tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84592145983798125292024-03-18T21:07:27.052-07:00A little bit of life. My life in ministry, theological reflection, and what is important to me. Valerie Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058760416949225767noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459214598379812529.post-50957668925724047442022-03-03T10:41:00.003-08:002022-03-03T10:46:06.736-08:00Day Two of "These Forty Days" Lenten Devotional<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAknt_vCJYR7LLfOqM2fYGCugnBl2Yo_of5lrZt-DFwT9vH3KQ1QVH86-d-U3EarJtXbjhOGiW9ZV_SqUBV06zhY0FDZarGgTpnp9Pm7vm3zZQPmgwwF4DGk4L4NOBNIKN7dxD9q5Y8NNz72GX0YAfwlONVq9OfK7cUekYwGs1MRcl5NDyRlBM5lqqqw=s1200" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAknt_vCJYR7LLfOqM2fYGCugnBl2Yo_of5lrZt-DFwT9vH3KQ1QVH86-d-U3EarJtXbjhOGiW9ZV_SqUBV06zhY0FDZarGgTpnp9Pm7vm3zZQPmgwwF4DGk4L4NOBNIKN7dxD9q5Y8NNz72GX0YAfwlONVq9OfK7cUekYwGs1MRcl5NDyRlBM5lqqqw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>Today in the “These Forty Days” Lenten devotional, Pastor Jeren
Rowell asks some important questions. There is one I would like to focus on
today:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What if a rich experience of Lenten renewal awaits those
congregations that will call the community of faith back together? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He then refers to Joel 2:12-17 with the paragraph; “The
prophet seems to be saying to God’s people that the nearness of the day of the
Lord calls for us to repent of our individualized, private ways of living and
turn back toward not only the Lord but also toward one another.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is important. God wants us to love Him completely and
wholly, but part of living in the Body of Christ is that we cannot ignore those
around us. To love God well, we must love each other well. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you’re like me, I am not very good at asking for help. I
tend to think I can do everything on my own and make my way through life my
working harder, doing better, and figuring things out all by myself. I have
believed the lie that to need the support and love of others in my life is a
weakness, not a strength. Yet, God has called me to live differently than that.
God is calling each one of us to see this lie for what it is and move toward
others, instead of away from them. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What are your thoughts with the above question? I would love
to have your input. -Pastor Val <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Valerie Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058760416949225767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459214598379812529.post-76063865477659109372021-01-26T11:33:00.000-08:002021-01-26T11:33:18.847-08:00Mark 1:21-28<div id="i4c-draggable-container" style="height: 0px; position: fixed; width: 0px; z-index: 1499;"><div class="resolved" data-reactroot="" style="all: initial;"></div></div><p> Today I am reading in Mark 1:21-28 where Jesus speaks with
authority in the temple and then casts out a spirit from a person who was
there. This person recognized who Jesus was and stated, “You are the Holy one
from God.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As I was reading, there were two things that really struck
me. The first is that the darkness’s recognizes the light. Spirits and demons
recognize who Jesus is and understand that He is someone to be feared. Before they
state who Jesus is, they proclaim, “Have you come to destroy us?” They know
that Jesus is the end to the darkness. Jesus is THE LIGHT. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The darkness knows the presence of light in its midst. As a
believer in Jesus Christ, you carry the light of Christ inside of you. Jesus is
the light that goes before, behind, above, and below you. And darkness runs
from light. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Stop being afraid of the dark. It cannot harm you, persuade
you, or tempt you more than you allow it to. Trust in Jesus and know that He is
with you. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The second point I see being made here is Jesus has all
authority on earth to proclaim the Kingdom of God and be the light. Jesus has
the authority to drive out the darkness, teach, preach, and share the Gospel.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Further on in the book of Mark, Jesus is beaten, flogged,
and killed on a cross for this. And yet Jesus never sways from the ministry he does
because people disagree on whether he is the Messiah. The people who chose to
crucify Him chose darkness over the light and refused to believe Jesus is who He
says He is. But Jesus did not change what He was doing, Jesus did not minimize
Himself in any way. Jesus also did not take the power and might He inherently has
being the Son of God and hurt others with it or demand His own way. Instead,
Jesus served and loved others. Then He died on the cross so that our sin could
be wiped away. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As a pastor I have struggled with my calling to minister the
Gospel to others; not because of what God has said of me, but because of how
others react to me as a female pastor. It is a struggle to continue moving
forward when people treat me differently because of my gender. And yet I am not
called by those people. I am called by God. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And Jesus met with more persecution from people who did not
believe He is the Son of God than I ever will as a female pastor. Jesus knows
the pain and hurt that comes from this, and He knew the outcome of what His
teaching would require (His death). And Jesus did it anyway. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, I pray today that I have the fortitude, endurance,
perseverance, and resilience Jesus had and has. The Holy Spirit is working,
moving, and going before me in every situation. I know the Holy Spirit will go before
you as well. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let Jesus enable you to do what you are called to do in this
world. It may not be full time ministry, but God is calling you to do something.
Seek Jesus and find what it is. Do not let anyone tell you that you don’t
belong. <o:p></o:p></p><div id="i4c-dialogs-container"></div>Valerie Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058760416949225767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459214598379812529.post-3527682575040593522021-01-07T15:18:00.002-08:002021-01-07T15:18:48.935-08:00New worship songs or hymns only? <div id="i4c-draggable-container" style="height: 0px; position: fixed; width: 0px; z-index: 1499;"><div class="resolved" data-reactroot="" style="all: initial;"></div></div><p>I have been thinking a lot about the varying opinions about
worship music that many folks have. There is the one side that says all the new
stuff is awful, all it does is repeat itself, and they hate it. There's the
other side that only wants new music. They don't like the older stuff and only
think the new stuff is good.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I disagree with both sides.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As to only singing new music, these are my thoughts: <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I read a study a few years ago that people are uniquely
connected to the music they listened to in their teens and 20's. I wish I could
find that article again, but I have found other articles that state the same idea.
Spiritually, emotionally, and cognitively we connect with music that brings
back memories of where we have been and who we have been at varying time periods
in our lives. If we refuse to allow the vast numbers of our church people who
are older than us to worship to the music that moves their souls more than the
newer stuff, we are stifling the work on the Holy Spirit in God’s people.
Scripturally, 1 Thessalonians 5:19 states quite simply; Do not stifle the
Spirit. Jesus is not going to take kindly to those who believe the Holy Spirit
moves only in new music. This just is not true. The Holy Spirit moves in the
hearts and minds of Christ followers. The music is only a way to speak to that
heart and mind with the words and power of the God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYXgRMKLEsdwxtXXIewKJztl_ZGqu4U0xHq7_V8vYNvMJuWx7xmPjr4o1X8vLQ_mKGPgKh6viRtYzzjtCZfRTmdz640PQeSAspq2bY4G3qBRDAnFW-2o09kd66GhKdbgMImviuai7jNDU/s1200/Do+not+stifle.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYXgRMKLEsdwxtXXIewKJztl_ZGqu4U0xHq7_V8vYNvMJuWx7xmPjr4o1X8vLQ_mKGPgKh6viRtYzzjtCZfRTmdz640PQeSAspq2bY4G3qBRDAnFW-2o09kd66GhKdbgMImviuai7jNDU/s320/Do+not+stifle.png" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As to those who only want older music, these are my thoughts:
(I know you didn’t ask, but you’re here so why not?)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">New music is the heart, mind, and soul of a generation of
people who are loving Jesus well. These folks want to put into words, rhythm,
and melody, what their hearts are saying to Jesus. Do you wish to stop them?
Again, lets refer to the previous point in only singing new music. Do you wish
to stifle the work of the Holy Spirit in an entire generation of Christ followers?
I hear many in the older generations calling for revival among the young. They
call for a fresh movement of the Holy Spirit among the people of God, and I
urge you to think of one movement of that capacity that has ever started with
those over the age of 50. I’ll wait. But not too long.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am not here to disparage the old or the young. I would consider
myself in the middle at this point in life at 39 years of age. As the oldest
generation of millennials, and as a child who grew up with music ranging from
the 1920’s to now, I think I have a unique perspective. My dad was a DJ for
years and so I listened to it all and learned to like most of it. If not love
it. Yet, that gets off the point. I have run sound for a church many times who only
sang hymns, and this only to the piano. The harmonies were lovely and those folks
new how to sing those hymns, but I couldn’t help thinking; they leave behind
every up-and-coming Christian musician that was born outside the 1800’s that
the Holy Spirit is working in.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, as a worship pastor, pastor, and most importantly a
Jesus follower, stop arguing about this and respect the Spirit’s work in people
older or younger than you. We all want the Spirit to move, right? Are we going
to limit how that happens? I think many churches have. I think this also makes
the perfect case for taking the best music of every generation and making those
songs regulars in your song setlists at any church. Don’t take the hymns and
try to turn them into choruses. Just don’t. Instead, sing them with all your
heart. Jesus doesn’t want it any other way.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here’s a neat quiz on songs you may or may not know and lots
of interesting observations about various generations musical knowledge. It is rather
interesting: <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> <a href="https://pudding.cool/2020/04/music-challenge/" target="_blank">Musical Quiz </a></o:p></p>
<br /><div id="i4c-dialogs-container"></div><div id="i4c-dialogs-container"></div>Valerie Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058760416949225767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459214598379812529.post-88387532202734891272020-12-10T10:09:00.007-08:002020-12-10T10:14:52.985-08:00I Lack Nothing. <div id="i4c-draggable-container" style="height: 0px; position: fixed; width: 0px; z-index: 1499;"><div class="resolved" data-reactroot="" style="all: initial;"></div></div><p>I cannot seem to blog with any regularity. There I said it. Oh well, life continues on. </p><p>We found out yesterday that 4 of my 6 family members are positive with COVID 19. It's strange, to be honest. We have spent all year doing everything we can to avoid this virus. Masks, handwashing, social distancing, self quarantine. The whole thing. And now it is here and as of right now, it's not too bad. Mostly started with headaches and dizziness, then progressed to some mild fevers, snotty noses, and a light cough. But we are only three days in, so hopefully it won't get much worse. </p><p>I am negative, but have to quarantine for twice as long... which is strange. But we will follow the rules and do what we can to keep everyone else safe. </p><p>My 16 year old is not fond of me going in every now and then and waking him up, just to make sure he is still breathing okay. I worry about him, since lung stuff tends to hit him harder than most kids his age. God willing, we will get through all of this before Christmas. </p><p>I am thankful for it hitting our family at one time, to be honest. If only one of us got it at a time and we went that direction, we wouldn't be out of quarantine for three months. That would be insane! I am hopeful we can get through this before the boys go back to school in January after the new year. </p><p>God is faithful. God will move and we will be okay no matter what happens to our earthly bodies. I know that the Lord did not make this happen to anyone who is experiencing COVID, but God will bring good from it and work in our hearts if we allow Him to. </p><p>God is there to comfort, care, and hold each one of us. </p><p>The Common English Bible (my favorite translation lately for many reasons) begins Psalm 23 with, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing." </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cCJHynZJs3FDz8DbtW7Ykd5EN7df8TeWJfTlHzlMwRl2233nAnAq-02KFR_POToSWZcZECXXW2vESzc0sKnPuTXd9ZF9_girzJJMZKli9ofBJqLeg34UXknr04gVdsG6gM5YzpFwxJzX/s1200/The+Lord+is+my+Shepherd%252C+I+lack+nothing..png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cCJHynZJs3FDz8DbtW7Ykd5EN7df8TeWJfTlHzlMwRl2233nAnAq-02KFR_POToSWZcZECXXW2vESzc0sKnPuTXd9ZF9_girzJJMZKli9ofBJqLeg34UXknr04gVdsG6gM5YzpFwxJzX/s320/The+Lord+is+my+Shepherd%252C+I+lack+nothing..png" /></a></div><p>I lack nothing. No matter what I have or don't have, in plenty or want, I lack nothing because I have the Good Shepherd keeping me safe. This has been my mantra that is repeated in my head when I begin to spiral into anxiety and fear. </p><p>I lack nothing. Even though I may lack physical needs at times, I lack nothing because God is with me. </p><p>This message is for you as well. God is with you, to comfort, care, and sustain you. Lean on Him and you will find peace. </p><p>Blessings to you today. </p><div id="i4c-dialogs-container"></div><div id="i4c-dialogs-container"></div>Valerie Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058760416949225767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459214598379812529.post-10085854356616632072019-10-30T09:59:00.004-07:002019-10-30T09:59:50.420-07:00You're Enough. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sometimes the devil, sounds a lot like Jesus… telling me I’m
not enough.” (If You Can Hear Me-Ben Rector). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/1F2dufz6DOE/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1F2dufz6DOE?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve been in the church longer than I’ve been out of it in
my life. I really because serious about going to church in the 6<sup>th</sup>
grade after I became a Christian. Recently, I’ve gone through a huge
deconstruction of my faith in the church and how the Holy Spirit works among
God’s people, and I am in the process of rebuilding that faith. It will take
diligence, it will take time; but I am committed to finishing the process. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This song by Ben Rector has been a favorite for a long time.
It’s not a new song, but one that resonates with me every time I hear it. Today
I heard this line once again in the second verse, and it hit me how true that
is. And how true it may be for others like me. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over my years in the church I remember constantly being told
I’m not enough. That no matter how hard I try; I can’t be enough. And these are
true to an extent. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>What we forget is that Jesus came and died… and rose again
to make us all enough. </i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We cannot work harder to get into the Kingdom of God. We
cannot do better, be better, live better to get there. All we can do is give
ourselves. Our hearts, our minds, our lives, to God and He makes us enough.
This reminds me of the parable of the tax collector. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Luke 18:9-14 Common English Bible
(CEB)</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Pharisee and the tax
collector</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;">
<b><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">9 </span></sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus told this parable to certain people who
had convinced themselves that they were righteous and who looked on everyone
else with disgust: </span><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">10 </span></sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Two people went up to the
temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. </span><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">11 </span></sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself with these words,
‘God, I thank you that I’m not like everyone else—crooks, evildoers,
adulterers—or even like this tax collector. </span><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">12 </span></sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I fast twice a week. I give a tenth of everything I receive.’ </span><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">13 </span></sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But the tax collector stood at a distance. He wouldn’t even lift
his eyes to look toward heaven. Rather, he struck his chest and said, ‘God,
show mercy to me, a sinner.’ </span><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">14 </span></sup></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>I tell you, this person
went down to his home justified rather than the Pharisee. All who lift
themselves up will be brought low, and those who make themselves low will be
lifted up.”</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nothing the pharisee did made him more righteous in the eyes
of God. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yet, the tax collector gave everything he had to the Lord
and Jesus said he went home justified. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The beauty of grace and mercy is that we can do nothing to
deserve it. We cannot be good enough. So every time a preacher implies you have
to grit your teeth and try harder, do better, work more, etc. it is not the
work of the Holy Spirit, but the work of the enemy in the lives of God’s
people. This is a lie. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>You are enough. Because Jesus already did the work. All you
need to do is accept it. </i><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Valerie Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058760416949225767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459214598379812529.post-54801139813982096402019-07-25T08:14:00.001-07:002019-07-25T08:14:48.127-07:00By Faith. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s be honest here, I have not really enjoyed reading
through the book of Ezekiel. It’s quite painful at times and I find it difficult
to remain focused on the text. I love my Wesley Study bible, though. The Core Terms,
and Wesley’s explanatory notes throughout make reading it somewhat better. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today God gave me new eyes to see the text through. In
chapter 28, Ezekiel is letting Tyre know that their prince is going astray. And
they are going to pay for it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>In your arrogance, you say, “I am God and as God I
rule the seas!” Though you claim to have the mind of a god, you are mortal, not
divine. You are certainly wiser than Daniel; no secrets are hidden from you. By
your wisdom and discernment, you made yourself rich, and you filled your
storehouses with silver and gold. Through your shrewd trading you multiplied
your riches. But then you became proud of your riches. (Ezekiel 28:1-5)<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These verses pretty much laid me out at the kitchen table
this morning, as I sit in the sunshine in my not so fancy house comparably to
some, but to others I live in a mansion. And I ask myself, what does my heart
yearn for? A nice house, a steady income, pretty cars and toys, nice clothing,
etc.? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or do I yearn to be closer to God? To know Him more? To love
the Lord with my whole heart, mind, soul, and strength? The things I yearn for,
intentionally or unintentionally, where my heart is. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And having a home, being wise with our finances, etc. are
not bad things. Don’t get me wrong here, because God even says the prince of
Tyre has wisdom and discernment, surely these things are gifts from God meant
to be used to glorify and build in the Kingdom of God. But then the prince
became proud of his riches. Believing more in his own abilities than the
abilities of God. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I must admit, when thing are going well in my life I have a
tendency to believe in myself or my abilities more than I believe in the God
who gave them to me. I know God has equipped me with talents, gifts, and
strengths to be who I am supposed to be in the Lord, but sometimes it is easier
to place my faith and trust in what I can see and do rather than what God is
going to do. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Over the last few weeks Hebrews chapter 11 has been
constantly on my mind. The phrase “By Faith” is repeated 18 times in that one chapter.
It’s no wonder I love the book of Hebrews because I tend to be drawn to all the
books that Paul wrote. Again and again Paul starts a sentence with “By Faith”
then speaks of many people from the Old Testament who walked and lived by
faith. These people did big things for God, and we refer to them as the giants
of the faith. These people trusted in the Lord when God asked them to murder
their children! When God asked them to do foolish, unbelievable, altogether
difficult things for the sake of following Him. And yet, they still walked in
faith. They refused to anything but follow the God that made them, sustained
them, and walked with them through every mountain and valley they experienced
through life. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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When we begin to believe in our own abilities more than we
believe in the God who gave them to us, we begin to make ourselves little gods.
Back in Ezekiel in verse two it says, “In your arrogance, you say, “I am God,
and as God I rule the seas!” Our language may have changed today and our goals
may be different, since I am not and will never be a prince of a country, but I
have at times created gods out of things in this world that cannot ever come
close to the one true God that created me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So, I acknowledge my desire to control my environment and
choose to walk <i>By Faith</i>. Instead of believing in my own abilities, I can
choose to believe in God’s. I won’t always understand what the Lord is doing,
where He’s taking me, or how things will work out, but I can trust that I am
serving the God who does. <o:p></o:p></div>
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By Faith. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ZyjSKab3mPAj3O7_RrNRQ0agPiVs9IHVtVn4BmfJU1Wyuwq-PsDrCF-2os5B5fJ0nQ3ttQDNRag0SuNUWd5KQC6FPtjpJl_FcLO8T0EUjGA9OnQeMQXqWUMdngXU1SrrJ7cRKbzQWXlf/s1600/By+Faith.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ZyjSKab3mPAj3O7_RrNRQ0agPiVs9IHVtVn4BmfJU1Wyuwq-PsDrCF-2os5B5fJ0nQ3ttQDNRag0SuNUWd5KQC6FPtjpJl_FcLO8T0EUjGA9OnQeMQXqWUMdngXU1SrrJ7cRKbzQWXlf/s320/By+Faith.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Valerie Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058760416949225767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459214598379812529.post-74609184421430719822019-02-20T12:09:00.004-08:002019-02-20T12:09:47.241-08:00My thought's on The Power of Vulnerability: TedTalk by Brene Brown<a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare">https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare</a><br /><br /><br /><br />Above is a TedTalk from an author, researcher, and storyteller I heard a lot about from many speakers and teachers at the M-19 Conference I attended in Kansas City last week. I heard her name and her quotes often enough I thought, I need to look this woman up! <br />I warn you, it's raw and honest. There's nothing fake or contrived with this woman. But it's worth the listen to . And these are my thoughts on her talk.<br /><br /><div>
Do I believe I am worthy of love and connection? From God? From others? <br />In my head I would definitely say yes, but actions speak louder than words. There are times I act like I am unworthy of love. I am not inherently worthy of God's love and goodness, but because of who God say I am; I believe I am worthy of God's love as His daughter in Christ. Again, I know this in my head but fail to live it out most days. <br /></div>
<div>
Do I have the courage to be imperfect? To mess up and pick myself up and let it go?<br />The honest answer is no. I do not. I beat myself up over every mistake, every failure, and every fear. I tell myself it's not good enough and that I must change in the future and DO BETTER. But this is not what God has called me to do. For my benefit. For God's glorification; I must accept that I will fail. And it is okay. I can move forward and learn from what happened and grow. <br />This courage gives me compassion for myself and others. It offers connection with others as a result of authenticity. <br /></div>
<div>
It helps me let go of who "I should be" and embrace who God made me to be. <br /> <br />I love the song "More than Enough." The lyrics are written as: <br />"All of You, is more than enough for, all of me. <br />For every thirst and every need. <br />You satisfy me, with Your love, <br />and all I have in You, is more than enough." <br /><br />But this TedTalk makes me think of this lyric differently. <br />It makes me ask the question if I believe that in fact: <br /><br />All of me, is more than enough for, all of You. <br />All of my heart and, all my life.<br />I am Yours, Lord, every day. And all of me in You, <br />is more than enough. <br /><br />If God believes I am His child and in fact, made in His image, who I am is more than enough for every good work He is going to do through and in me. God is going to transform me into the image of Christ, so that I can be holy as God is Holy.<br /><br />This is true for you as well. Do you believe it? </div>
Valerie Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058760416949225767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459214598379812529.post-3809290458085909702019-02-04T13:21:00.001-08:002019-02-04T13:34:41.460-08:00In gratitude and thanksgiving. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpK8xYf4WmC3BoTBLSiCXLRMuodJK8MiDBY8tnllFlGcSNCOTa_LJEpjzpDAzMtw32rF70UVO1goU9PFsk0Qybm2IlfGlqhDmXASO8N1ioP-QboD9ICO9XrCq8hDjgQ3M0tVTNJn7fONq/s1600/Copy+of+Thank+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpK8xYf4WmC3BoTBLSiCXLRMuodJK8MiDBY8tnllFlGcSNCOTa_LJEpjzpDAzMtw32rF70UVO1goU9PFsk0Qybm2IlfGlqhDmXASO8N1ioP-QboD9ICO9XrCq8hDjgQ3M0tVTNJn7fONq/s320/Copy+of+Thank+%25281%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
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Over the last month God had been pressing on my heart and
mind how important it is to let go of my own desires and let God take over and
give our hearts and minds new desires that only He knows. I was given the
opportunity to preach (so thankful for my lead pastor who makes room for women
in the pulpit!) and of course, God took this movement in my heart and mind and
turned it into a message for our church body.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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How do I know this is of God? During my regular personal
bible study time, it is as if God spoke through my mind and heart to put words
down. I cannot even describe it more than that, but I worked on the tools to be
able to listen to the movement of the Holy Spirit. It was easily the easiest
sermon I’ve ever written. It was beautiful and more than I ever thought I could
say in my own power. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And our church people responded. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I was so incredibly humbled and felt the weight of this gift
God has given me in calling me to ministry as I sat in the front row of the
church, quietly praying. I didn’t watch what God was going to do; instead I
just waited patiently. And as I sat in my office this morning, praying for each
person who laid a small piece of paper with the desire of their heart on it, I
was once again amazed at the responsibility God has given me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And I love these people. My heart breaks that their hearts
might be broken by these unfulfilled desires, and I prayed and prayed that God
would fill them up. Give them hope and peace for a future in Christ that only
God can fulfill. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m so very thankful. Thankful that God allowed me to speak
and share what had been laid on my heart and mind. Thankful for Casey Naz
allowing me to minister here. Just thankful. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I want to remember this feeling and come back to it again.
This feeling of my calling being fulfilled and knowing I am exactly where God
wants me to be. It is so very beautiful and crazy, humbling and empowering. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Praise the Lord. All glory to Christ my King. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Valerie Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058760416949225767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459214598379812529.post-84929819663843361222019-01-09T07:20:00.000-08:002019-01-09T07:20:35.721-08:00Not resolutions, but lifestyle changes to help me learn and grow! <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the biggest downfalls of the internet and social
media is that it teaches us to listen to voices we agree with and drown out any
other information or opinions. I fall into this trap myself, and one of my
goals this year is to include opinions and voices that are intentionally
different from mine. I found this article helpful in doing this: <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2018/02/28/are-you-in-a-social-media-echo-chamber-how-to-take-an-objective-look/#1d8da08a61f9">https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2018/02/28/are-you-in-a-social-media-echo-chamber-how-to-take-an-objective-look/#1d8da08a61f9</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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I don’t normally succeed in doing New Years resolutions. So,
instead of focusing on a bunch of different resolutions, I plan on focusing on
two specific lifestyle/learning areas of my life. The first is to include many
different voices in my journey through social media and to verify that
information as much as possible. This is difficult. One way I plan to do this
is to follow both right and left side media to see where they meet in the
middle. We will see if this plan works! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Another lifestyle change I plan for this year is to read books
and listen to sermons from people I do not normally seek out to read or listen
to. I LOVE Dr. T. Scott Daniels preaching and teaching. To be honest, if I was
on a deserted island all I would really need is my bible and be able to listen
to Dr. Daniels sermons. They are just so good. But I must intentionally listen
to other people perspectives and voices in this world. And it makes me sad to
see many people still, even in the Church of the Nazarene, give an unvoiced
bias to white male authors and speakers. When is the last time you listened to a
woman preacher? When is the last time you listened to a preacher of color?
Perhaps a preacher from a different country? Our unintentional biases limit our
capacity for learning and growing in Christ! Jesus has convicted my heart of
this greatly. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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For sermons, I’ve been making my way through this list of
women preachers from Relevant Magazine first. This is just step one. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://relevantmagazine.com/god/13-powerful-women-preachers-know/">https://relevantmagazine.com/god/13-powerful-women-preachers-know/</a></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I fully realize Relevant has its own biases, but looking at
this list of women preachers, I thought that it was a pretty diverse group.
This is just a starting point! I plan to continue this goal all year long! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Next, I am creating a reading list on Goodreads of diverse writers,
denominations, and viewpoints to gain understanding of all these experiences.
My goal for this year is 60 books! I plan to do this through listening to audio
books as well as reading the print. I currently have a list of 34 books to
read. I keep adding to this list and attempting to intentionally add voices unlike
my own. That make me uncomfortable and make me think. I may not always agree,
but I can still learn from other perspectives. Here’s my list so far: <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/8707239-valerie?shelf=2019-reading-list">https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/8707239-valerie?shelf=2019-reading-list</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I have honestly never been so motivated and excited for any of
my past New Year’s goals! <o:p></o:p></div>
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If you have books to suggest please send them to me or comment
on my blog or on Facebook.</div>
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I would LOVE to have your input! Have a wonderful
day. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Valerie Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058760416949225767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459214598379812529.post-76764274963440949202019-01-07T09:37:00.000-08:002019-01-07T09:39:45.936-08:00Where do I get my understanding of God from? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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Good morning online friends! This is Pastor Valerie coming
to you from KZNaz Associate Pastors office. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am sitting more comfortably after purchasing
a new office chair and for this I am so thankful! It’s the small things… <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Anyway, the Holy Spirit keeps prompting me to share some
information with all of you. Before I went to college at Northwest Nazarene
University for Christian Ministry, I tended to believe people’s spiritual
advice online more than I should have. There are many versions of the Gospel
out there that do not focus on Christ, His life, and His ministry. The Spirit
keeps telling me I need to warn you against this, but before I do this, I must
explain some things about theological reflection. There are some terms and
things you may not be familiar with. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Theology: The study of the nature of God and religious belief.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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*I must point out here that if you have talked about God,
Jesus, or the bible in any context, at any point in your life, you have done
theology! You, my friend, are the theologian. And you can either be an informed
theologian or an uninformed one. But you are one, nonetheless. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In the Wesleyan/Arminian tradition that I belong to in the
Church of the Nazarene, we believe God is most often looked at and understood in
four ways. Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. With Scripture, tradition,
reason, and experience, we as Christians can understand the Christian life and
God’s purpose for us in it and know God better. </div>
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Here is a picture illustration
for you to get the basic idea: <o:p></o:p></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtGUEZhB399ZsAfJto6V3cl6aT-15YK8i9L5x1HYOP7YUwZjZ971yRRHCX2W9J430nUmETp6u9ZxDXBW1nFwVewQ373mjnGCuxUFzUxrjyO5uhRaqRdSsHhh-yx6dA3rg-wR0YEixX12r/s1600/blog-wesleyan-quadrilateral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtGUEZhB399ZsAfJto6V3cl6aT-15YK8i9L5x1HYOP7YUwZjZ971yRRHCX2W9J430nUmETp6u9ZxDXBW1nFwVewQ373mjnGCuxUFzUxrjyO5uhRaqRdSsHhh-yx6dA3rg-wR0YEixX12r/s1600/blog-wesleyan-quadrilateral.jpg" /></a><br />
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Whether or not any of us likes to admit it, different religious
traditions tend to lean on one or more of these over others. When we read
scripture, we bring along our own cultural understandings, incites,
experiences, reasoning, and traditions. All of this comes together to inform who
we are in relation to God and who God is in relation to us. There is a good
reason I am explaining all this, so please stick with me! <o:p></o:p></div>
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One of the biggest problems I see in every church I’ve ever been
in, and other churches that I have seen, is they tend to espouse one or more of
the quadrilateral pieces over others. Some churches rely on experience; the
worship “experience.” Others on reason, reason, or tradition. Just depends on
the church. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And individually we tend to rely on one or more of these.
The problem with that is, we do not get a full picture of who God is. We only view
the Lord’s character through one side of His personality, rather than looking
at Him and knowing Him from all angles. Let me be clear, there is no way for us
to fully comprehend and know God! But if we are not careful, we can get to know
only the parts we like. We will naturally choose to know and love portions of
God’s character that we can understand, rather than pushing ourselves to know
as much as we can about all of God. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And be careful about where you are getting your information
and sources on spiritual advice. I cannot stress this enough. With the amazing
capabilities of the internet, we can learn so much from others! There is so
much information that we can learn and grow from. I love reading articles and
probably read at least three a day, but I also am very careful that the
information I find lines up with the Wesleyan Quadrilateral: does it go along
with the character of God in my scriptural studies with reason, tradition, and experience?
<o:p></o:p></div>
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I had a professor share a very powerful statement with me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">God cannot be who God has never been. <o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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God is the same now and forever. Unchanging. Loving. Kind.
Merciful. Graceful. Just. Good. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And these things don’t change. No matter what, God wants our
lives to be lived in worship and relationship with Him. He loves us so much! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Be careful, friends. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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When we need a brain surgeon, we go to a neurologist. When
we need the car fixed, we go to a mechanic. When we go get spiritual advice, we
go to whoever pops up in our news feeds with advice that sounds good… Wait… <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Don’t be critical for criticism’s sake but be mindful about
what you believe and how you live that out in your life. It can either be from
the Lord and for your good, or it can be like a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Things
that sound good, feel good, and do little to convict the heart and mind for
Christ-like transformation most likely are not from the Lord. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Just because someone you may, or many not know experiences
God a certain way, does not mean they have been given a clear understanding of
God’s character. We must be aware of our own biases and tendencies to understand
God in ways that keep us comfortable, rather than stretching our awareness and spiritual
lives in ways we cannot even imagine. The Holy Spirit wants to transform your
heart and mind to fulfill God’s purpose for your life. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 15.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">A Living Sacrifice<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s
mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to
God—this is your true and proper worship. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Do not conform to the
pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your
mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his
good, pleasing and perfect will.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h1 align="center" style="background: white; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Romans 12 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<br />Valerie Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058760416949225767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459214598379812529.post-66012863433060406272019-01-02T07:13:00.002-08:002019-01-02T07:13:48.776-08:00The Presence of God in Despair. <br />
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Jeremiah was an interesting guy in the Old Testament. Reading
through the book of Jeremiah is both interesting and scary, because all he ever
did was give terrible news to Israel for all the horrible things they were
doing against God. I understand Jeremiah’s despair in the twentieth chapter because
all God asked him to do was deliver bad news! Anyone would get a little
depressed by constantly giving terrible news to people. <o:p></o:p></div>
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To top it off, those people began to ridicule and mock him. “Now
I’m laughed at all the time; everyone mocks me,” (Jeremiah 20:7b). He did not
have a fun job as a prophet. When I read the book of Isaiah it seemed like it
always ended up somewhere good at the end of the prophesy, but poor Jeremiah
doesn’t get that kind of message from God. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And he despairs. <o:p></o:p></div>
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There are times in my life I’ve despaired, and not for the
same reasons as Jeremiah. A friend from college lost two babies when I was
pregnant with my third son (this was ten years ago now). A blood clot traveled
to her brain and she was brain dead. Her family had to take her off life
support days later. Her husband had already lost his first wife and his kids
lost their first mother. Why would God take away the second? It didn’t seem
just or fair to me, and to be honest, it still doesn’t. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I remember being so angry with God about this and through it
just not knowing how to deal with the anger. With the hurt and the pain. I
almost lost Braden during that time as well, so I was a mess of emotional upheaval.
My only salvation during that time was God’s willingness to walk with me
through it. No matter how angry I was, God was with me there. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jeremiah’s words of despair in chapter 20, verses 7 through
18 show the same presence in his life. The level of pain and hurt Jeremiah was
experiencing was stronger than he could stand against. He could not keep those
feelings and that pain to himself; he had to let God know. We all know that God
knows our thoughts and feelings anyway, but there is something beautiful and healing
in voicing those thoughts with the Lord. Jeremiah was able to continue doing
the Lord’s work because he was open, honest, and truthful with the Lord. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How many times have I tried to hide those thoughts and
feelings from God? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You see, faith is not the absence of doubt and hurt. Faith is
a heart and mind that knows God is present in doubt. In fear. In pain.
Regardless of whether we feel His presence at the time. What I learned from my friend’s
death has stayed with me throughout the years during good times and bad times.
It taught me no matter what I’m feeling, I can talk with God about it. God
already knows what I’m feeling. Talking it out with Him is more for me than it
is for Him. Prayer offers healing and comfort that only God can bring. An open
heart and mind can be comforted if we offer it openly to the Lord in those
times of heartache and pain. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Prayer: Lord, help me to give my hurts, my pain, and my fear
over to You. Remind me to speak with You in the good times and the bad. Help me
to desire to read Scripture that will help me understand not only Your will for
me in the world, but how to process my experiences and life in ways that are
holy and pleasing to You. I love you Lord. Thank you for being so strong, good,
and faithful in the times I forget how big You are. Amen. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Valerie Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058760416949225767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459214598379812529.post-46529378921108558412018-11-12T13:32:00.003-08:002018-11-12T13:32:52.042-08:00There is a blessing in it<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Lord proclaims:
As new wine is found in the grape cluster, and someone says, “don’t destroy it,
for there is a blessing in it,” so I will do for the sake of my servants and
not destroy everything: I will bring out offspring from Jacob, and from Judah,
heirs to my mountains. My chosen ones will take possession; my servants will dwell
there. Isaiah 65:8-9<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Change. It is the basis of stress, fear, and pain for many. It is uncomfortable,
uneasy, and pushes us to our limits without realizing that we are there. We
spend so much time in our routines and patterns of behavior that one small
change to that can bring stress to our day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This last year has been a year of change for me. My family and I
moved from Moscow, Idaho to Casey, Illinois for a ministry for me. My husband
is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene and we spent many years in
ministry together for him to serve as a youth pastor, and it felt right for us
to make this move for me to serve in Casey. It has not been without its
challenges, but the Lord has been with us every step of the way. Closing on our
house was difficult and there were some days we didn’t know if we would have a
place to live, but thankfully we closed on the house in perfect timing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Just a few short weeks later and I received the call that my mom
was in the ICU and they didn’t know what was wrong. I spent the next 3 days
praying at my mother’s bedside hoping beyond all hope, even after the neurologist
told us there was no hope of her waking up; that somehow the Lord would bring
her back. That she would get to spend time with her grandsons and with me. My
heart broke during those days I did not realize it could break. When I thought
the tears were gone; they would come back. Through it all I still felt the
presence of the Lord with us each moment. She passed away Thursday morning
after removing her from life support. And once again the tears poured. There
are no words for what I felt that day, just pure grief. I wept, and Jesus wept
with me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And the change still comes. My youngest son still struggles at school.
My in-laws moved in with us (a blessing for sure). Negative and positive, change still comes.
Regardless of what I think should happen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And in it, God tells me; I’m making New Wine. I will continue the
work I began in you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I know the above promise from Isaiah is for the people of Israel,
yet when I read it my heart jumped into my throat like it was written for me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As new
wine is found in the grape cluster, and someone says, “don’t destroy it, for
there is a blessing in it.” <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There is blessing to be found here. In the change and the hurt,
the good changes and the bad ones. In the pain and grief, in the tears and
crying out to God; I find blessing. It seems impossible and hard. I don’t want
to take the next breath sometimes because it hurts too much, but breath still
comes. And God reminds me once again He’s never failed me to this day. I can
trust Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So, I leave you with the song that’s been playing on repeat in my
head the last two months. May you find blessing in the breaking and the change.
May you find hope in the small things. And may God comfort you as He has me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In crushing, in the pressing…. you are making new wine<br />
In the soil I, now surrender… you are breaking new ground<br />
so I yield to you and to your careful hands<br />
When I trust you I don’t need to understand<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So make me a vessel <br />
make me an offering<br />
make me whatever you want me to be<br />
I came here with nothing<br />
but al you have given me<br />
Jesus bring new wine out of me. -Brooke Ligertwood<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Valerie Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058760416949225767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459214598379812529.post-38880773245890042262018-10-18T07:39:00.001-07:002018-10-18T07:39:20.821-07:00Taking time to be Jesus.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3durrO-QZqqINXWEjj6M_jGoMML4p0SauKcPNpYQqczN4l7xPq-j_z29zLv6DxRfJmoY7wraepoXXywblkpdnQHfPwCTpLYDGYZts3wJQVPDTlXqIhcR5x4XqjADqnLUv14AavPFQ91Vb/s1600/Untitled+design.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3durrO-QZqqINXWEjj6M_jGoMML4p0SauKcPNpYQqczN4l7xPq-j_z29zLv6DxRfJmoY7wraepoXXywblkpdnQHfPwCTpLYDGYZts3wJQVPDTlXqIhcR5x4XqjADqnLUv14AavPFQ91Vb/s320/Untitled+design.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some of you may already know, but my mother passed away last Thursday
(October 11<sup>th</sup> at 1:09 pm) after spending four days on life support
after a massive stroke. The stroke was so irreparable and recovery so
impossible, the doctors knew there was nothing that could be done. No surgery.
No options at all. The part of her brain that was alive making her the person
she was, was gone. It was easily the most difficult week of my life and I pray
I never have to go through something like that again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Through it all, I’ve become closer than ever to my sister and
brother, Danielle and Lucas. We were able to support and love one another in a
unique, special way that can only happen between siblings. My other sister, Lila,
has a different mom than I do so she was not there, but I am sure it will be
the same if those situations arise in the future. The Lord truly gave me a huge
gift when giving me a brother and sisters. I don’t know what I would do without
them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">That being said; my brother and I spent a lot of time on the phone
yesterday. It’s interesting how the spiritual walk we’ve both been through over
the last two weeks have been similar. During all that happened, one thing I’ve
really learned to grasp a hold of is the idea that being busy is never a good
excuse to not make room for people in my life, no matter who they are. Whether
a friend, family, or foe, people are always more important than all the stuff I
need to get done. It is why I stop and say hello to those who stop by the
church to do things. It is why I take time to look cashiers, waitresses, and
other service people in the eye when I’m paying my check or bill. No matter
what my to do list is today or tomorrow, I must stop and take time to see
people. Doing so helps them know, consciously or unconsciously, that I see you.
I notice you as a person and I will take time to stop and care for you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This has not always been the case for me. For years I was too busy
to spend time with others because I was selfish with the little time I had for
my family. What kind of example is that to my children? How does that mirror
the actions of Jesus, who had a large crowd of people waiting for him in Luke
chapter 8:40-54? It is even described as a “smothering crowd” in verse 42 in
the Common English Bible. People needed him, and he knew it. He had important
things to teach and would it have been a better resource of his time to speak
with the crowds rather than taking time to stop and heal a little girl and a
bleeding woman, neither of whom held clout in society. They were nothing. Jesus
was busy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But as Jairus pleaded with Jesus to come to his house because his
daughter was dying, Jesus listened. He tried to move and a woman who was
ceremonially unclean, who’s faith was so great that she knew just touching the
hem of his cloak would heal her; as a little girl was dying… Jesus stopped and
spoke with her. Telling her she was healed. Sharing with her the love of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Among screaming crowds demanding his presence; Jesus then went
back to Jairus’ house and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">raised his daughter
from the dead. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">No matter who was waiting for him, Jesus was never too busy to
stop and heal people’s pain. There was never a person too dirty, a person so
low, he wouldn’t listen and help. If I’m too busy to look someone in the eye
and let them know I see them, I care for them, and will listen; how am I being
like Jesus? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I</span>’m learning to stop being selfish with my time. People are
important. My family is important. I can easily make time for both these groups
of people in my life. There’s not a person in this world that’s less important
than the 30 seconds it takes to notice their presence in our world and show them we care.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Make time for people. Learn this lesson now rather than after your
mom dies and you didn’t take the time to spend with her. Show others you love
them. Be Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<br />Valerie Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058760416949225767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459214598379812529.post-37358998428567013962018-09-18T08:25:00.001-07:002018-09-18T08:25:15.985-07:00God's Character Doesn't Change<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last week and this week have been a bit of a bust, as far as
I’m concerned. I wasn’t feeling well last week due to some medication changes,
and Kamden came down with some kind of stomach bug/flu like thing and spent the
weekend sick. We’re on Tuesday of the next week and he’s still got a low-grade
fever. Life is so fun with kids. Especially when you and the fam just moved to
a new area with a whole different set of viruses to get immune to. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All through this week and last,
Isaiah chapter 41. I’ve been reading through Isaiah over the last month or so
in my personal bible study, but no matter what I’ve read, this chapter keeps
coming back to me:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Isaiah 41 Common English Bible (CEB)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">10 </span></sup></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Don’t
fear, because I am with you;<br />
don’t be afraid, for I am your God.<br />
I will strengthen you,<br />
I will surely help you;<br />
I will hold you<br />
with my righteous strong hand.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Israel, time and again, kept
leaving the love of God and believing in their own lies and selfishness. Over
and over again, they did this. I like to believe I would have had faith. I
would have been different from all the people of Israel… but I doubt very
highly I would have been different. When life goes as it has this last week, it
is easy to doubt all of this is God’s plan. I don’t believe satan is attacking me,
but I do believe the natural world is under sin and I am paying the consequences
for that sin. Sickness and pain aren’t the way it was supposed to be and it will
not last forever, but for now it’s where I’m at. And my own anxious thoughts
and stresses can pull me down in these moments if I forget who God is in the
midst of all this. It’s ironic because I have many friends and family going
through much worse. Surgeries, lifelong illnesses, cancer, terminal diagnosis’s…
the list goes on and on. And yet I still found myself being frustrated and
annoyed that this sickness is slowly me down. Surely God, if you called me here
to Casey, you’d allow me to do my job! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I laugh at myself just typing
this. I can get so caught up in my own world and problems. Isaiah 41 puts me in
my place, though. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">13 </span></sup></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am
the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> your God,<br />
who grasps your strong hand,<br />
who says to you,<br />
Don’t fear; I will help you.<br />
<b><sup>14 </sup></b>Don’t fear, worm of Jacob,<br />
people of Israel!<br />
I will help you, says the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>.<br />
The holy one of Israel is your redeemer.<br />
<b><sup>15 </sup></b>Look, I’ve made you<br />
into a new threshing tool with sharp teeth.<br />
You will thresh mountains and pulverize them;<br />
you will reduce hills to straw.<br />
<b><sup>16 </sup></b>When you winnow them,<br />
the wind will carry them off;<br />
the tempest will scatter them.<br />
You will rejoice in the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span><br />
and take pride in the holy one of Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Surely, God will sustain me and
move in me. It took thousands of years for the nation of Israel to catch onto what
God is saying. No matter what happens in our lives, the character of God is
still the same. God, who created us and forged us from nothing is going to make
us a holy people. All of us together and all of us individually. No matter the circumstances
we find ourselves in. No matter if we’re lost in the desert, living in Babylon,
or the promised land. America to Australia and every other nation in between,
God is intent on forming us and creating in us a people set apart for good in
this world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">17 </span></sup></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
poor and the needy seek water, and there is none;<br />
their tongues are parched with thirst.<br />
I, the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, will respond to
them;<br />
I, the God of Israel, won’t abandon them.<br />
<b><sup>18 </sup></b>I will open streams on treeless hilltops<br />
and springs in valleys.<br />
I will make the desert into ponds<br />
and dry land into cascades of water.<br />
<b><sup>19 </sup></b>I will plant in the desert cedar, acacia, myrtle, and
olive trees;<br />
I will put in the wilderness cypress, elm, and pine as
well,<br />
<b><sup>20 </sup></b> so that they will see and
know<br />
and observe and comprehend<br />
that the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>’s
hand has done this,<br />
and the holy one of Israel has created it.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God placed all these resources in
our world for us to live on. God wants us to use those resources to help those
without. To live among them and be a light in the darkness, to live according
to the Lord’s good and faithful call to serve others and love them unconditionally.
For us to be able to do this, we must offer ourselves for this formation. Even
in the yucky, pukey moments when you just don’t want to get up to help the sick
kid in your house. I wish I could have slept last night instead of waking every
hour or so to feel my son’s forehead for fever, but I’m a mom. It’s my job, my
joy, my heart to be sure my children are taken care of. To tend to him while he
is sick. How much more will God do the same for us? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I may not be the nation of Israel
in covenant with God, but I believe the character of God has not and will not
change. God’s love for all of us is intent of caring for us in every moment, for
parching our thirst, and providing a way in the wilderness. In this God we can have
faith that He will be faithful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Valerie Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058760416949225767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459214598379812529.post-29835481739759850212018-09-05T07:50:00.000-07:002018-09-05T07:55:58.701-07:00Order of Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When we think about all the advice on the internet and in
the world today, it is so easy to be led</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
astray by words that seem wise but
move us away from our relationship with God.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the most misleading pieces of advice I continually
hear almost every single day is that we must love ourselves, take care of
ourselves, and meet our own needs first. That it is best to be selfish with our
self-care before pouring ourselves into others. My personal “cup” must be full
before I can pour out into others. This advice seems good. It almost rings
true, enough so that many people who believe they’re following God’s will for
their lives believe it and try to live it out. Unfortunately, this is not true.
This is not even close to anything Jesus taught us and showed us. Instead, it’s
a worldly practice that has become easy to believe. Here are two images I’ve
seen online just over the last day: <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCROerUaCXyguw1Xwk4ErxaZZZam5B5rh6lZrf6CZFImmB0uHpChBUcp8Z0ahNjIygcR2UYIh1uFeEWMmg_Vb5wRFvwK8Mt8gcR0VDT6FPwWsDSaObu13zp3OT9u1xv6SBlO9aWPF4O6ck/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCROerUaCXyguw1Xwk4ErxaZZZam5B5rh6lZrf6CZFImmB0uHpChBUcp8Z0ahNjIygcR2UYIh1uFeEWMmg_Vb5wRFvwK8Mt8gcR0VDT6FPwWsDSaObu13zp3OT9u1xv6SBlO9aWPF4O6ck/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFT347hq-zKgA0fuQJv3CHdYcBE2awKNyz0mUOsYl-pOkk83pQ_JRVZuJ6U0_9q1IYGA8ioNw9wdu57QaXaxT2efoi-vNCQMENIeI-jr3Uq6MkAvFXFywJveNF4acvYs0rPPq08I2L1H1/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="248" data-original-width="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFT347hq-zKgA0fuQJv3CHdYcBE2awKNyz0mUOsYl-pOkk83pQ_JRVZuJ6U0_9q1IYGA8ioNw9wdu57QaXaxT2efoi-vNCQMENIeI-jr3Uq6MkAvFXFywJveNF4acvYs0rPPq08I2L1H1/s1600/2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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Is this true? What does scripture say about this? It looks
good… seems wise. But also, critical thinking must come into play. Ask
questions. Seek answers. The Lord will show you the way. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jesus Himself spoke against this kind of thinking: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with
one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, “Which
commandment is the first of all? Jesus answered, “The first is this, ‘Hear, O
Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with
all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as
yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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If we love God first with all our hearts, souls, minds, and
strength, and our neighbor as ourselves, how then can we love ourselves first? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The temptation to put us first in every situation in life is
called selfishness. There’s no other way to put that. We don’t think it’s good
to be selfish in any other area of our lives, but we think it’s good and normal
to place our needs above everyone else’s regularly. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a learned extrovert (naturally an introvert) I regularly
need time by myself to re-energize and recoup after spending many hours serving
others. There is nothing wrong with knowing what I need to be physically and
mentally healthy. This does not give me an excuse to place those needs over the
person who might need me to stop and pray with them or encourage them when I
feel like I’ve given everything I can that day. For this I have Jesus. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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When I’m at the end of my strength and ability, this is where
Jesus’ strength and ability moves in me. This is when I ask for an extra
portion of love and grace from the Lord to help me endure for the sake of loving
those Jesus has called me to love. I don’t always get this right, but I’m
trying each day. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most importantly, I cannot serve and love others well if I
have not first spent time with the Lord that day. When I get too busy to read
my bible, reflect on the word, pray, or stop and listen to the Lord’s voice, I feel
it throughout the day. I’m tired and weary without the energy reserves to
continue. I am anxious, worried, and stressed. I forget that all the work I do
is for God and not for me. What Jesus said is truer than ever, the most
important commandment is to love the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind and
strength. Everything after that flows from the strength of God rather than myself.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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This is what makes serving others a joy and not a burden. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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This is where my needs are met and filled so that I can
serve others. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Going all the way back to the Old Testament, God knew we
needed strength, love, grace and mercy which could not be provided ourselves to
serve and love others. God created us this way so that we would desire and
search for the Lord in our lives as our source of strength. We are not made to
do this alone. We do not have to depend on our ability to love ourselves enough.
We can believe in God’s ability to love us more than we can possibly imagine so
we can pour that love out onto others. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Self-esteem becomes Godly-esteem.</b> I can believe that the one
who made me will fulfill His promises. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Self-love becomes love for God</b>. I know my value and worth
because God calls me child. Beloved. I love me because God loves me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Self-confidence becomes confidence in Gods ability and not
my own.</b> The Lord will provide for me strength, energy, and endurance for
whatever trials may come. I don’t have to be strong enough for them, because I
already know God is. Where I fail, God is already at work going before me and
helping me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God even set aside a day each week for us to stop toiling
and working. It’s called Sabbath and for many that day is Sunday. It’s a day to
attend church, spend time with family, and step away from the constant demands
our daily lives bring. It’s an opportunity to spend time with the Lord and take
solace in the fact that God is faithful and will work for our good. And this
day is beautiful. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sabbath places God first in my life and reminds me, once again,
that I need the strength of God for each day. <i>What we do often indicates what
we believe about life. If we never stop and allow God to work without our
meddling hands, we are not given the opportunity to see just how big our God
really is. </i>When we stop it places us in complete relationship with Him and with
others. And it brings us peace. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Instead of practicing self-love, practice God-love. God
knows what we need and He’s waiting to help us through it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Love God. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Love others. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The rest will fall into place. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChLNsJQD2V-EB8_udnzh4g32L3u_6xKKZYA7VovkYCHqo2SQytyx70e15JyAX_otDEO54ffL9cEEUd8I2OTcG-dx_d4J26VO1bBa9z15iDnG41Dn-NH4MupbqGTYZIGziFtVFoaALQThG/s1600/40820119_10155365903466511_1586919840969392128_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChLNsJQD2V-EB8_udnzh4g32L3u_6xKKZYA7VovkYCHqo2SQytyx70e15JyAX_otDEO54ffL9cEEUd8I2OTcG-dx_d4J26VO1bBa9z15iDnG41Dn-NH4MupbqGTYZIGziFtVFoaALQThG/s320/40820119_10155365903466511_1586919840969392128_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
<br />Valerie Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058760416949225767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459214598379812529.post-34075541850870556822018-08-08T10:03:00.000-07:002018-08-08T10:03:04.816-07:00A Slave in God's Kingdom? <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you living as a
slave in God’s Kingdom without ever realizing it? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are ways things in our lives enslave and keep us from
living as we were fully created to live by God. Some of these things we are
aware of. Others are less “in your face” about it. They creep up on us and take
up a place in our hearts, minds, and lives that belong only to the Lord. Some
of these things are seemingly good things that experts tell us we should do or
not do. I’m not saying this just for your benefit… oh no. This is a conviction of
my own heart this morning as a read the fourth chapter of Galatians sitting in
my office at the church, and there’s a specific situation in my own life this
applies to. I’ll share more about that later. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are people, places, and cultures around us each and
every day who are trying to not only form who we are, but who’s we are. These
things want to make us slaves to them, but they do this insidiously (in sneaky,
unseen ways) that seems harmless. This struggle is evident not only today, but
when Paul was writing to the churches in Galatia. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I just want to know this from you: Did you receive the
Spirit by doing the works of the Law or by believing what you heard? Are you so
irrational? After you started with the Spirit, are you now finishing up with
your own human effort? Did you experience so much for nothing?” Galatians
3:2-4, CEB. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Christians in Galatia were under the threat of continually
thinking that the Law (things they do) would transform their lives for them.
They stepped away from the Holy Spirit working and moving in them, and began to
once again believe that works would save them and change them. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have personally been convicted of the many ways different
companies pop up on the backs of personal testimonies on social media that
convince us that certain products will not only change our weight, looks,
health, etc… but transform our lives to make them better, happier, or
healthier. And by the way, not only do the products do this, but the person
selling them is going to make sure to help you do the same. They offer
pseudo-spiritual self-help advice based on personal testimony’s that are
dubious at best. These companies are selling not only a product, but an idea of
life change and transformation that is only possible with these certain
products to get there. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I began believing this about one such product. I enjoy the
product. It has helped me lose some weight and gain some confidence, but I had
to take a step back and be sure I was under no delusions of complete life
change. The only thing that can completely transform my life is the real work
of continuous connection with Jesus Christ through prayer, fasting, bible
reading, relationship with others (going to church), and being intentional
about seeking discipleship for myself. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Paul is pushing the Galatian church to get back to this
work. To stop believing that the Law and what it does can do anything to help
them grow in Christ. Only the Holy Spirit can do this work. The above list of
things I can do to facilitate this work is only that; a facilitator. I have to
be steadfast in offering myself up to the Lord each and every day for spiritual
change. Keeping a healthy boundary between me and a product that I continue to
use and enjoy is essential to my own spiritual health as my goal is to continue
to grow in Christ through the Holy Spirit in me. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But when the fulfillment of the time came, God sent his
Son, born through a woman, and born under the Law. This was so he could redeem
those under the Law so that we could be adopted. Because you are sons and daughters,
God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!”
Therefore, you are no longer a slave but a son or daughter, and if you are his
child, then you are also an heir through God,” Galatians 4:4-7, CEB. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God sent his Son so that we didn’t have to be changed by the
things of this world, but by the Holy Spirit at work within us! This is good
news friends. True transformation of our hearts, minds, and lives can only come
through the Lord. Prayerfully consider this question then; what do I allow to
form my heart, mind, body, spirit, and life? <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Valerie Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058760416949225767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459214598379812529.post-45563757741965313202018-03-13T13:46:00.001-07:002018-03-13T13:46:14.313-07:00The Culture War Over Jesus <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you’ve been on any social media outlets recently and
follow Christians, you will come to see how every side is trying to own Jesus. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Christian left fights to own Jesus. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Christian right fights to own Jesus. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Both sides are playing a spiritual tug of war with the
Messiah. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This thought came to mind after reading yet another nasty
comment from a Christian pastor who made some terrible observations about an
article I posted. And of course, he is the only one who had a corner on who the
“real Jesus” is. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Why? Why do we think
this way? Why can’t we all say we love Jesus and get on with it? Why is it when
we read the bible, we can each come away with a different understanding of who
this man is and what He does in the lives of believers? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dr. Stephen Riley from Northwest Nazarene University was a speaker
at our church this last Sunday for a teen conference we were holding for the
district youth. And he said something very powerful which is what got me
thinking about this subject. He said that people, all throughout history, often
respond in one of two ways when met with various situations in life that challenge
them: in fear or an effort to gain power or control. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But what would people look like if they refused to respond
in either way? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This has me thinking about the parable of the Good
Samaritan. In Luke 10:25-37, what some would call a popular theologian, stood
up to Jesus asking Him “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jesus’ reply of course, is to get straight to the heart of
the matter and He tells the man, “What is written in the law? How do you read
it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The man replies, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and will all your strength and with all your mind, and
love your neighbor as yourself.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jesus tells him he has answered correctly, and yet this
answer is not good enough for the man. So he asks, “Who is my neighbor?” It
seems to me this man is trying to control who God is telling him to love.
Because he’s afraid. He fears what the answer will be. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And in reply, Jesus tells him to love a person completely
unlike him. He tells him to love a Samaritan. An unlovable, terrible human
being, who good Jews didn’t associate with. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other parables I’ve studied keep coming to mind; The Woman at
the Well, the story of the Prodigal Son, The Sheep and the Goats. The other
story that comes to mind is when Jesus healed the bleeding woman, rose to life
the dead girl, spoke with Nehemiah, and asked for each of the disciples to
follow Him. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Each of these stories has something in common; Jesus always
sides with the least of all in Jewish society. He ALWAYS chooses the poor,
disenfranchised, and those everyone else ignores. Every single time. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">In this cultural
fight between the right and lefts ownership of Jesus Christ, it seems the ones He
always defended and chose are left out of the conversation. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And Jesus made it very clear who He expects us to share the
Gospel with. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If our purpose in sharing the Gospel of Jesus is to
primarily make others think, believe, and act the way we do, it is safe to say we
are not sharing the love of Jesus. Instead, we are attempting to hold onto
power because the world around us is changing at an incredible rate. Because we
are afraid of what might happen if we don’t scramble and attempt to control the
way the world works. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For some reason we are surprised that the world doesn’t look
like us. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why? Why is this surprising? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">If we look like Jesus, the world won’t look like us. <br />
</b><br />
And instead of trying to make everyone around us think, look, and act like us,
we can choose to love them. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most importantly, none of us owns Jesus. Scripture clearly
outlines who Jesus aligned Himself with, and it was never the most powerful. It
was always those with the least power. This is what made His life so
controversial. This is what He died on the cross for. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing
clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?” <o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of
the least of these, you did not do for me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>-Matthew 25:44-45 (CEB). <o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stop responding with fear and a need for power and control.
Instead, respond as Jesus did; with love, grace, and mercy. This challenges me
to my core, shaking the foundations of what I understand to be true about
myself. Selfishness is hidden among the desires of our hearts and it takes study
of scripture, prayer, and leaning into the Holy Spirit to truly find it all and
give it over the Christ. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And let’s stop fighting over Jesus. There’s more than plenty
to go around. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Valerie Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058760416949225767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459214598379812529.post-43589839901658315152017-12-06T09:20:00.002-08:002017-12-06T09:20:35.989-08:00Time Magazine & Justice <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I read Micah 4:6-13 today, for the first time ever.
It seems to me that pastors don’t really like to preach from prophecies, but
that could be just my experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Anyway, I am going through the Advent devotional, “Long-Expected
Jesus,” and it’s beautiful. It has scripture readings, but it is more than
that. The personal stories of redemption, beauty, and grace have been nearly
bringing me to tears each morning. And I’m not one prone to crying. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, let’s talk about Micah chapter 4. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 18.5pt;">Dominion
in Zion<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">6 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">On that day, says the <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>,<br />
I will gather the lame;<br />
I will assemble those who were
driven away<br />
and
those whom I have harmed.<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">7 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I will make the
lame into survivors,<br />
those driven away into a mighty
nation.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> will rule over them on Mount
Zion<br />
from now on and forever.<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">8 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">As for you, Tower
of Eder,</span><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Micah+4%3A6-13&version=CEB#fen-CEB-22628a" title="See footnote a"><span style="color: #b34b2c;">a</span></a>]</span></sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> hill of
Daughter Zion,<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">as for you it
will come,<br />
the former dominion will come,<br />
the royal power belonging to
Daughter Zion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God is in control<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">9 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now why do you cry out so loudly?<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New";"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isn’t the king in you?<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New";"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Or has your counselor perished,<br />
so that pain has seized you
like that of a woman in labor?<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">10 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Writhe and scream, Daughter Zion, like a woman in labor!<br />
Now you will leave the city and
dwell in the open field;<br />
you
will go to Babylon.<br />
There you will be rescued;<br />
there
the <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> will redeem you
from the power of your enemies.<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">11 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now many nations may gather against you;<br />
they say, “Let her be defiled,”<br />
or “Let our eyes look with desire
at Zion.”<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">12 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But they don’t know the plans of the <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>;<br />
they
can’t understand his scheme,<br />
namely, that he will bring them
like grain to the threshing floor!<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">13 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Arise and thresh, Daughter Zion,<br />
for I will make your horn out of
iron;<br />
your hooves I will make out of
bronze.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New";"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You will crush many peoples;<br />
you will dedicate their
ill-gotten gains to the <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>,<br />
their wealth to the <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> of all the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I love prophetic statements like above. I have
learned that I am a big picture person, and for me the whole point of the story
of God is one built upon the idea that the world will be set right. That
justice will be had. This is not an important topic to many who’ve never
experienced systemic injustice based on their gender, skin color, sexual
orientation, etc. For a lot of people it is something they can easily ignore or
brush off like so much dust on the soles of their feet, but for me it is
something that eats me up inside. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Being the middle daughter of an emotionally abusive
father who liked to tell me all the ways my sisters and brother were better
than me didn’t help this. I also grew up poor. So injustice got under my skin
in ways it never does other people. I honestly wish I could be oblivious to it;
it sure would make my life a lot easier! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And then I saw this beautiful piece of news this
morning: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://time.com/time-person-of-the-year-2017-silence-breakers/" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">http://time.com/time-person-of-the-year-2017-silence-breakers/</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Time magazine chose the women called The Silence
Breakers as their “person of the year.” And it feels like a small amount of
justice is being done. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My husband and I had a conversation about this just
a couple weeks ago when all these women began speaking up. As a white American
male, these conversations make him feel vulnerable in a way that he may not
have felt before. You see, he was a dumb teenage boy at one point. Unthinkingly
he poked a girl in the chest once back in high school and had a meeting with
the school principle, his family, and her family. It was a wakeup call for a
young kid who honestly didn’t think about his actions before he did them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This also scares me immensely. I am currently
raising four boys ages 13, 11, 8, and 6. I am their mama who believes in the
equality of both genders based on the salvation of every person found in
scripture. I have never, for one minute of my life, believed that men and women
had “different roles in society.” No one defines my role or any person’s role
based on their gender. Only God defines what I can and cannot do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But that brings me to my point; I am afraid for
them. I am afraid that a moment of stupidity and unthinking action will cause
them lifelong, irreparable harm. Our society at large is not very good at
forgiving others and giving them a second chance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Yet, I also remember the first time I feared for my
safety when I was verbally accosted by a group of grown men on a porch at the
age of 9 or 10. My little brother and I walked a couple blocks away from our
house to the gas station to purchase some candy. On the walk back these men
started saying nasty, degrading things to me. I could see the fear in my brother’s
face, no doubt reflected back from my own. We were terrified. We kept walking
home and two of these men started following us. At that moment, by the grace of
God, by dad rounded the corner in the car. He saw what was happening and ended
it immediately. But that one moment began a host of other moments in my life.
Comments from men about my body. What they want to do with it. Etc. It’s
painful to think about, but it is there nonetheless. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Are all those comments just dumb, unthinking moments
from men who didn’t know any better? Does this give them an excuse to act this
way? Does this mean we should “brush it off?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The short answer is, no. If we don’t speak up, if we
don’t do something, we allow this to happen to other girls and women. There is
definitely a time for us women to speak up for ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But Micah gives me hope for all those who are unable
to. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Now many nations may gather against you; they say, “Let
her be defiled,” or “Let our eyes look with desire at Zion.” <b>But they don’t know the plans of the Lord;
they can’t understand his scheme, namely, that he will bring them like grain to
the threshing floor! Arise and thresh, Daughter Zion, for I will make your horn
out of iron; your hooves I will make out of bronze.</b> You will crush many
peoples; you will dedicate their ill-gotten gains to the Lord, their wealth to
the Lord of all the earth.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now, for those bible people out there, believe me I
know this is in reference to Babylon being laid low by Zion. But, these words
also speak to a world where the powerful will be made low and the downtrodden
will be lifted up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For all those who have been rejected, defiled, and
hurt by those seeking power, money, and fame; the Lord will have the last word.
God, the Creator and Maker of the earth, will set things right. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>When I cannot speak up and stand for myself, God can
and will. </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>I can trust the Lord with this. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The men who’ve never been brought to justice because
of their words and actions, the Lord knows. And justice will be His. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I find hope here. I find love, grace, and mercy
here. I also can find forgiveness. I can let go of past hurts and verbal
assaults, because I know God has this. He can carry it for me and I can trust
every single one of those people will answer for what they’ve done. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I can stop investing any of my emotions in this
situation and cease allowing it to hurt me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This was not an easy journey for me. I didn’t get to
this conclusion simply and it took a lot of time and healing to get there. But
I can look at these men and love them as Jesus did. I pray they will fulfill
who the Lord wants them to be in Christ, and that is all I can do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you can’t get there yet, that’s okay. Give
yourself time. But I want to give you hope that there will be a change. It may
not be today or tomorrow, but you can heal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My prayers, thoughts, and love go out to all of you
today. May these brave women who spoke out in Time magazine be a beacon of hope
and strength to all of us. And I pray that Christ’s love and healing power wash
over all of you today. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Valerie Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058760416949225767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459214598379812529.post-46530014573822652972017-05-19T09:54:00.001-07:002017-05-19T09:56:11.687-07:00Transformed ThinkingMy amazing husband actually did what I jokingly asked for Mother's Day. He purchased me a hotel room in downtown Spokane for one night away from life. I needed time by myself. Time to think. Time to dream. To come up with big ideas and ways to implement them. Time to crochet and eat junk food. It's been incredible. And I've learned what fills my soul the most; time by myself to think about "things." Some of them are big, some of them are small, but it fills my soul to take time for myself in this way. It is my Sabbath.<br />
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As I was perusing Facebook this morning I came across an article that hit on a problem I've seen in schools, universities, and churches in the three states I've lived in over the last 6 years. It hits each area in different ways; sometimes it's racial, other times political, and still other times gender specific. The topics may change but the problem has not. </div>
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The real problem with millennials isn't that their lazy (this just isn't true). It is not that they cannot become grown ups. It's not any of the simple things that the media and one liner Facebook memes make themselves out to be. Instead, it is their teachers, parents, and authority figures in their lives fault. We have taught them to refuse to listen to anyone else. We have taught them to "believe in themselves," have "self esteem," and live according to their own selfish desires. And when leadership or authority calls into question this selfishness, they are not afraid to walk away. Or protest whatever person, business, or company they disagree with. These people end up becoming victims of a growing crowd of young people who refuse to see the human in the person standing next to them. </div>
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I recently went to a Poverty 101 workshop at our church districts assembly and meeting time. I'm frustrated at the moment because I cannot for the life of me remember the mans name, but one particular thing he said stuck with me. When we send our kids to various schools or institutions of higher education, the most important thing they teach won't be the facts, figures, and rules the kids learn in various subjects although those things are important. The most significant thing they will learn is <i>how to think</i>. The processes by which our children come to conclusions about life are more important than any single thing they learn throughout their school years. We teach them how to ask questions, how to use facts, reason, and logic to come to conclusions about life in healthy ways.</div>
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I'm sure you have caught on by now to where I am getting... millennials have been taught to think differently than those who have come before them. They were the generation who's teachers and authority figures started asking themselves, "is there a better way to do this?" This approach has created a group of people who are incredibly empathetic, place high value on love and acceptance, but have a huge inability to deal with perspectives, thoughts, values, and opinions that are not their own. In an effort to teach this group the value of inclusiveness to all people, races, ethnicity's, and religions, we have failed to teach them how to interact with these people in healthy ways. And now we are paying the price. Please watch this video... it's a good one. </div>
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What I don't agree with in this video is that they blame this problem on the universities change in focus going from intellectual discourse to creating a "home" atmosphere. Instead of being a place that emphasizes deep thought, intellectualism, debate, and discourse, the video believes the root of the problem stems from the universities shift in focus to entertainment and consumerism. </div>
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This may be part of the problem, but it is not the sole cause. Although the university has jumped on the bandwagon with these things, I believe they are merely meeting the wants and desires of the people they are trying to target. They do have to financially support themselves after all. <i>I believe the root of the problem stems with how these kids were taught to think before they ever stepped foot at Yale. </i>The real problem is with how they think. If you aren't as open minded as me, then you are close minded. If you don't think like me, agree with me, or process life like me, then you are wrong. You are oppressive. And you can never understand because you are not me. This sense of rugged individualism and selfish perspective has undermined the education of this group of people. </div>
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As a 35 year old born in 1981 I have one foot firmly in Gen X and another in the Millennial camp. I fell for this thinking for some time. As a female clergy person, it's difficult to live with men and women who refuse to acknowledge the leadership of half the body of Christ. I told myself that "no one gets it." That I was being oppressed, shoved to the side, and left by those who disagreed with me. All this kind of thinking produced was a very angry and selfish person. This was not healthy anger; this was the anger of self righteousness. It was an anger rooted in my belief that I was right and everyone else was wrong. </div>
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I still believe I am called to ministry. I still know that the Lord has given me gifts, talents, and tangible abilities to lead God's people through the storms of life and help further the Kingdom of God in our world. But I can't throw out those who disagree with me. I cannot consciously leave them behind. The Lord has pressed these people upon my heart and made me see them as my people, so I have to come to a place of love and humility for them. For Jesus' sake. It is my call to bridge the gap and be a peacemaker in the storm. I have struggled with the need to be right and asked for the transformational power of the Holy Spirit creating in me a woman who gives up all rights to be like Jesus. This means becoming a servant of the people I disagree with. </div>
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Church, we have the ability to model the love of Jesus Christ to the world in significant ways by listening to the stories of those we disagree with. We don't have to agree with them, but we can respect, love, and give value to the people who these opinions are coming from. We have to pray and seek the Lord's heart in all things not in an effort to prove "Christian values" to the world, but in an effort to further the Kingdom of God for the Lord's sake. Only this will transform our desires to the desires and will of God. When we approach Scripture with the sole purpose of proving we are right and "they" are wrong, we are being just as hard headed and difficult to work with as the rest of the world. And we are not called to be of this world. We are called to be of the Kingdom. Let us choose Kingdom Life. </div>
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<h1 class="passage-display" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">
<span class="passage-display-bcv" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; padding-right: 10px;">Romans 12</span><span class="passage-display-version" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline;">Common English Bible (CEB)</span></h1>
<h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.55em; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px;">
<span class="text Rom-12-1" id="en-CEB-28230" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Living sacrifice and transformed lives</span></h3>
<div class="chapter-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span class="text Rom-12-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="chapternum" style="bottom: -0.1em; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; left: 0px; line-height: 0.8em; position: relative;">12 </span>So, brothers and sisters, because of God’s mercies, I encourage you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God. This is your appropriate priestly service.</span> <span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-CEB-28231" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">2 </span>Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God’s will is—what is good and pleasing and mature.</span></div>
<h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.55em; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px;">
<span class="text Rom-12-3" id="en-CEB-28232" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Transformed relationships</span></h3>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span class="text Rom-12-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">3 </span>Because of the grace that God gave me, I can say to each one of you: don’t think of yourself more highly than you ought to think. Instead, be reasonable since God has measured out a portion of faith to each one of you.</span> <span class="text Rom-12-4" id="en-CEB-28233" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">4 </span>We have many parts in one body, but the parts don’t all have the same function.</span> <span class="text Rom-12-5" id="en-CEB-28234" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">5 </span>In the same way, though there are many of us, we are one body in Christ, and individually we belong to each other.</span> <span class="text Rom-12-6" id="en-CEB-28235" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">6 </span>We have different gifts that are consistent with God’s grace that has been given to us. If your gift is prophecy, you should prophesy in proportion to your faith.</span> <span class="text Rom-12-7" id="en-CEB-28236" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">7 </span>If your gift is service, devote yourself to serving. If your gift is teaching, devote yourself to teaching.</span> <span class="text Rom-12-8" id="en-CEB-28237" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">8 </span>If your gift is encouragement, devote yourself to encouraging. The one giving should do it with no strings attached. The leader should lead with passion. The one showing mercy should be cheerful.</span></div>
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Valerie Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058760416949225767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459214598379812529.post-80326140815149991322015-08-18T10:16:00.000-07:002015-08-18T10:16:25.289-07:00To share the Good News<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">When Christians speak of evangelism, I often hear this word
defined as the confrontational, argumentative evangelism that became popular in
the Bible belt after the Civil War during the American Revivals and resurgence
of the Holiness movement. Along with tent meetings, we adopted a type of
evangelism which thrives on apologetics and “reasoning” people into believing
in Christ. It offers little room for questions, doubt, or argument. And
Christians here in America don’t question it. It has been so entrenched in our
culture for so long, we assume it must be the “right way” to evangelize. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">As a Christian and as someone who believes that sharing the
Good News is more than a single confrontation, or a single conversation, this
style of evangelism makes me inwardly cringe every time I hear about it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sharing the Good News is not only about getting people to
heaven. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Or saving them from hell. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That may seem over the top for some of you, but it truly is
not only about that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Good News is about loving people. It is about sharing
the love of God with people He created. It is about getting relationally
involved in the lives of those Jesus came to save, serving them, and seeking
God’s love ourselves amidst such service. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Pastor Dominic Carlow preached a sermon about the “messiness”
of getting involved in other people’s lives a few months ago at Silverton
Church of the Nazarene. He used a very effective illustration during the
service, one that will stick with me for a long time. He had a giant tub in
front of the sanctuary and went around gathering dirty laundry from everyone
that he asked to bring dirty laundry for that morning from the congregation. He
then took all that dirty laundry and began washing it. He added everyone’s
dirty laundry, and went about agitating and cleaning the laundry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">All those items of clothing are metaphor’s for us as human
beings. We come together with all our sin, all our “dirt,” and we have to jump
in the tub together to get clean. The tub is Jesus, the agitator is the Holy
Spirit, and God is the one who created it all. Together, we love one another
and help each other stay in the tub. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Good News is only good when it contains the stories of
Salvation, justification, regeneration, and sanctification. Dallas Willard puts
it very bluntly in saying there is absolutely nothing about the Gospel that
suggests we can take Jesus’ blood to get what we want (salvation), and have
nothing more to do with Him. Relationship has to come into the equation, or we
will just be part of creating a bunch of spiritually immature Christians whose
faith never moves past the point of salvation alone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">We can redefine what it means to evangelize… Christians can
begin living what it means to serve others; give to the poor not because they
deserve it, but because they are God’s created people. We can serve because we
love the Lord first, not because we believe these good works can save us. We
must learn to love others as He loves us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What can I do to change this? I can pray. I can love God and
love others. I can live out what it means to serve others in the church and
outside the church. They are little things that add up to big things; it means
noticing the woman behind you at the grocery story struggling to get her
groceries onto the belt and helping her. It means offering fresh, cold water to
the homeless man asking for money on the street corner. It also means putting
ourselves in situations that we may be a little uncomfortable in, all in an effort
to serve those Christ came to save. If we do it together, the fullness of what
it means to live out the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth will come to reality
in our lives and in the lives of those we love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Your kingdom come, your will be done; on earth as it is in
heaven. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
Valerie Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058760416949225767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459214598379812529.post-61866315526364231262015-08-14T11:39:00.001-07:002015-08-14T11:39:24.697-07:00Choose life. <div class="MsoNormal">
My heart is so sad for all the hurt and pain in the world
today. As the news continues to post story after story of hurt, pain,
infliction on those who many deem unworthy, and death for those deemed useless,
my heart bleeds. My pain flows. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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It continues to hurt when I see Christians posting things
about standing with the side of the oppressor. Giving into the pressure of the
world and our culture to choose between life and death, and choosing to give
out justice when it is not our place. How often did God say justice would be
His and His alone? In Romans, chapter 12 Paul pleads for Christians to heap
love onto our enemies, to give them love instead of hate. Many Christians say
they agree to this, yet we continue to live as though we can choose the side of
the oppressor. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We are called to kneel with the scapegoat. To live a life
that bends, kneels, and lowers ourselves to the position of nothing until we
lift up others around us by the grace of God alone. Jesus did this in life, and
most importantly in death, until He rose from the dead and brought about a new
Kingdom that we can now be a part of. We do not have to live as though the
powers at work in the world are what we live by. We live by the Spirit of God.
In the Spirit. In the fruit of the Spirit; love, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Christians, we are called to “offer our bodies as living sacrifices,
holy and pleasing to the Lord. This is our true and proper worship. Do not
conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our
minds.” (Romans 12: 1-2) This transformation does not look like the world, and
cannot be from the world, for if it is, it cannot be from the Lord. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Seek peace. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Valerie Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058760416949225767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459214598379812529.post-48311206559720458082015-05-25T09:44:00.005-07:002015-05-25T09:44:58.949-07:00A Memorial Day Reflection<div class="MsoNormal">
This Memorial Day one question is haunting me… giving me
pause, and making it difficult for me to laud and applaud the soldiers who have
given their lives to this thing called war. Is it worth it? Is it worth the
cost of giving your life for this country? Whether or not you have died in war,
soldiers come back from war emotionally, physically, and spiritually exhausted
and broken. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Is it worth it? <o:p></o:p></div>
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I have encountered a handful of soldiers in my life who have
returned from war with broken, bleeding, and wounded hearts. They suffer from
severe cases of PTSD and have difficulty getting the care they need. One stated
to me, “My PTSD counseling consists of sitting in a room with a TV recorded
counselor.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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Did you hear what I just said? The country that demands
these people give their entire lives over to, gives them nothing in return.
They do not offer the care and support these people need to return to their
regular lives outside the military. Instead, they are left with the empty
praise and pats on the back from people who have no idea what they went through.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Again I must ask, is it worth it? <o:p></o:p></div>
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I cannot help but believe that something worth giving our
lives for will bring us peace. It will bring us joy. It will bring us patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. It will break us, but sustain us as well. It
not only tears down, but builds up in the same breath. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How many soldiers come back from war and wonder if it was
worth giving everything they are to hurt another person? The other side
believes in their cause just as much as we do. At what point do we recognize
the emptiness that war brings, and how it separates a human being from other
human beings? It isolates and cuts them off from their families, friends, and
loved ones. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This is what I grieve today. I grieve for those who think
and feel as though no one understands or comprehends the significance of the
sacrifice they made. I grieve for their families, because they are victims just
as much as these people who have gone to war. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>Lord Jesus, today I pray for all who have served in war. I
pray that you would fill them with your peace. With your love; with your
goodness. I pray that you will come in and heal the broken places in their
hearts and minds, and give them strength to believe that there is more than war
in the world. Help them know there is love, peace, patience, goodness, and
kindness to give the world. I pray these spiritual gifts fill them and give
them completeness and wholeness in the midst of their suffering. Most of all, I
pray they know you. That they know you are present in their suffering, and that
you will comfort them no matter what they have done. Holy Spirit you are
welcome here… Jesus you have paid the price so that we do not have to… Father
you have created space for us in your heart so that we may be complete. Thank
you. Show us all the way. Amen. </i><o:p></o:p></div>
Valerie Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058760416949225767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459214598379812529.post-53015864801746062232015-05-21T14:17:00.002-07:002015-05-21T14:17:13.704-07:00Getting to know the heart of God<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has been a while since my last blog post… life has
changed a bit since then. I wanted to share with you everything that has
happened in our lives over the last two years, but I could not find the words.
I sat down to type them just as I am doing now, and nothing would happen. I
would stare blankly at the screen, my heart and mind incapable of typing the
words needed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am not going to rehash it all… friends of mine know the
story. I began reading A.W. Tozer’s “In Pursuit of God” last night. It has been
sitting on my Kindle for a long time now. The title and author kept pulling me
in, but I kept ignoring that voice. I kept telling myself I would find time
later to read it, but I did not. Until yesterday. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All I have completed thus far is the first chapter, but there
are a lot of Christians today with all of the answers, without knowing any of
the questions. This hits home with me since my graduation from NNU last
weekend. As a Christian Ministry student, I had many professors and fellow
students asking me what I was going to do; asking me if I am in a church,
leading a ministry, or working in ministry in some way. I have not been in
active ministry over the last year. The closer I got to graduation, the less
interested people had in me actually being a part of ministry. I am not sure
why this is the case, but it is the truth for me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It seems as though everyone expects me to have all the
answers, when in truth the more I learned during my college experience, the
more questions I had. I became acutely aware of how little I personally know
God, rather than knowing all the “right things” about Him. Tozer states it this
way, “How tragic that we in this dark day have had our seeking done for us by
our teachers. Everything is made to center upon the initial act of “accepting”
Christ (a term, incidentally, which is not found in the Bible) and we are not
expected thereafter to crave any further revelation of God to our souls. We
have been snared in the coils of spurious logic which insists that if we have
found Him we need no more seek Him.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When did I start to think I knew all the answers? When did I
begin believing that once I “accepted Jesus” the search ended, the mystery
left, and the journey was done? How many Christian’s spiritual lives wither and
die at this “acceptance,” because their seeds have been planted, yet no one
continues to water? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How many Christians think (myself included) that because we
have the Bible, there is no more to learn from God? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When did I lose my desire to know and be known by God? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over the last year I begged God to step in and fix all the
problems, help me move on to a new life, and get my family back to where we
began. But we cannot turn back. We can only move forward. I need to stop asking
God to move in my life, and begin asking Him to let me know Him more. Instead
of seeking more <i>from </i>Him, I need to
begin seeking His heart, His mind, and His love to fulfill the places that have
been hollowed out in my heart. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
Valerie Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058760416949225767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459214598379812529.post-56250248771083316912014-01-13T08:38:00.002-08:002014-01-13T08:38:54.542-08:00Affirming the Stories of Life<div class="MsoNormal">
Hi Friends! It has been a while on the blogosphere for me.
Since I last posted, I finished my first semester at Northwest Nazarene
University and moved to Zillah, Washington. It has been a busy couple of
months, that’s for sure! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What has brought me to the blog today is a trend that I keep
seeing on Facebook and on the internet in general. I am sure this is not a new
thing, but it seems as though it is more popular lately than I have noticed
before. I see so many new mommies posting all these articles about “The Right
Way to Give Birth,” “What Brand New, Super Hip Items You Need In Your Nursery,”
and other such nonsense that seems to proliferate the web. I know you believe
in these things, because they worked for you. They were a part of your story
and that is fantastic! We appreciate you sharing your stories. What we don’t
appreciate is the implied notion that you have it right and everyone else has
it wrong. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The truth is whatever way any of us gave birth is the right
way to give birth. There is not a “wrong way” to have a baby, as long as it
results in a baby. New moms and dads have never experienced giving birth
before, or life with a newborn, and all the various posts on how to do it all
seem to contradict one another. They all give various perspectives and
viewpoints that are unique to you and they are very interesting and fun to
read. I like them a lot! But, they have the adverse effect of making people
believe that something is wrong with their perspective or experience, and that
is not okay. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Most of this is in our heads, I am sure. We like to compare
ourselves to others while thinking that somehow we are less than them because
our experiences were not the same. Personally, I loved the epidural! It helped
me cope with the pain and gave me some time to rest. My children have yet to
have any adverse effects from it (they are 9, 7, 4 and 2) and it was just a
good thing. But I have a good friend who did not feel complete without a
natural birth. And that is okay too. Her heart, perspectives, experiences, and
feelings were involved in that decision and that is good! I have another friend
who had a C-section because her son was not moving in the womb, then spent
weeks with him in the NICU. He is now a healthy boy and his mama is very happy
with her experience! See??? All three experiences are just as valid, good and
amazing because they resulted in children who are wanted, loved, and enjoyed in
this world. That is the point I am trying to make. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As someone with a nine year old, there were decisions I made
and products I used that I thought were safe. I read all the research and did
everything I could to maintain a safe and healthy environment for him. All
parents want to do this! Yet, all that work won’t mean a thing in a few years
when half those products have harmed or killed other children. Accidents happen
and decisions are made that lead to hurtful things. We cannot protect our
children from life! Life itself is fraught with good and bad, accidents,
heartaches, happiness and joy. It is part of how we learn, grow, and become
better human beings. All the new stuff that we think is super important to the
well-being of our children today will be completely outdated in 3 to 5 years! <o:p></o:p></div>
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When we look at our lives ten years from now, we won’t think
about or remember half the decisions that new parents think are incredibly
important today. Stop stressing about all those things and enjoy your
pregnancy/new baby/toddler! When it comes to parenting, the best thing you can
do is seek the fruits of the Spirit while continually asking the Lord’s grace
to transform you into the heart and mind of Jesus Christ. Model godliness
first, the rest is just icing on the cake. Stop second guessing yourself and
others and learn to affirm the choices and experiences of others in positive
ways. Accept, love, and embrace one another while sharing our stories and
experiences in ways that uplift others. <o:p></o:p></div>
Valerie Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058760416949225767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459214598379812529.post-87814778162544245362013-12-19T16:30:00.002-08:002013-12-19T16:30:53.760-08:00Merry Christmas from the White's!!! <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">Before the last two years, I
was able to send out Christmas cards or letters wishing all of our family a
Merry Christmas. The last two years, we have been in the process of moving
during the Christmas season, so the cards were never sent. I just do not have
it in me to add one more thing to my to-do list, and for this I must apologize.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">In December of 2012 we moved
to Hermiston, OR with the hopes that Kyle could get healthier, and that God
would give us a new work in ministry through the church here. Both of those
things happened, just not the way we thought they would. Through various
circumstances in the church, Kyle and I were left wondering where God was
taking us. Our lead pastor retired, the church brought in an amazing interim
pastor, then the church would look at a full time pastor for the long term. We
kept asking God if He wanted us to stay here and help the church through this
difficult time, and that is when Zillah Church of the Nazarene called to meet
with us about a ministry position in their church. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">Through lots of prayer and
seeking, we decided to accept the position in Zillah, WA. It was a very
difficult decision to make, but since making it we have seen how God went before
us in all of it. We do not regret our time spent in Hermiston, since Kyle was
able to begin managing his asthma and has lost a total of 62 pounds since we
began the Atkins diet last February. I have also lost a total of 40 pounds, and
we both feel fantastic! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">Gracen is nine years old and
loves math, science, reading and writing. He has had a bit of a rough year at
the school here, with many adjustments that needed to be made. He could really
use prayer for the move to Zillah, but we are looking forward to a much smaller
school district. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">Payton is seven years old and
loves PE class and reading. He is just a funny, silly, absent minded boy who
loves to run and play. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">Braden is four years old and
began preschool at the beginning of this year at the Lutheran school a block
away. His teachers say he is very easy going and easy to have in class. He
loves to play with Legos, and copy Gracen in everything (he has a bit of
hero-worship going with Gracen). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">Kamden is two years old and
is just a sweet, lovable, cuddly little boy. His favorite things include Mickey
Mouse Clubhouse, playing with a football that Pastor Terry gave him, and
annoying his brothers. Really just typical two year old stuff. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">I went to Arequipa, Peru this
summer with Love to the Extreme, where I witnessed over 500 people come to
Christ. The church in Arequipa now has a permanent building, a new full time
pastor, and the Extreme program is now moving to Quito, Equador where God is going
to do even more amazing things! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">Kyle spent his summer at teen
camps and youth events, which is normal for him. We were able to squeeze in
Nana (Sharon White’s) visit and a two week vacation to the Oregon coast thanks
to amazing people in the church who let us stay in their beach house for free.
No matter where we go, no matter what we do in ministry, God goes before us and
shows us the way we need to go. For this we are thankful! We hope you all have
a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! </span><o:p></o:p></div>
Valerie Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058760416949225767noreply@blogger.com0