
Have you read "Friend O' Mine" yet?</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Although
I have several people in my life that I can rely on, I have one special
friend. I can tell her anything that's on my mind and heart. We say
we're "having coffee," but you know what really happens when we meet?</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
We
sit down at the little table with our paper cups of coffee, and it
begins. I start backing up my truck. (Can you hear it beeping?) A few
sentences into the conversation, and my hopper is at full tilt. There I
am, dumping all my troubles and stress from the week into her peaceful,
non-judgmental lap.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I
thank God for her. When I am done talking, I feel so emptied and clean.
It's such a wonderful feeling. With my stress meter on zero, I can
enter the new week with renewed joy and energy.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
She says I do the same thing for her. We are honored to be "Trash Collectors" for each other.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 297px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="297"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001WT_UrkEAmnsA46EG_kA9muCVpP2AfIKcLL8iN84BNUeqPy521DIFlb4zzozqn5rIAUexqRHHOoov5IR-EP1bKt_WOOLJmGNboXogqF3cnWFvO5ygV10_sR29tApBNIeiKbuUGihY98bWApauUeTAQg==" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="April Webinar" border="0" height="213" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://oi62.tinypic.com/10y1ezo.jpg" width="142" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #a20000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">
<div>
Register today for our April webinar "With Problems and People: Let Your First Stop Be God" with Judy Douglass</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
So
the next time you hear the familiar racket of the garbage truck on your
street, do me a favor. Allow that sound to prompt you to thank the
people in your life who listen when you unload your troubles.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Those people are peacemakers. They are your special gift from God.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<em>Ceil
Ryan is a writer, blogger, mom and "nana" living in the Midwest. She is
trying to see the work of God in all the places of her life. Ceil blogs
at www.ceilryan.com.</em></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-852038198572196516.post-63680598881622223162014-03-10T08:00:00.000-07:002014-03-10T08:00:09.788-07:00Dare Mighty Things!<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">
By Halee Gray Scott, PhD</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Christian
women have been shamed into a corner. Many have bought the lie that
they are the second sex-they do not matter and they are not gifted, at
least not in the ways that matter most. They got the message that they
need to limit their horizons, temper their ambitions. They are leaving.
Research shows not only are there are fewer women in church, there are
fewer women going to seminary. Women's advancement in leadership has
altogether stalled, right along with the wage gap. Women, especially
Millennial women, see this lack of progress and start to</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
wonder if leadership is even worth it. So they look for "the good life" elsewhere. As</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
the French say, <em>"Ça ne vaut pas la peine."</em> It is not worth the pain.</div>
<table align="left" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 139px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="139"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001dGY8O6WuZrgpZaLY0xaKKtp6rv0f2Z6jkpN5TXN40u2SDCKBVSunkabNXvxfCE6RiS0uZmFibJHr7qDZkfrPUOwGfHcZVJMeGMEzrXF2FI1v0uNtfp3iWrU8ukCsVbvoDPz8gmVY2-o=" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="Webinar" border="0" height="208" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://oi61.tinypic.com/116tac4.jpg" width="139" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #a20000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">
<div>
Did you miss the March webinar? <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001dGY8O6WuZrgpZaLY0xaKKtp6rv0f2Z6jkpN5TXN40u2SDCKBVSunkabNXvxfCE6RiS0uZmFibJHr7qDZkfrPUOwGfHcZVJMeGMEzrXF2FI1v0uNtfp3iWrU8ukCsVbvoDPz8gmVY2-o=" shape="rect" style="color: #6053a2; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Click here</a> to purchase the recorded version!</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
It
isn't enough for me to simply tell you the stories of Christian women
who are daring mighty things and outline the challenges you will face,
so let me tell you this:</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<em>Your life matters.</em>
We can learn from Christian women who dared mighty things and brought
about massive cultural reform. It was not too long ago that women in the
nineteenth century, women with far more limitations than we have today,
worked to abolish slavery, alcoholism, poverty, illiteracy. They
created legislation to prevent women from being sexually exploited by
men, built homes to keep them safe, and provided aid to immigrants.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<em>You are gifted and called.</em> The Lord can do more than you can possibly imagine through your life.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<em>You are needed.</em>
The same problems that confronted the women of the nineteenth century
confront us today. Women are still exploited by men. Slavery is not
abolished for all. Fifteen million children go to bed hungry every night
in America alone. We can find the good life by daring mighty things, by
overcoming our personal challenges in order to make a good life for
others.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
God
is working through Christian women. The first challenge for most
Christian women? Believing you are a leader at all. Believing you have
gifts. Believing that God wants to use your life as a force for good.
Not every woman is called to be a pastor, a minister, or a CEO of a
non-profit. Some women are called to lead in other</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
ways-leading
an at-home Bible study, starting a food pantry at their church-but
these women are leaders, too, and their contributions have been
minimized for far too long.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Sometimes the mightiest thing you can do is to do that which seems very small-dare</div>
<table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 363px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="363"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001dGY8O6WuZrgpZaLY0xaKKtp6rv0f2Z6jkpN5TXN40u2SDCKBVSunkabNXvxfCE6RiS0uZmFibJFvcPrBP3BvV9PZe3G4lm-stNMrMok8T-EDvjfdx_a7xEHK-CHkItMWwH7Nrhi2VPy6SMZYxMY6guAXeXAoQ9o3RuR5kc01kk1p9nwg53GcZYHEbDMLB5kh" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="Halee Scott" border="0" height="173" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://oi58.tinypic.com/25soi0m.jpg" width="363" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #a20000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">
<div>
Watch Halee's video from our issue</div>
<div>
<em> Stretch!</em></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
to
dream big dreams. Dare to believe that you can make a difference. Dare
to believe that overcoming obstacles and facing challenges is
worthwhile. That is where you start.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<em>Halee Gray Scott (PhD, Talbot School of Theology) is an author of</em></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Dare Mighty Things<em>,
scholar, and global leadership consultant. She teaches seminary courses
in spiritual formation, theology, and leadership in seminaries across
the country - while mothering two little tykes and remaining "present"
to her husband. Her writing has appeared in </em>Christianity Today, Christian Education Journal, Real Clear Religion,<em> and </em>Relevant.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-852038198572196516.post-59128003495403120662014-03-03T09:26:00.002-08:002014-03-03T09:26:55.112-08:00The Motivation of Our Giving<div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">
<span>By Kiara Jorgensen</span></div>
<div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>At
the end of what has seemed like winter in perpetuity, we're leaning
into a new season, Lent. Historically the liturgical season of Lent has
involved something about giving up. Many of us say so long to chocolate,
shopping or Facebook for the season of Lent. </span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>The
process of release, far from merely a cultural legalism, can be a
transformational one. For when we give up - our time, our indulgences,
our anxieties - the fullness of Christ can become more real in our
lives. Biblical scholars refer to this paradox of dying into life as
kenosis, as exemplified clearly in the Christ hymn of Philippians 2,
where Christ ... </span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,</span><span>but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself</span><span>and became obedient to the point of death-even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:6-7)</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>As
women, we understand sacrificial love. We often give deeply to those we
are in relationship with at all levels. If we are moms, we hand over
our rest, autonomy and waistlines to our babies. We give our clean
kitchens and time alone to our children. And this isn't 40 days out of
the year. No, in family relationships we enter into a </span></div>
<table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 139px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="139"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001JcTiD-wpEqA3JMMjTmKGrQlwZGIim7R6vJs5i2y5d9Ccs88UYPInmbN5g8NwDjXDjQN02mK7-02Tt6EQHxmxzcfviq1nVWuSLRrgwyX9RHt9KdYBMiIKWII_IxU33dKjncBWn0vB9lk=" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="Webinar" border="0" height="208" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://oi61.tinypic.com/116tac4.jpg" width="139" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #a20000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">
<div>
Register today for our March Webinar titled "Dare Mighty Things: Mapping the Challenges of Leadership for Christian Women"</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>brand
new way of life, the kenotic way. So beyond typical Lenten messages of
giving up, perhaps what we need to hear isn't about giving more, but our
motivation for giving. </span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>Let's
be honest, there is a big difference between surrendering oneself out
of fear and giving of oneself in faith. For to those of us living in the
realm of the former, too much credit is given to us as individuals, as
if the very fabric of our relationships depends upon our sacrifices.
When we live in this place we give to avoid crisis and chaos. We give to
keep our lives steady. In short, when we give as if such sacrifice is
simply business as usual, we try to give to our closest relationships
that which only God can give. </span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>In
contrast, a Christ-like, kenotic giving of self is an act of faith.
Here we give to be used by God, all the while trusting that God will
provide for our family and closest relationships. We resist the
temptation to be all things to those we love best. This kind of giving
often requires us to attend first to our own fears and anxieties. For as
Paul reminds us in the Philippians text, Christ actually gave up his
position in his sacrifice for us, trusting in the power of his
relationships to the Father and the Spirit. </span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 360px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="360"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001JcTiD-wpEqA3JMMjTmKGrQlwZGIim7R6vJs5i2y5d9Ccs88UYPInmbN5g8NwDjXDjQN02mK7-03pHmYFkDAXUXgWrk-TrEm45PiDuAHAqRrnA7a9W6kOQXy8ZMewe3yHpLe4RizY7HqQDoLtjfWXVgvAuejVU430j8LR29CPn19BQIuEqLEl-93deNlicWNg" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="Stretch" border="0" height="214" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://oi61.tinypic.com/29p3d4m.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #a20000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">
<div>
Read "Untamed Hospitality" from our issue <em>Stretch</em></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>In
this Lenten season may we see our sacrifices not as ends in themselves,
but rather as opportunities to release ourselves and those we love to
God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br /><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<em>Kiara
Jorgenson is a Ph.D. candidate in theology at Luther Seminary, St.
Paul, MN. She lives in South Minneapolis with her husband and 2 yr. old
daughter and regularly attends a local chapter of MOPS. Her occasional
blogs about motherhood and Christian academia can be found at: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" shape="rect" style="color: black;">www.mammademia.blogspot.com</a>.</em></div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-852038198572196516.post-15784677244218773302014-02-24T08:58:00.001-08:002014-02-24T08:58:41.192-08:00Outcome vs. Output<br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=7RJ4NVY9P5K7Q" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="February Webinar" border="0" height="226" hspace="5" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://oi61.tinypic.com/v4vwwg.jpg" vspace="5" width="128" /></a>
<div>
<span>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
By Janis Kugler</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Etched
on Michael Jackson's tombstone is a list of his accomplishments:
songwriter, singer, producer, dancer, choreographer, humanitarian,
Jackson 5 member, soloist, 13 #1 singles, 13 Grammys, 197 awards and 37
top 40 hits. A large tombstone! This epitaph looks like output to
me-success as measured by activities rather than purpose and impact.
While it sounds impressive because we understand all the money and power
that came with Michael Jackson's career, what if we measure life by
outcome and not output?</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span> </span>Did you miss "Measuring Success - Both Personal and Professional" with Janis Kugler? Buy the recorded webinar <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=7RJ4NVY9P5K7Q" shape="rect" style="color: #a20000; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
What
are we ultimately about in our personal and professional lives? And how
do we know if we're successful? Is our end result about output or
outcome?</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Most
of our day-to-day activities measure output. Output relates to "what we
do" and is measured in activity and metrics. What have you done for me
lately and how can we see quickly and tangibly that we're making
progress? In business, we measure activity and widgets produced or if
we're in ministry we measure the three "B's"-butts (attendance), bucks
(financial giving), and baptisms (conversions). While these are all good
things, they aren't necessarily the full measure of personal or
professional success.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Outcome
refers to "what difference is there" and is measured in impact,
transformation and purpose. Outcome focuses on the big picture of what
matters most. Feedback isn't immediate and results may take a lifetime.
Take mothering for example. It is all about outcome and the long-term
return on our day-to-day investment of time and energy. In ministry,
outcome is defined by how people's lives are different because they have
intersected with our organization.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
When
I think about my life and my eventual epitaph, I want my husband,
daughters and grandchildren to talk about the difference I made in their
lives. I want co-workers to talk about the way I challenged them to be
more and to live out their God-given purpose. I want people to
understand that I lived out God's purpose for my life. Like David, I
want people to say that I served "God's purpose for my generation."
(Acts 13:36) That sounds like an outcome. When we live a life of purpose
as evidenced by outcome-or maybe even fruit-as Jesus called it, we've
been</div>
</span></div>
<table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 185px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="185"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0013D7LCQmK1GLRZ2-qzcMET2l1guVJzMMU5znYupxZsUfPr97uYq-0FUC9xzVJ5wjx3Pu7tdcBYPA8YaP6BSx2f3K1ccsegX1mPUpOFb63CEfqJIZF2tzcKGwZ8sEzZi26em9j0XzT5hgVTgUYDEXAeTXM_eRF-jik4YR5NbAX3Smfa2DfWfsKYqTBY1lUHn7D" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="Sweet Spot" border="0" height="221" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://oi62.tinypic.com/16ks13l.jpg" width="185" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><span>Have you read the Sweet Spot Issue? Find out yours!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
personally successful.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Jesus was all about outcome. His earthly ministry wasn't about the number of people</div>
</span></div>
<span>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
he came in contact with, but rather it was how their lives were different because</div>
</span><span>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
they had been with him. He wasn't interested in outward appearance but o</div>
</span>
<div>
<span>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
nly what had transpired at a heart level. Jesus' outcome was a changed heart and life.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
What's ours?</div>
</span></div>
<span>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<em>Janis
Kugler is President of Facet Consulting Group. She consults with a
variety of non-profit organizations, specializing in strategy and
resource development. Prior to launching her consulting business, she
served for 12 years with MOPS International in the areas of development,
marketing, strategic planning and organizational research, learning and
innovation. Visit <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" shape="rect" style="color: black;">www.facetconsultinggroup.com</a> for more information.</em></div>
</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-852038198572196516.post-25027592698412745632014-02-17T08:24:00.002-08:002014-02-17T08:24:47.029-08:00Next?<span></span><br />
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>By Jennifer Nahrstadt</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>I
have been giving serious time and mental energy attempting to discover
what the next chapter of my life might look like. It's making me squirm.</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span><span>Why?
I'm a pragmatic woman, born and raised in the no-nonsense Midwest. I
don't want open-endedness. I see no need for long, drawn out periods of
consideration </span><span>or processing</span><span>.</span></span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span><span>I must admit that I'm not content</span><span>.
I've had this internal niggling that there is something more I have to
offer the world, now that my only son has graduated high school and gone
off (603.5 miles off, to be exact) to college. I feel the need to know
what is next for me. </span></span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>With
my personality profile in hand and the conviction of my life coach that
the results of said profile are, indeed, accurate - that I am a born
leader - now I have to figure out what to do with what I know. </span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>Gulp. </span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>I'm
47. Who will hire me when I can't even articulate effectively what I
feel called to do? Who would follow that kind of leader?</span></div>
<table _mce_style="text-align: center; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px;" align="right" class="imgCaptionTable mceItemTable" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; text-align: center; width: 310px;"><tbody>
<tr><td _mce_style="text-align: center; color: #000000;" class="imgCaptionImg" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="310"><a _mce_href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZV93Ac5AhqI" _mce_shape="rect" class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZV93Ac5AhqI" shape="rect"><img _mce_src="https://thumbnail.constantcontact.com/remoting/v1/vthumb/YOUTUBE/2a8961cedbd8479c95029bd76fb5aaef" alt="The Between" border="0" height="225" hspace="5" src="https://thumbnail.constantcontact.com/remoting/v1/vthumb/YOUTUBE/2a8961cedbd8479c95029bd76fb5aaef" vspace="5" width="300" /></a> </td></tr>
<tr><td _mce_style="text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; color: #d52c2a; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: 400;" class="imgCaptionText" style="color: #d52c2a; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">
<div>
Have you seen "The Between" with Elisa Morgan from our issue<em> Valleys?</em></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span><span>Suddenly,
the story of Moses and his encounter with God at the burning bush
interrupts this train {wreck} of thought. Before now, I never really
identified with Moses, with his adamant reasons why he </span><span>could.not.do</span><span> what God was inviting him to do. Now I get it </span><span>- </span><span>Moses was scared out of his mind at the enormity of God's call!</span><span> I am too.</span><span>In the midst of this process, all I see is more doubts than direction. </span></span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>That's not what God sees.</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>After
God tells Moses to go to Egypt, Moses says, "Who am I?" God replies,
"You're with Me." God doesn't even answer Moses' question because it's
irrelevant. He goes on to explain that he has anticipated every possible
outcome and spells out for him how he will take care of everything that
concerns Moses. GOD, not Moses. </span></div>
<table _mce_style="text-align: center; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px;" align="right" class="imgCaptionTable mceItemTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 210px;"><tbody>
<tr><td _mce_style="text-align: center; color: #000000;" class="imgCaptionImg" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="210"><a _mce_href="http://www.fullfill.org/webinars#!february-webinar/c46a" _mce_shape="rect" class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://www.fullfill.org/webinars#%21february-webinar/c46a" shape="rect"><img _mce_src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://oi61.tinypic.com/v4vwwg.jpg" alt="Webinar" border="0" height="369" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://oi61.tinypic.com/v4vwwg.jpg" width="210" /></a> </td></tr>
<tr><td _mce_style="text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; color: #ff0000; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: 400;" class="imgCaptionText" style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">
<div>
Register today for our February Webinar titled "Measuring Success- Both Personal and Professional" led by Janis Kugler</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>Oh. </span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span><span>When Moses resists seeing himself as even remotely qualified to work with God, what does God ask him? "What's in your hand?"</span><span> I imagine Moses looking at </span><span>his staff. God started with what Moses </span><span>already </span><span>had and transformed it into a tool he would use to change the future of His people. </span></span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>What's in my hand?</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span><span>I don't know where this process is taking me, but I know the One who is leading me through it. He will show up with work to do; </span><span>by his grace, I already have tools in my hands.</span><span>Will I join him in the work he is going to do or just offer excuses? </span></span><span> </span> </div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>A
born and bred Midwesterner, Jennifer Nahrstadt and her husband Bob now
live in Georgia. After seven years in the South, her friends say she
still can't say "y'all" convincingly. She works the opening shift at
Starbucks, where she gathers life lessons for the book she is writing.
Although she doesn't drink coffee, she'll do almost anything for
chocolate. </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-852038198572196516.post-50677901162765285292014-02-10T08:31:00.000-08:002014-02-17T09:55:22.315-08:00Wired for Beauty<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
By Dorothy Greco</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
For
more than fifteen years, my family lived in the midst of a
claustrophobic, somewhat neglected section of Boston. We had to navigate
idling buses spewing their toxic fumes and idling drunken men-often
spewing toxins of another sort. Depending on what time we left the
house, it could take nearly thirty minutes to travel the two miles
across town. The neighborhood was the antithesis of everything my soul
craved.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
An
arboretum within walking distance of our home served as my spiritual
life-line during this season. There was a small knoll, surrounded by
towering pine trees and overlooking a creek. I claimed this spot as my
personal chapel. Whether I was praying, reading, or simply being, the
beauty of this place became like manna which fed and sustained me.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Though not everyone is wired to find God in nature as I do, we are all designed to <img align="right" border="0" height="265" hspace="5" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://oi57.tinypic.com/2n16fc0.jpg" vspace="5" width="404" />recognize
and respond to the sacred call of beauty. Mystic Simone Weil wrote,
"God uses beauty to captivate the flesh in order to obtain permission to
pass right to the soul. It constitutes another way in which the divine
reality behind the world invades our lives."This invasion creates a longing that can only be satisfied as we pass through beauty to the One who made us.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
C.
S. Lewis referred to beauty as a doorway which invites us into the
presence of God. The doorway itself might be artfully carved from
brightly burnished mahogany, but if we worship the door rather than
walking through it, we will have missed the door's true purpose. </div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Similarly,
if we allow beauty to satisfy our flesh but not penetrate our souls and
motivate us to action, we've missed the deeper meaning. Sacred beauty
unequivocally validates God's existence (Romans 1:20) and woos us like a lover, but </div>
<table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 210px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="210"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001WIvRjzU7jo6WEX3gwowoTWUtTJn-lSg6AI6eUCV0GqwQkN_NPSOTJ5MAvjURa1jRB8XnU3RL1yfuXMM41ZGtia0mAxgvnvOqjZQhJiVjYEbZkw9g2I1pdewMdpYgn4BeliqgcpKFZzwhv_5owpBI_TyX-9LlYEr6" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="Webinar" border="0" height="369" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://oi61.tinypic.com/v4vwwg.jpg" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><div>
Register today for our February Webinar titled "Measuring Success- Both Personal and Professional" led by Janis Kugler</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
it's
also meant to inspire both worship and creativity. For as we respond to
our lover's initiative by planting flowers, making photographs, setting
a bountiful table, or raising our voices in song, we actually partner
with God to reveal his glory on the earth. In a world which seems to
grow increasingly harsh and desperate, I need the gift that beauty
offers. I think we </div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
all do.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>The
flower photograph above is one of Dorothy Littell Greco's creations.
Dorothy now lives among towering pines outside of Boston. She writes,
makes photographs, and walks alongside of men and women who want more in
their relationship with God. You can find more of her work at <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" shape="rect" style="color: black;">www.dorothygreco.com</a> or by following her on FB (<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" shape="rect" style="color: black;">https://www.facebook.com/DorothyGrecoPhotography</a>) and twitter (@dorothygreco). </i></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-852038198572196516.post-49290946018046625482014-02-03T08:20:00.002-08:002014-02-03T08:20:57.088-08:00Still Winter?<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
By Dale Skram</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
By
this time of the year I am over winter. Anyone else? I am tired of
shoveling my driveway. Tired of static in my hair. Tired of cleaning the
drippings of snow sludge off my floors. And I am definitely tired of
being stuck inside all the time. Enough already.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<img align="left" border="0" height="288" hspace="5" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://oi61.tinypic.com/5xptox.jpg" vspace="5" width="251" /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
This
year my feelings are compounded by the fact that I am also stuck in the
spiritual season of winter, that bare and lonely season of the soul. My
own winter arrived with the death of my marriage, but your winter
season might come through loss, crisis, burnout or illness.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Winter
is a season of forced inactivity, a low period in life, a time of trial
and suffering. Winter is hard. Unlike the rainbow of colors that pop
and bloom in spring, life loses color in winter and becomes gray. So
does my mood and my outlook on life.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
And
then there is the winter pruning, that barbaric practice of cutting off
limbs. It is supposed to be good for trees, to shape and direct future
growth. But when I undergo pruning, it hurts!</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
As
a woman who values work and productivity, winter is particularly hard
for me because there is no apparent work to be done. Winter is a season
of dormancy and rest in which nothing seems to be happening. And that
makes me feel useless and forgotten. It makes me wonder what Jesus'
disciples</div>
<table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="height: 251px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 428px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="467"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001Isst006mifUkqz2RTR_tYN5r8-jzgb8Wx7ryF8QIs6_NiGMTIoJdLF3xXb_wVL49zaGqxfKiaymFUczHZHi3ASBCqoxm_eRMiFAOCXOqpjf6uFiZQ6MfAtWGZOwqQ9--9J_qyN6TgL8jTicqGuArJl9F3C7VOyHs15B4scFv4OUbzO33yH12ZWhoOaWOIX7ZNgmV6jg4_FI=" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="My Fill- Valleys" border="0" height="208" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://oi62.tinypic.com/xfnq8n.jpg" width="389" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #d52c2a; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">
<div>
Have you read "Valley Girl" from our issue Valleys? <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001Isst006mifUkqz2RTR_tYN5r8-jzgb8Wx7ryF8QIs6_NiGMTIoJdLF3xXb_wVL49zaGqxfKiaymFUczHZHi3ASBCqoxm_eRMiFAOCXOqpjf6uFiZQ6MfAtWGZOwqQ9--9J_qyN6TgL8jTicqGuArJl9F3C7VOyHs15B4scFv4OUbzO33yH12ZWhoOaWOIX7ZNgmV6jg4_FI=" shape="rect" style="color: #6053a2; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Read it now!</a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
experienced
in the space of time between his crucifixion but before his
resurrection. Useless and forgotten, because circumstances had taken a
dark turn.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
But we know the end of the story, don't we? God acted. Jesus rose. New life began.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
So
it is with our winters. Great things are happening under the surface of
our hard stories that we cannot see yet. And sometimes things need to
be cleared out to make room for these new happenings. "He cuts off every
branch</div>
<table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 210px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="210"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001Isst006mifUkqz2RTR_tYN5r8-jzgb8Wx7ryF8QIs6_NiGMTIoJdLF3xXb_wVL49zaGqxfKiayn8_LY0Fa3MmXA2kTHv2Q5WyM3B49E2ALjYMh8UEPUfIwiDyEh-2y3Yt9NrauRJ9Rbl0KjwBoyEYA==" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="Webinar" border="0" height="369" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://oi61.tinypic.com/v4vwwg.jpg" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #d52c2a; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">
<div>
<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001Isst006mifUkqz2RTR_tYN5r8-jzgb8Wx7ryF8QIs6_NiGMTIoJdLF3xXb_wVL49zaGqxfKiayn8_LY0Fa3MmXA2kTHv2Q5WyM3B49E2ALjYMh8UEPUfIwiDyEh-2y3Yt9NrauRJ9Rbl0KjwBoyEYA==" shape="rect" style="color: #6053a2; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Register now</a> for our February webinar "Measuring Success: Both Personal and Professional" led by Janis Kugler</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." John 15:2</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
It
may still be cold and dark out, but Jesus reserves the deepest intimacy
for this season. And since I seem to have some extra time, I am using
it to pray and journal more, to build my faith, and embrace the deeper
work that God is doing in my heart and my life so that I will be ready
for spring.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<em>Dale
Skram is a speaker, writer and life coach who lives in Boulder,
Colorado with her four daughters, ages 10-17. Connect with her at <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" shape="rect" style="color: black;">www.daleskram.com</a>.</em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-852038198572196516.post-58235668691841077202014-01-27T08:19:00.000-08:002014-02-03T08:19:58.911-08:00In Favor Of Disorder<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
By Carla Foote</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Like everyone else, I cleaned my office on the first weekend in January, sorting, filing<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">, recycling, shredding and generally creating a clean environment for my work. I am a fan of clean spaces and organization.</span></div>
<table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 234px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;" width="234"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0012jTZ1kbNw4VrA5d9uQDBTGg3vHSUgceT_Tpovnspl1ETUop1y6erGHgz4XEK79JKFUB2pvUJFN-RpmtsxTOvkZM7AewuF6G7ieP4gkm0dKfJQmQAZ-H8-9AYlyPs2ydRNJjgW-GEZkE=" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="Webinars" border="0" height="112" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://oi42.tinypic.com/2a9782a.jpg" width="234" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">
<div>
Have you registered for our 2014 webinars yet? <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0012jTZ1kbNw4VrA5d9uQDBTGg3vHSUgceT_Tpovnspl1ETUop1y6erGHgz4XEK79JKFUB2pvUJFN-RpmtsxTOvkZM7AewuF6G7ieP4gkm0dKfJQmQAZ-H8-9AYlyPs2ydRNJjgW-GEZkE=" shape="rect" style="color: #6053a2; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Sign up today!</a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">It onl</span>y
took until Monday afternoon of my first day in my clean office to feel
like I was grasping for ideas and creative energy. My productive morning
of editing and scheduling content morphed into an afternoon devoid of
ideas. A problem that order couldn't solve.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
So
I took a break from work to exercise and do a couple of errands, and
all of a sudden I had more creative energy. While I was walking my brain
was hopping around to various ideas related to my recent reading. When I
got into the car for my errands, the random ideas coalesced into better
ideas. I jotted notes on a gas receipt so I wouldn't lose the thoughts.
My afternoon provided energy that the clean office couldn't.</div>
<span><br />As
my brain was mulling over the relationship between organization and
creativity, or the divergence between those two concepts, I wondered
about true geniuses. People like Einstein. A picture of him popped into
my head. On the outside, he looked pretty disorganized - the hair
definitely gave that impression. I googled a picture of his desk -
definitely disorder there.</span><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<img align="right" border="0" height="293" hspace="5" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://oi42.tinypic.com/bexc44.jpg" vspace="5" width="347" /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Perhaps
our quest for organization is actually squelching our creativity. The
more I thought about this, the more I realized it might be true.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Breakthroughs
and great ideas come from divergent thinking. Otherwise, checklists and
project management would have solved all the world's problems already. A
bit of irony here, because I teach workshops in project management, and
I do believe in systematic processes and a smooth schedule. But within
the overall plan, we need space for creativity to flourish, or our
outcomes will be boring and repetitive. Even the nature of God speaks to
both system and open-ended, as we see the order of God's creation and
the unpredictable work of the Spirit.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I
wrote this blog post early in January, but I held it to the end of the
month, because those of you who love organization might not have
believed my plea for a bit of disorder, especially right after you spent
all that time getting everything in order. Now</div>
<table align="right" class="imgCaptionTable" style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: center; width: 246px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionImg" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; text-align: center;" width="246"><a class="imgCaptionAnchor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0012jTZ1kbNw4VrA5d9uQDBTGg3vHSUgceT_Tpovnspl1ETUop1y6erGHgz4XEK79JKFUB2pvUJFN_rYSbp8m7VPHUqbAnMYR9MJM2yjFGS_4Ii_IUwK9VP5IYWVYjhjLF0n0J2sUE3AqR0o63S-NuZz8hIxFgNeHO10Y7lJsT7oZcTxQmKffRrJ-R2scO4CNow" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="Valleys" border="0" height="295" src="https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/tip/dispatcher?origImg=http://oi40.tinypic.com/1zb8kmr.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="imgCaptionText" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">Read a bit more about the "Valley Seasons"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I feel ready to share, because you have tried order for a month, and maybe you are craving some creativity.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Maybe February will be a better month for creative energy, because our desks are</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
now
a little less organized, there are sticky notes with ideas stuck to our
monitors, and there is a chocolate holiday smack-dab in the middle of
the month. Something definitely lacking in January. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<em>Carla
Foote recently gave up the structure of an editorial job with a
ministry for freelance work. She is the blog manager for FullFill and
also works with a variety of clients at <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" shape="rect">www.FinePrintEdit.com</a>. She is always seeking the best way to meld creativity and order. She alternates time at her desk with time outdoors.</em></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0