tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32812692317708448282024-03-07T00:19:48.312-05:00Vivere Vix DeusTo Live for GodKristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14617185986090024801noreply@blogger.comBlogger231125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281269231770844828.post-73206321977309832522015-04-05T12:01:00.001-04:002015-04-05T12:01:40.029-04:00Worthy SatisfactionDisclaimer: I actually wrote this post shortly after my previous one and forgot to publish it! But I thought it quite fitting to post today. Happy Easter, world. May you realize your worth to the God who chose you above all else.<br />
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As I stated in my previous post, I have been reading in Isaiah for my morning devotions, and I am soaking it all in. Chapter 53, which is one of my favorite chapters, is well-known and often quoted, but reading through it this time I noticed something which I had perhaps not noticed before.<br />
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<i>"<b>He was despised and rejected by men</b>; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, <b>and we esteemed him not</b>. </i><br />
<i>Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. </i><br />
<b><i>But he was pierced for </i>our<i> transgressions</i></b><i><b>; he was</b> </i><b><i>crushed for </i>our<i> iniquities</i></b><i>; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. </i><br />
<i>He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, <b>yet he opened not his mouth</b>; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.</i><br />
<i>And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.</i><br />
<i>Yet it was <b>the will of the Lord to crush him</b>; he has put him to grief; <b>when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring</b>; he shall prolong his days; <b>the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.</b></i><br />
<b><i>Out of the anguish of his soul he shall </i>see<i> and </i>be satisfied</b><i>; by his knowledge <b>shall</b> <b>the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous</b>, and he shall bear their iniquities.</i><br />
<i>Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors." </i>Isaiah 53:3-5, 7, 9-12<br />
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By the people of his times (and often by us ourselves), Jesus was despised and rejected. Men, mere men, rejected the Son of God, and "esteemed him not"-- they deemed him less than themselves, unworthy of consideration. And his reaction? "Yet he opened not his mouth. . . Out of the anguish of his soul he shall <i>see</i> and <i>be satisfied</i>," because "when his soul makes an offering for guilt" he shall "make many to be accounted righteous." Jesus was satisfied by the way things would turn out; he was <i>satisfied</i> to bear <i>our</i> griefs, sorrows, transgressions, iniquities, and our determination of his worthlessness because <i>he could not be satisfied</i> allowing us to remain in sin, in separation from himself and unable to be accounted righteous. Despite our designation of his unworthiness, he deemed us worthy of all his suffering. He deemed <b>you</b> worthy of his crucifixion.<br />
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Also, note that verse 10 says that "it was the will of the Lord to crush him." It was God's will for Jesus to sacrifice himself in our place. Why? Because in Jesus' hands "the will of the Lord" (for Jesus to be crushed) would prosper. The result of Jesus' sacrifice (God's will) was that many would be accounted righteous. Though Jesus had no children of his own while here on earth, we who accept his sacrifice in our place become his "offspring." Jesus was satisfied for us to become his progeny-- we who deemed him unworthy of our esteem.<br />
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And here's a final note on worth from Isaiah 54:<br />
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<i>"'For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,' says the Lord, who has compassion on you. </i><i>'O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires. </i><i>I will make your pinnacles of agate, your gates of carbuncles, and all your wall of precious stones. </i><i>All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.'" </i>Isaiah 54:10-13<br />
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Oh afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted, fear not. Jesus has deemed you worthy, and he has plans to give you peace and to make you beautiful.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14617185986090024801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281269231770844828.post-36468296252909073222015-03-11T16:47:00.000-04:002015-03-11T20:18:23.643-04:00What's in a Name?I don't know why, but for as long as I can remember, I have always been fascinated by names. I love to know what names mean, or what the story behind a name is. I very distinctly remember when I found out what my name means.<br />
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I was in Primary class in Sabbath school, and one of our teachers had decided to get plaques with each of our names and their meanings to hang in the classroom. I looked at my brothers' and my friends' names and what they meant, and I was intrigued. <i>Rex- King; Kevin- One of Kindness; Brooke- Lives by the Stream; Stephen- Crowned One; Melissa- Honey Bee. </i> And then, I saw my name-- <i>Kristin- A Christian.</i> I was quite disappointed. My name meant practically just what it sounded like, and to me at the age of seven or eight, it sounded very boring. I wanted my name's meaning to sound elegant, or at the very least to sound interesting, like <i>Full of Grace, </i>or <i>One of Harmony</i>, or almost anything else. <i>Christian? </i>Really? How mediocre.<br />
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Recently for my morning devotions, I have been reading in Isaiah; it is one of my favorite books in the Bible, and as I've been reading, I have noticed that names are important to God too. <br />
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<i>"But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; <b>I have called you by name</b>, you are mine.'" </i>Isaiah 43:1<br />
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<i>"'Fear not, for I am with you. . . I will gather you. . . everyone <b>who is called by my name</b>, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.'" </i>Isaiah 43:5-7<br />
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<i>"'For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They shall spring up among the grass like willows by flowing streams. This one will say, "I am the Lord's," another will call on the name of Jacob, and another will write on his hand, "The Lord's," and <b>name himself by the name of Israel</b>.'" </i>Isaiah 44:3-5<br />
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<i>"Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light <b>trust in the name of the LORD</b> and rely on his God."</i> Isaiah 50:10<br />
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He specifically tells Isaiah to tell Israel that they have been called <b>by name</b> and by God's name. God points out that they are to trust in His name and pronounces a future blessing on Israel's descendants who identify themselves with God's name and the name of His chosen people, Israel. God uses names to provide an identity and a sense of belonging to Him.<br />
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God even has a special regard for the names of those who do not consider themselves His own. God prophesied through Isaiah to Cyrus, King of Persia who had yet to be born. This is what God said to him: <i>"I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, <b>that you may know that it is I, the LORD, the God of Israel, who call you by your name</b>. For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, <b>I call you by your name, I name you, though you do not know me</b>." </i>Isaiah 45:3-4<br />
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Verses like these speak to me; they speak of belonging and love. They speak of trust. They speak of promises and blessings, comfort and peace. <b>God calls me by name</b>. I mean something to Him. I am of worth. He desires me to be called by His name and to trust that His name means something. It means home and security. And most of all it means love.<br />
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Since my Primary Sabbath school days, I have changed my opinion about my name and have come to truly appreciate its meaning and the honor that it carries.<br />
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<i>Kristin Michelle- A Christian, One who is Like God.</i><br />
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And by God's grace, each day I am striving to live up to my name.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14617185986090024801noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281269231770844828.post-7348917822602771522014-07-02T19:32:00.001-04:002014-07-02T19:32:44.787-04:00Of Babies and Brick Walls<br />
I'm going to let you all in on a little secret. But, shhh. You can't tell anyone. <div>
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I absolutely love my job in the NICU, but... </div>
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Occasionally I get really frustrated with the way things go at work. I know, hard to believe, but it's true. </div>
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<a href="http://nursinglicensemap.com/advanced-practice-nursing/nurse-practitioner/neonatal-nurse-practitioner-nnp/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9WU3BgoUSmf8N5Nb0A5SbBc0ys4FVekqCmg7YzGkeGxpKykqE_duFIfG4cPNgMgipY6iSSYGhuwCmwva6SJ8gCImUFIlf4rbLX0sudTC4Arpl8Xs9ZhCX2zdDdfdoZZSJp-_rzcay11f/s1600/NICU+RN.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a>As a bedside nurse, I spend the most time of anyone (excepting parents sometimes) with the babies I take care of. I learn their cues, know how well or how poorly they can eat, recognize "normal" patterns for them, and see red flags when the babies have deviated from their norms. Generally the neonatologists that I work with are more than happy to hear the nurses' opinions and suggestions to help them in planning a baby's care and goals to get them home with their parents. However, this is not always the case. </div>
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A while back there was a baby in our NICU that I had taken care of often. Very often. I knew him very well and knew that he could be quite a fussy baby. But then, it was different. He was not just fussy; it was almost as if he was in pain and was crying out anxiously for someone to do something. He was almost panicked in his cries. For about two weeks I kept on telling the practitioners and doctors that I thought something was wrong, and I persisted in asking them to check into what I thought might be the problem. And for about two weeks, I was practically ignored. The worst part about it was that the patient I was advocating for was completely helpless. He had no way to voice what was wrong or what his needs were-- that was supposed to be my job. I felt like a failure. I felt like I was shouting at a brick wall, and it was so frustrating.</div>
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Have you ever felt like that before? It is a maddeningly helpless feeling.</div>
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Can I let you in on another little secret? </div>
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Sometimes I feel that way with God. I know, hard to believe, but it's true. </div>
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In the past few years especially there have been things that I have prayed for so persistently. Good things. For people to make positive changes in their lives, for them to choose to let God in. I have prayed for overcoming power for personal struggles. I have prayed for answers. And sometimes, I feel like I am shouting those prayers at a brick wall. </div>
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Have you ever felt like that before? It can be a maddeningly helpless feeling.</div>
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But you know what is comforting to me in all this helplessness? Regardless of the way that I <i>feel</i> when I pray to my God, I <i>know</i> that He hears me. I know this because history has shown it to be true.</div>
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God heard Hagar and Ishmael's cries in the desert.</div>
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God heard Isaac's pleas for Rebekah to have children.</div>
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God heard Israel's cries for relief from their slavery.</div>
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God heard David's prayers over and over again for deliverance from his enemies.</div>
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God heard Solomon's request for wisdom.</div>
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God heard the leper's entreaty for cleansing.</div>
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God heard Paul's prayers for each of the churches he planted.</div>
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God heard the Centurion's plea for healing for his servant.</div>
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And the list could go on. Forever. Even in my own life I could probably list a hundred times or more when God has heard and answered my prayers-- some even before I knew to pray for them.</div>
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<a href="http://www.christianfreedom.org/prayer-2/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHwz9ZSHImA6PuZQ2H3NZKk2Ur4b-YwbVhWVMaSND8ph4ohyLJwSu90-jGrTDe0e2ByqKkHo8ko-SMJihQOuOcje5YVOq6BP_8NFYY9s7wkiDQDoLdUgLWXpkSKvU7qE1fD9kQiWZGmJ3/s1600/prayer-on-my-knees42.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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So if you're feeling like your prayers are hitting a brick wall, take courage. And "know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when [we] call to him." Psalm 4:3, ESV</div>
Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14617185986090024801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281269231770844828.post-64220046757317268982014-05-09T11:17:00.003-04:002014-05-09T11:19:47.909-04:00Little Green SproutsTimothy and I have a <i>very</i> small "garden." Currently it consists of strawberry plants from last year that came back with no coaxing from us and tomato plants that grew all on their own as well. Very low maintenance. We have also planted several clusters of basil plants in pots and watermelon and pepper seeds in little planters.<br />
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For quite some time before we had any sprouts or signs of life from our planters and pots we were very faithful in watering the seeds every day. The first time we even saw the tiniest bit of a green sprout in one of the basil pots we were ecstatic! It was so exciting and fun to see something that we had planted and watered every day finally show some signs of life. In hindsight, we were probably a little bit ridiculous in our level of excitement over one little tiny shoot of green.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiny basil sprouts</td></tr>
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As time went on there were more and more signs of life from the basil plants, and you could almost see the resemblance in the tiny sprouts to basil leaves. But our watermelon and pepper seeds just weren't coming up. Still we faithfully watered them every morning and sometimes in the evenings when it had been a particularly hot and sunny day.<br />
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Then-- joyous day! One of our watermelon planters had two little stalks of green with leaves! And one of the pepper planters did too. Again, the amount of excitement was probably a little excessive, but we were finally seeing our faithfulness pay off!<br />
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Not too long after these thrilling events life got extremely busy. I was working overtime at the hospital and Timothy was chipping away at his clinical hours while frantically spitting out papers and studying for final exams. During this time there were probably two or three days where our little garden and planters were completely forgotten.<br />
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When we had a little moment to catch our breath from life's busyness, Timothy went to water our little plants. The sight that met his eyes was rather disheartening. The basil was doing alright, but the watermelon and pepper sprouts were completely dry and withered. We were so upset! All that faithfulness and work we had put in was wasted.<br />
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We decided to see if we could revive them anyway. So for the next few days we were extra attentive to the little plants; we watered them faithfully and checked their progress often. I am quite happy to report that they are finally (after probably a week or so) beginning to make a recovery. They are not quite as spry and green as they were at first, but they are getting there.<br />
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So why am I chronicling the progression of our little garden plants and sharing it with you? Why do you care?<br />
<br />
In the weeks of growing, nearly killing, and reviving our little plants I feel like God shared with me an object lesson.<br />
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These little plants are so much like my relationship with God and my spiritual growth. Sometimes in the beginning it feels like all work and no noticeable progress. Then, slowly but surely I can see small improvements and start to feel like I'm really getting somewhere with this God business; I begin to feel like a real Christian. Maybe even other people can see the change.<br />
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Inevitably life gets busy. Sometimes so busy that I neglect my relationship with God. I spend time in prayer, but it's hurried and not as thoughtful as it should be, or I read my Bible but don't take the time to really contemplate the meaning of what I just read or search out the lesson in it. I stop drinking in that Living Water that I so desperately need to grow and flourish.<br />
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Then suddenly one day I stop and realize that I'm all dry and withered up. I notice that I've been selfish or lashed out at Timothy. Or I've not been patient with one of my coworkers or patient's families. And when I try to get down to the root of the problem I realize that it's because I've neglected my spiritual life. I haven't put priority on my time with God.<br />
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Thankfully, I serve a merciful and forgiving God; He always accepts me back. But often getting back into spending time with God and "watering" your spiritual life seems like it takes twice as much attentiveness and purpose as it did the first time around. And what you lost in two or three days of neglect seems to take two weeks to rebuild and regrow. But the beauty of God's love is that it can and will regrow.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14617185986090024801noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281269231770844828.post-67512252227459198172014-04-18T10:22:00.000-04:002014-04-18T10:22:09.561-04:00(Un)Intentional LivingDo you ever feel like sometimes your life is just a constant barrage of information that you passively take into your mind without really stopping to think about it? Yeah, me neither.<br />
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Ok, well on occasion maybe. Actually, maybe more often than I would care to admit.<br />
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Sometimes I feel like I get so caught up in the flurry of activity that has become my life that I don't take the time to process what's happening or what I'm allowing into my mind. This whole idea recently occurred to me because of something that Andrew Peterson had posted online. He said that he hated the song, "Let it Go," from the new movie <i>Frozen</i>. Most of you have probably either heard this song or have heard about it; regardless, you don't need to have listened to it to understand what I'm getting at in this post.<br />
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When I read that Andrew Peterson hated "Let it Go," I must admit I was a little shocked that he would use such a strong word. It surprised me a little bit, but I didn't think too much about it. I mean, everyone has different tastes in music, and I guess everyone is entitled to their own opinion, right?<br />
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A day or two later, Andrew Peterson posted his reason for hating the song "Let it Go," apparently because he received so much negative feedback and questions on how he could hate such an innocent, catchy song aimed at an audience of young girls (mainly). His reason?<br />
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The main themes in the movie <i>Frozen</i> are about true love-- giving up your own desires in order to meet someone else's needs, the importance of family and being there for one another in a messed up world, and self-sacrifice. The song "Let it Go" has essentially the exact opposite theme. It's a song about shutting people out and living to yourself, with no rules, no regulations, only whatever floats your own selfish little boat.<br />
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When I read Andrew Peterson's short discourse on why "Let it Go" was a terrible song, I realized that I had heard it many times and never really thought about the message of the song. It was just a catchy little ditty from a sweet, family-centered movie. Wow, how did I miss that? And what else have I not been really thinking about?<br />
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This whole experience made me realize that we are so constantly inundated with entertainment media of all types that we begin to disengage our minds and let them soak everything in like an indifferent sponge. If my purpose in watching/reading/hearing/seeing different movies/books/songs/pictures is just for entertainment's sake-- a few moments of escape and unwinding at the end of the day-- then I don't take the time to truly process what I'm taking in and apply it to life. And I believe that in this cycle of passive digestion of information Satan has us right where he wants us. In a non-evaluative, unassuming, and unsuspecting coma of sorts. This is the sleepy state of Laodicean numbness. And I want out.<br />
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But how? Well, for starters... less is more. If I can begin by limiting the volume of media I'm taking in, I will out of necessity need to evaluate the quality and content of what I read/see/hear/watch so that I am consciously choosing what I ingest in my mind rather than passively accepting the stream of media that is constantly hurled at me.<br />
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What it really boils down to is living intentionally-- in all areas of our lives. And, by God's grace, I hope to begin living more intentionally starting today.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14617185986090024801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281269231770844828.post-79808116072264668322014-03-31T17:17:00.002-04:002014-03-31T17:17:28.071-04:00Oh, Those IsraelitesOccasionally, (ok, sometimes more than occasionally) when I read the story of the Israelites and their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land I stop and think to myself, "Oh, those Israelites. How quick they were to forget and how quick to doubt."<br />
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Most recently I had this thought in my mind last week when I read Numbers chapters 13 and 14 for my daily devotions. These chapters tell the story of how God told Moses to send spies into the land of Canaan to determine whether or not the people of the land were strong and whether or not the land was good to live in. At the end of Numbers 13 the general gist of the spies' report is that the land is very good and the people are very strong. The spies even go so far as to say of the people of the land, <i>"... we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them."</i> Numbers 13:33, ESV.<br />
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And then... here it comes-- Numbers chapter 14 begins with those faithless Israelites wailing and grumbling against Moses and against God (again).<br />
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<i>"And all the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, 'Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! Why is the LORD bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?' And they said to one another, 'Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.'" </i>Numbers 14:2-4, ESV<br />
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The options that they set out for themselves still baffle my mind a little bit. Essentially those doubting Israelites say that they wish: 1) That they had died in Egypt, 2) That they had died in the wilderness, or 3) That they were slaves in Egypt again. So, to recap-- death, death, or slavery. Nowhere in that list of options is God at all present.<br />
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Then we hear God's response to the Israelites' despair.<br />
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<i>"And the LORD said to Moses, 'How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them?'" </i>Numbers 14:11, ESV<br />
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Ouch. As I read that, I could almost feel the hurt in God's questions. He loves the Israelites, protects them, provides for them, and desires to do good to them. And their response? Distrust. Doubt. Oh, those Israelites. How could they so quickly forget the miraculous things God had done to bring them to that present point? How could they so easily doubt His power and His desire to give them good gifts?<br />
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After I finished reading these chapters, I began to pray to God to finish out my morning devotional time. One thing that I've been praying a lot about recently involves mine and Timothy's future. We hope to relocate sometime this summer and have been looking at many options. And it has been stressing me a lot. So, I was praying and asking God to help Timothy and me to find good jobs that we would enjoy and that would help us to provide for ourselves and pay off our debts. As I prayed, I could feel myself getting more and more anxious. I found myself listening to all the doubts and fears in my mind instead of feeling the calm release that should have resulted from my prayers to the God of the Universe, who loves me, provides for me, and desires to do good for me.<br />
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I stopped myself mid-prayer. Ouch. Oh, faithless, doubting Kristin. How my distrust and doubt in God's ability to lead and guide in mine and Timothy's lives must pain Him. How could I so quickly forget how God has led me to where I am today? How could I doubt Him? I have very clearly seen His orchestration of my life and path in the past, even up to this very present moment. He has always provided for me and led me before; why should the future be any different?<br />
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Oh, those Israelites. How well I identify with them so often. May God continue to be as patient and long-suffering with me as He ever was with them.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14617185986090024801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281269231770844828.post-73861179357548717052014-02-05T11:11:00.003-05:002014-02-05T11:11:44.464-05:00Repeat<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">For those of you who have followed my blog for a long time... This
post is a repeat (albeit, an edited repeat). Except this time it does get its
own post. Last time I tacked it onto the end of another post. So, I apologize
for the redundancy, but this thought is one I come to every time I read in
Genesis and Exodus. And I love it.</span><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">I was reading Exodus 2 yesterday, and I read the last verse (25) in
that chapter: </span><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> <i>"God saw the people of Israel-- and God knew."<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">It seems almost an incomplete thought, to just say that <i>"God
knew."</i> But I think that's all that needed to be said. God saw their
affliction, their trials, and He intimately knew what they were going through.
And His heart reached out to them. That is why in the very next chapter, God
tells Moses to go back to Egypt to lead His people into a better place.</span><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">That phrase, <i>"God saw... and God knew," </i>always
reminds me of another story in Genesis that I love as well. It's the story of
Hagar. </span><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">If Abraham and Sarah had gone by God's plans, the whole
situation with Hagar and Ishmael would never have happened. </span><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">But it did happen. </span><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">However, just because it wasn't in God's plan doesn't
mean that He forsook His own. Even though Hagar and Ishmael were not part of
God's plan, He still had compassion on them. </span><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">In Genesis 16, Hagar is fleeing from Sarai because she
just can't take the harshness and abuse anymore. As she's crying in the
wilderness, God comes to her. He comforts her and speaks to her. He tells her
to name her son Ishmael, which means <i>"God hears."</i> And when
He's done, Hagar calls God's name, <i>"You are a God of seeing,"</i>
and she names the place <i>"the well of the Living One who sees me."</i>
(Genesis 16:6-14, ESV)</span><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Fast forward to Genesis 21. Hagar is once again in the
wilderness-- this time because Sarah has sent her packing (and God okayed it).
Hagar is once again crying, at the end of her rope, and believes that she and
her child have been completely forsaken by everyone. As she's crying, Ishmael
is praying. In verse 17 it says, "<i>And God heard the voice of the boy,
and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What
troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he
is."</i> God hears. Ironic, because that's what Ishmael's name means.
Despite the fact that God allowed Hagar and Ishmael to be in this wilderness of
despair, God reminds Hagar in her darkest hour that He still hears. He still
sees her. And He will take care of her. (Genesis 21:8-20, ESV)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Never forget this. God sees you. He hears you. And He
knows. He knows better than anyone what you're going through. And He will take
care of you.</span></div>
Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14617185986090024801noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281269231770844828.post-65379640784148365012013-11-05T15:59:00.000-05:002013-11-05T15:59:48.348-05:00Bon Courage, Take HeartI love when God gives us simple reminders that He is present and involved in our daily lives. About a week ago I was having my personal devotion time in the morning and I felt impressed to pray for someone from work; she had been asking for prayers because one of her very young sons was recently diagnosed with a very rare syndrome that will affect his life and theirs forever. I had been praying for her on and off whenever I remembered, but that morning, not only did I feel impressed to pray for her, but I also felt like God put a verse in my mind for her and gave me specific things to pray for her. <div>
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When I finished my prayer time the thought crossed my mind that I should share the verse with her. I went back and forth with myself in my mind as to whether or not I would actually share it with her. Eventually I caved to my initial thought and sent her a quick message letting her know that I was praying for her and that God would be with her every step of the unknown journey before her. I shared with her the promise and challenge of Joshua 1:9-- "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go" (ESV). </div>
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I love that verse. God tells Joshua multiple times in the conversation surrounding that verse not to fear. And as I let the thought simmer in my mind that morning, I saw the beauty of the promise in the verse. </div>
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<i>Have I not commanded you?</i></div>
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"In every command and in every promise of the word of God is the power, the very life of God, by which the command may be fulfilled and the promise realized" (Christ's Object Lessons, page 38).</div>
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"Whatever is to be done at His command may be accomplished in His strength. All His biddings are enablings" (Christ's Object Lessons, page 333).</div>
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God never gives to us a command that He does not also give to us the power to perform. </div>
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It is such a refreshing thought to me that I can be strong, courageous, and unafraid of what the future might hold, not because I am a strong person, but because my God is a strong God, and He has promised to be with me wherever I go. In my weakness, God is my strength. In my fear, God is my courage.</div>
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Be of good courage, take heart; for God holds you in His hands, and He will never let you go no matter what the past, present, or future hold.</div>
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Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14617185986090024801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281269231770844828.post-44501917751138464172013-10-01T15:55:00.000-04:002013-10-01T15:55:03.574-04:00Catching UpIt's been a while. And that's an understatement. Let me catch you up on a few of the details I have not blogged about in the past year or so (although, many of you know about much of what I'm about to write).<br />
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Major Events:<br />
December 24, 2011: Began dating Timothy (who had actually put on his Christmas wish list "A girlfriend")!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Eve, 2011</td></tr>
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New Year's Eve Weekend 2011: Took a trip with two of my brothers and my sister-in-law to West Virginia for my first ever experience snowboarding! After several hours of much progress, I proceeded to take a nasty fall and seriously injured my right elbow. (Almost 2 years later, it's still not quite healed, although it's much better)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdG5axBoD9Ow1Y-ijvlarG56s38yods5OfdMG7gXdIdos9z1JpNorO_8XamtY52BOIsdQUaS20HZzkuJT9ysaK0lcvzLSZReYjUAAdUuc8CYRXXXNz-6bTlE2RXSiQwFqhJMkoHi_rFGSp/s1600/Timberline+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdG5axBoD9Ow1Y-ijvlarG56s38yods5OfdMG7gXdIdos9z1JpNorO_8XamtY52BOIsdQUaS20HZzkuJT9ysaK0lcvzLSZReYjUAAdUuc8CYRXXXNz-6bTlE2RXSiQwFqhJMkoHi_rFGSp/s200/Timberline+006.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Tx60Y5hICSS7h_YUh94zZtSMVraXDuLAI-SiniwyRDX1Xv43tGabzLHIvYOVpsCLH_rcX9AmSf4dPxuWsbs7uVG92DxUErgTnOjuKouruA0ay_OMTlBRUINlsJtldmYS6fax3iDFxoRR/s1600/IMG_4053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Tx60Y5hICSS7h_YUh94zZtSMVraXDuLAI-SiniwyRDX1Xv43tGabzLHIvYOVpsCLH_rcX9AmSf4dPxuWsbs7uVG92DxUErgTnOjuKouruA0ay_OMTlBRUINlsJtldmYS6fax3iDFxoRR/s200/IMG_4053.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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March 2012: Went backpacking for 5 days, 4 nights in the Grand Canyon! That was seriously one of the most intense, exhilarating, amazing, and wearisome things I have ever done in my life. Definitely an experience that brought me closer to God and made me realize just how small one can feel. In addition to the trip being amazing, it was done with people who are very dear to my heart- some of my favorites :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBBQ3bPgUWBAe3fgi5Szb4Y-rc1ud9VFefBYDVdmlNm6ZzHdUsu6bk4_tfi6HUFJwtbO1WlxxxbiB0kC3b9yJux8s2qtz3yWO44Y0MJqoCL8KLl2OYYIEnTp5hfETC4_RC8TsA52vipi9/s1600/IMG_4537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBBQ3bPgUWBAe3fgi5Szb4Y-rc1ud9VFefBYDVdmlNm6ZzHdUsu6bk4_tfi6HUFJwtbO1WlxxxbiB0kC3b9yJux8s2qtz3yWO44Y0MJqoCL8KLl2OYYIEnTp5hfETC4_RC8TsA52vipi9/s320/IMG_4537.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yuma Point</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqv408EEuJtEh7JqKNTFNmjyxzTFZraG5S8TyO4OtL7qXaNVXOxppy5nMwkCvoi8SPx8ZiNpgJAXkdVrb5amAZDtKgJzwDn_8eqCAYj9tQk83z21XuQVc602PjMsjHAI7P77eETDYVrfQL/s1600/IMG_7985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqv408EEuJtEh7JqKNTFNmjyxzTFZraG5S8TyO4OtL7qXaNVXOxppy5nMwkCvoi8SPx8ZiNpgJAXkdVrb5amAZDtKgJzwDn_8eqCAYj9tQk83z21XuQVc602PjMsjHAI7P77eETDYVrfQL/s200/IMG_7985.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Canyon View</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXNHuX8kE0JAcNP6sIMZiwnxF_0zbPBxrpkQW4ObSszANTbqAOQqyY2BGwo9Tn8OXFttT7jco9AYCqxaaftiGORUrxYzzD322DzFojgA79oGDAkGuYhyRUGpAitKheKjhlDaO_AkXtP2F/s1600/IMG_8121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXNHuX8kE0JAcNP6sIMZiwnxF_0zbPBxrpkQW4ObSszANTbqAOQqyY2BGwo9Tn8OXFttT7jco9AYCqxaaftiGORUrxYzzD322DzFojgA79oGDAkGuYhyRUGpAitKheKjhlDaO_AkXtP2F/s200/IMG_8121.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colorado River</td></tr>
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April 2012: Went rock climbing for the first time ever. It was... alright. Ok, so it was better than I expected. I've never had any desire to rock climb, and quite honestly, it frightens me. A lot. But I <i>almost</i> even enjoyed myself when I was doing it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEuJAULEvfeAuaPvBbxHDh6sdPy7dDPjtJWnu_YhMtSfPoAUnHbRRrz_DUauWV2AJzvq6tW1umtG2pld2tzTS8aIiUn1GHlVv0u3BrZvErik-5Ch9noXMeOB81s1_dBUg8eD3AuVfdOQq/s1600/IMG_4818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEuJAULEvfeAuaPvBbxHDh6sdPy7dDPjtJWnu_YhMtSfPoAUnHbRRrz_DUauWV2AJzvq6tW1umtG2pld2tzTS8aIiUn1GHlVv0u3BrZvErik-5Ch9noXMeOB81s1_dBUg8eD3AuVfdOQq/s200/IMG_4818.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimk9XZTMoZ3Vq_tXvle6hENa5g6VbxcBGjdZwzO_RqXEjeAmUsQg9Q18LLwEAmnGdqULt1iYkGAfpi7i2KNHUbZ7Tuc-64puilCm2qPM-PwyBZWV-gDOFgu_X_4LCiJ_JRmeeEHPEDVXhV/s1600/IMG_4811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimk9XZTMoZ3Vq_tXvle6hENa5g6VbxcBGjdZwzO_RqXEjeAmUsQg9Q18LLwEAmnGdqULt1iYkGAfpi7i2KNHUbZ7Tuc-64puilCm2qPM-PwyBZWV-gDOFgu_X_4LCiJ_JRmeeEHPEDVXhV/s200/IMG_4811.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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August 2012: Vacationed with some of Timothy's family in the Outerbanks, NC. Super fun! We went to Jockey's Ridge State Park and played on the dunes, hung out at the beach, ate amazing food, and just enjoyed good times with wonderful people.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDC96lRZfe7xf79pr8fY4kEBwoWyOsqSxdLPxmqUfsf0ndeYus9d8SzGcaNV5JISdec8Ix6vSrSRQoZviRp4OT63c4-X6p5W3xe2xvUowxEkEyoX9fnFl69FnDcX425VGxT4D4Fdx7Q7gW/s1600/IMG_1492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDC96lRZfe7xf79pr8fY4kEBwoWyOsqSxdLPxmqUfsf0ndeYus9d8SzGcaNV5JISdec8Ix6vSrSRQoZviRp4OT63c4-X6p5W3xe2xvUowxEkEyoX9fnFl69FnDcX425VGxT4D4Fdx7Q7gW/s320/IMG_1492.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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September 2012: Timothy's newest niece was born! Sweet little Meraiah Valerie :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOuXyIOOcDPYFg3g4ibBDiUN7bxTpmrS0Avk_IH5pyvawEtaynhFYmU3QQKq1f7OkLlq5_myE3ic8WCMos2VnsvFXweZF7_NdldBYpfpGomaEOLss0miK5zlR0WjycsfczQ9rLYB0PuO75/s1600/IMG_1988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOuXyIOOcDPYFg3g4ibBDiUN7bxTpmrS0Avk_IH5pyvawEtaynhFYmU3QQKq1f7OkLlq5_myE3ic8WCMos2VnsvFXweZF7_NdldBYpfpGomaEOLss0miK5zlR0WjycsfczQ9rLYB0PuO75/s320/IMG_1988.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXTzOIaFRQ6s8p5Lvwq7KBmrDEVh2G6J_d3afhp5d2P2Vopv6wAcwRq52Zvyk6AKtNZLjnk9PVNTGot-FSe1cpJnPPLomukAlMNAWmGjD7BNmU2Opytgq9ejHgRKRt-vSzJ9LGChpmU60/s1600/IMG_1980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXTzOIaFRQ6s8p5Lvwq7KBmrDEVh2G6J_d3afhp5d2P2Vopv6wAcwRq52Zvyk6AKtNZLjnk9PVNTGot-FSe1cpJnPPLomukAlMNAWmGjD7BNmU2Opytgq9ejHgRKRt-vSzJ9LGChpmU60/s320/IMG_1980.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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November 2012: Best birthday present ever-- Timothy proposed to me! We went hiking on Benton Mountain, had a picnic, watched the sunset, and he asked me to be his wife! After I said yes, we sat in a hammock under trees with Christmas lights in them on top of the mountain.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HIRK08df0-HkOMqdYNqGPLojIBTSjwstbE6K76c_a3nmPAARvl0huNYGIQ2DOWz0vcCijSijTpTV6AuiQHPQAB0uJsPG78iJBNRHcW_0EfX4PNHK8uAsKW26PQ4U8u-ZJx-y1AOovIF9/s1600/IMG_2087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HIRK08df0-HkOMqdYNqGPLojIBTSjwstbE6K76c_a3nmPAARvl0huNYGIQ2DOWz0vcCijSijTpTV6AuiQHPQAB0uJsPG78iJBNRHcW_0EfX4PNHK8uAsKW26PQ4U8u-ZJx-y1AOovIF9/s320/IMG_2087.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Benton Mountain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4pcYJsya_JeZ6UhYoFv05215_xWQlRLqGmPNaXBxC8o0_aQaCm9QOB8GHTjvFcdO0fmVRh-LNzDaBuFdDfRtWePdOXG0k8oO5sJKYd0Tek-qFhnhV6yOCYZ_MyybAvDQlrsM2g7x9NyW/s1600/IMG_2089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4pcYJsya_JeZ6UhYoFv05215_xWQlRLqGmPNaXBxC8o0_aQaCm9QOB8GHTjvFcdO0fmVRh-LNzDaBuFdDfRtWePdOXG0k8oO5sJKYd0Tek-qFhnhV6yOCYZ_MyybAvDQlrsM2g7x9NyW/s320/IMG_2089.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset on a very happy Sabbath birthday</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip89Dxdoa23iYoo60g72sSYkFKpuTTWyeF449ktG6BBgb5C7Ql-PWuUZI_U9pVCdWx8USAp1yVld0xPHg55-QY7-zkLJx4LBLh6bX1MTGBz0WxGCynwVGsdpd4XYXoVY9jyBudwm3QFlaq/s1600/DSC_0663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip89Dxdoa23iYoo60g72sSYkFKpuTTWyeF449ktG6BBgb5C7Ql-PWuUZI_U9pVCdWx8USAp1yVld0xPHg55-QY7-zkLJx4LBLh6bX1MTGBz0WxGCynwVGsdpd4XYXoVY9jyBudwm3QFlaq/s200/DSC_0663.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Engagement ring that Timothy made</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGSVsjZTrw-ARTtbtqBPjz5_i_Wsg7Ox24Cf6D45mnIKPfz6nf3uTgn6rZMlNujr1iim-KGA-4EdY3bvSSwv-Cnhc8sAlkODmnH9jt0ZPMFQ6tQfqWUPqRzh5ejfyw3Dkbs2J6meAQqID/s1600/DSC_0522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGSVsjZTrw-ARTtbtqBPjz5_i_Wsg7Ox24Cf6D45mnIKPfz6nf3uTgn6rZMlNujr1iim-KGA-4EdY3bvSSwv-Cnhc8sAlkODmnH9jt0ZPMFQ6tQfqWUPqRzh5ejfyw3Dkbs2J6meAQqID/s200/DSC_0522.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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March 2013: One of the sweetest and dearest people I've known was laid to rest. This world lost a ray of God's sunshine, but she is not lost forever. I can't wait to see her again when Jesus comes to wake her from her peaceful, pain-free rest.<br />
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May 2013: Timothy graduated with his BSN! And on May 26, 2013 I married my best friend! We also re-realized how incredibly blessed we are with our incredible families and friends. We couldn't have asked for better ones to celebrate our marriage with us.<br />
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Summer 2013: We attended what seemed like a myriad of weddings-- and each one was uniquely characteristic of the couples getting married. I love how weddings are a kind of snapshot of people's personalities and characters. Also, went to some states I'd never seen before! It was my first time visiting Washington state, Oregon, and Louisiana.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Allie & Jonathon's Wedding (July 2013)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First time on Mt. Rainier, WA</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Multnomah Falls, OR</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Multnomah Falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ricky & Larissa's Wedding (August 2013)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friends!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kaeli & Nathan's Wedding (September 2013)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite set of twins :)</td></tr>
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August 2013: Timothy's family had a reunion and we went camping in Hungry Mother State Park! I've always wanted to go there, and I loved it! We also visited Mount Rogers and saw the wild horses (Adorable! And fat!), and we biked down the Virginia Creeper Trail with Timothy's entire immediate family! That was probably the highlight of the trip for me, and I hope to do it again sometime soon.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wanted to take this one home!</td></tr>
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So, those were the highlights. This morning as I was laying on the couch having my devotional time, I was thanking God for so many blessings and wondering how it is that I so often wish and dream of things past or future. I love reminiscing about the past, and I believe it is important for our growth to remember the blessings, and the hurts, of the past. I also believe that it is a good thing to plan and dream for the future. But right now, this day, I am asking God to help me learn to soak up all the goodness of the present moment because there is so much of it. I am incredibly blessed in so many ways, and once again I am praying for God to help me see and love and live in the present-- to appreciate and enjoy every bit of it to the fullest of my ability.<br />
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Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14617185986090024801noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281269231770844828.post-91006607385032872442013-04-04T22:38:00.002-04:002013-04-04T22:41:10.838-04:00Caitlin's Memorial ServiceFor those who weren't able to come, and for those who have not yet seen where to find this video, this is the complete video of Caitlin Meharry's Memorial Service that was held on March 30, 2013. I hope you are as blessed as I was to see and hear this.<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="270" scrolling="no" src="http://new.livestream.com/accounts/3438677/events/1989363/player?width=480&height=270&autoPlay=false&mute=false" width="480"> </iframe>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14617185986090024801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281269231770844828.post-65725749352968783142013-03-22T14:49:00.000-04:002014-04-18T11:12:10.381-04:00Wisteriamelody<div style="text-align: center;">
SDA Hymnal #419</div>
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Soon shall the trump of God</div>
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Give out the welcome sound,</div>
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That shakes death's silent chamber walls,</div>
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And breaks the turf-sealed ground</div>
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<b><i>You dwellers in the dust, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>Awake, come forth, and sing;</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Sharp has your frost of winter been,</i></b></div>
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<b><i>But bright shall be your spring.</i></b></div>
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'Twas sown in weakness here;</div>
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'Twill then be raised in power;</div>
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<i><b>That which was sown an earthly seed</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Shall rise a heav'nly flower.</b></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FVFqt4o6Fd_51jnaBr9sMw6Pw4EYM5NwCM0piJdcfosZCV_y_s_RcdQ6UlfH9rzaU3swokiPntbP0tlBfgqs0gOaYaEtCb1q1tS8CB423ovFaznrNLzYnDO0wQC5wG1Sp3voqgdfRtTG/s1600/IMG_3729+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FVFqt4o6Fd_51jnaBr9sMw6Pw4EYM5NwCM0piJdcfosZCV_y_s_RcdQ6UlfH9rzaU3swokiPntbP0tlBfgqs0gOaYaEtCb1q1tS8CB423ovFaznrNLzYnDO0wQC5wG1Sp3voqgdfRtTG/s200/IMG_3729+copy.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quilt square I made for Caitlin</td></tr>
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I can hardly wait to hear the beautiful sound of <a href="http://wisteriamelody.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Caitlin's</a> voice singing God's praises when He comes to wake her from her peaceful rest.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20RZxU-2wWfGDN_IMknryWvccZdE59sdNAdOrO22yuyzt_1yi7kKePyza23aOEbFLKQkQrHVpkMcurnthsepqsNt-YTUZdg6cGGaBPx6b4Im9HmJb95Z40mnb1GZZtxa2U5tYFg2USyPI/s1600/IMG_0668+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20RZxU-2wWfGDN_IMknryWvccZdE59sdNAdOrO22yuyzt_1yi7kKePyza23aOEbFLKQkQrHVpkMcurnthsepqsNt-YTUZdg6cGGaBPx6b4Im9HmJb95Z40mnb1GZZtxa2U5tYFg2USyPI/s200/IMG_0668+copy.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Emily's Wedding, July 2012</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wcSvm8zy3t4mN1Mur6ddirrLhsWEYH4-a4lnb8NgStexbrc5n5QU3-YJyG6kA-GUU5kbCExr63MpPL9ArA_d1zmsKwtItz5Dn6XbEZ3KFXxAaiy2tixNYfymYubNSi9QjJC1upKurC4k/s1600/Summer'08+060+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wcSvm8zy3t4mN1Mur6ddirrLhsWEYH4-a4lnb8NgStexbrc5n5QU3-YJyG6kA-GUU5kbCExr63MpPL9ArA_d1zmsKwtItz5Dn6XbEZ3KFXxAaiy2tixNYfymYubNSi9QjJC1upKurC4k/s200/Summer'08+060+copy.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ampersand Mountain, Summer 2008</td></tr>
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I could share many memories of Caitlin, as could many of her friends. She was beautiful inside and out and exuded joy. She used to like to talk about "God colors," as she called them. I remember her talking about how we are like prisms, and when God's light shines in and through us, we reflect the "God color" that He wishes to show to the world through our unique beauty. If anyone knew about reflecting God's love and beauty, it was Caitlin.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDgxULKlkMYpX7qTrVwctw7Ty471IUPCv1Rx6qc9d9eYXv3lm1daXN0_bIxd9XZl-9xqWZrjbXsDj538D4hzOfXHrsAOyjzTCnOFmlXJIaTtjGU3yO8tBV1J6UrK4hj335y5NwSn8JSux0/s1600/Tween+++Adventure+Miscellaneous+070+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDgxULKlkMYpX7qTrVwctw7Ty471IUPCv1Rx6qc9d9eYXv3lm1daXN0_bIxd9XZl-9xqWZrjbXsDj538D4hzOfXHrsAOyjzTCnOFmlXJIaTtjGU3yO8tBV1J6UrK4hj335y5NwSn8JSux0/s200/Tween+++Adventure+Miscellaneous+070+copy.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing for worship at Camp Cherokee</td></tr>
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Caitlin also loved music; she played her violin with so much emotion, and she had the most melodious alto voice. She loved to harmonize. And she loved to sing lullabies. She would sing them to Christy, Christen, and me when we were all suitemates in college. My favorite was, "If I could, I would give you wings..." She also sang them to her cabins full of girls when she worked as a counselor at Camp Cherokee.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkD4B4_6etpLrz6ktt5_8oirGKY4eCCoif1CeMhx5-Dfg7bBFA-JsPOnV8XS_hokEJyGcyxLtdmiRTxePojeK8ek2bICqFlSO9y8NLX5tWqEs1ublSZEG4Py2qctaIOZECwAEgWQ5XWK5/s1600/DSC00019+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkD4B4_6etpLrz6ktt5_8oirGKY4eCCoif1CeMhx5-Dfg7bBFA-JsPOnV8XS_hokEJyGcyxLtdmiRTxePojeK8ek2bICqFlSO9y8NLX5tWqEs1ublSZEG4Py2qctaIOZECwAEgWQ5XWK5/s200/DSC00019+copy.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
But by far, my favorite memories of Caitlin were our heart-to-heart talks. She was famous for them. She always, always made time for people-- to listen to them pour out their woes, to comfort them with soft words, prayers, and love. The day she flew up to Maine, she made time for Timothy and me to come visit her for a while. She sat in her recliner while I stroked her hair, and she listened with grace. She listened and she also took time to share from her heart; despite the fact that her voice was gone, she whispered words of encouragement and shared her own thoughts and cares.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdPybf6FCmduP57gFTrk5_E8XqbGGoCpvsjun3xsJRnt2EE1ALiSFTWvUMBYwlVTBLHzvA4TRd7vISnGCHXmm53XZrv0TUFL1CnheTxiw_EuU2T_titYo-xQC38dkyVHIi6KB9PUuee2F/s1600/DSC00096+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdPybf6FCmduP57gFTrk5_E8XqbGGoCpvsjun3xsJRnt2EE1ALiSFTWvUMBYwlVTBLHzvA4TRd7vISnGCHXmm53XZrv0TUFL1CnheTxiw_EuU2T_titYo-xQC38dkyVHIi6KB9PUuee2F/s200/DSC00096+copy.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Shaila at Christy's wedding</td></tr>
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Last night as Timothy and I were having worship together, we decided to sing "I Wanna Go to Heaven." But when we got to the line, "And when I get to Heaven, I'll cast my crown at Jesus' feet," I couldn't sing for the tears that choked my voice.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcR6_I0ez0WhK0uWKVoxVbF-bnAwjcH45cawfus1AZR4DF89374OZp7zHIAMrc1nq7IJY1GwoBVFKTHm7Dt4xhmfuzJpvYakrvbKZs2IWztjDAxdz6H3Uro7muNkuGpyCWMn389sgFc1Z/s1600/P1000128+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcR6_I0ez0WhK0uWKVoxVbF-bnAwjcH45cawfus1AZR4DF89374OZp7zHIAMrc1nq7IJY1GwoBVFKTHm7Dt4xhmfuzJpvYakrvbKZs2IWztjDAxdz6H3Uro7muNkuGpyCWMn389sgFc1Z/s320/P1000128+copy.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christy's bridal shower</td></tr>
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When Caitlin and I were suitemates, there was one Friday night that she and I sat out in the lobby of the second floor in the Girls' Dorm and talked. I was going through a very rough time emotionally, and we were talking of Heaven. We talked about Revelation 4:10, 11 and how it says that the 24 elders cast their crowns at Jesus' feet and praised His name. Caitlin and I talked about how when we got to Heaven we were going to lay our crowns at Jesus' feet because He is the one who is deserving of honor and glory. Our part as heirs with Jesus in the Kingdom of Heaven will not be won by our efforts, but by the saving grace of Jesus Christ, and to Him belong each of the crowns that we will wear in Heaven.<br />
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I can hardly wait to stand side by side with Caitlin and lay our crowns at Jesus' feet. I only pray that that day will come soon that we may all be forever with our God.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_T-tIMI_RQYFXg17VKLlUsglZqKt8ZxSBqHSXZKYi-tNyNUiOCnTGmGxLufbKdSZ-oqPUZIaZzrLB7OR7AoAcuBGBtmjIBa0jrK-gXYWCVtYxIVTjCZzHuUAhEpHzfHGxqZ5q3xX5Ac4C/s1600/IMG_0815+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_T-tIMI_RQYFXg17VKLlUsglZqKt8ZxSBqHSXZKYi-tNyNUiOCnTGmGxLufbKdSZ-oqPUZIaZzrLB7OR7AoAcuBGBtmjIBa0jrK-gXYWCVtYxIVTjCZzHuUAhEpHzfHGxqZ5q3xX5Ac4C/s320/IMG_0815+copy.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Christy's Wedding, June 2010</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sUCVuCKAA1Sb-bsw2ftu_sc6VpI849vMJnH008-uqrUtORc_prYoJuqHwbTGOWccXCemfTJH-0vuV0yz8rKzERPX3ywOQEbFO7FFu5OyuTzTI3RKO9FdBfIvJV1Uw41LIKO0Sfq6iNql/s1600/IMG_0401+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sUCVuCKAA1Sb-bsw2ftu_sc6VpI849vMJnH008-uqrUtORc_prYoJuqHwbTGOWccXCemfTJH-0vuV0yz8rKzERPX3ywOQEbFO7FFu5OyuTzTI3RKO9FdBfIvJV1Uw41LIKO0Sfq6iNql/s320/IMG_0401+copy.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Martina's Wedding, May 2012</td></tr>
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<br />Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14617185986090024801noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281269231770844828.post-27029565425489940212012-10-16T00:43:00.002-04:002012-10-18T18:33:43.645-04:00Autumn Leaves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPq45nSIhy-Jpd5OlHus1OvuRRYh66YTesAztvxt4JFZhQMngkhOXDHGkb4_RKlqHUdPWOOg0x67l7bTu_A2-NU4Phv58HzpjZ8kTPldXdvZb1GRPa4iKkmd_b6jVBCfrqKTojW0NdDBj/s1600/IMG_1973+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPq45nSIhy-Jpd5OlHus1OvuRRYh66YTesAztvxt4JFZhQMngkhOXDHGkb4_RKlqHUdPWOOg0x67l7bTu_A2-NU4Phv58HzpjZ8kTPldXdvZb1GRPa4iKkmd_b6jVBCfrqKTojW0NdDBj/s320/IMG_1973+copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Every time I look out my bedroom window I am reminded of the beauty that God instills into life on this earth. And every time I look out my bedroom window, I can't help but thank God for that beauty-- not just the beauty in the red and green leaves on the tree outside my window, but also the beauty that I see in the lives of those by whom I am surrounded.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13fgfO5jKAovMR20iL1CqmVIl1nXasdLjdALEDOQRMcHt60BtTxTTgZyJhuq28CaG3Z6enwxJBcYOZuEwtGSdpqz9tdlFRwxWo68HvDF8cADJ4N8xGm3HBtJA-euuMW0IJO7jBcl5DHAS/s1600/IMG_1895+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13fgfO5jKAovMR20iL1CqmVIl1nXasdLjdALEDOQRMcHt60BtTxTTgZyJhuq28CaG3Z6enwxJBcYOZuEwtGSdpqz9tdlFRwxWo68HvDF8cADJ4N8xGm3HBtJA-euuMW0IJO7jBcl5DHAS/s320/IMG_1895+copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sunday afternoon as I looked out my window from my view at my desk, I saw the leaves and thought how incredible it is that God is able to infuse beauty even into death. The autumn leaves-- brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows, as well as the leaves that are changing, but still hanging on to bits of green-- are reminders to me that God can bring beauty out of pain, that even in the face of death people and nature can exude life and God's splendor.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhc3I2ZYiWzQf0KAybTGf-2Dps3eLqkD5r_WesIqjVtNoiSG3-_A3AE-lDfiK01CYlNcYgDWotSDAipKdJMcFBB8jI2ged8EZ6T2NRg7886FHI5lBMKpU1VomidQ6tg-a4ioRIT50Rr-n/s1600/IMG_1912+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhc3I2ZYiWzQf0KAybTGf-2Dps3eLqkD5r_WesIqjVtNoiSG3-_A3AE-lDfiK01CYlNcYgDWotSDAipKdJMcFBB8jI2ged8EZ6T2NRg7886FHI5lBMKpU1VomidQ6tg-a4ioRIT50Rr-n/s200/IMG_1912+copy.JPG" width="200" /></a>Somehow seeing those autumn leaves gave me hope. Hope that all is not vain. They reminded me that somehow even in the ugliness of sin, even in death-- Satan's most powerful weapon-- God still triumphs; He still wins and brings about good and beauty.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8DEhtv7kB15wA_fojhaiTg1mHyjOOq8YM2iV9EmPH9-nVXMnDhyphenhyphenQFzzVFT4A0f9EpmAbBKMiAi1IquITJt1fEkADyOyYwrElUjOuQcpav6iMYgzSHD4aq_JFu4bvsWEb7uECjfXi74DH/s1600/IMG_1910+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8DEhtv7kB15wA_fojhaiTg1mHyjOOq8YM2iV9EmPH9-nVXMnDhyphenhyphenQFzzVFT4A0f9EpmAbBKMiAi1IquITJt1fEkADyOyYwrElUjOuQcpav6iMYgzSHD4aq_JFu4bvsWEb7uECjfXi74DH/s200/IMG_1910+copy.JPG" width="200" /></a>Recently I have been reminded that death, or rather the threat of death, is no respecter of persons. Death can threaten the young or the old and the ones in-between, those with families and those who are alone, and it can threaten even the most beautiful and God-filled people on Earth. This is something I have been reminded of because several friends of mine, some who are close and some who are not as close, have been facing the reality that life on Earth does not last forever and could potentially end much sooner for them than for the average person.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJftDqrPjFrOMC8U1_8VHyewO95TBwTf5VF3Tg5l5_PRC-K3xGvTH1h2-Lj5NcOeTmkXqC9gmd2u8D1VkWP6Fg-xzEPrjnC1_z0lqty-jceq97Udj-bD9eMZ0DodUUDZi5fRTObOeb-zhl/s1600/IMG_1908+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJftDqrPjFrOMC8U1_8VHyewO95TBwTf5VF3Tg5l5_PRC-K3xGvTH1h2-Lj5NcOeTmkXqC9gmd2u8D1VkWP6Fg-xzEPrjnC1_z0lqty-jceq97Udj-bD9eMZ0DodUUDZi5fRTObOeb-zhl/s200/IMG_1908+copy.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQzihjB_VAr1Ec26QKBGTI0-CmL5Jwo1ReGLpQLzL4jOkhyuMrj5oZSbYGOB0WK36dfQU8S5WMcy2WkOwHTAFLDbd1mYLGhyphenhypheniuv83hCbq-TVDES6bZ9T3gT2aHNYzuNL8KAXgIigSj8VZ/s1600/IMG_1899+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQzihjB_VAr1Ec26QKBGTI0-CmL5Jwo1ReGLpQLzL4jOkhyuMrj5oZSbYGOB0WK36dfQU8S5WMcy2WkOwHTAFLDbd1mYLGhyphenhypheniuv83hCbq-TVDES6bZ9T3gT2aHNYzuNL8KAXgIigSj8VZ/s320/IMG_1899+copy.JPG" width="240" /></a>However, I have seen in their words and actions a faith and a fearlessness that emanates vibrant life and beauty. Their trust in the goodness of God when life does not seem good and their unflinching defiance of the temporary power of death over their souls bears a great resemblance to those autumn leaves outside my window. As the autumn leaves in the face of their mortality, still they breathe beauty; for that is what they were created to do-- reflect the beauty of the Maker. And in spite of approaching winter they light up the world with a beautiful autumn blaze not so different from that of this Tennessee valley.<br />
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So I will continue to look out my window and smile at the turning leaves that bring to mind the hope we have in Christ. Because that hope of eternal life and glory, of Love and beauty is what reminds me that in the end Love wins, and that is all that truly matters.<br />
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<br />Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14617185986090024801noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281269231770844828.post-30042597053039678182012-10-05T01:54:00.001-04:002012-10-05T02:02:57.601-04:00OverblessedI'm waxing a bit melancholy tonight-- but a good sort of melancholy.<br />
<br />
I've been catching up on blogs, looking at pictures of my friends far away, and wishing and longing desperately to be near to each of my dear friends all at once.<br />
<br />
I've also been realizing tonight that I am overblessed. Blessed beyond all measure. And my heart is overflowing with gratefulness and humble awe at the God I serve who has deemed it good to lavish His love on me in such a way.<br />
<br />
God has placed in my path a great host of faith-inspiring friends who He has used to shape my life. And He continues to use them to refine me and point me ever and always to Him. These blessings of friendship with incredible people whose lives have been wholly committed to God and His cause have enriched my life here on this earth and have also given me even more reason to wish for God's soon return to come quickly-- that I may be continually in His Presence as well as in the presence of those who reflect His beauty and glory.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">As I've been sitting here feeling enriched, there is a song that has been echoing in my mind, especially this part:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">We're all homesick, </span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">Is love the reason? </span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">My hunger led me to your hope. </span></i></span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">Until the end of this colder season </span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">Keep us warm</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">Cause we are always Eden</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">The day after she fell.</span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><i>We see good and evil</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><i>And choose which one to tell.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><i><br /></i></span>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">~Alli Rogers, "Eden"</span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">Thank you to each of my wonderful friends who has chosen to tell Love.</span>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14617185986090024801noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281269231770844828.post-87377308573558469232012-09-03T13:17:00.000-04:002012-09-03T13:17:09.177-04:00The Waiting PlaceSeveral many months ago, I read a book entitled <i>The Waiting Place</i> by Eileen Button. My friend, Beth-Anne had given it to me as a birthday present, and I enjoyed it immensely. It is a collection of personal stories intended to help each of us appreciate the "waiting place," wherever and whenever it might be for each of us. The author talks about how we always seem to be rushing ahead to the next stage in life, always wanting to get out of this chapter and into the next chapter in which we expect to find more joy and happiness than we have in the present moment. Her point in this book is that we can learn to find and appreciate the joy and happiness of the here and now, the day-to-day living that comes in between life's big events.<br />
<br />
As I said, I enjoyed this book so much, and I could write about many different stories or ideas that the author presented that really resonated with me. However, I just want to share one quote that I felt captured the point of the entire book.<br />
<br />
<i>"We can wait all our lives for the next stage to come. Or we can choose to see the waiting place for what it often is: unexpectedly magical and holy."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
God wants us to find joy and to see the holy beauty of each moment in our lives with which He has blessed us. And I'm learning that the best way to do that is to verbally thank Him each day for the blessing of life He has given and to walk in close company with Him each day.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14617185986090024801noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281269231770844828.post-19610821354838763502012-05-07T19:01:00.000-04:002012-05-07T19:02:48.804-04:00I AM<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sometimes I wonder how God does it. How does He hold all the sorrow, all the joy, all the beauty, all the heartache in His heart and not shatter into a million pieces? And then I remember: I AM.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He is. He always was, He always will be. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He is the inexplicable, all-loving God. His capacity for love and His capacity for pain are both greater than my finite human mind could ever hope to grasp. He can experience both at once and not break because He is the great I AM.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And right now, nothing in the universe is more comforting to me than the knowledge that the great I AM is Love and is present.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>"At that time, declares the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, <sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-19693B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup>I will be the God of all the clans of Israel, and they shall be my people. Thus says the LORD: 'The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, the LORD appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.' </i></span><br />
<div class="chapter-2" style="font-size: 16px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="text Jer-31-11" id="en-ESV-19703" style="position: relative;"><br /></span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="text Jer-31-11" id="en-ESV-19703" style="position: relative;">"For the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> has ransomed Jacob </span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Jer-31-11" style="position: relative;">and has redeemed him from <sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-19703AC" title="See cross-reference AC">AC</a>)"></sup>hands too strong for him. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="chapter-2" style="font-size: 16px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>"'I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. I will feast the soul of the priests with abundance, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness,' declares the LORD."</i></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Jeremiah 31: 1-3, 11, 13-14</span></i></span>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14617185986090024801noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281269231770844828.post-74445295347138503492012-04-12T23:12:00.002-04:002012-04-12T23:29:13.873-04:00HopeThis morning I read 1 Thessalonians. I read it specifically because I wanted to read chapter 4 for some encouragement.<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="text 1Thess-4-13">But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 0.65em;"><sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29600AD" title="See cross-reference AD">AD</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top; "></sup></span><b>that you may not grieve as others do <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 0.65em;"><sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29600AE" title="See cross-reference AE">AE</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top; "></sup></span>who have no hope</b>.</span><span id="en-ESV-29601" class="text 1Thess-4-14"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "> </sup>For <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29601AF" title="See cross-reference AF">AF</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup>since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29601AG" title="See cross-reference AG">AG</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup>those who have fallen asleep.</span><span id="en-ESV-29602" class="text 1Thess-4-15"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "> </sup>For this we declare to you <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29602AH" title="See cross-reference AH">AH</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup>by a word from the Lord, that <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29602AI" title="See cross-reference AI">AI</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup>we who are alive, who are left until <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29602AJ" title="See cross-reference AJ">AJ</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup>the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.</span><span id="en-ESV-29603" class="text 1Thess-4-16"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "> </sup>For <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29603AK" title="See cross-reference AK">AK</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup>the Lord himself will descend <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29603AL" title="See cross-reference AL">AL</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup>from heaven <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29603AM" title="See cross-reference AM">AM</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup>with a cry of command, with the voice of <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29603AN" title="See cross-reference AN">AN</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup>an archangel, and <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29603AO" title="See cross-reference AO">AO</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup>with the sound of the trumpet of God. And <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29603AP" title="See cross-reference AP">AP</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup>the dead in Christ will rise first.</span><span id="en-ESV-29604" class="text 1Thess-4-17"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "> </sup>Then we who are alive, who are left, will be <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29604AQ" title="See cross-reference AQ">AQ</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup>caught up together with them <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29604AR" title="See cross-reference AR">AR</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup>in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, <b>and so <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29604AS" title="See cross-reference AS">AS</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top; "></sup>we will always be with the Lord</b>.</span><span id="en-ESV-29605" class="text 1Thess-4-18"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "> </sup>Therefore encourage one another with these words. ~1 Thessalonians 4:13-18</span></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span id="en-ESV-29605" class="text 1Thess-4-18"><br /></span></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">I noticed a few things this morning when I read this particular part of chapter 4. First, I was reminded that it's okay to grieve; it's just that our grief is not one without hope because we know that there is more than this life here on Earth. Second, the Lord himself will be the one to wake those who are sleeping in Him. I think that will be such a powerful, triumphant moment; when Jesus comes to reclaim from Satan those who have fallen under the power of death, when Jesus once again defies Satan's strongest weapon. Finally, I know that we Christians often look to this passage for comfort when someone we love has died because it gives us hope that we may live with them again. But I noticed in this read-through that Paul makes a point of saying that when that day comes, then we will always be <i>with God</i>. That is the ultimate comfort-- to be with God forever.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Tonight as I was thinking about this passage again, I decided to search for other Bible verses on hope to remind myself exactly what that hope is that we have that allows us not to grieve as those who are without hope. Here are a few I found that were encouraging to me.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i>Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, <b>for <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 0.65em; "><sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30140AE" title="See cross-reference AE">AE</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top; "></sup></span>he who promised is faithful</b>. ~Hebrews 10:23</i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="text Titus-1-1" style="font-style: italic; ">Paul, a servant of God and <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29877A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup>an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29877B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup>their knowledge of the truth, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29877C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup>which accords with godliness,</span><span id="en-ESV-29878" class="text Titus-1-2"><sup class="versenum" style="font-style: italic; font-size: 0.75em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "> </sup><b><i>in hope of eternal life, which God, </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 0.65em;"><sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29878E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top; "></sup></span>who never lies<i>, </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 0.65em;"><i><sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29878F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top; "></sup></i></span><i>promised </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 0.65em;"><i><sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29878G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top; "></sup></i></span><i>before the ages began.</i></b><i> ~Titus 1:1,2</i></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><span id="en-ESV-29878" class="text Titus-1-2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i><span id="en-ESV-29903" class="text Titus-2-11">For <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29903T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup>the grace of God <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29903U" title="See cross-reference U">U</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup>has appeared, bringing salvation <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29903V" title="See cross-reference V">V</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup>for all people,</span><span id="en-ESV-29904" class="text Titus-2-12"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "> </sup>training us to renounce ungodliness and <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29904W" title="See cross-reference W">W</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup>worldly passions, and <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29904X" title="See cross-reference X">X</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup>to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29904Y" title="See cross-reference Y">Y</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup>the present age,</span><span id="en-ESV-29905" class="text Titus-2-13"> <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29905Z" title="See cross-reference Z">Z</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup>waiting for our blessed <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29905AA" title="See cross-reference AA">AA</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup>hope-- the <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29905AB" title="See cross-reference AB">AB</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup>appearing of the glory of our great <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29905AC" title="See cross-reference AC">AC</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup>God and Savior Jesus Christ. ~Titus 2:11-13</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><i><span id="en-ESV-29605" class="text 1Thess-4-18"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i>And not only this, but we also </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-size: 0.65em; "><sup class="xref" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-28051F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup></span><i>exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-size: 0.65em; "><sup class="xref" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-28051G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup></span><i>perseverance; and </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-size: 0.65em; "><sup class="xref" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-28052H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup></span><i>perseverance, </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-size: 0.65em; "><sup class="xref" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-28052I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup></span><i>proven character; and proven character, hope; </i><b>and hope <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 0.65em; "><sup class="xref" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-28053J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top; "></sup></span>does not disappoint</b><i>, <b>because the love of God has been </b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-size: 0.65em; "><b><sup class="xref" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-28053K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top; "></sup></b></span><i><b>poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us</b>. ~Romans 5:3-5</i></span></span></div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14617185986090024801noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281269231770844828.post-70448814705320763282012-04-11T22:03:00.004-04:002012-04-11T22:55:41.630-04:00Life is Not GoodThis afternoon, I woke up after having worked last night, and I pulled out the top t-shirt in my drawer to wear. But as I looked at it, I realized I couldn't wear it. Not today. It was an orange, happy t-shirt that says "Good Vibes Life is Good." And as I eyed the shirt, my stomach started to churn. <div><br /></div><div>Life is not good. At least not life on this Earth. Life is messed up, full of sin and pain and things that make no sense to me. This life is one in which mothers must lay their own children to rest, fathers must lower their own sons and daughters into their graves. </div><div><br /></div><div>And to be completely honest, I'm so weary of it. I don't want to cry any more tears for mothers and fathers whose arms and hearts are empty. I don't want to weep anymore for the loss of those who are dear to me and the people I love. Sometimes I feel like my heart just can't take any more blows.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the last few months Satan has been attacking with vigor. I have had missionary friends bury their 6-month old baby boy. In addition, some friends of theirs just lost their 3-month old child. Other missionaries who work at a hospital I used to work in had to rush their 9-month old back to the States because of an unknown illness (although, I've just had news that he is fully recovered, praise God).</div><div><br /></div><div>My dear friend who teaches at a small Christian elementary school just lost one of her seven year-old students last night in a tragic accident. The girl, Marissa, was a twin. She had two parents who loved her, 4 siblings, and many friends. I can't imagine the pain and ache that her community is feeling.</div><div><br /></div><div>Life is not good.</div><div><br /></div><div>But then, as I looked at my "Life is Good" t-shirt and felt ill, I remembered that even if life is not good, God is. And there is more than this life; more than this life full of sin and pain and things I don't understand. There is Eternal Life-- a Life in which mothers and fathers will never feel the void, the ache of losing a child. Where Love and all its warmth and goodness will never again be tainted with painful good-byes. A Life in which God will wipe away every hot tear that trickles down our cheeks, searing our hearts with pain. A Life in which God will finally, once and for all, completely heal the pain in our hearts that no words of comfort can remove.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. </i><span id="en-ESV-31041" class="text Rev-21-3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><i>And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-31041H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup>the dwelling place of God is with man. He will <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-31041I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup>dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><i><span id="en-ESV-31042" class="text Rev-21-4"><sup class="versenum" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "> </sup>He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-31042K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup>death shall be no more, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-31042L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup>neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; "><i><span id="en-ESV-31042" class="text Rev-21-4">~Revelation 21: 1, 3</span></i></span></div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14617185986090024801noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281269231770844828.post-10704774566226655342012-02-26T16:34:00.002-05:002012-02-26T16:51:32.798-05:00GratitudeThis past Thursday as I was driving in to work, I was suddenly overwhelmed by how blessed I was. I took some time to thank God for His blessings that I often overlook. Here's my list:<div><br /></div><div>Sunsets on the way to work</div><div>Sunrises on the way home</div><div>A job that I love</div><div>Unexpected friendships</div><div>Babies that are healthy enough to scream in the night</div><div>Babies that are well enough to eat from a bottle</div><div>Dear friends</div><div>The knowledge that I am loved by many people</div><div>Sunshine and breezes</div><div>Daffodils to remind me that Spring is coming</div><div>A down comforter to keep me warm until Spring does come</div><div>Time spent pulling weeds with friends</div><div>Life lesson reminders from pulling weeds</div><div>My boyfriend, who treats me better than I deserve</div><div>Talks with my mother</div><div>A comfortable home</div><div>A real bed</div><div>An abundance of delicious food</div><div>Patience-- that God is teaching me, and that others have towards me</div><div>God's reminders that He is working</div><div>Time for reflection</div><div>My 30 minute drive to work</div><div>The privilege of communing with God in prayer</div><div>God's timing</div><div><br /></div><div>And there are many more. Taking the time to reflect and think of them reminded me of how infrequently I have a grateful attitude. I want to be in more of a habit of being truly grateful for God's blessings-- large and small. </div><div><br /></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><div class="poetry top-1" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-left: 1em; position: relative; padding-left: 2.6em; margin-bottom: 1em; "><p class="line" style="text-indent: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><b><span id="en-ESV-15856" class="text Ps-116-7" style="position: relative; ">Return, O my soul, to your <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15856K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top; "></sup>rest;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0; "> </span><span class="text Ps-116-7" style="position: relative; ">for the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps; ">Lord</span> has <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15856L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top; "></sup>dealt bountifully with you.</span></span></b></p></div><div class="poetry top-1" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-left: 1em; position: relative; padding-left: 2.6em; margin-bottom: 1em; "><p class="line" style="text-indent: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span id="en-ESV-15857" class="text Ps-116-8" style="position: relative; "><sup class="versenum" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; display: block; position: absolute; left: -4.8em; "> </sup>For <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15857M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "></sup>you have delivered my soul from death,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0; "> </span><span class="text Ps-116-8" style="position: relative; ">my eyes from tears,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0; "> </span><span class="text Ps-116-8" style="position: relative; ">my feet from stumbling;</span></span><br /><span id="en-ESV-15858" class="text Ps-116-9" style="position: relative; "><sup class="versenum" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; display: block; position: absolute; left: -4.8em; "> </sup>I will walk before the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps; ">Lord</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0; "> </span><span class="text Ps-116-9" style="position: relative; "> <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15858N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "></sup>in the land of the living. </span></span></p><p class="line" style="text-indent: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-116-9" style="position: relative; "><br /></span></span></p><p class="line" style="text-indent: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-116-9" style="position: relative; ">Psalm 116:7-9 (ESV)</span></span></p></div></span></i></div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14617185986090024801noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281269231770844828.post-74374097979754909162012-02-12T00:34:00.001-05:002012-02-12T00:34:17.700-05:00Sabbath BlessingGod is so faithful.<br /><br />I could just leave it at that. That pretty much says all I want to say. But I want to tell you why so that you know He's faithful, too.<br /><br />I have been incredibly blessed in that I have not had to work on Sabbath ever since I started my new job at the end of September. Unfortunately, I knew that trend would not last. Working as a nurse is wonderful in many ways, but it also has its downfalls, and one of them is having to work weekends and holidays.<br /><br />I had to work night shift this past Friday night through Saturday morning, and as I was preparing to go in to work that night, I kept thinking how much I wished I didn't have to go to work because I really needed my Sabbath rest. I read my Bible and then began to have my prayer time, and I thought, "You know what? I do not need to have this kind of attitude going into work." I didn't want to start my shift with a negative attitude because I didn't want to be spreading a negative influence to other people I would encounter, especially not on the Sabbath when we are supposed to receive and be a blessing. So I prayed for God to change my attitude. I asked Him to help me to be a blessing to those around me, and I asked Him to help me maintain a positive attitude and keep the Sabbath as best I could while at work.<br /><br />I then exercised, took a shower, ate, and packed a meal for work in record time. I managed to leave for work ahead of schedule (something that never happens, and especially not after having so much to do in so little time), and amazingly enough I was not stressed or upset at all on the way to work despite there being quite a bit of traffic and getting stuck behind a few slow drivers. I even managed to enjoy watching a gorgeous sunset as I drove. I felt like my Sabbath was already off to a good start.<br /><br />As soon as I got to the pod I'd be working in for the night, I saw that there had been a new admission that just came in at 6:25 pm-- right at shift change. The other night shift nurses and I discussed who would take which babies, and I volunteered to take the new admission and someone else would take the next admission since our pod was going to be the first to get new admissions for the night. I realized at that point that it was probably going to be a busy night, and I felt uncertain about what I was getting myself into. But I had determined that I was not going to let anything deter me from having a positive attitude and enjoying my Sabbath. I said a quick prayer and took report on my two babies.<br /><br />Things were very busy. Almost everything had been done for the new admission except for giving a few medications, filling out tons of paperwork, and shortly after dayshift left, we had to put the baby on bubble CPAP because he was grunting and retracting. One of the other nurses also got an admission not too long after our shift began. My podmates helped me and the other nurse get things done on our admissions, and by the time my shift was halfway over I was caught up and things had slowed down some. At that point I stopped to reflect a little bit and realized that despite all the stress of the evening, everything had gotten done (and done well), I hadn't felt stressed out at all, and I still had a positive attitude.<br /><br />The rest of the shift went by without much event. I left work and went to see my boyfriend briefly before going to my house to sleep. When I woke up Saturday evening, I was saddened to think that I had slept away most of the day and hadn't really gotten to enjoy worship or fellowship on Sabbath, and I had to go back to work again that night. But God wasn't done blessing my Sabbath.<br /><br />My housemates had planned a get-together at our house to give a quilt we had helped make to one of our friends who is recovering from her battle with esophageal cancer. When everyone had arrived, we sat down in the living room and sang hymns. Songs of heaven and of trusting in God. I soaked it up and thanked God for reminding me of His goodness, and I thanked Him for my Sabbath blessing.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14617185986090024801noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281269231770844828.post-69216690196532129042012-01-22T12:24:00.006-05:002012-01-26T01:04:11.112-05:00StormsLast spring I was babysitting for some good friends of mine. I love their family. I love their kids. And there is never a dull moment with them. For those of you who know me personally (or know them), I'm referring to the Parkers (whose blog you can follow <a href="http://willowbirds.blogspot.com/">here</a> when you need a dose of laughter or food for thought). I wanted to write about this when it happened last spring, but I guess better late than never, n'est pas?<br /><div><br /></div><div>I had been watching Anaya, Seth, and Skyler for the afternoon, and it had been a lot of fun. We played some games, read some stories, and then Seth and Anaya wanted to go outside. So outside we went. As I sat on the porch with Skyler and Seth, I watched the sky, and they did as well. There were dark storm clouds above threatening to let loose a furious downpour. </div><br /><div>"I don't yike storms," Skyler told me nervously.</div><div><br /></div><div>Seth responded before I could, and with a melancholy look on his face said, "I love storms."</div><br /><div>I smiled, and told Skyler, "I love storms, too. Do you want to know why?"</div><br /><div>"Yesh," he replied.</div><br /><div>So I told Seth and Skyler the story of the Israelites camped at the base of Mt. Sinai when God came down to speak to Moses. I read to them Exodus 19:16 where it says that there was thunder and lightning and a thick cloud on the mountain because God's Presence was there. And I told them that I loved storms in part because they remind me of God's power; storms make me feel like God is near.</div><br /><div>Skyler wasn't convinced. But we stayed outside a while longer and played some games in the yard.</div><br /><div>Later that evening shortly after Dr. and Mrs. Parker got home, the sky let loose. Rain was pounding the ground, wind whipping tree branches, and the tornado sirens started sounding over at the university. After some discussion, Dr. and Mrs. Parker decided that they would pack a few things and head over to Dr. Parker's office since they didn't have a basement in their house. I decided to head back home, but just before I got out the door, Skyler came over to me.</div><br /><div>"I yike storms because we get to go to daddy's office." His eyes sparkled with excitement as he smiled up at me. His fear of the storm was completely forgotten.</div><br /><div>At that moment, I wished that I were more like Skyler. Somehow there's a slight disconnect in my mind between physical storms and life storms. I love real storms for a lot of reasons. I especially love that they make me feel so small and make me feel that God's Presence is near. But for some reason, I haven't particularly carried that view and those feelings over to life storms. Somehow when I'm in the midst of a life storm, it seems so much easier to forget that God is near, so much easier to feel lost and alone.</div><div><br /></div><div>Skyler's reason for liking storms should be mine as well. He was thrilled for an excuse to spend time with his father. He was grateful for an opportunity to be with his dad and to be protected by him. As long as Skyler could be with his father during the storm, there was no room for fear, only space for excitement and joy.</div><br /><div>What if I reacted to life storms in the same manner? How amazing it would be if whenever a trial or difficulty presented itself in my life, I reacted by being excited for an opportunity to draw closer to God. How it might warm God's heart if I were anxious to see how He was going to come through for me, how He was going to protect and carry me through the storm, instead of being anxious about the potential damage that might result from the storm.</div><br /><div><i>"He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore." ~Psalm 121:3-8, ESV</i></div><br /><div><i>"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock." ~Isaiah 26:3, 4, ESV</i></div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14617185986090024801noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281269231770844828.post-34977198726382223152012-01-21T00:18:00.006-05:002012-01-21T09:38:23.527-05:00The Truth About ApathyLet me tell you the truth about apathy: it hurts. Deeper than hatred, it wounds the heart.<div><br /></div><div>It's been a while since I recognized this truth, and I've processed and worked through my thoughts and feelings on this matter. So now I'm sharing them with you because I caught a small glimpse of the heart of God, and I want you to see it too. </div><div><br /></div><div>A while ago, I was really struggling in one of my friendships. I was really upset because I valued this friendship, and I felt like my friend had become completely indifferent towards me. It seemed like no matter how much I tried to be friendly, they didn't care. In fact, in my mind, it began to seem like the more friendly I was, the more apathetic they became. This quickly turned into a very discouraging situation. I cried, I prayed, I racked my brain for answers. Finally, I realized that I couldn't keep doing it; I was not going to force my friendship somewhere it was not wanted. So, I backed off. And silently mourned the loss of a friendship that I still don't really have any hope of recovering. </div><div><br /></div><div>My friend's apathy towards me was worse than hatred, because hatred at least requires a person to feel like you're worth spending their emotional energy on; indifference breeds a feeling of worthlessness because they don't even care enough to hate you. In addition, anger is likely to subside one day; it comes back again and again, flaunting its pain in your face until you deal with it. But apathy nestles quietly somewhere deep in the recesses of a heart where it is not likely to be disturbed again. </div><div><br /></div><div>Somewhere in the midst of all of this emotional turmoil, I remember pouring my heart out to God. I told Him exactly how I felt. I told Him how hurt I was to lose a friend, one that I still cared about a lot. I told Him how their apathy made me feel, how it wounded my heart. And then it struck me. God gets that. He knows that feeling-- a billion times over. How many days of Earth's existence has God, who by definition<b><i> is</i></b> love, had to deal with the indifference of millions of His very own Creation? How often has God extended His love to us, not willing to force His love, but waiting with baited breath to see if we would accept His offer of friendship? How often has God backed off, mourning the loss of His Love and hoping that the day might come when we would change our minds? How deeply have we wounded His heart with our apathetic acknowledgment of His existence while we choose to invest our time and emotions in transitory endeavors?</div><div><br /></div><div>Let me tell you the truth about apathy: it hurts. Deeper than hatred, it wounds the heart.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><span class="woj" style="font-style: italic; ">“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. <span class="Apple-style-span"><sup class="xref" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30746AN" title="See cross-reference AN">AN</a>)" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "></sup></span>Would that you were either cold or hot!</span><span class="woj" style="font-style: italic; "> So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. . . </span><span class="woj"><i> Behold, I stand at the door and </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><sup class="xref" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30751AV" title="See cross-reference AV">AV</a>)" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "></sup></span><i>knock. </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><sup class="xref" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30751AW" title="See cross-reference AW">AW</a>)" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "></sup></span><i>If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><sup class="xref" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30751AX" title="See cross-reference AX">AX</a>)" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "></sup></span><i>I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.'" </i>~Revelation 3:15, 16, 20, ESV</span></span></span></div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14617185986090024801noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281269231770844828.post-26689256055273169842012-01-11T03:17:00.002-05:002012-01-11T03:42:53.245-05:00Pilgrims<span style="font-family:georgia;">"What might it not mean for others if all of us who are seeking after a country of our own, a better Country, that is, a heavenly, lived more like pilgrims here?" ~<em>Gold Cord: The Story of a Fellowship</em> by Amy Carmichael</span><br /><br />Have you ever traveled to a foreign country? Have you spent any length of time there? If you have, you will understand what I'm about to write.<br /><br />No matter how much time you spend in a foreign country, no matter how familiar you become with their food, their mindset, their language, or their sayings, it is always quite obvious that you do not belong. You look different. You have a different worldview. Your values, the things that are important to you, the way you see life are all different. You are from a different culture, and theirs will always be foreign to you. Theirs is not your heritage. You may come close to feeling like you fit in. You may even begin to identify with their culture; in fact, you may begin to feel like you're trapped somewhere in between their culture and your own. But their culture is still not completely your own.<br /><br />What if we as Christians really lived as if this world were not our home? What if we were so wrapped up in our heavenly home culture, so identified by it that it would become quite obvious to anyone we would meet on Earth that we do not belong here in this worldly culture-- that it is not our own? What would life look like if this Earthly culture were always foreign to us? What kind of difference could we make in this world if we lived more like pilgrims here and less like natives?Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14617185986090024801noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281269231770844828.post-2767485394227436452012-01-04T08:21:00.003-05:002012-01-04T08:27:06.085-05:00All Came to Pass<i>And the Lord gave them rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers. Not one of all their enemies had withstood them, for the Lord had given all their enemies into their hands. <b>Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.</b> ~Joshua 21:44, 45</i><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Reminders of God's faithfulness and goodness are always welcome. What an amazing one for the start of a new year. May I remember this year that God's promises, His Word, never fails. All that He has said <i>will</i> come to pass. </div><div><br /></div><div>And one day we will have rest from this weary world, just as He has promised.</div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14617185986090024801noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281269231770844828.post-45129168048308222332011-12-28T11:58:00.012-05:002011-12-28T12:35:23.169-05:00Providence<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yNG4GkEf6753Yz98j_hik7AKt0HFFePkidSxQQSkPKOExUiUy2w45frXOW1j6YMQixlb1St_K27zFYTv1HDHFVrGVHAzP962lBbWDA-pRGMQHOW0U9fMoU27FVMiLv_-PVdnlLPNus0X/s1600/IMG_4008.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yNG4GkEf6753Yz98j_hik7AKt0HFFePkidSxQQSkPKOExUiUy2w45frXOW1j6YMQixlb1St_K27zFYTv1HDHFVrGVHAzP962lBbWDA-pRGMQHOW0U9fMoU27FVMiLv_-PVdnlLPNus0X/s320/IMG_4008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691230847361178738" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">God is good. I love that He likes to give us small blessings as well as large ones, and I love to see how He orchestrates and impresses upon our hearts little things.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Very early Christmas morning I made a long drive from Cookeville to Chattanooga to go to work. As I stopped at a red light, I noticed a man on the street corner selling Sunday newspapers. I've seen him there before; in fact, I'm pretty sure he's been there every Sunday morning that I can remember passing by that corner. And he's there early, because I usually pass by around 6:10 AM. I looked at him and suddenly felt ashamed. There I was about to go to a job that I love, that is a huge blessing to me, and that pays enough to fill my needs and more, and I was a little bit resentful that I had to do it on Christmas day. And there he was, cold, up early on Christmas morning trying to sell newspapers to people who mostly didn't want to give him the time of day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Whenever I see people selling things on street corners, I feel compelled to give them something. And I have told God many times before that any time I'm in a situation like that, if it is possible, I will stop and give them something. Providentially, the light had just turned red as I was coming up to it, so I knew I had the time, and I was glad for the opportunity. I don't really read newspapers, though I probably should, but I thought at least I could use it for fire starter in our fireplace at home. However, God had a little something more in mind than fire starter.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I rolled down my window, gave him what cash I had with me, and wished him a Merry Christmas. I threw the newspaper on the floor of the seat next to me, and didn't have a chance to look at it again until that night. I noticed a picture of a small child on the front page and thought it curious, but I didn't have time to read the article until this morning.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When I read it this morning, I discovered it was an article about a baby who was once a patient in the NICU that I work in. I was blessed as I read, and I was reminded once again of why I do what I do. I was reminded of why I chose to be a nurse, and the reminder couldn't have come at a better time because</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0q0c1TEt47tujgA67O21t6wTTsg7YRCjcPURKAKPI9cjRHSm-qXtcjE0FnPFm1Kay67eVMT_KSshyphenhyphenrRrdCvLDYFe0OgzQz2mlanhsnU_0WZ-w76j-9Ksxzeq1SyGbhVwHu4uac78jKHD/s320/IMG_4009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691230474343895762" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /><div style="text-align: left;"> this past week has been one of the most stressful and difficult weeks I've had in the NICU since I started in September. God is good. More than I can express in words. And I am ever so thankful of His love and care for me.</div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14617185986090024801noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281269231770844828.post-77001307832360085732011-12-04T21:20:00.002-05:002011-12-04T22:08:05.376-05:00Kaddish<i>The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from calamity; he enters into peace; they rest in their beds who walk in their uprightness. ~Isaiah 57:1,2 (ESV)</i><div><i><br /></i></div><div>I called my mother on my way home from a fairly awful day at work, only to hear her crying. When asked what was wrong, she tearfully explained to me that less than an hour before my calling, Melvin Sanborn had died. The tears came instantly though her words did not fully register immediately. </div><div><br /></div><div>Mr. Sanborn was an incredible man of God. We grew up living down the street from him and his wife, Marjorie, who was one of the warmest people I've known. I loved them both. So much. Mrs. Sanborn was a greeter at our church for as long as I can remember, and she was the main reason our church had its reputation for being one of the friendliest, most welcoming churches ever. Mr. Sanborn built our church. With some help, of course; but he was at the forefront of planning and laboring over the house of God that replaced our gymnasium worship center. He used to read the Bible through every year, and in the past several years, he began to read it through in different versions. More than that, both Mr. and Mrs. Sanborn had been special to me. I distinctly remember when I was very small going down the street to spend time with them at their house. One year, Mrs. Sanborn gave me four giant teddy bears to play with; they were my favorites for several years and received much love and play time. In more recent years, Mr. Sanborn was always a friendly, familiar face when I would go home to visit my home church. He always had a ready hug and wanted to hear what I was up to in life. He reminded me a lot of my grandfather.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mrs. Sanborn died a year ago in November, and my heart broke then for all the people, including myself, who would miss her warm smile and even warmer Sabbath hugs. And tonight another one of God's bright lights has entered into a peaceful rest. And tonight my heart breaks again. For Mr. Sanborn's family and friends who will miss him dearly while we anxiously await the joy that will come with the morning of God's return.</div><div><br /></div><div>__________________________</div><div><br /></div><div>I thought it fitting also to share this section from a book I really enjoy. This particular excerpt is from a chapter on Jewish mourning rituals and more specifically, the Mourner's Kaddish (prayer).</div><div><br /></div><div>"Not only is the community present for one's mourning, God is present too. God is ubiquitous in Jewish bereavement because of the <i>Kaddish</i>. Countless commentators have observed that the <i>Kaddish</i> is a curious mourner's prayer, because it says nothing about mourning. It is rather a prayer about God, describing Him as magnified and sanctified and worthy to be praised. It is not a prayer of rent garments and commemoration, but rather simply four verses of praise to God. 'Blessed, praised, glorified, exalted, extolled, mighty, upraised, and lauded be the Name of the Holy One. Blessed is He, beyond any blessing or song.' As one mourner noted, the <i>Kaddish</i> is really 'a Gloria.' <b>Even in the pit, even in depression and loss and nonsense, still we respond to God with praise.</b> This is not to say that the mourner should not feel what he feels-- anger, disbelief, hatred. He can feel those things (and shout them out to God; God can take it). <b>You do not have to feel praise in the intense moments of mourning, but the praise is still true, and insisting upon it over and over, twice a day every day, ensures that eventually you will come to remember the truth of those praises</b>." ~Lauren F. Winner, <i>Mudhouse Sabbath</i></div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14617185986090024801noreply@blogger.com4