tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20282653738357885432024-03-05T10:35:54.362-08:00Burden Bearers & World ShakersIntercession - what is it? Discussion and details on living a life of Intercession.Altered Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931592930634271925noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028265373835788543.post-27137239907897593392014-09-10T16:21:00.001-07:002014-09-10T16:32:38.036-07:00The I's Have It! The past two weeks have shaken many people as they watch <br />
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and the sword of hatred slashing hearts and homes to shreds<br />
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<span id="goog_1195334851"></span><span id="goog_1195334852"></span> while despondency knocks at our nation's door with his friend fear at his side.<br />
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They have been difficult weeks for me. I am sensitive not only to world events and tragedies, but to the spirit realm. As an intercessor, this sensitivity is part of the package.<br />
I have a friend in <span style="font-size: large;"><b>I</b></span>srael who has two daughters in the military. Her relatives were part of the Holocaust and are no strangers to hardship. While I am amazed by her, I am concerned for Israel and her family. There's one "I". <br />
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Palest<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I</b></span>ne is also home to some innocents. Not everyone there agrees with the rebels. Another "I".<br />
By now, hopefully nearly everyone has heard of Pastor Saeed Abedini; a pastor being held hostage in <span style="font-size: large;"><b>I</b></span>ran, with many serious health issues due to treatment in captivity in Iraq. Third "I".<br />
Also widely published are the horrific and downright evil acts of ISIS in Iraq. Another "I".<br />
The last "I" is about a friend of mine is going through a great trial related to her heart for <span style="font-size: large;"><b>I</b></span>ndia. I share that heart, but only share the burden in prayer.<br />
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<h4>
THIS is what today's post is about...</h4>
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<b>Bearing a burden of intercession correctly.</b></h3>
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As Kingdom Pray-ers, we must be aware of what our equipping is, and how it works. We see the effects of the enemy's approach and encroachment manifesting
in questions, doubts which can lead to fear if allowed. When we are given a burden to pray by the Lord, it will not crush us, and rarely are we the only person receiving that burden. It is not upon us alone to see it through. Know that if you are offered a burden then the Lord trusts <i>that you WILL</i> see it through. In past days that was called "praying through".<br />
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So, what is it like to have a burden of intercession? Here are some of the identifiers of a God-given prayer assignment or "burden of intercession":<br />
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<li> Often you will feel a much greater empathy ( feeling what someone else feels) than normal. </li>
<li> A sense of danger or a sense of dread can come to you. </li>
<li> You might feel like you are depressed, but no logical or practical reason exists.</li>
<li>You might see someone's face appear before you, or hear their name repeatedly over a period of time. God is trying to get your attention. </li>
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You may not understand what it is at first.<br />
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<li> If feelings of sadness, heaviness or anxiety come, the first response needs to be asking the Lord if He is calling you to pray! Don't give in to the feeling and say to yourself "I guess I just don't feel well today". ASK! </li>
<li> He may give you an image in your mind's eye, speak a person's name to you, or even bring a place/situation to mind. If it doesn't come immediately then pray in your spirit and continue to ask. </li>
<li>Once you have "downloaded" your information , then ask Him if He has a specific word for you to pray, and pray it until that "feeling" goes away. It will feel like a weight has lifted off of you.</li>
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Burdens or assignments of intercession can last for a few minutes, hours, days and even weeks. How will you function if you have an assignment that lasts for days? You MUST know that you do NOT "internalize" the emotions that come with it. You do NOT take it into your heart or try to carry it like Atlas!<br />
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You simply ask if this is a matter that the Lord wants to involve you in; pray until He shows you that your part is accomplished. This may result in manifested victory right away, or it may be that your assignment was a part of a longer process. Either way, NEVER let the assignment drain you, weigh you down or stress you out!!! Remember that Jesus said "My yoke is easy and My burden is light."<br />
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<b><span style="color: #990000;"> ONLY ACCEPT ASSIGNMENTS THAT <i>"HAVE YOUR NAME"</i> ON THEM. NEVER <i>assume</i> a burden!</span></b><br />
Being an intercessor means you share; share hope, joy, love, encouragement, prayers with someone else. You may do this face to face, at a distance, or you may do this for someone you never meet in this lifetime. But the reward is great and the journey is fascinating!<br />
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Remember all those "I"s? Guess what? The exact phrase is really<br />
"The AYES have it". My google-d definition search landed this:<br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><b> "If <i>the ayes have it,</i> those who voted in favour of something have won." </b></span><br />
God has all my "I's" before Him. If God be for us, who can be against us?<br />
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IF YOU prayed in response to a God-given assignment in accordance with His direction, <b> </b><br />
<b>He</b> brings favor and<b> the battle is WON!!!!</b><br />
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<br />Altered Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931592930634271925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028265373835788543.post-89371798156064150552014-01-09T12:56:00.001-08:002014-01-09T13:06:14.566-08:00Different Ways in the Same Direction; No heads for sale, please!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Now to Him who is able to do <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">exceedingly abundantly </span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">above all that we ask or think, </span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">according to the power that works in us.</span></b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">"</span></span> Ephesians 3:23</span> </div>
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I've heard it often the God is " the God of second chances".</div>
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But that just isn't true. If it were, I would not be here! </div>
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Because after 40 years of walking with Him, I know I need MORE than 2 chances! </div>
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Some things come easily to me, like a monkey takes to a banana.</div>
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Others are more like a banana peel that leave me<br />
slipping, tripping and sliding on the path to my inevitable PLOP! onto my backside,<br />
complete with feet flailing in the air!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sigh.</b></span></div>
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I <i>really try</i> to interpret His direction clearly and then act upon it accurately with great precision.<br />
(sniff-sniff! I smell pride here!) </div>
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Problem is that I am <i>not always speaking the same language that He is</i>.</div>
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As a High School Spanish teacher, I can testify to the mess that makes in communication. </div>
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A Spanish Language student once confused the word<i> basket </i>( canasta) with <i>head</i> ( cabeza). </div>
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When relating the story for conversation class, she ended up saying there were</div>
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"heads hanging on a clothesline that were for sale! "<br />
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It seems that as believers we can often hear God's direction, and run the opposite way.<br />
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But the Holy Spirit's feathers don't get ruffled when that happens. </div>
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He knows that we might take a different way to get to where He wants us to end up! </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Trip, fall, fail, or flail, He is the God of 50, 60, and even 140 chances! </b></span></div>
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We have a natural tendency to remember what we need to forget,</div>
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and to forget the very things that are important to keep in our memory vault.</div>
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We tend to see things incremently- in sequences. We analyze every step taken.</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> HE sees the scope AND the sequence and tells us to keep listening,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> keep getting back up and keep coming forward! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Now, I don't count how many major or life altering decisions I make daily, but if we forgive others 70x7, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I will let God do the Math and rest that I am forgiven at least that many times daily. We need</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">to let go of mistakes, failures and stubbornness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Keep the lessons learned on those meandering paths, but let the rest be deleted from the memory vault. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">He will not string up my head for bad judgement, rebellion or even strife. He might put up </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">a barrier to forward movement to get our attention, but no shrunken heads are found</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">on the path to Heaven!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> I should know. I am the student referred to in the above mentioned Spanish Conversation class that took </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">place at King's Way Missionary Institute! </span></div>
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There is nothing too awful, too silly, too erroneous that we can do to weaken God's work in us. </div>
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It abides despite our weakness. In spite of our pride. Beside our longing. </div>
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Come forward! Stop counting the steps and lift your head up.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> The view might very well be</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> downright amazing!</span></span></div>
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Altered Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931592930634271925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028265373835788543.post-88703369301680674872013-12-31T16:53:00.003-08:002015-05-22T15:10:00.440-07:00Press!<h5 class="_6nl" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}">
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It
has been a good while since I rec'd anything substantial to share
during our Sun.Am prayer. This morning I kept hearing "Press", and then
saw a riot policeman's acrylic shield.<br />
I understood what was meant by
"press"; it comes from the old pentecostal term of "pressing in"-<br />
<i> ""The
law and the prophets were until John; since that time the kingdom of God
is preached, and every man presseth into it." [Luke 16:16]</i><br />
<br />
Pressing in denotes earnestness and firmness of resolution; an
engaged-ness. It is not a passive act, nor is it about all our might or
strength or ability! It is about "pressing in" to HIS ability, HIS
strength and NOT moving from there. Think of the riot police: they are
armed. They have shields, and body armor, just like we do. They are
trained to use their weapons only when necessary. They are sent to
occupy a territory, maintain peace and enforce the law of the land-
together, as a unit.<br />
Too often, a believer jumps headlong into a
fight. We don't discern what is truly needed, and we pray, speak, based
upon our own understanding. Binding, loosing, declaring are for
specific times. Done out of turn, they can actually lead us into the
flesh - the enemy's territory- which is exactly what he likes. We come
away from it thinking we did what was "right", and then later are
perplexed when we have to do it again and again- and this drains our
energy and sometimes even hope! <br />
The Father, on the other hand,
offers us wisdom, discernment, and His word to train us for each prayer
need and life situation. The problem comes in when we allow a weakness
to lead us out of discernment and wisdom and into fleshly thoughts. For
example, "Melissa" battled a particular health issue for 4 years. She
grew in her understanding of the Word regarding health, and her faith
increased. She was healed. Now she has no "issue" with healing and can
also encourage others. But the nagging self talk about her past trips
her up many a day. When she is in a battle, she often responds to the
enemy playing that "tape" in her head and becomes discouraged---and her
shield drops. BAM! She is hit! Now she has to take time to recover,
those around her are distracted, and have to regroup. We were never
meant to fixate upon the activity of the enemy. <br />
What the Lord
is saying now is that we as intercessors **need to press in to Him and
get those doubts and insecurities resolved. ** .This will involve
transparency- trusting someone with our need so that they may stand in
the gap - "close ranks": to join with someone in a cause, or agreement.
{Remember Pastor Tony shared this morning that it doesn't all depend
upon ourselves, we need each other} Ask the Lord who one intercessor is
that you can trust and pray with over the next quarter of the new
year. Get with them for a brief time of sharing if they agree. ♥This
should be men with men and ladies with ladies.<br />
<br />
It may be that you share with and stand with the same person, or it
may be different people. **Listen carefully for His guidance in this.** <br />
We need to lean
upon HIS abilities, plant our feet firmly in the Word and set our
hearts upon HIM. We must be perpetually listening for His directives,
and NOT reacting to the enemy's threats, peltings and presence. YES, you
will sometimes feel his presence too. And his arrows. But if your
shield is up, you can STAND. Not because "your faith is strong", but
because you know how to lean, to rest IN HIM ! <br />
<h4>
Now, imagine if
we as intercessors all were standing, armed, feet planted, shoulder to
shoulder, and listening to the slightest whisper of our Lord. Fewer
casualties would result from this maturity and unity. We could all move
together, be a united shield for the Body, and see our prayers manifest
because we are allowing the Lord to pray through us, instead of praying
to Him. True intercession involves all of these, in various levels at
various times. Needless casualities would diminish!</h4>
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<h4>
</h4>
<h3>
Press in! </h3>
Allow difficulties, weaknesses to draw you
nearer to Him and see His anointing take effect. Like an olive in the
olive press, the good stuff will come forth! Press in and allow His
likeness to be imprinted upon you because you have spent life close to
Him! Know that you know in your "knower" that you are a son of God and
begin to live like it with a kingly bearing.<br />
Then come together
expecting to see our prayer time mature and shift with His hand
manifesting this year privately and corporately!</div>
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Altered Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931592930634271925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028265373835788543.post-71138869877272561602013-12-09T12:08:00.005-08:002013-12-09T12:30:56.407-08:00Prescription for Weariness and Discouragement<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="illustration"> In our valiant attempts to "be strong in the Lord" and to "stand firm" we often experience muscle fatigue. This is because we revert to our own understanding, both of our situation and the Scriptures. We come</span><br />
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<span class="illustration">right up to the line of victory and dig our heels in and announce "I'm <b>NOT</b> moving!" We flex the muscle of our mind- displaying our vast knowledge of the Word and His promises.</span><br />
<span class="illustration"> We mentally dig in our "spiritual heels". </span></div>
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From firmly placing one’s heels in the ground, particularly in <i class="Latn mention" lang="en"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" title="tug of war">tug of war</a></i> (pulling) or when bracing oneself (pushing). Compare <i class="Latn mention" lang="en">drag one's feet</i> (<span class="mention-gloss-double-quote">“</span><span class="mention-gloss">act slowly, from lack of enthusiasm or to delay</span><span class="mention-gloss-double-quote">”</span>).<br />
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<i>Fig.</i> to refuse to alter one's course of action or opinions; to be obstinate or determined.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4RBfG0GPUw9-AMoyVb4wKeZw0buW_BvYsNGVWA9F8jSavmAVqGFYy3YJBHdFFCrMegtIqW09wmM7QXpv5uo1U8sw5fsk7qLHz8qscdvA9AimN_BXMrxoLwGdY4UBG2fKm7oZGyRL4Qqq/s1600/tug-of-war.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4RBfG0GPUw9-AMoyVb4wKeZw0buW_BvYsNGVWA9F8jSavmAVqGFYy3YJBHdFFCrMegtIqW09wmM7QXpv5uo1U8sw5fsk7qLHz8qscdvA9AimN_BXMrxoLwGdY4UBG2fKm7oZGyRL4Qqq/s1600/tug-of-war.jpg" /></a></div>
<span class="illustration"><i>-</i></span>" <span class="illustration">I'm digging in my heels. I'm not going back, not budging from here."</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="illustration"> And we begin to to frazzle,</span><span class="illustration"><span class="illustration"> fray,</span>& hang on by a thread to our sincere but misled convictions that</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="illustration">we are "fighting the good fight of faith"! </span></div>
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<br />
<span class="illustration"> We cannot win a
battle by our own strength. {I heard you say " Yes, I know that."} But
does your mind know that? Most believers know of the <i>salvation</i> of the cross through Jesus and have accepted this in their hearts.</span><br />
<span class="illustration">But we fall into the battle between our hearts and minds.</span><br />
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<span class="illustration"> This causes internal stress, and damaging soul-wear instead of healthy, prosperous soul care!</span><br />
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<span class="illustration"> We have not yet accepted <b>the fullness of His redemptive and deliverance work. </b></span></div>
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<span class="illustration"><b>Our hearts/spirits witness to His love and acceptance, </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="illustration"><b>but our mind's muscle still wants to pump iron;</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="illustration"><b> we get worn out trying to lift those spiritual weights!</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="illustration">We
even make "spiritual" declarations and decrees about our firm resolve,
only to find that a few hours, days or weeks later, we are so worn out
that we feel we need to "pull" on others to help us</span><br />
<span class="illustration"> "remain firm in the faith". </span><br />
<span class="illustration">Psalm 46:10 says <b>"Be still and know</b> that I am God."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span class="illustration">The Hebrew for the word still means: </span><br /> to sink, relax, sink down, let drop, </span> <span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">1a3) to sink, relax, abate <br /> 1a4) to relax, withdraw <br /> 1b) (Niphal) idle <br /> 1c) (Piel) to let drop </span> <br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="illustration">What we really need is to </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="illustration">relax our grip, </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="illustration">let go of the k"not" in the rope</span></span></span><br />
<span class="illustration"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> and <i>be pulled on over into</i> the Rest of The Lord! </span></span></span><br />
<span class="illustration">We are not "qualified" by ANY of our works or even our great show of faith!</span><br />
<span class="illustration">Jesus
did the interview, He got the "call back" and signed the contract in
His own blood. The seal of the Holy Spirit was placed upon that
contract. And we are the <b><br /></b></span><br />
<div class="vk_ans" style="margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">ben·e·fi·ci·ar·ies</span></span></div>
<div class="xpdxpnd vk_gy" data-mh="-1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">noun: <b>beneficiary</b>; plural noun: <b>beneficiaries</b></span></span></div>
<div style="display: inline; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b> 1</b>.a person who derives advantage from something,</span></span></div>
<div style="display: inline;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> esp. a trust, will, or life insurance policy.</span></span></div>
<span class="illustration" style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b></span><br />
<span class="illustration"><b>HE does the work. We receive the paycheck! </b></span></div>
Yes, there remains a Sabbath for the people of God, a greater "rest"
from attempting to please God based on our own merits. We do not labor
to find favor with God through <i>acts</i>
of our own personal merit or faith, but rather <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u>we trust in the acceptance and
love of God given to us in Jesus.</u></span><br />
We ask the Holy Spirit for help in discerning the truth on a personal,
moment-by-moment basis. We trust in God's guidance and help as He
promised in the terms of the New Covenant. Freedom doesn't mean we're
"free to do whatever we want," but rather we're "free to love God
without fear..."<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>We have to let go of the knot of fear in the rope and trust</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b> - in His goodness, </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>-sovereignty</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b> - and wisdom </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b> -and awareness of our</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b> life situation!</b></span></div>
*There is a deeper sense of <i>rest</i> that God promised those who are <i>trusting</i> in Him <a href="http://bible.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/bible?&version=ESV&passage=Heb.4:9" target="_blank">Heb.4:9</a>). This rest comes from trusting in the<span style="color: #cc0000;"> finished work of Christ</span> as our righteousness before the Father. The statement that "there is <i>a rest</i> for the people of God" (<a href="http://bible.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/bible?&version=ESV&passage=Heb.%204:9-10" target="_blank">Heb. 4:9-10</a>)
does not refer to ritualistic "Sabbath-keeping," however, since the
context clearly states that "whoever has entered God's rest has also
rested from his works as God did from His." This is a "tetelestai"
revelation --the Greek word meaning:<br />
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You enter into rest the moment when you apprehend<br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">{APPREHEND', v.t. <i>L. apprehendo, of ad and prehendo, to take or seize.</i></span><span style="color: #073763;"></span><span style="color: #073763;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #073763;">1.
To take or seize; to take hold of. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #073763;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 20px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #073763;">2.
To take with the understanding, that is, to conceive in the mine;</span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 20px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #073763;"> to
understand, <u>without passing a judgment</u>, or making an inference.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #073763;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 20px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #073763;">3.
To think; to believe or be of opinion, but without positive certainty} </span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 20px;">
<br /></div>
that God has fulfilled the Law's demand on your behalf through the beautiful gift of Jesus' life and
sacrifice. Accepting the "death benefits" of the Messiah makes you an heir to the Kingdom of Heaven (<a href="http://bible.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/bible?&version=ESV&passage=Gal.%204:4-7" target="_blank">Gal. 4:4-7</a>). You embrace Sonship.<br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text Heb-4-8-Heb-4-11" id="en-MSG-12705"><sup> </sup><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> And
so this is still a live promise.</span></b> It wasn’t canceled at the time of
Joshua; otherwise, God wouldn’t keep renewing the appointment for
“today.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text Heb-4-8-Heb-4-11" id="en-MSG-12705"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>The promise of “arrival” and<span style="font-size: large;"> “rest” is still there </span>for God’s
people.<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text Heb-4-8-Heb-4-11" id="en-MSG-12705"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> God himself is at rest.</span></b></span></span></span></div>
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Paradoxically we "labor" to enter
into this rest by exercising genuine <i>faith</i> in God's salvation in His Son . As Yeshua taught, "This is the work of God, <u>that you believe</u> in the One whom the Father has sent"<br />
(<a href="http://bible.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/bible?&version=ESV&passage=John%206:28-29" target="_blank">John 6:28-29</a>) - BELIEVE that HE has completed it, that the answer to your question is already available and our good heavenly Father is at work.<br />
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Ahhhhh- so <i>THIS</i> is the Rest of the Lord! </div>
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credit for some *quotes to http://www.hebrew4christians.comAltered Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931592930634271925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028265373835788543.post-21545090304180892982013-09-09T14:27:00.001-07:002013-09-09T14:52:35.648-07:00 River Dance Chapter One<div style="text-align: center;">
This post is different. My husband is the storyteller in our family. We found out three years ago that he probably was created for that, and were we living in a Cherokee village he would be fulfilling that destiny given through his birth family.</div>
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Nevertheless, I am here writing today. And I have a story to tell. It will probably be more like chapters, as there is much to share. Here is "Chapter One" of River Dance...</div>
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A young couple who had met at Bible College in the Appalachian mountains stepped out into the stream of marriage and shortly thereafter followed a call into ministry. Ordination followed and soon they sat in the living room of their mentor minister's home. Internship was exciting and difficult. Growling stomachs and saving pennies for gas to travel each weekend were part of the preparation. We saw first hand the poverty and despair that comes from living in a land without The River.</div>
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Two "churches" situated opposite each other who were once one congregation; the placement of the coal pile being the reason for the split.</div>
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Children sexually abused and neglected, swarming with lice and fear in a dry and weary land were a weekly experience.</div>
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Being young in years and full of zeal, the call to a full time pastorate in the Allegheny mountains was welcomed. Lush and breathtaking views greeted the couple every morning in this historic, artistic quaint mountain town. A few warm-hearted people contrasted the chilly winters and bone cold growth level of the congregation. They were frozen in The River, damming its flow altogether. </div>
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After leading the group of people as far as they cared to go ( which wasn't far- the Church's Historian's records showed no change in 10 years in attendance, missions nor financial incrementation) the two - who - were- now-three packed up and entered into The City of the Fountain.</div>
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There they received an education of both sides of the spectrum; the glorious possibility of the presence of God and darkness' eerie attempts to prevail. Previous minister had a son who fancied having a coffin in the garage and an ouija board in his bedroom. He eventually killed his own child. Many times a strange presence was felt in the parsonage. Discord seemed to come instantly between The Two. The Jewel placed a book in the woman's hands that was entitled This Present Darkness. Eyes began to open and deeper understanding poured out upon The Two. </div>
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A teaching regarding the Holy Spirit made them angry at first. Determined to prove the error, months were spent scouring The Book of the River in efforts to document the findings. </div>
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Document them they did, and also found the truth. </div>
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This truth led The Two to challenge The Lord of The River.</div>
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"If this is true, and if this is real, and I somehow have missed it all this time, please show me. Baptize me, Fill me with Your Holy Spirit for I do not want any other."</div>
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The challenge did not go unnoticed nor unanswered. Light burst forth and understanding fell upon them both, individually, separately and alone. No man nor flesh did this. God and God alone. The Two had been introduced to The River. They needed a trail guide. The Lord of The River promptly provided that
guide. She was a Jewel amongst the congregation, shining brightly
amongst diamonds in the rough who led them to others who knew of The
River.</div>
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One of the first things The River does is to cleanse. Questions that had plagued them for a long time were suddenly answered and a fresh softening of their hearts began to restore any damage caused by the resident evil.</div>
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Another testing of the teaching took place. Despite not knowing of The Gifts found in The Book of The River, The Two still sensed something not right in the house. After hearing about a person who had resolved a similar issue, they decided to apply it to the house. Praying through each room, and anointing each door and window with oil, the house became electrified. An overpowering odor emanated from the upstairs. A bedroom door opened on its own. The door to the upper level also opened on its own accord, with the sounds of footsteps heard following it. Upon praying through a room and anointing it, a peace was felt until the next room was entered. The peace was restored through the prayer, praise and anointing. Between the chimney for the fireplace downstairs and the wall they found the source of the smell. Praying through they removed the ouija board that had been tucked into the space. Taking it outside and burning it, a deep, thick black smoke rose into the sky. The house cleansed, The Two were now free to live there in peace and the search for the river resumed.</div>
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Once you have tasted of this water, you are never satisfied with the beverage of religion. There is too much life, joy, peace that splashes over your thirsty soul to turn back. The Two found themselves searching after the river, hiking trails, looking for signs that would lead them to its banks. It's melodious, rhythmic rapids called out to them and stirred something deep within that they did not recognize. </div>
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The Landlubbers were none to happy to see the young minister and his wife tasting a different brew. Their palates were too accustomed to the fermented flavor of old wine; their skins had grown hard and resisted expansion of any sort. It wasn't long before their left feet began to get restless. The River was calling and several others heard the sound. They too wanted more. After several months of banter back and forth about The River, the right hands of the leaders pulled away from The Two and the elected leadership inserted their left feet where the sun doesn't shine, sending The Two hurtling out to the curb. It was a painful time of great shock, disillusionment and a test of the call. As they wandered and wondered why the Lord of The River <i>seemed</i> to have abandoned them, they did not know they had actually embarked upon the path that would lead them straight into the rushing current itself.</div>
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The Jewel had invited them to a service nearby. Reluctantly they agreed to go. For the woman, the thought of entering one of "those" churches was intimidating. The many stories of bizarre activities caused her to tremble as they walked in the door. But no pews were rocking, no one was jumping around and each of the 3 chandeliers seemed to be just fine in their proper places, hanging still. They were definitely not prepared for what they heard and saw next!</div>
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Altered Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931592930634271925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028265373835788543.post-66853947930654360692013-08-31T07:41:00.000-07:002013-08-31T07:41:09.793-07:00Prayer ART 101 Lesson 1 <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I have been sketching, drawing, painting my entire life- at least as soon as crayons or other media was introduced to me. I am intrigued by faces. I love to draw people's faces, to study the collection of curves, contour, and lines that create that one of a kind visage. And I feel confident in my ability to capture a person's likeness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <b> But if you ask me to draw a straight line, a star, I have great difficulty!</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And don't even think about requesting a circle! Noooo sirrreeeeeee! </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">At least not on canvas or in my sketchbook. But I do make them in my Bible. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">{GASP!} </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> YES, I WRITE IN MY BIBLE, don't you?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> If you don't out of a God-given conviction then I step aside. But if it is because you heard someone say you shouldn't, then I challenge you to get your pen/highlighter, crayon- whatever is available and begin! My Bible has promises highlighted in green, references to the character of Christ in purple, Praise in Yellow, and warnings in - <i>well, I wanted to use red, but it is too dark,</i> so, pink. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Arrows, exclamation points, question marks, dates and personal notes of revelation fill the margins. This has been a HUGE source of reflection and encouragement to me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Often I am reading and a verse or passage seems to "lift off the page". I call that the Holy Spirit's highlighter, ha! It is God's way of getting our attention, usually for strengthening, but sometimes as warnings. When that happens, a new note and date are entered onto that page. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> The Bible is alive, you know. It isn't a book by dead authors. The same
lessons, truth, trials and victories they had, we have. The only thing
that separates us is the date on the calendar. The truth breathes right into us, upon us when we read it. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">That is why it is so
applicable! So <i>my</i> Bible is a journal <i>about my journey </i>through it! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Circles have been talked about alot lately in Kingdom discussions, largely due to the author <b>Mark Batterson</b> and his work <b>The Circle Maker.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> {***Good book for sure! Strongly recommend you reading it!} </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> It really uses the circle as an analogy or visual for persistence in prayer. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> You may have heard the term "standing in faith"?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> The author exhorts us to find God's quickened promise to us and "circle it" with prayer. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I have many such circles drawn around passages in my Bible<u><i><b> and in my heart.</b></i></u> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">What about you? </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj667gbEpGSEQa5TRjk6bu7vAS__NL2A43xyO6rq1s8OPqiVueAwLxRF8jU_p5IbKfNv-mj92rIwTQgN_JsHg4OBp5rXYsXXN54zq2J3SOjTjNVwvq3mFckzdoU_O4MSdNiv1dPp-ZpaFiF/s1600/marking.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj667gbEpGSEQa5TRjk6bu7vAS__NL2A43xyO6rq1s8OPqiVueAwLxRF8jU_p5IbKfNv-mj92rIwTQgN_JsHg4OBp5rXYsXXN54zq2J3SOjTjNVwvq3mFckzdoU_O4MSdNiv1dPp-ZpaFiF/s320/marking.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> A step in that direction is to note, underline, circle, square, highlight those promises right there on the page. It is ok if it isn't the neatest, most eye catching piece of art you create.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> As long as it is a work of HEart! </span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I leave you with one more image and a quote from The Circle Maker:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglE2eLk-szxG6b_8E8zqMkTn5hybZRpx9AjtoebdBxXb1Vp2-Num9Vt_zYmbUfqsxHQuVVvW4MT7kmArqR_VXy8K5c1syPXsu8dwrejdXlVvRYa_pAwp166KeqPTV97L6ZjVW4u9CbW8hu/s1600/Dad's+Bible.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglE2eLk-szxG6b_8E8zqMkTn5hybZRpx9AjtoebdBxXb1Vp2-Num9Vt_zYmbUfqsxHQuVVvW4MT7kmArqR_VXy8K5c1syPXsu8dwrejdXlVvRYa_pAwp166KeqPTV97L6ZjVW4u9CbW8hu/s640/Dad's+Bible.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> { My Dad's own Bible - <i>if HE does it </i>then<i> it HAS to be</i> a good thing! lol! }</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"The promises of God are like the tree island in the middle of the lake.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They are the difference between sinking and swimming</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because they give you a place to stand.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And when He keeps His promises, you won't just stand on water;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you will waltz into the Promised Land through waters God has parted." </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I am extending my staff of faith</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">for the parting<u> and imminent completion </u>of crossing over and planting my feet on that land I have seen by the Spirit for so long a time, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">circling all the way. I hope you will join me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As to the reference of the island, well, you just have to read the book! </span></div>
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<a href="http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss35/artfulpioneer/My%20smileys/disappearing-smilie.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss35/artfulpioneer/My%20smileys/disappearing-smilie.gif" /></a></div>
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<br />Altered Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931592930634271925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028265373835788543.post-1169249494318432362013-08-26T20:13:00.002-07:002013-12-09T09:00:09.119-08:00"Prayer Opps"<div style="text-align: center;">
Amidst cerulean blue sky dusted with translucent feathery clouds,<br />
the sunlight graced the tops of trees and danced upon the nearly still lake. </div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTtJdFAExxhO_f5UljIsJvm25cdFXyaLPcTzdJNQ8cjDyPc_OqztdRLSxsiJNGIbw7keAcau8QY9_cWvZ6fNEVHkXJ4KAR9fBNd5_0HXDkx8jNLldDQHut0uU_mSARpShe4FA5jny8pOn/s1600/6773310260_8d0d00327b_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTtJdFAExxhO_f5UljIsJvm25cdFXyaLPcTzdJNQ8cjDyPc_OqztdRLSxsiJNGIbw7keAcau8QY9_cWvZ6fNEVHkXJ4KAR9fBNd5_0HXDkx8jNLldDQHut0uU_mSARpShe4FA5jny8pOn/s640/6773310260_8d0d00327b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The crickets sang softly. Serenity.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Almost. "errrrrrrip" {insert needle scratch on turntable}</div>
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<embed allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="250" src="http://www.4shared.com/embed/1669365590/cf947a9b" width="420"></embed>
Excuse the interruption, please. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You've heard of a "photo opp", right? You know, a politician's best friend; just the right time and setting to create the appearance of something favorable</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to shine the spotlight on his/her good side. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ok, now back to my story...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After an awesome (and I reserve the word for God alone) demonstration of love,<br />
acceptance and redemption in the worship service,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my husband and I<br />
headed off to a change of place-<br />
a state park nearby. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We wanted some time for meditation and reflection.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And tranquility, serenity. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It became immediately obvious that I would have to persist to find it.<br />
First, my chair kept coming unlocked, making it unbalanced.<br />
It's one of those collapsing canvas chairs: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJqikSw-Ie5S-UY5vesWS149Snl7w31bUVVcGlRkShCMhropX9A_Kvw37sxfIeUHquFRAe8JrQjudSo4u3PXpWs3KuG9eITS769Vn_WwOSIU83iYF8fv_WeHl3oJ7y7n5emIbm3yi9z6e/s1600/1_1_3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJqikSw-Ie5S-UY5vesWS149Snl7w31bUVVcGlRkShCMhropX9A_Kvw37sxfIeUHquFRAe8JrQjudSo4u3PXpWs3KuG9eITS769Vn_WwOSIU83iYF8fv_WeHl3oJ7y7n5emIbm3yi9z6e/s200/1_1_3.png" width="130" /></a></div>
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Then, my music device would not operate properly. No worries, I had a back up!<br />
But nooooo, that one wouldn't play the CD. Ugh.<br />
No prophetic worship to listen to.<br />
Okay, so let's embrace the silence. Let's listen.<br />
I began to journal a prayer. Bible? Check. Journal? Check.<br />
Pen.... I realized I'd left my pen in the car. Get the keys, go to car, get the pen.<br />
Done!<br />
Midway through one sentence the pen ran out of ink.<br />
Get the keys, go to car, get replacement pen.<br />
{Note to self, save for Ipad!} Ahhhh. Now it begins, I thought.<br />
And it did!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xONPGPhVKtaYiCsQXGtl2LouP3LLDj5nS28nMdqTVIKxz9Aw6XxdpFsLdpQxOR2yhNz86R8D8eBjQ3pLN7Lq-R55SkJqcIix2RIvM31fxL5Q0RXToztP1cnY5wI6-KO0liiLGp-I_WT8/s1600/pen.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="22" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xONPGPhVKtaYiCsQXGtl2LouP3LLDj5nS28nMdqTVIKxz9Aw6XxdpFsLdpQxOR2yhNz86R8D8eBjQ3pLN7Lq-R55SkJqcIix2RIvM31fxL5Q0RXToztP1cnY5wI6-KO0liiLGp-I_WT8/s400/pen.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sun still shining, breeze blowing and <a href="http://www.hark.com/clips/ncbsxzffbw-record-scratch">{insert sound from above here}</a><br />
but the soft chirping of the crickets was being drowned out every<br />
few seconds. A battle was raging via cell phones. A very angry young<br />
man was venting in varying volumes.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
In the past I would have been annoyed. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDsiopkot_Q5T-mzzNmaNph3cA2EJQ_aTMMzYAAhWVrtGKNCoS7FIo0mgdItqlG3hieDpN-6QaWVyfyy30QBnPwiPo_RsQ11jc1neQvZfHxxyna1C5L6xlqFlwWkhiNwcQxP9OQ_SukFb/s1600/Annoyed-Middle-Aged-Woman.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDsiopkot_Q5T-mzzNmaNph3cA2EJQ_aTMMzYAAhWVrtGKNCoS7FIo0mgdItqlG3hieDpN-6QaWVyfyy30QBnPwiPo_RsQ11jc1neQvZfHxxyna1C5L6xlqFlwWkhiNwcQxP9OQ_SukFb/s400/Annoyed-Middle-Aged-Woman.png" width="400" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I might have wished him away, or worse,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
called the authorities to complain. </div>
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgtHvaWfmZqbOhjU79nsISUBXf5ErqBlHfYAyqZzOskwkqwuYA9uGRHtyWbyb0kjevfR2l4GZJVKSiLKUrbfJ3MJBSNQwSVJyN8IuU68Cm27_TUsQo3dkPGJc-xvjQ5StbsAhhykHso6M/s1600/dep_11367120-Portrait-of-angry-young-man-shouting-using-mobile-at-a-crowded-street.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgtHvaWfmZqbOhjU79nsISUBXf5ErqBlHfYAyqZzOskwkqwuYA9uGRHtyWbyb0kjevfR2l4GZJVKSiLKUrbfJ3MJBSNQwSVJyN8IuU68Cm27_TUsQo3dkPGJc-xvjQ5StbsAhhykHso6M/s200/dep_11367120-Portrait-of-angry-young-man-shouting-using-mobile-at-a-crowded-street.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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But today I hear the Father's heart greiveing.</div>
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In between the shouts punctuated with cursing is the sound of a heart</div>
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that is deeply wounded. The rage is the cry of his heart torn </div>
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and twisted by sin, confusion and betrayal.</div>
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And the Father cries. </div>
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What do you do when YOU hear someone like this? </div>
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What is your first thought, your first response? Frustration?</div>
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Feeling like your "space" has been invaded? </div>
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<br /></div>
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Or do you pray? </div>
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Whether you are called as an intercessor or are a willing "pray-er", </div>
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YOU can be one of God's press agents! </div>
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Pray for the brokenhearted, hear what the Father hears.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Pray for the darkened, distanced soul(s). </div>
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Pray for reconciliation to God, </div>
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and in my case, to the recipient of the harsh words. </div>
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Next time you encounter a grumpy or angry person, </div>
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remember that under the surface is a heart beating, </div>
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wanting desperately to know not to give up,</div>
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that somewhere real, life giving love is available to them.</div>
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Though you may</div>
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be across the room, store, parking lot or world,</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>you can PRAY. </b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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When sirens sound , You can pray! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKodj-l4LvYN6ebcVp3eA-uE14mdXIxCWIswmP19zqKDSbYIxj_FFBFdAYOBisYCGk-fvyT-szA_-X44JLfTacRdNdYLFgKd3gKjKvm5TcPDuD9nrxskMTXFxJ7mMg5KcEOewSISYP9xr4/s1600/Ambulance1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKodj-l4LvYN6ebcVp3eA-uE14mdXIxCWIswmP19zqKDSbYIxj_FFBFdAYOBisYCGk-fvyT-szA_-X44JLfTacRdNdYLFgKd3gKjKvm5TcPDuD9nrxskMTXFxJ7mMg5KcEOewSISYP9xr4/s320/Ambulance1.jpg" width="305" /></a> </div>
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<br /></div>
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You can create a "meeting" between that person and the Lord. </div>
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Pray that the Father imparts His heart to you so that</div>
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you are a channel of love and hope even to souls </div>
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you may never meet face to face. </div>
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Watch for, listen for and prepare for "Prayer Opps". </div>
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Through prayer, arrange opportunities for God's mercy and grace to shine!</div>
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<br /></div>
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So, now you know what I wrote in my journal! ;)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDsiopkot_Q5T-mzzNmaNph3cA2EJQ_aTMMzYAAhWVrtGKNCoS7FIo0mgdItqlG3hieDpN-6QaWVyfyy30QBnPwiPo_RsQ11jc1neQvZfHxxyna1C5L6xlqFlwWkhiNwcQxP9OQ_SukFb/s1600/Annoyed-Middle-Aged-Woman.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<br />Altered Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931592930634271925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028265373835788543.post-83412652107906362682013-08-01T09:54:00.002-07:002013-08-01T10:16:46.436-07:00Saddle Up!! Final in Meekness for the Preakness series<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/hVFPjIp6nkk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> " Saddle up your horses-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We've got a trail to blaze</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Through the wild blue yonder of God's amazing grace</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Let's follow our leader into the glorious unknown</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This is the life like no other, whoa whoa</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This is the great adventure</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Yeah</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Come on, get ready for the ride of your life</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Gonna leave long faced religion </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In a cloud of dust behind</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And discover all the new horizons</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Just waiting to be explored</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This is what we were created for, yeah "</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So, you have been corralled by His love, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">taught to accept His reign,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">and acquired skills necessary for navigating </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">the course of life. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">That entire process was only the prelude to being a </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"horse" prepared to race.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> The most difficult, most painful</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">part after submitting, learning and being shaped</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> was to be told that now you have to be confined and wait. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"WHAT? Shut the gate? "</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I have been enlarged beyond </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">anything I ever dreamed possible, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">and You want <span style="font-size: small;"><b>me</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">to squeeze into that tiny,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> harsh, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">anonymous starting gate?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">YES, I am bucking, I am kicking AND snorting!!!</span></div>
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<a href="http://vaquerofeed.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/horse_teeth_2_883612_std1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="385" src="http://vaquerofeed.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/horse_teeth_2_883612_std1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">WHY did You do all this? Why all the months of training, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">if only to wait? To be shut into this starting gate???</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Starting</i>?? Really? I thought we <b>began</b> a LONG time ago?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Are we calmed down yet? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Has meekness finally settled like a blanket</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">over your soul? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It has over mine. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Oh, it took awhile! This whole series began one day</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> in
prayer, seeking God's word for me and us as a couple </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">in a very loooooooooooooooooooong and trying season,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I saw a
Chrysanthemum.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://usefulthings.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/chrysanthemum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://usefulthings.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/chrysanthemum.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I had no idea what it meant, but the vision was very
clear. </span></span></div>
<div style="border: medium none; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The
individual petals and the layers of them were easily distinguished. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I
then heard the Lord whisper "Meekness" and was reminded of Jeremiah 12:5</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><span class="text Jer-12-5">“If you have raced with men on foot</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Jer-12-5">and they have worn you out,</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Jer-12-5">how can you compete with horses?</span></span><br />
<span class="text Jer-12-5">If you stumble, only feel secure</span><span class="text Jer-12-5"> in safe country,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Jer-12-5">how will you manage in the flooding of the thickets by the Jordan?</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In researching the Preakness, </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I learned that a blanket of chrysanthemums covers the winner!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.reactionface.info/sites/default/files/images/1314374302075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.reactionface.info/sites/default/files/images/1314374302075.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So even if you are STILL in that starting gate,</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> know that </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">the special attention and ornamentation lavished on a royal steed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> is the
figure used to represent Jehovah’s turning his favorable attention</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> to
his repentant people, making them like a victorious war horse in </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Zec
10:3-6.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> We are His wild souls </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBiu2kTgsSSkERX4KTVhuqy8RmroMHo1n7KE63hvjd_BrFxxgzFJ7a78tLeen3j-LX74Up6QUCb8X3BvBSfctNcj9V-zs3Y9BlIV2dtcv62uUA5UDvmjhbn99SkagiKQ9oGxgI8Jh__w/s1600/WhiteHorse16_normal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBiu2kTgsSSkERX4KTVhuqy8RmroMHo1n7KE63hvjd_BrFxxgzFJ7a78tLeen3j-LX74Up6QUCb8X3BvBSfctNcj9V-zs3Y9BlIV2dtcv62uUA5UDvmjhbn99SkagiKQ9oGxgI8Jh__w/s320/WhiteHorse16_normal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.thecanvasartfactory.com.au/store/product_images/l/778/470AR-White-Arabian-120x80-Reduced__59694_zoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">trained to run; </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">His beautiful thoroughbreds</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.thecanvasartfactory.com.au/store/product_images/l/778/470AR-White-Arabian-120x80-Reduced__59694_zoom.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://www.thecanvasartfactory.com.au/store/product_images/l/778/470AR-White-Arabian-120x80-Reduced__59694_zoom.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">wise in navigating fields and streams, and equipped for victory in battle. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8t9L-vtn8JiePMN4g2ud5mN0evp8EbP-cVVnZCWURft_Ca_RGM0xE2ojPl93uKBNfmWdD3OvjsIFSxwlcYDwOGzBhEYvXyR3Ggm7mi5BphmU3ppSSqfh4X2atF5jLttKu-WzFhU4pwQO6/s1600/metimes_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8t9L-vtn8JiePMN4g2ud5mN0evp8EbP-cVVnZCWURft_Ca_RGM0xE2ojPl93uKBNfmWdD3OvjsIFSxwlcYDwOGzBhEYvXyR3Ggm7mi5BphmU3ppSSqfh4X2atF5jLttKu-WzFhU4pwQO6/s640/metimes_01.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> NOW was it worth it???</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
Altered Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931592930634271925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028265373835788543.post-34714409416085580622013-07-26T08:35:00.000-07:002013-07-26T08:48:50.813-07:00Minnie Pearls Amongst Us<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss35/artfulpioneer/OutsideTheBoxDesignStudioPreviews/OTBDSitems/b2fcfdfa-252e-4cab-b996-f7b0c1889605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss35/artfulpioneer/OutsideTheBoxDesignStudioPreviews/OTBDSitems/b2fcfdfa-252e-4cab-b996-f7b0c1889605.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Good Morning!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Greeted with fresh breezes, blue skies, and sunshine,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I felt blessed to be able to sit on the porch for some </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">time of meditation today. I often sit quietly for awhile </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">to see what He will say. Today's message was unexpected. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I thoughtI was just being distracted... distracted by meaningless things.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I could not have been more wrong. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We have Minnie Pearls amongst us!</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">What am I talking about?? Well, if you are younger than myself, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">or not in the South, you may not know of Minnie Pearl. </span></div>
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<a href="http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss35/artfulpioneer/OutsideTheBoxDesignStudioPreviews/OTBDSitems/Sunflower_from_Silesia500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Minnie Pearl was a comedian. Pearl's comedy was gentle <a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" title="Satire">satire</a> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> of rural <a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" title="Southern United States">Southern</a> culture, often called "hillbilly"
culture.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Pearl always dressed in style-less "down home" dresses</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> and wore
a hat <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">with a price tag hanging from it, displaying the price of $1.98. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> </span>Her catch phrase was</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"How-w-w-DEE-E-E-E! I'm jes' so proud to be here!"</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> delivered in a loud holler. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"AND..?" you may be thinking. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Yes, we have comedians in the South, but NO, that is not what I mean.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In my "meditative state" (lol) I noticed the price tags were still on</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">the new pots we purchased this week for our growing herb garden </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">and my sunflower. </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss35/artfulpioneer/OutsideTheBoxDesignStudioPreviews/OTBDSitems/100_3171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss35/artfulpioneer/OutsideTheBoxDesignStudioPreviews/OTBDSitems/100_3171.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">UGH!!!!</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I don't like to see price tags on items.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> TACKY- right?</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So I tried to remove them, but </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">the moisture from recent rains</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">made that difficult.</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So, here they sit with the price tags half removed:</span></div>
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<a href="http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss35/artfulpioneer/0b932923-496a-43a6-83d0-55c43df38e30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss35/artfulpioneer/0b932923-496a-43a6-83d0-55c43df38e30.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As I was scratching on them, getting the icky sticky driven up</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">under my fingernail, I heard the familiar "Still, small voice" say;</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"Many of those that I paid for still have price tags on them."</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Our neighbors passed by, taking their daily walk. There are price tags on </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">them, and they don't even know it. They have been purchased but </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">they know nothing of the pearl of great price!</span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">THEY DON'T REALIZE THAT THEY ARE PRECIOUS TO THE LORD, </span></b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">AND THAT THEIR DESTINY IS THE KINGDOM! </span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And there is another group amongst us. They have removed the price tag</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">altogether. They do not want to be reminded of the cost of their redemption.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">They don't intend to return, to repent, visit the Service desk to ask for the exchange of righteousness for filthy rags that is available for them.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> They discarded the price tags and live as though their life ,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> or any life has no real value. How sad. </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And then there is you and me. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We know the price. We don't have it hanging from a hat</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">but the price was on our heads-</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> and it was paid IN FULL </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">$2,000 years ago!</span></b><br />
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<a href="http://www.ironcomet.com/wp-content/uploads/paid_stamp.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.ironcomet.com/wp-content/uploads/paid_stamp.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> We wear it boldly and even proudly- </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">like a neon sign. </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> We are just proud to be here!</span></b> </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And we understand that we don't want it removed.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> We need reminders of</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">the cost , and of our value.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> { Yes, it was more than $3.00, </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">but it did involve the Trinity! </span></b><a href="http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss35/artfulpioneer/My%20smileys/teehee.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss35/artfulpioneer/My%20smileys/teehee.gif" /></a> }<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>BUT...</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b> Can we get past the focus upon ourselves and</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>our issues and our blessings enough to see</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>the Minnie Pearls?? </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>The ones oblivious to the price?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>And what about those removed- distant and rejecting the Offering all together? </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>HEAR the FATHER'S CALL to you and I today:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">it is a Kingdom Call to go out and reveal</span> <span style="font-size: x-large;">the price tags </span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">and restore the value to those </span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">whom He purchased with the Blood of His Son!</span></b></span></span><br />
<div class="heading passage-class-0">
<h3>
Matthew 13:45-46</h3>
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Amplified Bible (AMP)</div>
</div>
<div class="verse">
<span class="text Matt-13-45" id="en-AMP-23585"><sup class="versenum">45 </sup>Again the kingdom of heaven is like a man who is a dealer in search of fine <i>and</i> precious pearls,</span></div>
<div class="verse">
<span class="text Matt-13-46" id="en-AMP-23586"><sup class="versenum">46 </sup>Who, on finding a single pearl of great price, went and sold all he had and bought it.</span></div>
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<a href="http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss35/artfulpioneer/pearl.jpg?t=1374849765" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss35/artfulpioneer/pearl.jpg?t=1374849765" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">WHATEVER IT MAY COST US</span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> TO SHARE, TO EXEMPLIFY THE KINGDOM, </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">IT IS WORTH IT!</span></span></b><br />
<br />
I pray you will be aware, alert and prepared<br />
to answer this simple but profound call. And that you<br />
are reminded of it each and every time you shop,<br />
and your eyes land upon a price tag. <br />
May you encounter multitudes of Minnie Pearls<br />
on your journey! <br />
<br />
<a href="http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss35/artfulpioneer/OutsideTheBoxDesignStudioPreviews/OTBDSitems/Sunflower_from_Silesia500.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss35/artfulpioneer/OutsideTheBoxDesignStudioPreviews/OTBDSitems/Sunflower_from_Silesia500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Altered Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931592930634271925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028265373835788543.post-13504189745325298762013-06-05T09:06:00.004-07:002013-08-31T06:23:32.292-07:00Meekness for the Preakness; The Heat is ON!<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span></span><br />
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Our time as students and then staff at Christ For the Nations </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
taught us valuable life lessons. </div>
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The dean of married students- Dean Holland, often said</div>
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"The fire is hot here". </div>
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<a href="http://ywmovement.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/fire6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://ywmovement.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/fire6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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He was right. We went through a time that</div>
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cemented our family and taught us servanthood and accountability.</div>
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Growing in the Lord takes you through many seasons,<br />
<i> each which is progressive and builds upon the previous ones. </i><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Jeremiah
was told he would be like fortified walls of copper against those that
opposed him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(Jer 1:18, 19; 15:20)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Copper disperses
heat evenly, not allowing the food
being prepared to get scorched. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So for Jehovah to assure Jeremiah that
he is fortifying him with a copper wall </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">meant that the Lord would sustain
Jeremiah</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> as long as the " heat " was being applied. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So if we are
faithful now, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Father will sustain us then, helping us to maintain our
integrity,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> no matter what we face.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Those areas in your life that seem to be trigger points </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">need to be fortified by the heat of God's word as you learn His ways. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Humility before Honor; </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwwR2dmS4Mugzc-nwijInbMqSqdIukEhdc-fXi53hw33oOxoJilU1BcYlc8z-Kh1-rm-CJgdLJqWurFvLanjb8lgh6W2Z1q6y8Lqqwdzd0H6G7f2MpX-UXnq_xC3Fl1ua7PuOl8usXbzU/s1600/blue_white_praying_man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwwR2dmS4Mugzc-nwijInbMqSqdIukEhdc-fXi53hw33oOxoJilU1BcYlc8z-Kh1-rm-CJgdLJqWurFvLanjb8lgh6W2Z1q6y8Lqqwdzd0H6G7f2MpX-UXnq_xC3Fl1ua7PuOl8usXbzU/s320/blue_white_praying_man.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b> Meek, Yet Stern as Steel.</b></span></div>
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</div>
<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Humility does not
mean the meek will take everything "lying down."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A
meek person will feel the wrong done against him and feel it bitterly.
But because he is not thinking of himself, his meekness does not allow
his spirit to give vent to a hateful, savage and vindictive anger
that seeks to "get even." He will instead be full of pity for the
damaged character, attitudes and blindness of the perpetrator. From the
stake Jesus uttered, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what
they do" (<a href="http://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/25970/eVerseID/25970" name="2597025970">Luke 23:34</a>).<b>
</b></span></blockquote>
We hear so much about "going to a new level",<br />
with connotations of being exalted; <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlI_e77venikbd6wG1n-i9bwh7oRUeoV0SOrcFaXO9MAzaiTuzodLnWWQoY5uHy71_L9bUIcSZ-zDeqxZOjPLIZ8QICyRr2sAat0DJCgEdM9vrpgGBe_JHfXpwPn_ldxLfSBOcAFTUsya0/s1600/warning_sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlI_e77venikbd6wG1n-i9bwh7oRUeoV0SOrcFaXO9MAzaiTuzodLnWWQoY5uHy71_L9bUIcSZ-zDeqxZOjPLIZ8QICyRr2sAat0DJCgEdM9vrpgGBe_JHfXpwPn_ldxLfSBOcAFTUsya0/s400/warning_sign.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
yet God really wants<br />
us to learn how to go deeper<br />
into the depths of Him!<br />
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<a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3305/3274765703_108b45dedc.jpg?v=0" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3305/3274765703_108b45dedc.jpg?v=0" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Those who desire to serve the Lord in fullness, </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">in broad anointing and</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">great authority must learn how to bow lower.</span></b> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>DESPITE popular "theology"</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u> you will NOT</u></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;"> be able to bypass </span></u></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">the Eye of the Needle. </span></u></div>
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<a href="http://hethathasanear.com/images/eye_needle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://hethathasanear.com/images/eye_needle.jpg" width="342" /></a></div>
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Baggages of self justification, pride, </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>laurels of past accomplishments</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>will not fit through this gate.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b> This gate requires that you be </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>stripped of all the above and more.</b></span><br />
This gate requires more than faith-<br />
it demands TRUST. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgTQMc-Iylusiu5NE-pzOQz3O-ek7ij6vx439zHWilIiMnukiqJpEfLkz-zLVJJcKHGdYvslsAcxwOr_RCuOxn8HNuPgKSevuimlV3N2qTJ6wSaN9Hx405DyRRtJ8k3jfNcxuSKe594Qk/s1600/eye+of+the+needle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgTQMc-Iylusiu5NE-pzOQz3O-ek7ij6vx439zHWilIiMnukiqJpEfLkz-zLVJJcKHGdYvslsAcxwOr_RCuOxn8HNuPgKSevuimlV3N2qTJ6wSaN9Hx405DyRRtJ8k3jfNcxuSKe594Qk/s400/eye+of+the+needle.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<div>
This gate in Jerusalem was uncommonly used.</div>
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Most did not pass through here.</div>
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The coat of humility must be put on </div>
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to get to the other side.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> It isn't the experience of being misunderstood,
suffering,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> or poverty itself that will undo us</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">,<u> but rather the sense
that we are not accomplishing anything,</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u> and enduring hardship to no good end.</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">That's why the apostle
Paul emphasized that we do not labor in vain (1 Cor. 15:58).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> We discover
there is no wasted effort or pain, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">because there is nothing that God
cannot redeem.</span></div>
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A
person of meekness no longer verbally recites nor mentally<br />
rehearses
the wrongs done to him.<br />
Instead the focus is on the great grace and
destiny<br />
which is given through Jesus.<br />
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Meekness is strength that is submitted to an appropriate authority.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The stubborn, unrepentant attitude of an apostate people is compared
with the impetuous manner of a horse dashing into battle without regard
for the consequences</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">.—Jer 8:6. Hmmm....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> If you have run with the footmen - if the smallest evils to which<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">you are</span></span> exposed cause you to make so many bitter complaints, how will you
feel when, in the course of prophetic ministry, you're
exposed to much greater, from enemies much more powerful?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Up till this time, in spite of the onsets you have endured, those could be compared to a sojourn in a peaceful land; but a yet greater battle may come </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> where you may never for a moment be sure of your
life.</span></div>
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The starting gate is not a comfortable place,</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">
but it is a vital training framework. It may seem like you are there forever. It does for Dan and I today. </div>
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Weariness can get the best of you if you </div>
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let it. </div>
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This is a time to mentally rehearse the lessons already learned </div>
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that have prepared you to run the race, </div>
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Bridle your tongue from complaining</div>
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and keep your eyes forward.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Heb-12-1" id="en-AMP-30212">"Therefore
then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who
have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off <i>and</i> throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to <i>and</i> entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance <i>and</i> steady <i>and</i> active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us,</span></span></span> </div>
<div class="verse">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Heb-12-2" id="en-AMP-30213"><sup class="versenum">2 </sup>Looking away [<i>from all that will distract]</i> to Jesus, Who is the Leader <i>and</i>
the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and
is also its Finisher <i>[bringing it to maturity and perfection]</i>. He, for
the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the
cross, despising <i>and</i> ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God."</span></span></span></div>
<h3>
Hebrews 12:1-2</h3>
Amplified Bible<br />
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Altered Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931592930634271925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028265373835788543.post-53747094343091084382013-05-22T17:56:00.000-07:002013-05-22T17:56:06.390-07:00Meekness for the Preakness: Are You Chomping at the Bit?<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Preparing to run with the horses..</span></span><br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Are <b>YOU</b></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Chomping at the Bit"?</span></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJqZSHV3ibm4F9lpUcv_Ikvqbw-Grl88Z4wtcT4A_U8mJwcHtT2MD2amrYGGN6uq3GS2RyI6h2ZLddzsZApMxGW409fUNKPlS-3x6qvAS-_LNqUwlTlr_VrqRvEHnATZtZtXPUMHlnCwWA/s1600/chomping_on_the_bit.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJqZSHV3ibm4F9lpUcv_Ikvqbw-Grl88Z4wtcT4A_U8mJwcHtT2MD2amrYGGN6uq3GS2RyI6h2ZLddzsZApMxGW409fUNKPlS-3x6qvAS-_LNqUwlTlr_VrqRvEHnATZtZtXPUMHlnCwWA/s200/chomping_on_the_bit.png" width="151" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="hw" style="font-size: large;">Definition: be champing/chomping at the bit</span><span style="font-size: large;"> <i>also</i> <b>be chafing at the bit</b></span><br />
<div class="ds-single">
<span style="font-size: large;">to be very keen to start an activity or to go somewhere.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">the expression can be traced back to the equestrian world. In the world
of horses, a bit is a small metal rod attached to a harness or <i>bridle</i>.
This metal bit fits inside a natural space within the horse's mouth.
The bit serves several purposes, from discouraging the horse from eating
wild grasses<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> (false doctrine)</span></span> to guiding his or her head while connected to the reins<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> (being led by the reigning Holy Spirit)</span></span>. A
horse will instinctively chew and bite at the metallic bit as long as
it remains inside its mouth.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Our soul nature does not immediately adapt to or accept guidance.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Chomping at the bit is usually related to a few things, generally:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">-pain</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">-confusion about the bit -- <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I.E. lack of understanding</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">-rider using reins incorrect/harsh bit -- <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Poor counsel</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">-anxiety --<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Lack of confidence (faith) in God's goodness toward us.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">A well trained horse is best prepared for success. It knows the voice of the</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">trainer, the commands and proper responses. It has become accustomed to being ridden, and is ready to race the Big Race!.? </span><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"Thoroughbreds must be born knowing to play out their role in the
ritual?" </span></span><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlsFM08YXMwvoPNrg-hJD7bxhbvsL9SKBwumjpoxpn1wE6pr7zFhx0YLepCrldBeH1nFzxz7H0H_sGGusdjdfDC9jfY1GWOQCQGHnD6EoI0pmpUC9JhyphenhyphenBc4EsQ-RkwP9n1F0yLhRoqLHL/s1600/uh_no_tshirt-p235446713096996458qrdq_400.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlsFM08YXMwvoPNrg-hJD7bxhbvsL9SKBwumjpoxpn1wE6pr7zFhx0YLepCrldBeH1nFzxz7H0H_sGGusdjdfDC9jfY1GWOQCQGHnD6EoI0pmpUC9JhyphenhyphenBc4EsQ-RkwP9n1F0yLhRoqLHL/s320/uh_no_tshirt-p235446713096996458qrdq_400.jpg" width="320" /></a></span>
<br />
</i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It took a great amount of work, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">time and insight to get each </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">of those horses
<u>to the gate</u>, <i>never mind into it</i>. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Q: {WAIT! What??? I have to get into a gate??? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">What happened to</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">"launching", "release into destiny" and "soaring like an eagle"?!?} </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">A: Yes. You do. You must qualify <span style="font-size: large;">for Inheritance.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">You have been created, called and groomed. Now we see if you are qualified- matured. </span> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> An entire process, involving repetition,
patience, kindness and compassion had to occur over a period of days, weeks and
months before the horses would be ready to enter the gate and come exploding
out of it, safely.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Baby Steps</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The first step involves introducing the horse to the starting gate as a
concept. Horses, especially Thoroughbreds, are claustrophobic.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>(</b>Let's be real here, <span style="color: red;">NONE </span>of us<i> really</i> like restraint, right?</span><b>)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> They
detest tightly-enclosed spaces. Confining a horse to a 12' x 12' stall is
challenging enough for the horse's psyche: shrink that space down to
about 2.5' wide and 8' long--and you have the potential for a horse who
loses her mind, and injures or kills herself </span><i><span style="font-size: large;">and everyone around her. </span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hmmmm. How many "wounded thoroughbreds" do you know in the Body of Christ? </span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Could it be due to lack of meekness on their part </span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">or another's? Taking offen<span style="font-size: large;">s<span style="font-size: large;">e is like the horse </span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">who fights while in the starti<span style="font-size: large;">ng gate.</span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> A<span style="font-size: large;">n injury could<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>delay his release! </span></span> </span></span></span></span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>
</i></span></span><b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Process, Pared Down...</b></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Gate Training </i>is the process by which Thoroughbreds are introduced
to the starting gate and being "certified," as it were,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> to be in a
race. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Depending on the age, temperament and learning curve of the horse, the
process generally involves first, just walking the horse up to the gate.
That's it. Just showing the gate to the Horse: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Here, Horse: this is the starting gate."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Once you've been given p<span style="font-size: large;">reparation for fulfillment </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">of </span>a vision- you meet the gate. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">A series of similar introductions, involving hand-walking the horse into the
open gate, then walking in with a rider on back. Then closing the front
of the gate, and standing in that tight, enclosed space. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Calm, calm, it's OK, Horse."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Next will come opening the front of the gate, and walking the horse out of
the front. Then opening the gate as it would in a race, and galloping out
of the gate. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">These steps all lead up to a horse earning her gate card, the certification
that s/he has successfully passed all the steps necessary to be in a race that
begins in the gate. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A powerful Thoroughbred that has learned the way of the course and tempered itself to respond to the bit will receive many winning trophies. They learn to</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">accept restrictions and confinement of their massive power and ability.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Believer who understands </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">his/her position in the Body is also valuable.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Once we understand that we neither </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">earn nor war for our inheritance, we</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">can be sure and steady in our progress. We have blinders on in a good way- we see the course laid out for us</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> and we run the race.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">We need Meekness for the Preakness! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">The Hebrew word translated "meekness" is <i>anav</i> or <i>anaw</i>, meaning "depressed (figuratively), in mind (gentle) or circumstances (needy, especially saintly): humble, lowly, meek, poor ;which <i>prefers to bear injuries</i> <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">rather
than return them</span>" -- aka humility.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlsFM08YXMwvoPNrg-hJD7bxhbvsL9SKBwumjpoxpn1wE6pr7zFhx0YLepCrldBeH1nFzxz7H0H_sGGusdjdfDC9jfY1GWOQCQGHnD6EoI0pmpUC9JhyphenhyphenBc4EsQ-RkwP9n1F0yLhRoqLHL/s1600/uh_no_tshirt-p235446713096996458qrdq_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><i>Meekness</i>,
according to Aristotle,is the middle standing between two extremes, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">getting angry without reason, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;"> and not getting angry at all. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
When we are in a waiting period, meekness is of extreme importance:<br />
it keeps us from losing strength caused by running out ahead of the course.<br />
We must allow meekness to be cultivated within us so that we may stay<br />
in God's timing. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote>
It is a condition of mind and heart which
demonstrates gentleness, not in weakness, but in power.</blockquote>
It is a balance
born in strength of character. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Godly meekness is impossible unless we first learn of our sonship and the right standing we have through Christ which is neither earned nor deserved. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> While pride destroys self and others, and prompts us to break out of the starting gate prematurely, humility serves, protects and builds.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With meekness solidly in place, we can dream of joining the ranks of those belonging to the </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <b>Triple Crown</b> ( Father, Son & Holy Spirit) <b>Champions!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqP0gYvNoGS15iLKwT0drag4ypw62TjwB6eD7jxcSgFkPHlEXftYuo_N3bkZ5d44Oj3ekpKiVC6Zg0hxihyRgfEPJiaNoW5_AkxMKpbDGUfkSIzzFD1TFtyGzcCi4r0y-lh7rb1rr3GLiN/s1600/TripleCrownpage+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqP0gYvNoGS15iLKwT0drag4ypw62TjwB6eD7jxcSgFkPHlEXftYuo_N3bkZ5d44Oj3ekpKiVC6Zg0hxihyRgfEPJiaNoW5_AkxMKpbDGUfkSIzzFD1TFtyGzcCi4r0y-lh7rb1rr3GLiN/s640/TripleCrownpage+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></span></div>
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<br />
See you next time with Ready to Run!!</div>
Altered Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931592930634271925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028265373835788543.post-85181181113772309752013-04-29T16:07:00.000-07:002015-05-22T15:13:04.837-07:00WHOOOOOA! First you train, then you reign!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-CA5sIbbwVDIjHg-iCgccnBW4-wdPsccckfp2pyJSB89R8XjVsNl8U3AHnpE9FVwFhHxNdfZi5qAHH9pMOCizjx3DfhKJ8AyWiL6pspKdcMTfBYgp_V0v7nc4FOcyz92O1Pluuizn1rK/s1600/whoa.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-CA5sIbbwVDIjHg-iCgccnBW4-wdPsccckfp2pyJSB89R8XjVsNl8U3AHnpE9FVwFhHxNdfZi5qAHH9pMOCizjx3DfhKJ8AyWiL6pspKdcMTfBYgp_V0v7nc4FOcyz92O1Pluuizn1rK/s640/whoa.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
whoa: <span class="main-fl"><i>verb imperative</i></span> <span class="pr">\<span class="unicode">ˈ</span>wō, <span class="unicode">ˈ</span>hō, <span class="unicode">ˈ</span>hwō\</span></div>
<div class="sblk" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="snum">
1<span class="ssens">—a command (as to a draft animal) to stand still </span></div>
</div>
<div class="sblk" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="snum">
2<span class="ssens"><b>:</b> cease or slow a course of action or a line of thought <b>:</b> pause to consider or reconsider —often used to express a strong reaction (as alarm or astonishment) </span></div>
<div class="scnt">
<span style="font-size: large;">Slow down!</span> Training requires self control which develops wisdom. You may know many facts regarding a topic, but you are useless to a team<br />
if you do not know how to apply them!<br />
We cannot be stubborn and insist<br />
upon the merits of our knowledge, our great desire to serve,<br />
or even our gifting.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://fbcusa.org/home/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/StubbornMule3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://fbcusa.org/home/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/StubbornMule3.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
Zeal without wisdom is DANGEROUS! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Rome wasn't conquered in a day and you can't climb Everest in 24 hours.</span><br />
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<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7029/6584349979_ed30f660ac_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7029/6584349979_ed30f660ac_z.jpg" height="173" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Experienced climbers know that <u>small steps repeated will cover more ground faster than an enthusiastic sprint</u>. They have learned the value of diligence, persistence and consistency.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">WE MUST BE TEACHABLE!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"But I have been prepared! I have submitted,</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> and learned and have experience, </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and, and..."</span></b></span><br />
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<a href="http://amysorrells.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/pout-baby1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://amysorrells.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/pout-baby1.jpg" height="296" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> Jeremiah had been faithful <i>and transparent</i>. He expressed his frustration to the Lord, and the Lord replied with a proverb:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Jer-12-5">“If you have raced with men on foot</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Jer-12-5">and they have worn you out,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Jer-12-5">how can you compete with horses?</span></span><br /><span class="text Jer-12-5"> If you stumble in safe country,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Jer-12-5">how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?"</span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Jer-12-5">Jeremiah12:5</span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Jer-12-5">First, this parable is telling! </span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Jer-12-5">It tells what Jeremiah has been doing, and points to what is to come. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> He was a passionate man. His zeal for the Lord had matured and he had grown into one who knew His ways.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> Yet God had more for him than what he had already experienced. And God knew what Jeremiah needed to sustain himself for the duration of that mission! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Sometimes we get frustrated when things are not moving in the way or at the speed that we think they should. But as a horse learns to accept the bit, and follow the lead of the trainer, they settle down and skill develops. There is a oneness between the horse and trainer.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> But he has yet to be ridden!</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">See how training begins... </span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Horses getting fit for the first time are also generally “babies,” and
while you are trying to get them fit you are also providing lots of
education, like switching leads learning the lay of the land, your voice as the trainer. Getting a horse fit and ready to run for the first time may take many months.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;">After a couple weeks, the training routine falls into a familiar
pattern.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;"> Five days a week you will be galloping up to a mile</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;"> and a half. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;">The
seventh day the horse will have a day off.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;">Each week the
workouts will get a little longer and faster. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">{Sound like any trials you have encountered?}</span> </span> </span><br />
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<a href="http://cbssanfran.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/race_horse_generic.jpg?w=300" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="http://cbssanfran.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/race_horse_generic.jpg?w=300" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cbssanfran.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/race_horse_generic.jpg?w=300" /></a><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;">So, YES, you have a destiny, and YES there is a new season ahead for you!</span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;">The question is, will you relax enough to grow into it?</span></h3>
<a href="http://burdenbearersworldshakers.blogspot.com/2013/05/meekness-for-preakness-are-you-chomping.html" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="http://burdenbearersworldshakers.blogspot.com/2013/05/meekness-for-preakness-are-you-chomping.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Next Time: "Are You Chomping at the Bit?"</span></a></div>
</div>
Altered Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931592930634271925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028265373835788543.post-45636421461165677992013-04-29T09:23:00.000-07:002013-04-29T09:35:16.305-07:00Meekness for the Preakness<h2 style="text-align: center;">
"And they're off!"</h2>
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It's Springtime- and time for the Triple Crown!<br />
What takes only moments to observe is years in the making for those who race!<br />
The past few months the Lord has been speaking to me about Running with the horses- from Jeremiah 12:5 <span class="text Jer-12-5" id="en-ASV-19255">"If thou hast run with the
footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with
horses? and though in a land of peace thou art secure, yet how wilt thou
do in the pride of the Jordan?" He has been revealing many truths that have shed much light upon different seasons and situations. Be sure to stay tuned for all three parts of this message!</span>Altered Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931592930634271925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028265373835788543.post-40187872310503892312013-03-14T10:45:00.000-07:002013-03-14T10:57:51.202-07:00Change of Address: Welcome Home!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://laymancalledpastor.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/abide0031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://laymancalledpastor.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/abide0031.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Abide.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One word. One powerful, life giving, life altering word.</div>
<br />
<h3 style="background-color: white; color: #212121; display: inline; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="vk_ans vk_dgy" style="font-size: xx-large !important; margin-bottom: 5px;">a·bide</span> </h3>
<div class="vk_sh" style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
/əˈbīd/<br />
<div id="pronunciation_flash" style="height: 0px; position: absolute; width: 0px;">
</div>
<span class="speaker-icon-listen-off" data-s="abide.mp3" id="speaker_icon" jsaction="dict.l" style="background-image: url(https://ssl.gstatic.com/dictionary/static/images/icons/1/pronunciation.png); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid transparent; display: inline-block; float: none; height: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1px 6px; opacity: 0.55; vertical-align: bottom; width: 16px;"></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 12px;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table class="vk_txt ts" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: small !important; margin-top: 20px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="padding: 0px;"><div class="vk_gy vk_sh" style="color: rgb(135, 135, 135) !important; font-size: medium !important;">
Verb</div>
<div>
<table class="ts" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="padding: 0px;"><ol style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 19px;">
<li class="vk_txt" style="border: 0px; font-size: small !important; line-height: 1.2; list-style: decimal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Accept or act in accordance with (a rule, decision, or recommendation):</li>
<li class="vk_txt" style="border: 0px; font-size: small !important; line-height: 1.2; list-style: decimal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> "I would abide by their decision".</li>
<li class="vk_txt" style="border: 0px; font-size: small !important; line-height: 1.2; list-style: decimal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Be unable to tolerate (someone or something): "I cannot abide a lack of discipline".</li>
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<span style="color: #212121; font-size: x-small; line-height: 12px;">Synonyms </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">stay - stand - endure - reside - dwell - remain - bear</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">WHERE DO <b>YOU</b> <i>LIVE</i>??</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzHRUOumoq8LWn-qdXpT7VPsQxB5QeOjQvFpjLMBhOhd2uiZ6efJBwDsPpIWsr2NVESvnrSS6faxY1TKBf7KmDQ5vs7I3mTyeTdrGTP_clEilUcKTbbWlKg3DRgkAPmIBD-URlwDHBICt/s1600/Open-Door-Blue-Sky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: 12px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzHRUOumoq8LWn-qdXpT7VPsQxB5QeOjQvFpjLMBhOhd2uiZ6efJBwDsPpIWsr2NVESvnrSS6faxY1TKBf7KmDQ5vs7I3mTyeTdrGTP_clEilUcKTbbWlKg3DRgkAPmIBD-URlwDHBICt/s400/Open-Door-Blue-Sky.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A call is going out to all who call themselves "Believers in Christ".</div>
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For too long we have neglected the truth and full meaning/invitation given by our Father.<br />
It came in the form of the cross, and our RSVP was to be returned after the opening of the tomb. When the veil was torn in two in the temple, God opened up His front door to us!<br />
And many have responded, but few have understood the invitation.<br />
WE WERE NEVER MEANT TO BE VISITORS ! We were invited to abide IN Him, not just with Him. Oh how many miss the truth and the magnitude of what has been accomplished on the cross!!! Heaven was shut before us until Jesus extended His arms and welcomed us in. At the time the sword was thrust into Jesus' body, the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom.<br />
<b style="font-family: Verdana;"><i>Exod 26:31-34 "You shall make a veil woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen. It shall be woven with an artistic design of cherubim. You shall hang it upon the four pillars of acacia wood overlaid with gold. Their hooks shall be of gold, upon four sockets of silver. And you shall hang the veil from the clasps. Then you shall bring the ark of the Testimony in there, behind the veil. The veil shall be a divider for you between the holy place and the Most Holy. You shall put the mercy seat upon the ark of the Testimony in the Most Holy."</i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That veil was <span style="color: navy; line-height: 12px;">15 feet high, and 18 feet long. As to the weight of it, the Bible does not say.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: navy; line-height: 12px;">Tradition says that two horses hooked to it would not have </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 11.996527671813965px;">been able to pull it </span><span style="color: navy; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 12px;">in two, it was so thick, but the Bible </span><br />
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 11.996527671813965px;">never says that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The veil being torn in two speaks of the body of Jesus Christ being broken on our behalf to make access to Him possible. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #212121; line-height: 12px;">The presence of God was uncovered and all are now</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #212121; line-height: 12px;"> invited to enter through the way Christ opened.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> <b>Abide.</b> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">An active word, not a passive word. To abide requires a decision- a weighing of priorities.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Look again at the definition above. It includes endure-that is active-you cannot be passive as you are enduring, it necessitates a constant state of decisiveness. As you endure, you must repeatedly revisit that initial decision to "stay, stand, remain, bear". If that decision is upheld, then you are dwelling,<i><b> choosing your residence</b></i></span><i><b>. </b></i><br />
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We were invited IN, to stay, to remain in HIs presence.</div>
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<u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Never were we invited to visit. </u></div>
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Yet, sadly that is what has been accepted as the norm. We awake, we might say a quick prayer, or better, spend a time in "devotions", yet we still leave! We don't realize what was given to us! His very presence- the door to the Holy of Holies was opened to us. Constant communion (fellowship, not bread and juice), wisdom, counsel, and friendship with the One who was, Is ,and Is to come is there waiting for us, not for a moment, not for a dedicated hour of "quiet time", and not for our gatherings that take place weekly. But 24/7, 365, FOREVER!!!! Forever began that day the sword entered, the veil was torn and the Front Door to God's Living Room was opened to us! <br />
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We MUST change our mindset regarding this. It is a paradigm shift in the way we think, approach and steward our lives. Those "saints" who seem to know the Lord in a deeper way, in a way that we might secretly desire, long for but have regrettably assigned that wonder to " a select few" are the ones who not only heard the gospel, believed it and responded, but they accepted the invitation to stay. They have learned how to <i><b>abide </b></i>in His presence.<br />
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They daily,<i><b> CONTINUALLY</b></i> practice His presence. They have developed<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> the awareness of Him at all times.</span> They know that He speaks softly but mightily, sense His gentle but sudden staff of guidance in even the smallest of movements. God is not confined to specific rooms in <i>their </i>hearts. They understand that He is too large to "come into their lives". Which is why HE extended the invitation to them/ us...<br />
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God is not someone they visit;</div>
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 12px;">They <i>moved in</i>!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 12px;"> They do not set aside a "time" or place for </span><br />
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 11.996527671813965px;"> Him. He is too grand, to limitless to fit into</span><br />
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 11.996527671813965px;"><i>their schedule, their lifestyle. They live IN Him</i>. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 11.996527671813965px;"> So, what about YOU? </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #212121; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 11.996527671813965px;"> Are you ready to make </span><span style="color: #212121; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 11.996527671813965px;">that Change </span><span style="color: #212121; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 11.996527671813965px;">of Address? </span></span><span style="color: #212121; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 11.996527671813965px;"> </span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 11.996527671813965px;">HOW? you may ask? </span><br />
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 11.996527671813965px;">* First ask the Lord to reveal this truth to you- to breath </span><br />
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 11.996527671813965px;">upon it and make it </span><span style="color: #212121; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 11.996527671813965px;">rhema-and not just written</span><span style="color: #212121; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 11.996527671813965px;"> (logos)</span><span style="color: #212121; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 11.996527671813965px;">.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 11.996527671813965px;">* Practice being aware of His presence </span><br />
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 11.996527671813965px;">throughout the day.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 11.996527671813965px;">* Rid yourself of preconceived notions of how God will relate</span><br />
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 11.996527671813965px;">to you. Like any Father, He relates <i>individually , personally</i> and uniquely with each child.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 11.996527671813965px;">* Understand that Bible Study, prayer time are vital, but don't relegate Him to those times alone. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 11.996527671813965px;"> This involves a shift in our expectancy. </span></span><span style="color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.1875px;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.1875px;">As "Brother Lawrence" stated in his book <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Practice-Presence-God-Brother-Lawrence/dp/0800785991" target="_blank">Practicing the Presence of God: </a></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.1875px;">"That in order to form a habit of conversing with GOD continually, and referring all we do to Him; we must at first apply to Him with some diligence: but that after a little care we should find His love inwardly excite us to it without any difficulty."</span><br />
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 11.996527671813965px;"> </span><span style="color: #212121; line-height: 11.996527671813965px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Begin to restructure attitudes and thought processes that once divided your time with the Lord </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #212121; line-height: 11.996527671813965px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and your daily activities. IF you are living IN Him, you are with Him in the car, the store, the </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #212121; line-height: 11.996527671813965px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">laundry room, board room, bathroom and kitchen!</span></span><br />
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<br />Altered Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931592930634271925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028265373835788543.post-24054686116206028222013-03-14T08:12:00.001-07:002015-05-22T15:17:17.553-07:00What's Goat got to do with it?<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Prayer, talking, communication between God and man is covered with goatskin. What am I talking about? Read<b> Numbers chapter 4</b>. God gives specific instructions regarding the tabernacle items and how they are to be cared for:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span class="text Num-4-11" id="en-NLT-3731" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">11 </sup>“Next they must spread a blue cloth over the gold incense altar and cover this cloth with fine goatskin leather. Then they must attach the carrying poles to the altar.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text Num-4-12" id="en-NLT-3732" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">12 </sup>They must take all the remaining furnishings of the sanctuary and wrap them in a blue cloth, cover them with fine goatskin leather, and place them on the carrying frame.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The altar of incense ( = prayer) is to be covered with in blue (= heavenlies) and then goatskin. Why goatskin?<span style="background-color: white;"> The </span>goat<span style="background-color: white;"> was a sacrificial animal. This drab color tells us of Jesus in His humility and poverty. Goatskins were worn by the poor and throughout the Bible represented extreme poverty.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When we come before the Lord of Heaven, we must be mindful of the poverty that covered our life before HE became our covering. His sacrifice lies <i>between us and heaven</i>. WE can only approach the Father through Him. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> A goat was used on the Day of Atonement. After the high priest completed the blood sprinkling in the Holy of Holies he would go into the court of the tabernacle and lay his hands on the head of the " scapegoat" ; confessing over it all the sins of the people. The goat was then led away, by a man standing ready, into the wilderness, and there let free, to signify the carrying away of Israel's sins which God had forgiven. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> The vessels/instruments that represented prayer in the tabernacle are object lessons to us, reminding us of that truth. Our lack, need, sin, nakedness is covered by Jesus' sacrifice. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Goatskin is a simple, humble reminder of our own simple nature, and the manner of which to approach the King of Heaven; humility and gratitude. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We are measured not by our own talents or worth, but by His completed work on the cross.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWqfytYTmCOt-y_0sG3Y9uvdq80Td2w5oiXECumWZq5YL5kAx6tay8hyphenhyphen-GM-wgANE7lOZft1o6_yr3qKCQImeaJW3ANd9yR2qjzAMHEpBtLp9uOjzgSC5lL6SBfWcMD-IWqg2CnmPIfAY/s1600/OTBDS_OMS_+tape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="25" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWqfytYTmCOt-y_0sG3Y9uvdq80Td2w5oiXECumWZq5YL5kAx6tay8hyphenhyphen-GM-wgANE7lOZft1o6_yr3qKCQImeaJW3ANd9yR2qjzAMHEpBtLp9uOjzgSC5lL6SBfWcMD-IWqg2CnmPIfAY/s640/OTBDS_OMS_+tape.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />Altered Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931592930634271925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028265373835788543.post-32510586664396462252012-10-20T08:07:00.001-07:002012-10-20T08:18:04.496-07:00Intercession in view of the Tabernacle <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Often people view prayer as boring, or just too difficult. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The truth is that this often stems from a lack of understanding about </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">prayer's what, how , why. This blog focuses on Intercessory prayer. But it is good to define the various types of prayer so that one has a clearer picture of WHAT prayer involves and then you know HOW and WHY you pray specifically at a given time/situation. Then we will be able to move on the seeing how all this works via the pattern of the Tabernacle.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> Petition vs. Intercession: </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Simply put, petition is a form of prayer that asks for something. It is a</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"vertical" type of prayer from one person to the Father.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Intercession is<i> both vertical and horizontal </i>in that the one interceeding is standing beside another person, or in a situation( which of course involves people) and before God, on their behalf. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Intercession involves not just asking, but a breaking, and a binding and the use of God given authority to bring freedom from the onslaught of the enemy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The
structure and pattern of the tabernacle is seen in our preparation and
practice of intercession. Intercession is a priestly practice. </span><br />
<img height="429" id="il_fi" src="http://www.godsoutreachministryint.org/TabernacleMoses.JPG" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="690" /><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The first step toward intercession involves one's own heart. A soldier never goes out into battle unprepared. Intercession is both bearing another's burden, and doing battle to see that burden lifted. The preparation begins with your own heart. A pure heart is vital to seeing results in intercession. A time of quietness, reverence and cleansing before the Lord is necessary. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Lord commanded the priests to put on garments of fine linen, which were created according to His design. These represent the righteousness of Christ. As we accept Christ's sacrifice, we "put on Christ". This was done before any service was rendered. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> For the Levites, this garment was a prayer shawl worn over the fine linen; The High priest, the only one permitted to go into the actual presence of God wore very specific garments. Each part is a symbol of our Christian faith and the truths reflected in it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <img height="595" id="il_fi" src="http://www.templestudy.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/high-priest.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="516" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As they entered the tabernacle, the brazen laver was first seen:</span><br />
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It was a polished metal which created a mirror effect. You were to see</div>
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yourself in that laver- your sin and your cleansing. This act of cleansing was a requirement in order to proceed toward the presence of God and </div>
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the ministry of the priesthood. </div>
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Too often we find ourselves questioning our "unanswered prayers". Could it be because we didn't take the time to reflect, inspect and repent, first? </div>
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We just rushed right in and gave a list of petitions, when the Lord was really wanting the act of intercession? </div>
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Next in the tabernacle journey is the Brazen Altar.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Brazen altar represented the sacrifice of Jesus. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">There were four horns on the altar- four representing the points of a compass- North, South, East and West. The sacrifice covered all the earth- is available to all men. The horns were the horns of a bull, the highest sacrifice in animals due to its expense. The expression "grabbing onto the horns of the altar" expression comes from this. We lay hold of the gift given in Jesus' sacrifice, one that not even a bull could accomplish- and find forgiveness and freedom from bondage.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You have heard it said that you can lead where you won't go? Well, to intercede for another while you have unresolved sin or bondage will be futile, and most likely lead to great frustration and discouragement. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Those that work in altar ministry should/must know these truths. If everyone who desires to minister to others practiced just these three steps toward the tabernacle, wouldn't we see a great change come over the Body of Christ? How many more positive results to prayer might we find? Selah.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You might be amazed to learn that a great majority of believers minister in their own knowledge and strength and the effect is minimal. The next post will shine light upon God's plan for us to minister in His power and grace! </span><br />
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I would also like to recommend a really<a href="http://www.k4communications.com/messianic/tabernacle_ribs.html" target="_blank"> intriguing article found HERE.</a><br />
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<br />Altered Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931592930634271925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028265373835788543.post-88213250307549817252012-10-04T07:36:00.002-07:002012-10-04T07:36:36.711-07:00Looking toward SundayThe past two meetings we have established that:<br />
1. God's original plan was for man to rule the earth<br />
2. We rule in accordance with His direction<br />
3. Prayer is fellowship with the Lord and intercession creates a meeting between us, God and other individuals<br />
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That's a VERY condensed version of our meetings!<br />
This coming meeting goes even deeper and some things about prayer might surprise you as we delve deeper into this multifaceted topic! Once you get beyond the traditional thoughts regarding prayer, you find how fascinating and marvelous it really is and you will never want to return to that place of indifference and ambivalance! :) <br />
Why do we often have to pray about a matter more than once? Isn't that an indication of lack of faith? What is "warring" in prayer?<br />
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See you Sunday when we discuss these and other aspects of intercession!Altered Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931592930634271925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028265373835788543.post-63600490100429668752012-10-02T20:40:00.000-07:002013-08-31T06:27:57.476-07:00Paga: What it is...Paga. What is it?<br />
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In Spanish it means to pay. But in Hebrew, it means intercession, more specifically, to "create a meeting". It is also the word used for the action of pulling back an arrow in a bow, and aiming to shoot.<br />
So, what makes understanding paga so important?<br />
Well, the Body of Christ, especially in America has for decades fallen deeper and deeper into the error of thinking that petition is the same as intercession. True intercession has died out in many areas of the Body. Brief and passing "I need..." and " I want..." have replaced the bearing of one another's burdens. The Body is not connected to the Lord as it could be, and most definitely not to each other as we should be, as we MUST be. Our survival depends upon it.<br />
Soulish prayers have weakened the Body and hindered our effectiveness. We have lost our salt in the earth because we are not connecting - creating a meeting between the Lord and ourselves, and then ourselves and others.<br />
What's the difference between Soul Directed Prayer and Spirit Directed Prayer?<br />
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When we pray from our minds and even our emotions, we are praying Soul directed prayers. These prayers will be light on faith, wisdom, discernment and effectiveness, and heavy in emotions, knowledge and tradition. They will lack power and effectiveness.<br />
Spirit Directed Prayer is the opposite:<br />
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The key to effective prayer is to pray what the Lord directs you to pray,<br />
whether it seems logical or agreeable to you or not!<br />
When we pray "in His name"- we are approaching the Throne, the Righteous Judge, with Jesus as our Attorney. He is representing us and we come "in His name". He does not pray for us, instead, He represents us to the Father that our prayer will be heard. The prayers that are directed by Him are full of wisdom and anointing. We will hit the mark, create a meeting between the two parties when we first become still and listen to what He has to say about a situation.<br />
He will tell you what the root of a matter is so that it can be addressed according to His instruction. HE has the strategies! HE gives them to us and when we pray them, we are coming into agreement with Him and that brings about perfect results. They may not seem perfect to us at first, but as we begin to think like Him and listen to Him, we will then see the wisdom of His leadings.<br />
So, to recap:<br />
For effective prayer that creates a meeting and agreement between you and God and the situation at hand:<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1.</span></span> Still and Quiet your soul. Ask for cleansing of your heart and any erroneous thinking.<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">2.</span></span> Meditate upon who He is.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">3.</span></span> LISTEN.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">4.</span></span> Do not respond until you have His word on the matter- it may come as a scripture, a simple direction, even lyrics to a song can point you in the direction to seek Him more.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> 5.</span></span> Pray what He tells you! That is pulling the arrow of prayer back with confidence that when released, His word will go forth and not return void. That prayer will hit the mark- PAGA!Altered Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931592930634271925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028265373835788543.post-86451257806851707832012-09-24T12:06:00.004-07:002012-09-27T11:12:07.985-07:00Welcome to Burden Bearers & World Shakers!<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Burden Bearers & World Shakers is connected to the Bible Fellowship Group on Intercessory Prayer, called;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> "Go to Meeting" at Restoration Church for the purpose of connection, communication and further sharing. We welcome questions and comments from other believers or seekers. </span>Altered Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931592930634271925noreply@blogger.com0