tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58471445625903674852024-02-19T09:15:35.640-08:00ali's Corner.Come join me in my hot air balloon.alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857905542924287083noreply@blogger.comBlogger196125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847144562590367485.post-73653016479762372772018-12-06T01:41:00.000-08:002018-12-06T01:41:51.455-08:00Upon His First Birthday<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
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<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Upon his first birthday[...]</div>
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It was about this time a year ago </div>
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that my body began to go into labor. </div>
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Our promised son, Ezekiel was finally on his way!</div>
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My son’s birth has changed me. <span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;"><br />He has absolutely wrecked me.</span></div>
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I’m sure many mothers have tried<br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">to sufficiently write or talk about what it’s like</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">to become a mother. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’d be curious to learn if any feel <br />they’ve adequately described it. <br />I’m convinced that no words can <br />completely reach the full supernatural <br />experience of becoming a mama. <br />But I’m sure going to try!<br /></span></div>
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This photo was seconds after he was born. <br />He is staring right up into my eyes. <br />He was a stranger, <br />but I knew him intimately all at the same time.</div>
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It’s a funny thing growing a life inside of your body <br />and then holding it on the outside. <br />You’ve had 9 months of wonder, <br />falling in love more and more with<br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">each movement, kick, and flutter. <br />You learn their daily activity, <br />the ways they move, their positions they sleep in. <br />They are part of you. <br />And by the time you’re ready to give birth, <br />you know this little person so intimately, <br />and yet have never met them face to face.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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But when I met him...<br />it was like my heart stopped, <br />took a deep breath, <br />and with tears in its eyes, sighed as if you say, “it’s you...”<br /></div>
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And then, the overwhelming love that ensues <br />after this life-altering moment is unreal. <br />Every day becomes an unraveling journey <br />of learning what love really is; <br />connecting the dots of God’s perfect design for life, <br />the endless revelations of His love for his children <br />simply from the way I’m loving my child. <br />I would be sitting and rocking Ezekiel, <br />sobbing because I was so overwhelmed <br />with the love I felt in my heart for him.</div>
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And now...he is ONE. <br />What an amazing year it has been. <br />I would change nothing.<br /></div>
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And that little baby that was <br />once inside of me is becoming <br />more and more independent everyday, <br />slowly weening himself from his dependency on me.</div>
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And sometimes I think, <br />it often feels like there is still <br />a part of him inside of me.<br />And from the sounds of it,<br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">I don't think that will ever go away.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is the one thing I struggle the most to explain. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">But it’s as if, while in the womb, <br />our hearts were knitted together. <br />And then after his birth, <br />we were two beings but still one heart. <br /><br />It’s a funny thing seeing your heart run around outside of your chest.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span class="_5mfr" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0px 1px;"><span class="_6qdm" style="background-image: url("https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t0/1/16/1f5a4.png"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: contain; color: transparent; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; height: 16px; text-shadow: none; vertical-align: text-bottom; width: 16px;">🖤</span></span></div>
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Happy first birthday, my baby boy.<br />Thank you for changing my life for the better.</div>
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Love, Mommy</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419805215341168035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847144562590367485.post-70156516491834085912017-12-03T17:46:00.000-08:002017-12-03T18:06:01.172-08:00Before Meeting Ezekiel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6Hqhyphenhyphen9aaQOWsJipuvDmHlHIIuxd0-ijE0hBhpfkIqKyijlkRmTAeg6oWFBNi5nW9_bKW_OKUh9VaxGLzCSM0Zw8FpzRCY70oSHUezz6eHVSN-oDyNgOhz6Fyz6L9dRUS8fi1RobBlpg/s1600/Christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6Hqhyphenhyphen9aaQOWsJipuvDmHlHIIuxd0-ijE0hBhpfkIqKyijlkRmTAeg6oWFBNi5nW9_bKW_OKUh9VaxGLzCSM0Zw8FpzRCY70oSHUezz6eHVSN-oDyNgOhz6Fyz6L9dRUS8fi1RobBlpg/s400/Christmas.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
As I sit here on the eve of my son's due date,<br />
the house; quiet<br />
and the Christmas tree twinkling,<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>I am reminded of Mary.</i></b></span><br />
<br />
You see, God told Jon that we were going to have a son,<br />
that his name was going to be Ezekiel, and that he<br />
would be strong in the Lord.<br />
This happened nearly a year before I even became pregnant.<br />
<br />
I can't honestly say that I accepted this task chosen for me<br />
as joyfully and graciously as Mary did when the Angel appeared<br />
to her and told her that she would soon have a son,<br />
that His Name was going go be Jesus, and that He<br />
would be the Son of the Most High.<br />
<br />
Mary didn't have a choice.<br />
The Angel didn't ask her if she WANTED this.<br />
The Angel told her that she was chosen.<br />
And Mary didn't just willingly accept.<br />
She actually said,<br />
<i>"I am the Lord's servant,</i><br />
<i>may it be to me as you have said."</i><br />
<i>-Luke 1:38</i><br />
<br />
If I'm being honest,<br />
I completely freaked out.<br />
The night of the pregnancy test,<br />
we weren't actively trying,<br />
so Jon and I each bought a Reece's cup<br />
to celebrate either a negative or positive<br />
result on the pregnancy test.<br />
I just didn't expect for it to say pregnant.<br />
So when it did,<br />
suddenly I wasn't hungry for my celebratory treat.<br />
And I wasn't ready to be pregnant.<br />
Or to go through labor.<br />
Or to be a mother.<br />
<br />
If I'm being honest,<br />
I fought these feelings for a long time.<br />
Fear of the unknown welled up inside of me.<br />
Guilt consumed me for all of my friends who have<br />
lost babies or who've struggled with infertility.<br />
Who am I to not be completely grateful?<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>And then the unfolding happened.</i></b></span><br />
<br />
I realized that out of all the women in the world.<br />
God chose me to be this little boy's momma.<br />
This little boy who already has a name and a purpose<br />
given to him and spoken to his parents by the Lord.<br />
And suddenly I was beyond joyful.<br />
<br />
I remember the uncontrollable tears that flowed down my face<br />
when we had the ultrasound assuring us that<br />
he was a boy, confirming the promise<br />
the Lord made to us months prior.<br />
Confirming that this was indeed Ezekiel,<br />
our son promised to us.<br />
<br />
And the movements of his little body as he's grown inside of my womb,<br />
he even moves as I type this,<br />
which makes me fall in love with him even more<br />
and feel so close to him, excited to meet him,<br />
knowing him already.<br />
<br />
His excitement; especially when we are in a place of worship,<br />
and where the Lord's presence is actively moving.<br />
Ezekiel does not stop moving the entire time;<br />
reminding me that he is alive in God's Spirit<br />
and the first breath he will take outside of me,<br />
will be none other than the breath of life,<br />
given to him by his Heavenly Father.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>And so comes the waiting.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
There is quite the preparation that goes into<br />
nesting and getting ready to welcome<br />
a new little one into your life,<br />
but eventually that to-do list,<br />
which has occupied my time for months,<br />
comes to a halt.<br />
That halt happened a couple of days ago.<br />
And now there is nothing left to do<br />
but wait.<br />
<br />
How convenient that the waiting began<br />
at almost the exact same time that Advent begins each year.<br />
<br />
<i><b>I'm beginning to feel a lot like Mary all over again.</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
There is an ache in the waiting.<br />
An ache of longing and excitement.<br />
A longing to snuggle my baby boy<br />
into my arms and kiss his sweet face.<br />
An excitement to know what he looks like<br />
and to learn more of who he is.<br />
<br />
There is a letting go in the waiting.<br />
A letting go of time and a letting go of control.<br />
The timing is unknown<br />
and the controlling is useless and needlessly exhausting.<br />
<br />
And there is a calm in the waiting.<br />
A calm that says, "trust."<br />
"I have everything planned out and under control."<br />
A calm that says,<br />
<i>"I will fight for you, you need only to be still."</i><br />
<i>-Exodus 14:14</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
And so, little Ezekiel.<br />
Mommy is ready.<br />
And not by her own strength.<br />
But the strength of the one who created you.<br />
She is ready for the unknown.<br />
She is ready to dive in.<br />
And she is so, so ready to meet you.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419805215341168035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847144562590367485.post-44312060072152205332016-11-17T08:35:00.004-08:002016-11-17T09:19:01.367-08:00It Was A Tuesday; When Jesus Hugged Me.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkHiUDxlt33ENTc_11Qx22EJUYWmNQK7F3NBzMC4iHhMWdoLZqx_sAsnZEAwA3LLcS_P1M_SkEgTlaNywt1QhmWZ_YWj_qw-TKPjyKqzJC-uum6PaF5za6RdJw9IWCX7Xk8LJ1JPcdDg/s1600/bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkHiUDxlt33ENTc_11Qx22EJUYWmNQK7F3NBzMC4iHhMWdoLZqx_sAsnZEAwA3LLcS_P1M_SkEgTlaNywt1QhmWZ_YWj_qw-TKPjyKqzJC-uum6PaF5za6RdJw9IWCX7Xk8LJ1JPcdDg/s320/bird.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Last Tuesday night,<br />
with only a hug;<br />
without even an exchange of words,<br />
my soul came alive.<br />
<br />
After coming home from DTS last August,<br />
where God was made more real to me than ever,<br />
naturally, I wondered what the "new normal" would be like.<br />
<br />
In the meantime,<br />
daily duty, and obligation<br />
set its claws into my routine.<br />
This "put your head down"<br />
and keep pushing mentality<br />
became my everyday.<br />
And I've only recently realized that,<br />
my soul has struggled to find rest.<br />
<br />
Imagine breathing in short inhales of air,<br />
until your lungs are completely full.<br />
Then, only exhale enough air to breathe in a<br />
very small amount of air, so that your lungs<br />
remain at capacity after each inhale.<br />
<br />
After a while, your body becomes tense;<br />
your muscles unable to relax because you<br />
haven't exhaled in a while.<br />
<br />
And if you can translate that into<br />
an emotional "breathing pattern,"<br />
that is how my soul has been living<br />
for the past few weeks.<br />
<br />
It's like I was blindsided.<br />
Taking on more and more obligations<br />
at the expense of freedom.<br />
I wasn't aware of my restlessness<br />
until this moment,<br />
on a Tuesday night<br />
when I felt my soul finally exhale.<br />
<br />
Jon and I walked into our sweet friends' home,<br />
for our Tuesday night church group.<br />
We hadn't been in a while because<br />
of life.<br />
--No, not because of life. Life is what you make it.<br />
Because of <i>routine</i>.<br />
And keeping my head down and unaware of how<br />
my soul was really doing.<br />
<br />
We walked in the door and I saw my friend<br />
coming from the kitchen to greet us.<br />
She immediately hugged me hello.<br />
I quickly realized that this wasn't a traditional,<br />
"Hi, i'm going to hug you because it's what<br />
we do in American Culture" type hug,<br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>my soul was being embraced.</b></span></i><br />
<br />
She said, "how <b>are</b> you?"<br />
I was surprised with how quickly my eyes filled with tears.<br />
This wasn't the traditional, "I'm asking how are you<br />
with the expectation of the answer being 'good,' so that<br />
we can move on with the evening," type question either,<br />
<br />
It was a question that said,<br />
"I care for you, I see you,<br />
it's good to see you, and I've missed you" all at once.<br />
<br />
At first, I tried to fight the emotions naturally<br />
happening inside of me;<br />
but I knew better.<br />
<br />
It was a hug that lasted all of 15 seconds,<br />
and yet, Jesus met me in that moment.<br />
He prompted my friend to care for me<br />
in the simplest, yet deepest way because<br />
He knew what I needed.<br />
Even if I was completely oblivious.<br />
<br />
The freedom that Christ extends is like no other.<br />
Having not attended our Tuesday night church group for a few weeks,<br />
I naturally experienced feelings of guilt,<br />
and embarrassingly, almost to the point of not going at all,<br />
in order to avoid feeling bad about our recent attendance.<br />
<br />
But Jesus reminded me,<br />
through my friend.<br />
That tonight, "He's just glad I'm there."<br />
In that moment, I was reminded that<br />
He just wants my heart,<br />
no matter how many times I forget,<br />
and have to give it to Him all over again.<br />
<br />
Afterwards, I sat in their living room,<br />
listening to songs of worship,<br />
letting the Love of Jesus gently wash over me.<br />
<br />
<b>May I never forget this.</b><br />
<br />
And so I sit and ask myself.<br />
What do I need to remain free?<br />
What is it that keeps my soul out of the<br />
confines of routine, obligation, and duty?<br />
What is it that keeps my mind, heart, and soul<br />
alive and aware of the freedom that Jesus Christ brings?<br />
<br />
I think that in order to feel "at rest,"<br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I must create.</b></span></i><br />
<br />
Writing.<br />
Photography<br />
Painting.<br />
Music.<br />
<br />
The desire is always there,<br />
and I'm learning that it will become<br />
cold and dormant if not continuously awakened.<br />
<br />
<b>What is it that helps you live in the freedom that Christ has given you?</b><br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419805215341168035noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847144562590367485.post-26364559561247226092015-10-14T21:10:00.000-07:002015-10-14T21:31:23.047-07:00When God Says, "No."<span class="text Jas-1-4" id="en-NIV-30271">For the past 8 months,</span><br />
<span class="text Jas-1-4" id="en-NIV-30271">I've sat in a medical mystery.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Jas-1-4" id="en-NIV-30271">A plethora of symptoms</span><br />
<span class="text Jas-1-4" id="en-NIV-30271">have only managed to </span><br />
<span class="text Jas-1-4" id="en-NIV-30271">mature into seemingly</span><br />
<span class="text Jas-1-4" id="en-NIV-30271">unrelated puzzle pieces.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Jas-1-4" id="en-NIV-30271">Nothing that is life-threatening,</span><br />
but potentially life-altering.<br />
<br />
<span class="text Jas-1-4" id="en-NIV-30271">I don't have a </span><br />
<span class="text Jas-1-4" id="en-NIV-30271">diagnosis or any helpful</span><br />
<span class="text Jas-1-4" id="en-NIV-30271">findings to report yet,</span><br />
<span class="text Jas-1-4" id="en-NIV-30271">but rather,</span><br />
<span class="text Jas-1-4" id="en-NIV-30271">how God has gotten</span><br />
<span class="text Jas-1-4" id="en-NIV-30271">a hold of my heart</span><br />
<span class="text Jas-1-4" id="en-NIV-30271">and brought me out </span><br />
<span class="text Jas-1-4" id="en-NIV-30271">of the pit of hopelessness,</span><br />
<span class="text Jas-1-4" id="en-NIV-30271">and into the light of His</span><br />
<span class="text Jas-1-4" id="en-NIV-30271">greater purpose. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Jas-1-4" id="en-NIV-30271"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>A SHORT SEGMENT OF MEDICAL JARGON in PLAIN ENGLISH</u></span></b> </span><span class="text Jas-1-4" id="en-NIV-30271"> </span><br />
<br />
To spare you the endless<br />
details I could share with you,<br />
here's a short, extremely<br />
condensed version of<br />
what's been going on:<br />
<br />
-For nearly the past year,<br />
I've had unexplained lower<br />
abdomen pain/discomfort.<br />
<br />
-I've had a few tests done,<br />
eliminated certain foods,<br />
explored essential oils,<br />
educated myself on<br />
natural medicine, tried alkalizing<br />
my entire body, etc,<br />
trying to put our finger<br />
on the source, but have<br />
come up with nothing<br />
definitive.<br />
<br />
-Blood tests show a raised reverse T3<br />
hormone level, basically signaling<br />
that my body knows it's<br />
under stress from some<br />
unknown abnormality. <br />
<br />
-Plus the already stated<br />
unexplained lower abdominal discomfort,<br />
and constant lower back pain.<br />
<br />
Given my symptoms,<br />
and medical history, <br />
the closest we've gotten,<br />
is the potential for me to have<br />
<b>Interstitial Cystitis </b><br />
(yeah, it has a lot of letters that<br />
make an "S" sound.)<br />
We'll just call it "IC.")<br />
<br />
Anyways, "IC" is:<br />
<span class="ya-q-full-text" id="yui_3_17_2_4_1444834660916_1050" itemprop="text">"<i>Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the bladder. Its cause is unknown."</i></span><i> </i><br />
<br />
**Note: I decided to keep the "its cause is unknown" part because especially if I have IC, and with the risk of sounding crass, I'm refusing to believe that it just came from no where and nothing can be done. Also I will probably be writing another blog about this exact thing later.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>ANYWAYS</b></u></span> <br />
Until I have the IC test done<br />
to confirm or deny this <br />
in the next month or so,<br />
I will remain a mystery,<br />
with more tests coming up<br />
next week, to rule out other possibilities.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>NOW, JUST TO BE CLEAR...</b></u></span><br />
I won't, for a minute, pretend to<br />
be on the same playing field<br />
as those with debilitating<br />
illnesses, that affect every aspect<br />
of their lives.<br />
I won't even pretend to understand<br />
what life is like for someone<br />
with something like chronic headaches. <br />
<br />
Let alone those who face<br />
diseases like,<br />
cancer, ALS, heart conditions,<br />
lyme disease, autoimmune diseases,<br />
the list goes on.<br />
Those people are STRONG,<br />
and I've heard amazing stories from each.<br />
<br />
But I will say,<br />
when you haven't felt<br />
"healthy" for nearly a year,<br />
it does begin to take a toll on you.<br />
And it does begin to affect<br />
different aspects of your life. <br />
<br />
It affects my energy.<br />
It affects my diet.<br />
It affects my marriage.<br />
It affects my sanity.<br />
It affects my thoughts about myself.<br />
It affects my confidence.<br />
It affects my self-esteem. <br />
It affects my relationship with God.<br />
It affects my comfort.<br />
It affects my life.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>THE "WHY ME" MONSTER...</u></b></span><br />
When I first realized<br />
that something really was wrong,<br />
and my symptoms weren't just "going away,"<br />
I was mad at God.<br />
I was mad that He has complete ability<br />
to heal me from this condition,<br />
but no matter how many times<br />
and how faithfully I asked Him,<br />
He says, "No."<br />
<br />
"But God," I'd say,<br />
"don't you remember that Jonathan<br />
and I are leaving for YWAM in April<br />
for 6 months? Don't you want us to be<br />
full-time missionaries one day?!<br />
How am I going to EAT,<br />
when the MAJORITY of food<br />
I'll eat while across the world<br />
could send my bladder into<br />
a fit of feeling like a fire-breathing<br />
dragon is occupying it's space!?" <br />
<br />
Then my every thought<br />
became infested with the<br />
"why me" monster <br />
followed by the self-pity disease<br />
rearing its ugly face.<br />
<br />
I found myself depressed about<br />
my unknown condition.<br />
And angry at the mystery case<br />
I was and remain to be.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>BUT GOD...</b></u></span><br />
Then, one morning, God<br />
got a hold of me.<br />
He said,<br />
<i>"I made all the delicate, inner parts of your body, and knit you together in your mother's womb."</i><br />
<i>-Psalm 139:13 </i><br />
<br />
And with those words,<br />
came these thoughts,<br />
<br />
"He <b>knows."</b><br />
and <b> </b><br />
"He <b>sees</b> me."<br />
"Whatever is going on in my body<br />
that He won't take away,<br />
He knew of the exact day it<br />
would present itself,<br />
in my life,<br />
<b>before I was ever born.</b><br />
<br />
And because He <b>sees</b> me,<br />
it means He sees<br />
my frustration,<br />
my fear,<br />
my hurt,<br />
my anger,<br />
my hopelessness.<br />
And yet,<br />
still chooses not to heal me.<br />
<br />
And if a God who knows and sees me<br />
refuses to heal me,<br />
then there must be some greater purpose<br />
for allowing this trial in my life.<br />
<br />
<i><span class="text Jas-1-2">"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,<sup> </sup>whenever you face trials of many kinds,</span> <span class="text Jas-1-3" id="en-NIV-30270">because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.</span> <span class="text Jas-1-4" id="en-NIV-30271">Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." -James 1:2-4</span></i><br />
<i><span class="text Jas-1-4" id="en-NIV-30271"><br /></span></i>
"Consider it pure joy..."<br />
JOY<br />
<b>Joy</b> is waking up every morning,<br />
hungry to sit in God's presence,<br />
desperately needing His<br />
comfort and peace,<br />
and watching as He lovingly<br />
uses my weakness to draw me<br />
into His strength.<br />
To help teach me how to need<br />
Him more, and in turn,<br />
how to love Him more.<br />
<br />
Ironically, knowing that I will<br />
look back later in life, and<br />
"miss" those trying times <br />
with God that "tested my faith"<br />
but were such sweet moments <br />
because I'd never felt closer to Him.<br />
<br />
"...the testing of your faith produces <b>perseverance..."</b><br />
PERSEVERANCE<br />
Perseverance is with every new morning,<br />
choosing to believe that:<br />
1. God is good.<br />
2. God loves me.<br />
3. God has a good plan for me.<br />
4. Therefore, God can be trusted.<br />
<br />
And, oh, I have my moments,<br />
and I'm fully aware that the moments<br />
will continue,<br />
when I whine and complain<br />
and allow the "why me" <br />
monster to pay a visit.<br />
<br />
When I'm in a pit of despair,<br />
and listen to those lies of,<br />
"you'll never be pain-free again."<br />
or<br />
"this will ruin your marriage."<br />
<br />
Then, God will laugh,<br />
scoop me up in His arms the way He does,<br />
and say, <i>"I'm the same yesterday,</i><br />
<i>today, and tomorrow." -Hebrews 13:8</i><br />
<br />
And I realized the only thing that's changed<br />
is my perspective. <br />
<br />
And by the way,<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>IMPROV PRAISE JESUS MOMENT...</u></span> <br />
God has blessed me with such a supportive husband.<br />
Jonathan is so loving, gentle, patient, and understanding<br />
about whatever chaos is going on inside of my body. <br />
<b>What a teammate.</b><br />
<br />
And lastly,<br />
"Let perseverance finish the work, so that you may be <b>complete</b>..."<br />
COMPLETE<br />
Being complete is<br />
the finish line.<br />
This won't truly happen until I get to heaven,<br />
but, speaking solely about this circumstance,<br />
"Completeness" will come when I'm<br />
truly able to stand in front of someone<br />
going through what I've gone through,<br />
look them in the eyes,<br />
and say, "I understand. I've been there."<br />
And mean it.<br />
<br />
You see,<br />
even the most devoted Christ followers<br />
in the Bible had circumstances that God<br />
refused to take away, like Paul and<br />
the "thorn in his side."<br />
He asks the Lord to take it away<br />
THREE times in his life.<br />
And this is a thorn that he 100% believes<br />
will KEEP him from doing what the Lord<br />
has asked him to do.<br />
And God says, "no."<br />
<br />
And Paul refuses to give up.<br />
And chooses to keep believing in a good God. <br />
And had a greater faith<br />
and a closer relationship with God,<br />
than I've ever seen before.<br />
<br />
And so by the grace of God,<br />
with this circumstance,<br />
He's brought me peace.<br />
Peace by knowing that<br />
a GOOD God,<br />
Who deeply LOVES me,<br />
KNOWS me,<br />
and SEES me,<br />
is choosing to teach me something<br />
greater,<br />
than if He were to simply bring<br />
immediate healing.<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419805215341168035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847144562590367485.post-16739606317625379042015-06-26T17:29:00.004-07:002015-06-26T17:34:05.801-07:00The Gain of the Battle.<i>We live in fear of the battle.</i><br />
Like a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">child</span> treading water,<br />
desperately trying to keep his head above the surface.<br />
Or an airplane, struggling to stay above the clouds.<br />
<br />
As if <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>sinking</b></span> below the clouds<br />
or being<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b> pulled beneath</b></span> the water's surface<br />
will be the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">end</span> of us.<br />
<br />
We pray for safety, success, and ease.<br />
and dread the days of pain, failure, and struggle.<br />
<br />
And when those days come,<br />
<i><b>because they do come,</b></i><br />
we yearn to get back above the clouds<br />
and our heads above the water's surface again.<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We live for safety.</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We fear the battle.</span></b><br />
<br />
<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">But what if the battle is where we come alive?</span></b></i><br />
<br />
Where we learn the<i> end of ourselves</i><br />
And see the true <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">glory</span></b> of Jesus?<br />
<br />
Where our <i><b>vulnerability</b></i> comes out,<br />
and we realize that who we <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">really</span></b> are<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">is already loved and is accepted</span></b>,<br />
and not just the parts of us that felt "safe" to be and share.<br />
<br />
Where we learn to truly <b>fight</b><br />
for what matters most,<br />
to come out on the other side,<br />
equipped and fully prepared to<br />
love in a <i>new amazing way.</i><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>...</b></span>What if where we come alive is<br />
at the bedside of a loved one in the ICU?<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>...</b></span>What if where we come alive is<br />
at the dinner table of a marriage that is ending<br />
and desperately needs to be fought for?<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">...</span></b>What if where we come alive is<br />
hitting rock bottom after having failed?<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>...</b></span>What if where we come alive is<br />
standing in front of a room and<br />
proclaiming what is true?<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">...</span></b>What if where we come alive is<br />
in the arena,<br />
with bloodied hands and blackened eyes,<br />
and a spirit full of joy,<br />
after having fought the fight,<br />
and claimed the victory?<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">...</span></b>What if where we come alive is<br />
sacrificing our lives for the freedom<br />
of a people who don't know Christ?<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>...</b></span>What if where we come alive is<br />
what we fear the most?<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Dive into the battle.</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The "safety" of the world is fleeting,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
but the safety the Lord promises is wherever He resides.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>For where the Lord is present,</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>there is victory.</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><b>He doesn't promise freedom from struggle</b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><b>and oppression,</b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
but <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>victory</b></span> in the presence of danger.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Dive into the battle.</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And breathe for the first time.</span></b></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419805215341168035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847144562590367485.post-47144892393365689192014-08-20T08:21:00.000-07:002014-08-20T08:37:21.579-07:00Come As You Are.This blog post was inspired while listening to the song "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PE6QXWFL6jY">Come As You Are</a>" by David Crowder.<br />
<br />
We live in a broken world.<br />
One where there is much tragedy.<br />
It would seem that there is a debilitating<br />
presence of hurt amongst the loved ones<br />
around me.<br />
<br />
Maybe you're a mother who's just lost her son,<br />
a man who's just lost his brother.<br />
<br />
Maybe you're a missionary who's<br />
finding that their once broken hearts<br />
for the people they are serving,<br />
are instead becoming hearts of anger,<br />
bitterness, and hopelessness.<br />
<br />
Maybe you're a woman anxiously<br />
waiting for her sister to wake up from a coma,<br />
just so you can talk with her again.<br />
<br />
Maybe you're a wife desperately<br />
wishing your husband would pursue<br />
you, or a husband desperately wishing<br />
your wife would encourage and<br />
acknowledge what you can do,<br />
rather than what you can't.<br />
<br />
Maybe you're parents,<br />
watching your little girl go through<br />
an illness that you so wish<br />
you could take away.<br />
<br />
Maybe you're a teenage girl,<br />
frantically running away from<br />
all of the things you know hurt you<br />
but unsure of what is safe anymore.<br />
<br />
Maybe you're just angry and have<br />
a hundred misconceptions about God.<br />
Maybe you blame Him for everything<br />
that is wrong in your life.<br />
<br />
Maybe you're a grown man,<br />
torn up for your family or your friend<br />
who doesn't know Jesus,<br />
wanting so badly for them<br />
to meet Him and be healed by Him.<br />
<br />
Maybe you're a grown woman,<br />
who's harboring anger and unforgiveness,<br />
but can't find the strength to just let it go<br />
and choose to forgive.<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Earth has no sorrow </span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> that Heaven can't heal.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">"</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b>
Come as you are.<br />
Come as you are.<br />
Come exactly as broken, helpless,<br />
shameful, burdensome as you are.<br />
And find rest.<br />
<br />
God is a God who heals. <br />
He heals broken hearts,<br />
broken lives,<br />
broken relationships,<br />
broken minds,<br />
and broken bodies.<br />
<br />
Not even death itself<br />
can over take us if we are in Christ Jesus,<br />
for He has overcome even death itself.<br />
There is no thing on this Earth<br />
that can keep us in darkness. <br />
If we choose Jesus,<br />
then He is the light.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>For the darkness has NOT overcome it.</b></span><br />
<br />alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857905542924287083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847144562590367485.post-26496716237905465722014-03-27T12:38:00.004-07:002014-03-27T12:38:46.815-07:00The Year of Fear.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Well, it happened.</span><br />
Since I've been able<br />
to hand write my ABC's,<br />
I've been familiar with<br />
the term "writer's block,"<br />
but I never really understood it,<br />
until now.<br />
<br />
Looking at my most recent blog post,<br />
dated July 11th, 2013,<br />
gave birth to a great understanding<br />
and to a great mystery all at once.<br />
<br />
I can honestly say that I really haven't<br />
given much thought as to why I haven't written<br />
in nearly a year,<br />
I've only missed it.<br />
<br />
I've missed it like<br />
a distant friend you can always count on<br />
for a good time each time you're together,<br />
even with wide lengths of time in<br />
between each visit.<br />
But my friend just wouldn't show up.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"Oh well," I would say.</span><br />
<br />
Could it be that since most<br />
of my writings have come from a place<br />
of great passion, curiosity, and courage,<br />
overflowing with the desire to share with others,<br />
that my lack of writing begets<br />
a state of misunderstanding,<br />
paired with a void of curiosity,<br />
courage, and a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">lack of passion</span>?<br />
<br />
Well, this past week,<br />
I figured out where I've been<br />
for the past year.<br />
I now understand why I've stopped writing.<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I stopped leaping.</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
The last blog I posted was<br />
3 months before my wedding.<br />
As you can imagine,<br />
my focus easily changed from<br />
curiosity and discovery,<br />
to wedding and perfection.<br />
I had to fight to keep my thoughts<br />
fixed on the Lord and on the joy<br />
of marriage, rather than the wedding.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Then, I got married.</span><br />
I was given the incredible gift<br />
of a husband.<br />
A man to do life with each day.<br />
To struggle with,<br />
to laugh with,<br />
to worship Jesus with,<br />
to go to battle with,<br />
to love with.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>And I got scared.</b></span><br />
So I stopped leaping.<br />
I stopped stepping to the cliff edge<br />
every morning,<br />
with God's arms stretched out wide<br />
on the other side,<br />
gently coercing me to "jump."<br />
<br />
I stopped taking the leap that said,<br />
"whatever happens, I'm not afraid.<br />
The Lord loves me and His<br />
plans for me are good. Therefore,<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I could free falls off this cliff backwards,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and know I'll be okay.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>I was fearless.</b></span><br />
I was so afraid of messing up<br />
this amazing gift that was just<br />
given to me,<br />
bound with my own expectations<br />
of perfection and drowning in<br />
my own fear of failure and abandonment.<br />
<br />
So I backed off from the cliff edge.<br />
And decided to "protect"myself<br />
from the dangers on the other side.<br />
<br />
I haven't been writing,<br />
because I haven't felt I had anything<br />
uplifting to share.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I've been drowning in fear</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">of what might happen</span>,<br />
how my marriage might fail,<br />
and how I could screw it all up.<br />
I've allowed the evil one to come in<br />
and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">strip me of my joy</span>.<br />
And instead,<br />
bind me in anxiety and worry.<br />
<br />
The feeling of drowning,<br />
in my opinion,<br />
is the worst feeling on this Earth.<br />
It's an enormous chain,<br />
that won't move by our own strength,<br />
pulling us deeper and deeper under the<br />
surface of the water,<br />
telling us we'll never be free,<br />
so <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">we might as well stop trying.</span><br />
<br />
But the part that's even worse,<br />
is amidst all of my worrying,<br />
all of my "what if's,"<br />
I've missed out on something precious.<br />
I've missed out on part of today.<br />
And of yesterday.<br />
And of the day before.<br />
And of everyday since July 11th, 2013<br />
that <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I've decided to worry instead of rejoice.</span><br />
<br />
Somebody once said, "there's no room<br />
for worry when we're busy rejoicing."<br />
It's like running a marathon and eating<br />
an ice cream cone at the same time.<br />
<br />
So what to do?<br />
Surely not continue to back away from the cliff edge.<br />
<br />
Shall I sit and become overwhelmed<br />
with regret of missing out on the<br />
moments I chose to worry rather<br />
than be joyful in the present moment?<br />
<br />
Or shall I just <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">jump</span>?<br />
And be <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">fearless</span>?<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">"A real risk is the evidence</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">of a belief."</span></b><br />
Therefore, if I truly<br />
believe that God is good,<br />
His plans for me are good,<br />
and I trust Him,<br />
why and how could I <b>not</b> live<br />
my life in a way that makes<br />
my belief evident?<br />
<br />
So,<br />
there it is.<br />
it's time to be fearless again.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>To stop worrying about what might happen.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>And start rejoicing in what is happening.</b></span><br />
<br />
<i>There's just more joy that way.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857905542924287083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847144562590367485.post-50233452131658585522013-07-11T21:14:00.001-07:002013-07-11T21:14:06.448-07:00Brain Yak.<div>
A thousand thoughts</div>
<div>
swim through my mind</div>
<div>
each awaiting the attention</div>
<div>
of something to give it meaning.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Like the way we so easily</div>
<div>
forget who we are.</div>
<div>
And whose we are.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
How hard it is to grow up,</div>
<div>
and make long-term decisions,</div>
<div>
no matter how much or well</div>
<div>
people try to prepare us for it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The way we forget to stop</div>
<div>
and look at our lives to be thankful.</div>
<div>
And the frustration that comes </div>
<div>
with seeing and having knowledge</div>
<div>
of joy that should be there, </div>
<div>
but feeling unable to indulge in it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
How easy it is to become</div>
<div>
complacent.</div>
<div>
Apathetic.</div>
<div>
and unmotivated.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
How the little things</div>
<div>
that happened to us in </div>
<div>
our pasts seemed to only </div>
<div>
hurt then,</div>
<div>
but as we age,</div>
<div>
the memories subconsciously</div>
<div>
take control of our thoughts,</div>
<div>
and in turn control our responses.</div>
<div>
And the frustration</div>
<div>
that comes with the overwhelming</div>
<div>
realization of how much</div>
<div>
you truly have to uncover,</div>
<div>
process,</div>
<div>
and heal from.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The relieving way</div>
<div>
God's truth stands </div>
<div>
firm no matter how</div>
<div>
firm I'm standing.</div>
<div>
Praise God that the</div>
<div>
authenticity of His truth</div>
<div>
does not rely solely on my faith.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
How His truth is available for belief</div>
<div>
all of the time.</div>
<div>
It never stops being true.</div>
<div>
It does not depend on whether or</div>
<div>
not it has my belief at the moment.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
How His promises are always there,</div>
<div>
even if I've seemingly checked out.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Praise God for grace.</div>
<div>
That He refrains</div>
<div>
from giving us what we deserve,</div>
<div>
but chooses to continually give us </div>
<div>
what we absolutely don't deserve.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857905542924287083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847144562590367485.post-51553891099699825842013-05-06T08:04:00.002-07:002013-05-06T08:04:51.536-07:00ali's Corner. [We Battle. And Then, We Rest.]<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"Friends!</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Do not be surprised at the fiery</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">trials you are going through,</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">as if something strange</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">were happening to you."</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">-1 Peter 4:12</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
The moment we pick up our cross<br />
and decide to follow Jesus,<br />
we become aware of an ongoing<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>battle</b></span> and an incredible spiritual realm.<br />
<br />
The enemy's den is disturbed<br />
and his hunger to steal,<br />
kill, and destroy is amplified.<br />
<br />
His ears, eyes, and evil schemes<br />
become fixated on stealing our joy,<br />
killing our ministry, and destroying our hope.<br />
<br />
BUT! This is also the realm where Jesus<br />
resides and conquers.<br />
<br />
MercyMe's song, "You Are I Am"<br />
says it this way,<br />
<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"You're the one who <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">conquers giants.</span><br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />You're the one who <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">calls out kings.</span><br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />You <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">shut the mouths of lions.</span><br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />You<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> tell the dead to breathe.</span><br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />You're the one who <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">walks through fire.</span><br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />You <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">take the orphan's hand.</span><br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />You are the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">one Messiah.</span><br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />You are<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> I am.</span>"</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></i>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And the song "The Great I am," </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">says,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>"The <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">mountains shake</span> before Him<br />The <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">demons run and flee </span><br />At the mention of the name<br />King of Majesty<br />There is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">no power in hell </span><br />Or <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">any who can stand </span><br />Before the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">power and the presence</span> of the </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Great I am.</span>"</i></span><br />
<br />
<b>This</b> is who God is.<br />
He proves His faithfulness<br />
over and over in the<br />
Old Testament,<br />
the New Testament,<br />
and presently in our lives.<br />
<br />
He is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">for</span> us,<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">not</span> against us.<br />
And since He is on our side,<br />
there isn't a spiritual battle<br />
that we cannot fight.<br />
And there isn't a spiritual battle,<br />
that He leaves us to fight on our own.<br />
<br />
He is always willing,<br />
ever faithful,<br />
never changing,<br />
and always good.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>"...take heart! </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>I have overcome the world."</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>-John 16:33</b></span><br />
<br />
So if you are fighting some spiritual battles<br />
right now, take your battles to the<br />
one true King.<br />
And take heart!<br />
In fact, rejoice!!<br />
<br />
The battles get stronger,<br />
the more we fix our eyes on Jesus.<br />
When our feet are pointed to the cross.<br />
And our hearts are pointed upward in adoration.<br />
<br />
But our Heavenly Father has a power<br />
that overcomes all evil.<br />
And cannot be diminished.<br />
<br />
He always has a tenderness that<br />
allows us to breathe easy<br />
and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>rest</b></span> in the shadow of His wing.<br />
<br />
So...<br />
Rejoice!<br />
Be Thankful!<br />
And may your joy increase abundantly<br />
as you boast in the Lord!<br />
<br />
<br />alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857905542924287083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847144562590367485.post-67196504280261178692013-04-02T23:16:00.002-07:002013-04-02T23:19:29.032-07:00ali's Corner. [When Did I Stop Praying?]<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Often times,</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">when I hear the term</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"spending time with Jesus,"</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">it connotes a temporary</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">amount of time set aside</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">to bask in the presence of The Lord.</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To pray, to worship,</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and to read God's Word.</span></b><br />
<br />
But what happens when<br />
I rise from my morning devotionals?<br />
Do I truly carry the Scripture<br />
on my heart?<br />
Or does it fall out of my ears<br />
the moment I stretch from<br />
my cozy blanket and<br />
mug of coffee?<br />
<br />
In the Book of James,<br />
it says,<br />
<i>"But don't just listen to</i><br />
<i>God's word. You must </i><br />
<i>do what it says.</i><br />
<i>Otherwise, you are only</i><br />
<i>fooling yourselves.</i><br />
<i>For if you listen to the word</i><br />
<i>and don't obey, </i><br />
<i>it is like glancing at your face</i><br />
<i>in a mirror.</i><br />
<i>You see yourself, walk away,</i><br />
<i>and forget what you look like."</i><br />
<i>-James 1:22-24</i><br />
<br />
During my own spiritual walk,<br />
I've noticed a recurring theme.<br />
I do exactly what this verse<br />
in James says not to do!<br />
<br />
<b>It seems discouragingly easy for me</b><br />
<b>to lay God's Word down each morning</b><br />
<b>and pick up my daily burdens.</b><br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What I should really doing is </span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">laying my daily burdens at The Cross</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and writing God's Promises</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">on my heart.</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>It's as if upon the arrival of adversity,</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>I forget Who God is.</b></span><br />
<br />
<i>His faithfulness.</i><br />
<i>His goodness.</i><br />
<i>His perfect will.</i><br />
<i>His love.</i><br />
<i>His justice.</i><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>But what if...</b></span><br />
my calling to<br />
"spend time" with my Savior<br />
just...<br />
<i>...never ended?</i><br />
<br />
What if my daily devotional<br />
time was proceeded with<br />
<u>constant communication</u><br />
with Jesus?<br />
<br />
A communication so constant,<br />
that I literally<br />
<u>never</u><br />
<u>stop</u><br />
<u>praying.</u><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>What if I took Jesus with</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>me into my day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>simply by <i>allowing</i> Him into</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>every</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>single</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>aspect?</b></span><br />
(Instead of closing Him in my Bible<br />
and leaving Him on my nightstand.)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
What if upon arising from my slumber,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I greeted Him with this:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Singing to Him in the shower,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Sing to the Lord and praise His name...(Psalm 96:1)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Having a heart-to-heart with Him</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
on my way to work,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Cast all of your anxiety on Him</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>because He cares for you...(1 Peter 5:7)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Being joyful amidst trials,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Be joyful always...(1 Thessalonians 5:16)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thanking Him for my struggles,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Be thankful in all circumstances...(1 Thessalonians 5:18)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Because I know </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>He works ALL things</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>together for the GOOD of those who</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>love Him and are called according</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>to His purpose...(Romans 8:28)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All of these things for the simple</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
reason that 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"Never stop praying."</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Never stop praying?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Like...ever?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Surely the underlying problem</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
at hand with sin, such as,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
worry,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
lust,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
selfishness,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
pride,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
fear, </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
anger,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
is that these feelings</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
often are a result of us</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
losing sight of how incredibly</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">big</span></b> God is.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
I once read somewhere that when<br />
Mother Teresa was asked how many times<br />
a day she prays,<br />
she simply replied,<br />
"Well, I never stop."<br />
<br />
I can't help but dream how<br />
my life would be different<br />
if I literally <b>never stopped praying.</b><br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What if...</span></b>the next time I caught<br />
myself in the midst of<br />
worry,<br />
pride,<br />
lust,<br />
selfishness,<br />
fear,<br />
anger,<br />
I stopped and asked myself,<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"<b>When did I stop praying?"</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
What if constant prayer</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
was the new normal?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Christ came to give peace!</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
And what if</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
we have our own sort of </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
"Promised Lands"</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
here on Earth leading to</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
not only experiencing</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
constant communication with Jesus,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
but constant peace where our hearts</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
and souls can not just rest, but <b>live.</b> </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
In Beth Moore's book, <u>Believing God</u>,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
she says, "If you're not presently</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
occupying your [Promised Land], rest</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
assured the devil is."</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What if, as followers of Christ,</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">our new "state of mind"</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">was that of one in</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">constant communication </span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">with our Creator?</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I can't help but allow my mind</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
to drool at the thought, </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
nearly needing a rope</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
to lasso my imagination </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
back into this millennium.</div>
<br />
<br />
Our Jesus is constantly<br />
calling us to Him<br />
with open arms.<br />
He desires to be in relationship with us.<br />
One that is constantly growing more<br />
intimately and with fierce passion.<br />
<br />
However, <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He stands at the door and knocks.</span></b><br />
He doesn't force Himself in.<br />
We must be willing to invite Him into<br />
every aspect of our lives,<br />
so He can work.<br />
<br />
Our hearts and minds can<br />
adapt to this new style of living.<br />
<b>So that when adversity hits,</b><br />
<b>our first line of defense</b> is<br />
that of the shield of faith,<br />
the sword of the spirit,<br />
the breastplate of righteousness,<br />
the helmet of salvation,<br />
and feet fitted with readiness<br />
to fight for peace! <i>(Ephesians 6:10-17)</i><br />
<br />
So next time I find myself in despair,<br />
I will ask,<br />
"When did I stop praying?"alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857905542924287083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847144562590367485.post-8897489475128918302013-03-11T10:40:00.002-07:002013-03-11T10:40:33.005-07:00ali's Corner. [He Continues to Wash Me.}<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>"Until we know the seriousness of</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>our diagnosis, it is impossible to </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>appreciate the cure." -Ben Young</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
The eyes of my heart<br />
are now being opened.<br />
<br />
The dots are slowly connecting<br />
and revealing a greater mystery.<br />
<br />
The reality of our destiny<br />
is that <b>without Jesus,</b><br />
<b>we are dead.</b><br />
We are not helpless,<br />
hopeless, struggling,<br />
fighting, striving, or working.<br />
We are <b>dead.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
By understanding the<br />
reality of our "diagnosis"<br />
without Jesus, we learn<br />
to appreciate, worship,<br />
exalt, and honor our "cure,"<br />
our Savior, Jesus Christ.<br />
<br />
Lately I've been wrestling<br />
with this idea.<br />
I've been asking God to reveal<br />
to me the seriousness of my diagnosis.<br />
So that I could then reach a new level<br />
of worship and intimacy with Him.<br />
<br />
This realization has been revealed<br />
to me lately, through my own sin.<br />
Through constantly failing<br />
to reach God's standard.<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"I had 'sinned' myself into a hole.</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I found myself trapped in my </span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">own dirty-ness and failure</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">that I began to question God."</span></b><br />
So I "gave God a way out."<br />
I deemed it appropriate to probably just<br />
allow God a way out of loving me."<br />
He couldn't possibly keep<br />
on loving such a broken being.<br />
<br />
These thoughts filled up my mind<br />
for all of yesterday.<br />
I'm fairly certain that they filled<br />
my thoughts as I slept, too.<br />
They hovered over me as I fell<br />
asleep, and greeted me in the morning<br />
with a huge slam to the face.<br />
<br />
So on this gloomy, rainy, Monday morning,<br />
I wrote a letter to my Jesus.<br />
Asking Him of His reasoning<br />
for unconditional love.<br />
Was He out of His mind?<br />
<br />
I read it aloud to Him.<br />
<i>"Oh, Jesus, how can You continue</i><br />
<i>to love such a broken being?</i><br />
<i>I'm too weak to even help myself.</i><br />
<i>I am destructive and careless, </i><br />
<i>corrupt and selfish.</i><br />
<i>Why, Lord?</i><br />
<i>Why do You choose to keep</i><br />
<i>on loving me?"</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
The answer was undeniable.<br />
It was so <b>loud, </b>yet in the most<br />
gentle, subtle, yet confident way.<br />
I heard,<br />
<i>"Because you are <b>mine.</b></i><br />
<i>You are <b>mine.</b></i><br />
<i>You are <b>my</b> child.</i><br />
<i>I am jealous for you because</i><br />
<i>you belong to <b>me.</b></i><br />
<i>By loving you, it brings</i><br />
<i>you back to me so I can</i><br />
<i>just <b>be with you.</b>"</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>...</i>What?<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Did the God of the universe</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">just claim me as His own?</span></b><br />
He sure did.<br />
<br />
By understanding<br />
how much differently<br />
my destiny would look<br />
without Jesus,<br />
I've learned to appreciate<br />
my Savior that much more.<br />
I lift up holy hands and<br />
raise a joyful noise<br />
to the King.<br />
<br />
The most beautiful thing<br />
about Jesus is that once we<br />
have accepted Him and asked<br />
Him to save us from the hungry<br />
pit of death that longs so deeply<br />
to swallow us up,<br />
is that <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He willingly gives us</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">His Robe of Righteousness</span></b><br />
to wear.<br />
Forever.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>"And when we sin,</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>we cannot 'out-sin' Jesus."</b></span><br />
<u>We cannot make Him dirty.</u><br />
Our uncleanliness does not<br />
exist outside of Jesus' ability<br />
to cleanse and heal us.<br />
<br />
So many times I've wanted to<br />
"take off" Jesus' Robe of Righteousness<br />
and hang it in the closet labeled "unworthy."<br />
I've been ashamed of the dirty-ness that lies<br />
underneath His beautiful, pure, and spotless<br />
Robe.<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But Jesus says, "keep it on.</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Take off the unrighteous behavior.</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">For you are mine.</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
So praise the One who<br />
paid my debt and raised this life<br />
up from the dead.<br />
<br />
I've decided that rather than<br />
striving to understand why<br />
and how He continues to love me,<br />
I will remain and rejoice in <b>awe</b> of Him.<br />
<br />
How He stood in my place<br />
and suffered the death<br />
that I should have suffered.<br />
<br />
How he took the role<br />
as my "substitute."<br />
<br />
How my salvation has <b><u>absolutely</u></b><br />
<u style="font-weight: bold;">nothing</u> to do with my own doings,<br />
but has <u style="font-weight: bold;">everything</u> to do with<br />
the love of my Jesus, selfless,<br />
and willing to give His own life,<br />
so that I could be with Him forever.<br />
<br />
How even though I continue<br />
to drag myself through<br />
the mud and muck of sin,<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He continues to wash me.</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<br />
<br />alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857905542924287083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847144562590367485.post-80358121147704172982013-02-27T12:44:00.003-08:002013-02-27T12:53:18.000-08:00ali's Corner. [Pain in the Waiting.]My best friend, Emily, is a<br />
cardiac and critical care nurse.<br />
She's always full of stories,<br />
ranging from hilarious to touching,<br />
and I much enjoy sitting and listening<br />
to her many adventures at the hospital.<br />
<br />
Today over coffee, she told me<br />
of a sweet old couple,<br />
of whom the husband, age 90,<br />
she's had as a patient for a while.<br />
Days prior, he claimed,<br />
"I think I'll be going home from here."<br />
<br />
However, the nurses and his wife<br />
later learned that he did not mean<br />
his earthly home, but rather<br />
his home in Heaven that His Jesus<br />
has prepared for him.<br />
<br />
Days later,<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
the wife sat at his bedside </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
awaiting her husband's death.</div>
<br />
He was now far too weak<br />
even to open his eyes,<br />
let alone interact with his wife.<br />
But she continued<br />
to talk to him.<br />
As she sat in the room,<br />
she told Emily countless<br />
stories of their growing up<br />
and growing old together.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>They'd been married for</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>sixty-six years.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
She pleaded with Emily,<br />
asking if she thought he<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
would ever wake up.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Even if it were just for</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
a minute.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
She just wanted to talk to him</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
once more, before letting him go.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
She knew she'd see him again one day,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
but she told Emily,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
"right now, he is still mine."</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
In my car on my way to work</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
from the coffee shop,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I thought about the story.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I thought about the wife</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
and what she must be feeling now.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
She knows she'll see her husband</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
again one day,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
and now it's a waiting game.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
She's left only with memories</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
of their adventures together,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
their experiences, trials,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
and triumphs.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Before she was wanting to </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
hold on to her husband to keep</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
him here with her on Earth.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
But now he's in Heaven and</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
she's awaiting <b>her</b> death so</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
she can leave this Earth </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
to go and be with him again.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Is there not pain in the waiting?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>Then it struck me.</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Isn't this <b>exactly</b> the mentality</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
we should have about Jesus?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Many years ago He walked with us</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
on this Earth, then ascended into Heaven.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
And now we wait.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
We live for Him,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
we spend time with him,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
much like a husband does</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
with his bride.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Sharing life together,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
experiencing trials and triumphs together.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Yet we wait anxiously for the day</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
to come when we can spend</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
eternity with Him in Heaven.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Should we not be continuously</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">overjoyed at this promise?</span></b><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Should there not be an </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
overwhelming sense of feeling</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
like you somehow don't <i>belong</i> here?</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I let out a heavy sigh.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I prayed that God would give</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
me that strong yearning</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
and to give my heart</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
the "bursting at the seams"</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
excitement for the day we are</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
face-to-face.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Because once we fix our</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
eyes on the reward we are</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
to receive in Heaven,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>does that not that make our</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>current struggles, problems,</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>doubts, and fears dissolve </b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>into minuscule nothings?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
By embracing all of Christ,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
our momentary troubles</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
grow small at the sight</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
of the vastness of our God.</div>
alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857905542924287083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847144562590367485.post-11207711797976715722013-02-04T20:37:00.004-08:002013-02-04T20:42:42.771-08:00ali's Corner. [A Simple Poem. - Age 15]A simple smile<br />
or simple gaze<br />
is different when it's<br />
for the first time.<br />
<br />
All the media takes<br />
fault on sucking the<br />
feeling of hand holding<br />
or dancing to the beat<br />
of a song while your heart<br />
dances to the beat of<br />
its own rhythm<br />
when staring into the eyes<br />
of a familiar face.<br />
That face stares back<br />
at you and feels the same.<br />
The media is deceitful<br />
when it comes to these feelings;<br />
you look upon actors who can<br />
just pretend; yet it looks real.<br />
<br />
But until you have experienced<br />
it for yourself, you never know<br />
the true nature of something.<br />
Like when your hands start<br />
to shake and get sweaty as<br />
you wait in anxiousness<br />
for what might happen next.<br />
<br />
By experiencing what<br />
the media has to offer,<br />
you think you know it all.<br />
<br />
But then that exact<br />
something happens to you in your life.<br />
A rush of anxiety forms,<br />
yet leaves you dead in your tracks;<br />
dead, silent, blank, motionless,<br />
not knowing what to do because<br />
the things you thought you once knew,<br />
is now coming into play and is testing<br />
your knowledge.<br />
<br />
For when you watch TV and think<br />
you know it all...no...no...<br />
there's far more to explore<br />
when it happens to you.<br />
<br />
It's a whole other place,<br />
so leap off the couch and<br />
dance to be insightful.alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857905542924287083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847144562590367485.post-63260967855205552772013-02-01T07:33:00.000-08:002013-02-01T20:48:04.784-08:00ali's Corner. [Learning To Love]<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Since befriending my curly-haired, </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">rock climbing buddy nearly 3 years ago, </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">to beginning to date him </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">amidst both of our travels to 3rd-world countries, </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">to learning how to be in a Christ-centered relationship, </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">to a sudden heart defect diagnosis, </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">leading to a new perspective on life </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and what really matters, </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've embarked on a brand new adventure </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">with my curly-haired friend on a journey of </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">learning what love actually is and what it actually is not. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Enjoy my newest understandings of the often </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">misunderstood definition of love.</span></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Love is...</b></span></span><br />
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Not a feeling that results in self-gratification, but a constant laying down of oneself obtained by a choice of an outward action resulting in inner joy that spills out into others and invites them in to experience something greater than oneself. </b></span></span><br />
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Humbling yourself </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">with a teachable spirit </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and putting on the willingness </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">to learn new things </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(not always good things) </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">about yourself. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's being willing </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">to change the ways </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">you've adopted as comfort </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">your whole life </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">for the sake the other person, </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">yourself, </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and the relationship. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's being on the same team,</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">walking towards the same </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ultimate, eternal purpose. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's knowing when to listen, </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">when to encourage, </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">when to be honest, </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and when to just stop </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">to enjoy each other. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's learning how to be selfless </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">by placing the other person's needs </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">above your own. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And it's being graceful </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and understanding </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">as the other one learns this, too. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is holding each other, not saying a word, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and allowing the therapeutic </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">closeness </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">to bring healing. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Love is sacrifice. </span></div>
</div>
alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857905542924287083noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847144562590367485.post-23098686042725942192012-10-03T22:29:00.004-07:002012-10-03T22:32:48.300-07:00ali's Corner. [My Me.]Every girl<br />
dreams about<br />
having a "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>me</b></span>."<br />
<br />
The kind of "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>me</b></span>" that says,<br />
<br />
"It's okay, it's <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">me</span>,</b><br />
you can laugh that way."<br />
<br />
"It's just <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">me</span>, </b><br />
you don't have to be ashamed."<br />
<br />
"Come on, it's <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">me</span></b>,<br />
you can tell me."<br />
<br />
The kind that tells you<br />
to stop talking<br />
in the middle of<br />
criticizing yourself,<br />
lifts your face<br />
and kisses you instead.<br />
Stop, it's <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">me</span>.</b><br />
<br />
The kind that says,<br />
"Whatever you're<br />
afraid the world will see,<br />
you can find comfort<br />
in sharing it with <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>me</b></span>."<br />
<br />
The kind of "<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">me</span></b>"<br />
you can feel safe<br />
exposing your truest self<br />
in the comfort of<br />
that person.<br />
<br />
<br />
Well, I want the world to know<br />
I've found my "<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">me</span></b>."<br />
<br />
<br />
My Jonathan doesn't<br />
just want the good parts<br />
about <u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">me</span></u>,<br />
But he wants the dark<br />
and scary parts, too.<br />
He wants <u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">me</span></u>.<br />
And he's pursuing <u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">me</span></u>.<br />
All of <u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">me</span></u>.<br />
<br />
I've spent most of my life<br />
trying to be the one<br />
impressing the guys.<br />
Making them feel<br />
almost intimidated by <u>me</u>.<br />
It's how I made them want <u>me</u>.<br />
<br />
<i>But there's something about my <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">me</span></b>.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Something that makes all the<br />
pressure and striving to<br />
impress <b>melt</b> away,<br />
because of his open arms<br />
which welcome<br />
who I truly am.<br />
<br />
He invites my soul<br />
to breathe easy when<br />
we are together.<br />
<br />
I can't believe God<br />
chose <u>me</u> to date this <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">me</span></b>.<br />
The <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">me</span></b> who loves Jesus<br />
as much as I do.<br />
The <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">me</span></b> who I can fall<br />
back on, knowing<br />
he's got my back.<br />
The <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">me</span> </b>I can get<br />
excited about Jesus with<br />
and he gets excited, too.<br />
The <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">me</span></b> I can serve<br />
Christ's kingdom with.<br />
The <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">me</span></b> I can call my<br />
<u>teammate.</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
I don't know if I'll have<br />
this <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">me</span></b> forever or not yet,<br />
but in this exact moment,<br />
I can be so incredibly thankful<br />
for my <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">me</span>,</b><br />
which makes for a very<br />
joyful <u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">me</span></u>.<br />
<br />
Thanks for being my <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">me</span>,</b><br />
Jonathan James,<br />
and thank you for loving Jesus<br />
the attractive way you do.<br />
<br />alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857905542924287083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847144562590367485.post-63315025017358863802012-09-26T22:44:00.003-07:002012-09-26T22:44:45.217-07:00ali's Corner. [Simply Fearless. Voiding Silence.]<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A life of simplicity</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">has me captured.</span></b><br />
<br />
Eat when you're hungry.<br />
Drink when you're thirsty.<br />
Sleep when you're tired.<br />
Dance when you're joyful.<br />
Cry when you're sad.<br />
Vent when you're angry.<br />
Breathe deeply when you're falling in love.<br />
<br />
Fix what's broken.<br />
Give the excess away.<br />
Pray for those who are struggling.<br />
Share Christ with those who don't know Him.<br />
Obey God's word.<br />
Trust Him when you fear.<br />
When someone stops believing,<br />
believe God FOR them.<br />
<br />
I cannot be <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">silent</span></b> anymore.<br />
This tidal wave of passion<br />
is flowing over me with a<br />
calling to simplicity.<br />
<br />
A divine purpose for<br />
your life has already<br />
been created.<br />
<br />
You don't have to<br />
create your own purpose.<br />
<br />
God holds it in His hand.<br />
He asks only that we take steps.<br />
Steps of trust.<br />
Leaps of faith.<br />
<br />
It doesn't have to be hard.<br />
It <b>can</b> be simple.<br />
<br />
Instead of talking<br />
to my neighbor<br />
about the crazy weather,<br />
I want to tell them<br />
about Jesus and how<br />
He's changed my life.<br />
<br />
I want to create<br />
curiosity in a public<br />
place by studying the<br />
Bible and talking about<br />
relavent current issues.<br />
<br />
I want to bring a hot<br />
meal to a homeless person<br />
on a cold night,<br />
sit right down next to them,<br />
and listen to their story.<br />
<br />
I want to stop being <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">silent</span></b> towards<br />
the people who claim to be a<br />
Christ-follower, yet spit in the faces of<br />
people who reject their beliefs.<br />
I want to start being a light and speaking<br />
the truth that lives in the Word of God,<br />
fully believing and knowing<br />
the Gospel can speak for itself,<br />
in it's own gracefully convicting way.<br />
<br />
And I cannot be <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">silent</span></b> anymore.<br />
I was not born to be <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>quiet</b></span>.<br />
Jesus didn't search my heart,<br />
all the while pursuing me,<br />
wanting me,<br />
finding me,<br />
giving His life for me,<br />
saving me,<br />
healing me,<br />
for me to keep my <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>mouth</b></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>closed</b></span>.<br />
<br />
It really is simple.<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am not ashamed of the Gospel.</span></b><br />
I am unashamed.<br />
I am a broken human being<br />
who has been made new<br />
through the blood of Jesus Christ.<br />
And I can give no credit to<br />
anyone other than Him.<br />
<br />
He has given me a new heart.<br />
One that reaps great joy.<br />
How <i>could</i> I be <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">silent</span></b> anymore?<br />
<br />
Jesus Christ is responsible,<br />
for everything I am today.<br />
<br />
I'm determined to allow<br />
His simple truth<br />
to spill out of my<br />
every action,<br />
every word,<br />
every day.<br />
<br />alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857905542924287083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847144562590367485.post-9190100310031193732012-09-20T23:42:00.003-07:002012-09-20T23:43:11.326-07:00ali's Corner. [My Faith Story]<br />
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"I always felt like the different kid."</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
My passion was always to sing, </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
dance, perform, and entertain people. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
My desire was to be delighted in. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
One traumatic experience </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
with an anxiety attack </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
in 6th grade left me </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
promising myself that </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I would never speak, </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
offer my thoughts, </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
or perform in front of people again. <br />
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"I was chained to my failure </span></b></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and I let it control me." </span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I was bullied for all of </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
middle school and </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
most of my high school years. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I also began to believe some </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
of the names I was being called </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
which played into feelings of unworthiness. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
This led to experiences with verbally </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
and physically abusive boyfriends </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
who belittled me, </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
talked down to me, </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
and blamed me for things </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
that weren't my fault. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
And I endured all of it.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
This left me with hatred </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
towards myself and </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
believing I had nothing to offer this world.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>"I always knew about Jesus, </b></span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>but I never knew Him personally." </b></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
One day, I was at the </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
end of my hopelessness. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I was so depressed, </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I sat in a chair unable to move. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
With no motivation to eat, speak, or pray. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
My mom was sitting with me, </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
she opened her Bible and began </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
to read scripture to me that </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
she'd highlighted during her own faith walk. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
That is when God came alive to me. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
The weight I'd carried my entire life was </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
lifted off and I was given peace. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I felt like I had never been sad. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
From that point in my life </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
He's been teaching me </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
what it means to be in relationship with Him. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Over the next few years, </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
He pulled me into His arms </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
and taught me about Himself </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
and about who He created me to be.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>"Now, I am free." </b></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
My identity is rooted in Christ </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
and I am fearfully and wonderfully made. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Unless God says the same things about me </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
as those girls in high school did, </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
they simply aren't true. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I don't have to be and live in those things </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
because that's not who I was created to be. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I get to live OUT who God created me to be. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
And it's not to be silent!! </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
He has a purpose for my life </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
and Jesus is the reason I'm still breathing. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
My wants, passions, and desires </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
have molded to </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
His wants, passions, and desires. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
And they've been set on fire</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
with a calling to be fearless. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
My chains of not being able to speak </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
or offer have been broken and </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
the beauty Christ created me for is </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
slowly emerging more and more everyday. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I want nothing more than to spend </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
my every second glorifying His name </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
because He loved me </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
and continues to love me anyway.</div>
alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857905542924287083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847144562590367485.post-38293827701747951332012-09-17T14:59:00.000-07:002012-09-17T14:59:06.540-07:00ali's Corner. [Learning From the Ocean.]<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"Even the ocean's waves</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">may disagree and collide</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">but it is still one body</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">of water."</span></b><br />
<br />
So much can be learned<br />
about life and God<br />
just by looking at<br />
His creation.<br />
<br />
Disagreements may<br />
be made within a marriage.<br />
Or within the Christian faith.<br />
Or within a church.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>"But with truth,</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>there is only one."</b></span><br />
<br />
The truth of the gospel.<br />
The truth of Jesus Christ.<br />
The truth of God!<br />
<br />
That means,<br />
in a marriage,<br />
in the Christian faith,<br />
or in a body of believers,<br />
there is still only one truth<br />
to be known and had.<br />
<br />
So the people,<br />
and the spirits of those people<br />
may disagree and collide<br />
just as the ocean's waves do,<br />
but God is constantly<br />
calling and working on<br />
the hearts of His people,<br />
calling them back to<br />
His truth.<br />
And to renew them<br />
if they'll have it.<br />
<br />
He is molding, shaping,<br />
and forming us to think,<br />
act, and be in accordance<br />
to His will.<br />
His purpose.<br />
His truth.<br />
<br />
And in turn,<br />
we mold and shape<br />
into each other,<br />
folding in and out,<br />
becoming one body again,<br />
just as the ocean's waves do.alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857905542924287083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847144562590367485.post-17427005055477548502012-09-16T14:05:00.003-07:002012-09-16T14:05:40.337-07:00ali's Corner. [Fearless Faith]<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.09375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">I want to shake up <div>
the traditional </div>
<div>
conformity of the world. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When I meet a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">well-known </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Christian artist, </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">I don't want to only </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">thank him for sharing </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">his talents with us, </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">I want to pray for him. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">For his ministry, </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">his struggles, </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">his life. </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When people seem </div>
<div>
to be having a rough day,</div>
<div>
I don't want to </div>
<div>
silence myself </div>
<div>
and sit down to </div>
<div>
share in their discouragement, </div>
<div>
but rather be a light </div>
<div>
and be an encouragement. </div>
<div>
To stand up,</div>
<div>
dance around,</div>
<div>
and get loud, </div>
<div>
praising God for His goodness, trusting the reputation </div>
<div>
of my humility</div>
<div>
with <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">the faith that the </span></div>
<div>
gospel will speak </div>
<div>
for itself and open </div>
<div>
their temporary blinded eyes once again to the glory they're invited into. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I want to stand </div>
<div>
on the top of a </div>
<div>
mountain and worship </div>
<div>
the king of the universe. </div>
<div>
To throw my hands </div>
<div>
in the air and </div>
<div>
yell praises to Him. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What keeps me from such magnificence? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Fear. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I want to be </div>
<div>
intentional in my efforts </div>
<div>
to work WITH God </div>
<div>
to strike down my fear. </div>
<div>
I want to attack it </div>
<div>
with the very things </div>
<div>
I'm afraid of. </div>
<div>
And as my crippling fear </div>
<div>
becomes a fearless faith, </div>
<div>
the glory of my Lord </div>
<div>
will be greatly revealed. </div>
</div>
</span>alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857905542924287083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847144562590367485.post-10454749833118747812012-09-12T22:12:00.002-07:002012-09-12T23:23:16.943-07:00ali's Corner. [Inhaling Beauty To Exhale Adventure.]Today was a good day.<br />
I experienced two<br />
incredible but seemingly<br />
opposite attributes of God.<br />
<br />
His radical <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>beauty</b></span>.<br />
and<br />
His endless <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>strength.</b></span><br />
<br />
I'm in Laguna Beach, CA<br />
for the week with my<br />
best friend and her family.<br />
<br />
I started the morning soaking<br />
up His creation laid out before me.<br />
Standing on top of the fenced in<br />
lookout, nearly atop a short cliff fall,<br />
I breathed in the<br />
the fluffy sandy beach<br />
with crystal blue water<br />
spilling over the tops<br />
of red mossy rock,<br />
creating playful<br />
whirl pools in the midst<br />
of ocean's the ebb and flow.<br />
The cool coastal breeze<br />
hugged my face and arms tightly<br />
as I closed my eyes and inhaled<br />
the wonderful scent,<br />
created by my Heavenly Father.<br />
I was present.<br />
And He was present.<br />
And we were together.<br />
<br />
His beauty is so blatantly obvious<br />
when you encounter<br />
something as captivating as the coast.<br />
Radical beauty is born<br />
in the moment a wave from the vast<br />
ocean crashes against a dauntless rock,<br />
standing in the midst of it all.<br />
<br />
Then, I finished the evening off<br />
on a deep-sea fishing boat<br />
with a mission to see a whale!<br />
Our little boat was no match<br />
against the raging sea.<br />
We departed at high tide,<br />
so the waves were rough.<br />
The captain called from the<br />
upper deck for all who wished to<br />
remain dry, to head to the back<br />
of the boat or to the lower deck.<br />
Many of the passengers stayed<br />
towards the bow,<br />
cameras in hand,<br />
ready to capture something<br />
astounding.<br />
Then, we saw them.<br />
Hundreds of dolphins,<br />
swimming alongside our boat,<br />
jumping and flipping<br />
for our amazement.<br />
<br />
Then it happened.<br />
We were out a good<br />
8 or 9 miles from the shore,<br />
and our boat was turning<br />
into the sharp waves.<br />
The bow of the boat<br />
dove nose first into an unforgiving<br />
wave, recklessly rolling like a barrel,<br />
in our direction.<br />
This created a sort of wall of salt water,<br />
which spilled into the boat,<br />
over the outer railings<br />
and onto us with nowhere to go.<br />
Three women fell onto the deck<br />
like dominos after being thrown from their<br />
place of watch.<br />
One lady grabbed hold of<br />
Emily's arm during her free fall,<br />
desperately trying to save herself from the<br />
flooded deck beneath her.<br />
We helped them up<br />
and maneuvered our bodies<br />
in an effort to keep them being thrown<br />
from the very nose of the boat.<br />
<br />
Our clothes were now drenched<br />
in sea water and as I wiped my dripping eye lashes<br />
with my soggy sweatshirt sleeves, we heard<br />
the captain and many of the<br />
passengers who escaped the tidal wave<br />
yell "look, a whale!"<br />
A massive fin whale, the<br />
size of the very boat we were sailing in<br />
came up out of the water<br />
to show off its strength.<br />
<br />
After the tidal wave,<br />
all passengers retreated to the lower deck<br />
or the back of the boat.<br />
But Emily and I stayed.<br />
We were leading this adventure now.<br />
We'd reached the point of no return,<br />
our clothes were drenched,<br />
so we decided to embrace the experience.<br />
<br />
Placing our feet carefully<br />
on the deck,<br />
we rode each wave,<br />
like we were surfing,<br />
as the boat was being thrown<br />
and tossed by the waves.<br />
Each time our faces<br />
were blasted by another swallow,<br />
we'd wipe our eyes, sometimes<br />
in time to see water spray<br />
out of a whale's blowhole.<br />
<br />
In total,<br />
we saw four whales.<br />
All were insanely vast and strong.<br />
They'd come up out of the water and<br />
reveal their all-encompassing size<br />
and incomprehensible strength.<br />
All the while, we were in a small boat,<br />
sailing on open water, containing<br />
an indescribable depth with the ability<br />
to swallow us whole.<br />
We weren't whale watching,<br />
we were adventure seeking.<br />
<br />
I closed my eyes and breathed<br />
in the crisp salt-water smell<br />
created by my Heavenly Father.<br />
I was present.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
And He was present.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
And we were together.</div>
<br />
Today I didn't just experience<br />
a beautiful beach and embark on a<br />
crazy adventure,<br />
I experienced God Himself,<br />
in comparison to His ocean.<br />
His amazing depth,<br />
similar to the depth of the sea,<br />
His incredible power,<br />
with the ocean's ability to swallow us<br />
in its torrential waves, like arms<br />
reaching for the sky.<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"The power of God is to be feared."</span></b><br />
His astounding strength,<br />
in the form of a massive whale,<br />
yet His beauty,<br />
radiated by the sun reflecting<br />
off of the coastline of Laguna Beach,<br />
His intricate nature, demonstrated<br />
by the detailed rocks laid out<br />
along the shore and stacked on<br />
top of each other, creating amazing depth.<br />
<br />
Our Heavenly Father<br />
can really show off.<br />
He is beautiful.<br />
and<br />
He is strong.<br />
<br />alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857905542924287083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847144562590367485.post-21658483615221928552012-09-05T21:42:00.001-07:002012-09-05T21:46:46.928-07:00ali's Corner. [Freedom Boulevard.]<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>"I can honestly say</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>if Jesus didn't find me</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>when He did,</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>I'm not so sure </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>I would be here today."</b></span><br />
<br />
When I look back<br />
to the day He found me,<br />
and I think about<br />
where I was in my life;<br />
the horrendous mess<br />
that He stepped His<br />
holy self into,<br />
I can't help but think,<br />
<i>"Why me...?</i><br />
<i>Why did God choose</i><br />
<i>such a broken being</i><br />
<i>to breathe life into</i><br />
<i>and create something </i><br />
<i>completely new and different?"</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This makes me love Him more.</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
I see who I am now.<br />
I see what my desires have become<br />
and where my passions have taken me.<br />
I feel the joy in my heart and the fullness<br />
in my life that I never thought I'd know.<br />
It's indescribable.<br />
And it's astounding to me<br />
that God was not only <b>capable</b>,<br />
but He actually <b>wanted</b><br />
to restore me.<br />
<br />
I've been thinking about<br />
if I could take my 24-year-old self<br />
and turn back time to talk<br />
to my 17-year-old self,<br />
what would I tell her?<br />
<br />
I would say just this,<br />
"You are worth more<br />
than you could ever imagine.<br />
Your brokenness was bought<br />
with a price because you are<br />
loved deeply.<br />
Stop allowing the world<br />
to define who you are.<br />
Stop believing what other<br />
people think of you.<br />
Your purpose in life<br />
is NOT to be silent.<br />
It is to be bold.<br />
To be fearless.<br />
Now get up<br />
and live in the freedom<br />
that has already been<br />
given to you."<br />
<br />
There's a restlessness<br />
in my heart,<br />
deeply wishing I could<br />
announce this to all of creation.<br />
Especially to all of the teenage<br />
girls out there<br />
who I know are feeling<br />
and experiencing the same<br />
things I did and sometimes<br />
still do.<br />
<br />
The evil one is tenaciously<br />
skilled at attacking beauty.<br />
He isolates us<br />
and makes us think<br />
we are alone<br />
and no one understands.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>But 2,000 years ago,</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>a man sacrificed Himself.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>He put His body through</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>unimaginable pain</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>and allowed Himself to be</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>spit on and hated.</b></span><br />
<br />
For me.<br />
Because He <i>wanted</i> me<br />
ALL of me.<br />
He <i>wanted</i> my broken self.<br />
And He can and will restore.<br />
<br />
I am free.<br />
HA<br />
LLE<br />
LU<br />
JAH.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I am </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><i> free.</i></span><br />
<br />
I don't have to be<br />
who I used to be.<br />
I don't have to allow<br />
my fear to control me.<br />
I don't have to be silent.<br />
I don't have to be<br />
who the world says I am.<br />
<br />
Because I am who God says I am.<br />
And God says I am fearless.<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am fearless!</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
How can I ever thank Him?<br />
Let's start with spending<br />
my every second<br />
glorifying His Holy Name<br />
and unending love.<br />
<br />
Oh, how He loves us.<br />
<i><br /></i>
alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857905542924287083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847144562590367485.post-67845283465428463622012-08-29T12:42:00.001-07:002012-08-29T12:44:24.010-07:00ali's Corner. [My Smallness for His Greatness.]<br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>No matter </b></span>how deeply I fall</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
in love with the Savior of the world,</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
no matter how much His unconditional</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
love romances me to the core of my being,</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
no matter how many times</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I proclaim His name to a hurting friend,</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
or how boldly I proclaim His word</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
and His promises to myself and my family,</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I somehow always manage to <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">put God in a box.</span></b></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I pocket Him and walk around as if to say,</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
"when I need you, Lord, I'll just pull you out, </div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
and when I'm done with You, i'll just pocket you again."</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
But who am I to think my tiny human hand</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
could come close to grasping even a fraction</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
of Who God is?</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Going further, who am I to think I could place that fraction</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
of Him into my pocket and pull Him out like</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
some sort of calculator? </div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I was reminded of how small I am today.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
But in my smallness, I was strengthened</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
with the </div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">overwhelming, </span></b></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">all-encompassing</span></b></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">greatness and </span></b></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">vastness of the </span></b></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">God I serve.</span></b></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Praise the Lord He doesn't fit into my pocket.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
And praise the Lord He doesn't ONLY show up</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
when I think I need Him.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Who am I to know when I need Him anyway?</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
The thought of "pocketing" God alone</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
places the lie in my mind that somehow I come close</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
for even a second to being self-sufficient.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>"I need Him just as much, </b></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>if not more,</b></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>on my best day,</b></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>as I do on my weakest day, </b></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>when I feel most defeated."</b></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Praise the Lord He doesn't even FIT into my pocket,</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
because that would mean I would be "taking the wheel,"</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
for my life, and God knows where that normally gets me.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Disappointed.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Defeated.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Lonely.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Hungry.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Wanting.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
and</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Empty.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I'm praising God today</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
for His greatness.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
For His showing up.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
For His loving me anyway.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
For how big He is,</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
and in turn,</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
for how incredibly small I am.</div>
alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857905542924287083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847144562590367485.post-13014172639841263462012-08-13T10:16:00.000-07:002012-08-13T10:19:54.680-07:00ali's Corner. [Hungry I Come To You.]Lately I've been<br />
more keenly aware<br />
of this <b>thirst</b> in my throat.<br />
<br />
Of this <b>hunger</b> in the pit<br />
of my stomach.<br />
<br />
The yearning desire<br />
for God's love to<br />
again overwhelm every<br />
fiber of my being.<br />
<br />
This year has consisted of<br />
God teaching me<br />
and helping me<br />
overcome my <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>unbelief</b></span>.<br />
<br />
Someone once said,<br />
"faith is believing that<br />
God is who He says He is,<br />
He will do what He says He will do,<br />
and that I am who He says I am."<br />
<br />
What I didn't realize was<br />
that each of those statements<br />
would each become<br />
a separate lesson.<br />
<br />
I am now onto the third.<br />
"I am who God says I am."<br />
<br />
So, who does God say I am?<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am... <i>a woman.</i></span></b><br />
<i><br /></i>
I am the capstone of creation.<br />
And whatever characteristic<br />
He lovingly blessed me with<br />
upon creating me into being,<br />
thought that characteristic<br />
would be best portrayed<br />
through the role of a woman.<br />
<br />
Furthermore,<br />
I have been given<br />
His robe of righteousness.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>"This is the robe that I could not afford.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>There is absolutely nothing I could do</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>to deserve it."</b></span><br />
<br />
But He lovingly gave it to me<br />
to wear because I simply walked<br />
brokenly up to Him and asked for it.<br />
<br />
As I get older,<br />
I become more and more aware<br />
of how broken I really am without God.<br />
My thoughts.<br />
My selfishness.<br />
My anger.<br />
My jealousy.<br />
My disgraceful sinful nature.<br />
<br />
And then to think.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>He still wants me.</b></span><br />
In fact,<br />
because I wear His robe<br />
of righteousness,<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"He not only <i>wants</i> me,</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">but He sees me as </span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">BLAMELESS.</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">SPOTLESS.</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">PURE.</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">& HOLY!"</span></b><br />
<br />
It's astounding to think<br />
that when I feel unworthy,<br />
my first reaction is to take<br />
OFF His robe of righteousness.<br />
I can't imagine such a horrible<br />
being wearing such a holy garment.<br />
<br />
Yet, Jesus says,<br />
"Leave it on.<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Leave it on and take the unrighteous</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">behavior OFF."</span></b> <i>(Jesus Calling, By: Sarah Young)</i><br />
<br />
It's a robe that is mine.<br />
<b>Because I <u>AM</u> His.</b><br />
Belonging to Jesus<br />
isn't what I struggle with believing.<br />
Nor is God's monumental grace<br />
what I have trouble comprehending.<br />
<br />
It's the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>immeasurable</b></span>,<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>infinite</b></span>, and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>limitless</b></span><br />
<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">amount</span> of grace</u></b> that has been bestowed onto me<br />
that I have trouble soaking in<br />
by my mere humanness.<br />
<br />
I just can't believe He loves me this much.<br />
It's definitely going to take<br />
some stepping out in faith<br />
to truly and actively start living<br />
out who God says that I already am.<br />
<br />
Plain and simple:<br />
<br />
<b>I am <i>His</i>.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">"And if what I believe about myself</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">doesn't line up with what God</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">says about me,</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">it simply isn't true."</span></b>alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857905542924287083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847144562590367485.post-36229874826222585332012-08-02T10:17:00.003-07:002012-08-02T12:22:08.014-07:00ali's Corner. [Was Jesus at Chick-Fil-A Yesterday?]<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">"Everything inside of me</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">believes that if Jesus had</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">walked the streets of America</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">yesterday,</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Dining at a Chick-Fil-A </span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">would not have been </span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">on His agenda."</span></b><br />
<br />
Yesterday as I debated<br />
whether or not to jump in<br />
my car and drive to the nearest<br />
Chick-Fil-A,<br />
where many of my close<br />
friends and family were<br />
attending,<br />
I remained hesitant.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I asked myself what my true <u>reason</u></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
for going would be.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
And I honestly could not come up</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
with a single reason that settled right</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
with my heart.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Oh, I came up with plenty of</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
possible reasons:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
1. Support for a Christian business,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
devoted to encouraging and living out</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
true Biblical principles</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
2. Standing up for my Christian values</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
and the Biblical marriage, as well as</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
showing people I am not afraid to do so.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
3. Something about first amendment rights/political [blah]</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
And if I'm being honest,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
4. To make <u>myself feel better</u> for how </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
people have attacked my faith,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
my beliefs, and my values.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
and</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
5. If I didn't go, I may look like a coward</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Christian with a weak faith</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
in front of my LGBT friends.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
But none of these reasons,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
even if bonded all together,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
held its own against </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
the resistance in my heart.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>"I thought about what Jesus</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>might have to say about all of this."</b></span></div>
<br />
Well, I actually don't know what Jesus<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
would have said yesterday,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
but I do know what </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
He has<b> already </b>said.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." -Colossians 3:12-14</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
I take that verse and use it<br />
as a background,<br />
then I veil the verse with an<br />
image of each Chick-Fil-A<br />
restaurant yesterday.<br />
<br />
Can I still see the verse clearly<br />
through the images of the<br />
drive-thrus and wrap-around lines?<br />
<br />
Does it still hold truth and<br />
were these qualities demonstrated<br />
yesterday?<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I can't speak for all,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
but I'm sure most people who went to Chick-Fil-A</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
yesterday were probably very loving</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
and had good intentions.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
In fact, some of my closest</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
friends and family that I love dearly</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
attended yesterday.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
And these are some of the</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
most loving and caring people I know!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
But I'm honestly not interested in</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
checking the motives of each individual</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Chick-Fil-A attendee, in fact, </div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>"I'm more so interested in</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>what kinds of messages</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>we are sending to our</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>brothers and sisters in the LGBT community</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>."</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
"If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing." - 1 Corinthians 13:2<br />
<br />
Of the people who attended,<br />
most all attended for different reasons.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Whatever the reasons, I had to ask myself:<br />
do I honestly and wholeheartedly</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
believe that these qualities </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
of Christ spoken in Colossians<br />
were exerted through</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
the actions of Christians yesterday?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
No, I truly don't.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
If I did, I don't think</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Jesus would have skipped out.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
In fact,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I kind of feel like going would have</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
a counterproductive effect</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
on God's true mission in this world.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I'm not sure if standing up for</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
the truth we believe in </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><u>in that way</u></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
was the way God would promote.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Don't get me wrong,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
if our grace outweighs our truth,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
we really don't get anywhere.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>"But in the same way,</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>if our truth outweighs our grace,</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>we really don't get anywhere either."</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Jesus was and is the perfect </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
balance of grace and truth.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
He is no more graceful </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
then truthful,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
nor is He more truthful</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
than graceful.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
So really,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I'm not worried about</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Chick-Fil-A going under</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
because of the recent</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
occurrences with the possibility</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
to hurt their business.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
If they are truly living out</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Biblical principles</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
and living as holy sacrifices</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
pleasing to Christ,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I am 100% confident</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
that God will bless them</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
for their obedience.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
And I'm not worried about</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
my own hurt feelings </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
and the ways I feel I've been</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
offended because of my beliefs.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"All of this hesitance,</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">All of this resistance,</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">is because I think of the people</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">it seems we are fighting against."</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Correct me if I'm wrong,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
but many people I've talked with</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
from the LGBT community</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
aren't looking for us to </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
"change" our beliefs.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
After all, if we claim Christianity,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
who could rightfully asks us to </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
abandon what we base the</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
foundation for our faith on?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"No, I believe what they are </span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">looking for is <u>acceptance</u>."</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br />
Love.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
And to rid their daily</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
deliverance</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
of judgement,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
anger,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
hate,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
and </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
malice.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Isn't this what God asks of us, too?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
And isn't this what everyone desires?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
To love and be loved in return?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building other up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." - Ephesians 4:29-31</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Along with this kind of love,<br />
I truly do believe that we,<br />
as Christians, should absolutely defend our faith<br />
and speak the truth we have come to know.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>"However I don't know</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>if by supporting Chick-Fil-A</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>and what they stand for</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>in such multitude</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>speaks in </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>the way Jesus </b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>would have us speak about it."</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Really, I'm saying</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I don't know how.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I don't know how to be</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
graceful and truthful</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
at the same time</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<u>and</u> have the same amount of each.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Because when one outweighs</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
the other, it results in </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
hurt feelings and </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
we risk possible</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
abandonment of our beliefs.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"The only true way to </span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">be sure, is to draw close to</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">the one who created us."</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Ask Him to <u><b>empty</b></u> us</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
of ourselves</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
and to <u><b>fill</b></u> us with what</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
He would have us filled with.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Ask Him to <u><b>show us how</b></u></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
to love each other.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Because, honestly, </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I don't think we truly know how.<br />
<br />
Let's trust that His plan for this<br />
world is good.<br />
Let's trust that He loves us<br />
and has no intention of<br />
leaving us or forsaking us.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>"And let's ask <u>Him</u></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>to show us how to love."</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God." - 1 John 4:7</div>alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857905542924287083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5847144562590367485.post-57255187373582884892012-07-29T22:48:00.002-07:002012-07-29T22:48:58.400-07:00ali's Corner. [From Captive to Captivating]<br />
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 16px; margin-top: 8px; min-width: 0px; width: 653px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
There is a difference between</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
understanding something in your mind.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
And understanding something in your heart.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>An understanding of the heart begets movement.</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I'm starting my third week</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
of being home from Africa.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Initial adjustments have taken place,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
but my heart hasn't quite been able to rest.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
It has been hovering and striving</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
for a place to lie its head.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The enemy has attacked</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
in every way he knows how.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Sins from my past have crept</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
in leaving me lonely with guilt and shame.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Insecurities have made their way</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
up my neck, trying to drown me</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
like the undertow of an ocean wave.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>But there is something bigger happening.</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I look around.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
And my heart aches at what is before me.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The people I love most are striving, too.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
There have been a countless number of spiritual</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
attacks I have been made aware of both</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
while I was in Africa</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
and upon arriving home.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I feel as if the evil one is working</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
harder than he ever has</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
to corrupt every good thing.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
To assault the beauty that is so</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
delicately trying to emerge.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I think about my boyfriend</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
who is on the other side of the world.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
My Kingdom teammate</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Christ has so graciously blessed me with.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
He is in Cambodia</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
working with the Rapha House</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
in their efforts against Human Trafficking.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Their journey will take them into</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
some of the darkest places of the world.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I think about the rescued little girls who are </div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
safe now but are so desperate for healing.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I think about the girls who have not yet</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
been rescued from this horrid act of evil.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
This week I've been burdened</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
by the incredible amount of bondage</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
that is happening in my city</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
and in a country on the other side of the world.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Then I reached</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
a place in my spiritual journey</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
that cannot go uncelebrated.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I have maxed out my ability.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I have reached overcapacity.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I have been introduced to my human limitation.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>And praise God.</i></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><br /></i></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Jesus continues to whisper one word to me:</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><u>FREEDOM</u>.</span></b></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I have finally understood in my heart where my striving stops.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
My striving stops where freedom in Christ begins.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I'm not just free to confess to Jesus enough sorrow to make me feel better.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
to only reveal the parts of me that I know people will accept and want to see.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
to open my heart only to the things I find to be safe and then to guard the remaining dark parts.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I am free to an extent without measure.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Jesus Christ is my expanse.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
And I am the being that expands within Him.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
He never reaches capacity,</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
and I have no ability to fill Him anyways.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
His freedom is limitless.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
He is a place my heart can truly rest.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
It can find true freedom.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
And that word,</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>freedom</i>.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
It holds so much,</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
yet so little.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Jesus says, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light."</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
It's a word that reaches the hearts</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
of the unreachable.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
It speaks to the deepest part</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
of a hurting little girl</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
in the darkest parts of the world.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
It's a word that carries great power.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The same power that raised Christ</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
from the dead.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
There IS power in the blood of Jesus.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
And there IS freedom in Christ.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
So I've been challenged not only</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
with the understanding of true freedom.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
But with the idea of living it out.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Of being a free child of God</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
living in the expanse of my King.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Free to run, dance,</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
laugh, cry, rejoice,</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
scream, be angry,</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
hurt, heal, discover,</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
want, dream, and most of all...</div>
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<i>rest.</i></div>
</div>
</div>alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857905542924287083noreply@blogger.com0