tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118153102024-03-23T08:59:58.783-04:00Livin' LifeTales and musings of a recovering perfectionist loving my ADHD, strong-willed household...only by the grace of God!Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945142343350499114noreply@blogger.comBlogger300125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11815310.post-42422303642026925292024-02-15T03:53:00.001-05:002024-02-15T03:53:17.115-05:00Discounted Christmas?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJuiC5PRLSRJMRpaXMZkHSg96imAxFS1g4fpNR63GURtBynBuSCQSl23OQuYdT4KezTskxMnD8FQCWzH6sB70rHXxGB6XSVYyX6MXAQ-7sxuTyJLsiHYIoyQdsATIY9ONNf-ftuNOe05gT2IuBokNljufKVhwulNhYa7y3u7mAUSDoZVuwvUF/s2018/IMG_20240111_201944553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2018" data-original-width="1957" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJuiC5PRLSRJMRpaXMZkHSg96imAxFS1g4fpNR63GURtBynBuSCQSl23OQuYdT4KezTskxMnD8FQCWzH6sB70rHXxGB6XSVYyX6MXAQ-7sxuTyJLsiHYIoyQdsATIY9ONNf-ftuNOe05gT2IuBokNljufKVhwulNhYa7y3u7mAUSDoZVuwvUF/w242-h206/IMG_20240111_201944553.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><br />'Tis more than a few weeks into 2024 and the Christmas discounts continued to rise as merchants attempt to gain back their shelf space that was filled with an elf and all other things holiday. Discounts rise from 30-50% a few days after Christmas to 75% after New Year and then usually 90% on anything that is left. <p></p><p>Anything that is left is basically left over. Slim pickings as faster shoppers made their way through the remainder of Christmas days and weeks after. Broken pieces. Things you may not have even looked at during Christmas. Will you know where it is for next Christmas if you buy now? Money not spent is money saved.</p><p>Until one day we arrive at the store and Valentine's Day decorations are fully in stock. Love day started rolling in right after Christmas.</p><p>We seem to move through seasons by what merchandise is in the stores at any given time. We start some holidays and just roll right into the next one as witnessed by Happy Thanks Merry HallowGiving Christmas! October rolls right in with November and December holidays all on display as well. Hellish looking monsters for Halloween. A few aisles over fall and Thanksgiving. A few more aisles and Christmas with words like Noel, Joy and Peace. The red and green. The manger pieces. </p><p>Sometimes we discount the joy and peace that Christmas promises far before the actual season. We spend time with our family and friends over some days off hopefully. Then life settles back to “normal”. Often we discount the Christmas that should roll into the New Year with us and last at least into the month of January, hopefully longer. We take down the decorations. We put the manger away....and sometimes we put the Christ of Christmas back into that box with the manger, angel and the rest of the pieces. Sometimes the PEACE of Christmas goes back into the box with the pieces. </p><p>Returning back to work and school. Tax time hits and we get busy with that. Then we flip the calendar page again and it is already February. And we roll into this year like we did all the others. Schedules fill up with sports and other activities. Spring and flowers. Easter and another reason to celebrate the new life we are promised. </p><p>Leaves back on the trees! A few more months and those leaves turn colors and fall to the ground. Hay rides. Bonfires with roasted marshmallows. We are back to October and trick or treating. Candy!</p><p>When put that way it really does speed by. What to do to make this year different? To not discount and lose the feelings of Christmas? The reason of Christmas and Easter?</p><br /><span style="color: #800180;">Matthew 5:3-5 (MSG) “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.<br /><br />“You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.<br /><br />“You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.</span>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945142343350499114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11815310.post-35223813984142740242022-12-31T23:50:00.001-05:002022-12-31T23:50:48.846-05:00Obituary of a marriage<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Obituary of a Marriage</div><p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Marriage, established
_______ , came to a slow, painful death by lack of care and mutual
respect. While family, friends and marriage itself hoped for a
fulfilling future, it was not meant to be. It was discovered that
marriage does not usually die, but is killed by neglect, lack of
communication, abuse, lies and disrespect.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Marriage is survived by
children, Healing and About Time. Also parents-in-law Told You So and
You Should Do Better Than We Did. Marriage was preceded in death by
Years of Counseling and Advice.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Marriage fell in love with
Potential. Marriage recognized too late that bringing 50/50 is not
enough. Bringing our best selves 100/100 is essential. When standing
at the altar marriage did not see far enough ahead to family members
illnesses, miscarriage, addition of children, bankruptcy, and deaths
of family and pets.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I do, became I can't
anymore. Sometimes the I Do when marriage needed to learn I won't.
That for better or worse does not mean better until it gets made
worse. In sickness and health, does not mean starting out healthy,
but making each other unhealthy. Staying poorer when richer was an
option. Richer and poorer is not just financial. When the tying of
the knot became the knot of an ever tightening noose.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">When anniversaries became
“x” and counting (which was usually to 10 to avoid saying
something that might be regretted).</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is hoped that this
marriage will rest in the peace that had become in short supply
throughout its lifetime.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">There will be no public
memorial or celebration of occasion as unlike the original public
ceremony the end of marriage is much less acknowledged. Memorial
contributions may be made to premarital counseling and the asking and
answering of the hard questions.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrjZVFwZKu6grvYfy_becUGSzj2ufh5wmZ08ushLSvOalpUHUaAZABVDxkKxtVoOz7yciMwPeoSvCzNLAZsomOdWgsCMdsPNK-_6ovT_r3jvbLRPDIUK359Uk7wrZ1Pp1k838s7paJ1ou5ZeP8At-TjmtMxZ7W5p9MQI-KVD8yt5nab-Azw/s846/1_20221230_235240_0000_20221231233436175%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="846" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrjZVFwZKu6grvYfy_becUGSzj2ufh5wmZ08ushLSvOalpUHUaAZABVDxkKxtVoOz7yciMwPeoSvCzNLAZsomOdWgsCMdsPNK-_6ovT_r3jvbLRPDIUK359Uk7wrZ1Pp1k838s7paJ1ou5ZeP8At-TjmtMxZ7W5p9MQI-KVD8yt5nab-Azw/s320/1_20221230_235240_0000_20221231233436175%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945142343350499114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11815310.post-20872769004081879222021-12-11T12:32:00.002-05:002021-12-11T12:32:40.727-05:00The Attraction of Distraction<p>Oh, I have heard this little voice that has become not so little. I have put it off. Proven the point. As I type this, the ding of my notifications on my cell phone is trying to lure me to look away. Stop typing. I know if I look, I will be sucked into the distractions that have filled my time lately. Ok. OK. CONSUMED my time lately. </p><p>I have my excuses, er...reasons. Yeah, reasons! It has been over a year since I have written on my blog. I have done many, many (some would say TOO many) posts on Facebook. Some thoughts. Many memes. Some silly. Some timely. Some really important to me so I want to share....at ALL hours of day, usually night. I convince myself it is part of my healing. My therapy. My ME time. I like to encourage people so that, up to a point, is all true.</p><p>However (knew that was coming, right?), all of that has become a distraction from dealing with life. Feelings. Grief. UGH. Even typing this I am having to take a deep breath because I know that anxiety feeling as my chest tightens. I will suffice it to say that 2020 and 2021 have been years that will be referred back to with the words: virus, pandemic, lock down, "new normal", vaccine, division, and so many more. That is just the world. Each of us have had our own issues to deal with too. </p><p> This is where the distraction comes in. This may not be the way everyone deals with stress, but it is seeming to become more of an issue as technology weasels into our everyday lives. Wonderful advancements that should make our lives easier. It does! IF you can control it and not let it control you. </p><p>One of my main distractions is my cell phone. Phones used to just be in our homes attached to a wall. Eventually cordless and able to be lost at the end of a single call as setting the phone down and not back on the charger resulted in a useless, lost phone. Never fear. The manufacturers predicted this and gave us a beep to find the phone, if it wasn't dead because it was not on the charger. Now if one of us misplaces our cell phone, we ask someone to call it. Mine is usually under papers within 2 feet from me. I have actually found myself looking FOR my phone, while I was ON my phone. <br /></p><p>Portable. A device that used to just be for calls. Made and received. An occasional short text as on a flip phone it was awesome, but time consuming, to hit the 1 button 3 times to get to "c". Then I had a slide out miniature keyboard which made texting faster and easier and less time consuming. It didn't matter if someone didn't answer, they could read the text later. Respond if they chose to. I go back in the house to get my phone if I forget it. Don't leave home without it used to just be a line in a commercial. My phone gets internet access if in the right spot. Wifi. Needing a password. The internet! </p><p>Ahhhh. The internet AND apps AND a newer, faster phone. Herein lies much of my distraction issue. I don't even need to be near a full size computer. At home. As long as I have wifi, I have a mini computer that fits in my purse or my pocket. Oh and the things the phone can do! Watch YouTube, Tik Tok, a movie! Have a question? Search. Find the answer. Or many answers. To questions I didn't even knew I had. Predictive text shows questions others have had and answered. How helpful and useful and distracting. Oops an hour went by. "News" with catchy headlines designed to make us click and click some more. Oops another hour. <br /></p><p>Games! I used to have to go to a video game arcade and have quarters. Then I could play at home on early Nintendo. Duck hunt and that darn dog that would laugh when I missed. Now there are apps of card games I used to play with real people. Now they are avatars on a screen and a chat box. I convince myself I'm keeping my brain active as I match candies, shapes and colors. Hoping the one I need to complete the puzzle will fall just in the right place to blow up and finish that level. How many levels? Hundreds. Maybe more. Connect to Facebook, see what games your friends are playing and send a challenge. This is not even getting into the apps that "reward" you for playing. Points for gift cards. It would be more cost effective to just buy the gift card, but hey! I'm playing already anyway. </p><p>ALL of these. Distractions are everywhere. Every. Day. I get ideas I might jot down, but I don't write as often as I did. Not for lack of ideas. Lack of motivation. The attraction of gift cards and being distracted so I don't have to feel when feeling the feels might lessen the hurt and let me move on. Let you move on. </p><p>Are you doing similar? Has the everyday noise and all the options taken up space in your head? Kept you from reading the Bible? Kept you from praying? Are you feeling ok about that? Distractions are everywhere. I have noticed the small voice getting smaller. </p><p>I have Biblegateway.com on my phone. On a good day, I do the reading plan on there BEFORE I get further distracted. All of the things are not necessarily bad when only doing them for a short time and not rabbit trailing from one topic right into the next or playing level after level of games. Working on putting the need to-do ahead of the want to-do. Feeling the feelings is still a work in progress. </p><p><span style="color: #741b47;"> <span class="text Acts-28-26" id="en-NIV-27926">“‘Go to this people and say,</span><br /><span class="text Acts-28-26">“You will be ever hearing but never understanding;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Acts-28-26">you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”</span></span><br /><span class="text Acts-28-27" id="en-NIV-27927"><sup class="versenum">27 </sup>For this people’s heart has become calloused;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Acts-28-27">they hardly hear with their ears,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Acts-28-27">and they have closed their eyes.</span></span><br /><span class="text Acts-28-27">Otherwise they might see with their eyes,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Acts-28-27">hear with their ears,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Acts-28-27">understand with their hearts</span></span><br /><span class="text Acts-28-27">and turn, and I would heal them</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47;"><span class="text Acts-28-27">Acts 28:26-27 NIV</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47;"><span class="text Acts-28-27"></span><span class="text Acts-28-27"></span><span class="text Luke-10-39" id="en-NIV-25403"><sup class="versenum">39 </sup>She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.</span> <span class="text Luke-10-40" id="en-NIV-25404"><sup class="versenum">40 </sup>But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”</span></span></p><div class="std-text"><span style="color: #741b47;"> </span><p><span style="color: #741b47;"><span class="text Luke-10-41" id="en-NIV-25405"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">41 </sup>“Martha, Martha,”</span> the Lord answered, <span class="woj">“you are worried and upset about many things,</span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47;"><span class="text Luke-10-41" id="en-NIV-25405"><span class="woj">Luke 10:39-41 NIV </span></span></span> </p></div><p>Lord, You know our hearts and desires. Thank you that you do not get distracted. May we be more aware of what is keeping us from reading your word and praying. Help keep our distractions to a minimum. Please help us to draw closer to you and work through anything that is distracting us from coming to you. May we use technology and advancements for good and not just time wasters keeping us from getting done what we need to do. Amen.<br /></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945142343350499114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11815310.post-62636924984213369392020-10-11T05:56:00.001-04:002020-10-11T05:56:55.667-04:00Unrestricted Access, NO access, #therehastobeabetterway<p>For anyone that finds this floating in the interwebs sometime in the future:</p><p>It is October 2020.The world is still dealing with the pandemic known as Covid19. It started to hit the United States in our area (Michigan) early March 2020. We are strongly urged, if not required, to wear masks indoors, as well as, socially distance (stand apart from each other) at least 6'. There is a lot of plexiglass in use to protect workers, customers and school kids. There is testing, but currently no vaccine. Covid has definitely changed the way we live our lives and conduct our businesses. Early on, there were shut downs resulting in unemployment and economic worries. Many employees that were able to worked from home. Schools closed early. Stayed shut for awhile. Did virtual online school as much as possible until the end of the year. Seniors in high school missed out on so many of those last year BIG events: prom, graduation, open houses. People did drive by celebrations. We made the best of a bad situation. </p><p>We slowly have tried to return to "normal" or the oft dreaded terms of "unprecedented times" and "new normal". Covid seems to affect mostly elderly and those with other health issues. </p><p>One of the shut downs has affected our shut ins most of all. Shut ins refers to those who live in residential care facilities. The care facility could be assisted living or skilled nursing. It could be a small group home for people that just need a bit more help or consistency than family can provide. </p><p>In our family's case, our shut in is our mom. Prior to Covid, we were pretty much allowed unrestricted access to our mom. There are 5 of us "kids" (almost all in our 50's now). Between the 5 of us and our families, we visited mom at least 2-3 times a week. We attended events and activities designed to keep residents healthy and happy and active. BINGO!</p><p>We had a key card we could use to get in if it was after hours. I'm a night owl. Sometimes I visited later at night to help tuck mom in and say good night. There were many nights I would walk back down the hall to my car near tears. Mostly because I didn't want to have to leave her there. Some because I imagined it was like when she used to love on me when I was younger and ready for bed. </p><p>I already felt guilty for having her go to a nursing home in the first place. It was not hers or our family's first choice. We kept her home as long as we could after our dad passed away in 2018 the day after her 75th birthday. There was home care OT, PT, nurses and doctors that helped us in keeping her home. She made progress. Then there was the week that things took a turn and the day the ambulance came to take her to the hospital. She went to a hospice facility for a few months. She rebounded health-wise and was released from the hospice program. By then, she could no longer stand on her own. Staff was using a lift to get her in and out of bed. </p><p>We were blessed to find a good facility. Many of the staff have become like extended members of our family. When we visited, we attempted to assist staff as they are often overworked and underpaid for the skills they provide. We brought cheer up gifts, treats and encouragement. We visited other residents. We gained some 90+ year old friends that sat at mom's table for meals. In late Dec. 2019 and early Jan. 2020, mom's facility restricted visitors due to the "normal" flu and gastro stuff. It was hard on residents and staff. Emotionally. Mentally. That was weeks. We made do with phone calls to our mom on a smart phone that was becoming increasingly more difficult for her to use. </p><p>Early March, one of my brothers and I visited and brought mom a cake from her and dad's favorite hangout. There was more than enough cake to share with staff and our friends. The next day, the anniversary of her husband's/our dad's death, I received a call that visitors were again going to be restricted, this time due to Covid and the unknowns that presented. </p><p>As a family, we got it. There were states that were getting hit really hard and the goal was to keep the hospitals and staffs from becoming overwhelmed with Covid patients. We needed to "flatten the curve". That was March which has turned into April, May, June, July, August, September, and in Michigan currently, until October 31. For those of you counting, this is 7 MONTHS. With no end in sight. During this time, residents have been confined to their rooms. There has been NO communal dining. There has been hallway bingo over the intercom. We try to time our calls around that. There is television and what else?</p><p>During this time, we were allowed window visits. Thankfully, mom's facility is all one floor. Then, that gate stayed locked so no more window access. We try and do Skype which are scheduled online through the facility. Currently, Monday - Friday business hours for 20 minutes. The internet frequently acts up. A staff member stays in the room to make sure the call goes ok. Mom has an old-fashioned flip phone that on a good day has been charged, the volume is turned up, it is where she can reach it and she can remember how to use it. There is a glass door at the end of her hall. Staff has wheeled her to it and we use our phones to talk. Sometimes she is too tired to hold her phone up or she gets confused by hearing the phone AND us talking through the door. We call ahead of time to make sure her phone will be working and they know we are coming. We are researching other options. Thank goodness for technology!</p><p>We were allowed (so far) one outside visit mid-August. Allowed 2 visitors, 6' apart, no touching, but seeing mom outside: priceless. Visits were/are allowed Tues and Thurs. 10 visits/week and the weather had to cooperate. Once all the families had a chance to visit, we were allowed to schedule another outside visit. It is now OCTOBER. In MICHIGAN. I had a visit scheduled for this upcoming week. October 13. I received a call last week, that an employee tested positive so there is now ANOTHER 14 day quarantine period. Our mom and other residents have been tested NUMEROUS times during this time. How do think it goes for staff to test dementia patients more than once? </p><p>My frustration rises. I'm in Michigan. There are 422 facilities. I advocate. Others advocate. A lady in Florida gets a job IN her husband's facility to be able to see him. A national Facebook page starts. State Facebook pages start. Who do we contact? President? Our Washington congress people? Nope state level. Governor? Canned email responses back that may, but probably not even cover what we emailed about. Our state senator and representative? Which county? I'm in Ottawa. My mom's facility is in Kent. I went with Ottawa. I got a staff email response from my rep and a phone call. It's election season though and the people I contact are up for reelection so where's the focus? On shuts ins that have PROUDLY voted in past elections? Who knows what happens this year? Many are not cognitively with it enough to make that decision anymore. The governor has tasked covid response to the health department. The health department issued exceptions dated JUNE 30, HOWEVER, the final say is still with the facilities. Most facilities stopped at provide electronic access (on devices the federal and/or state government provided 2 per facility). The governor appointed a task force, that to my knowledge, did NOT include a resident and/or family representatives. They issued recommendations similar to the exceptions with a bit more detail. We try to get the attention of newspapers, magazines, news stations. HEAR US! We may, or usually not, don't even get a reply. </p><p>7 MONTHS of isolation and loneliness. It is not only Covid we are afraid of. We have watched our family members and friends deteriorate during this time. Some of us have lost our resident to death. Most NOT due to Covid. The only visits that are for sure allowed are "compassionate care" for when a resident is "actively dying". </p><p>Facilities have been given an impossible task. Keep their residents healthy from Covid. BUT at what cost? To the staff. To the residents. To us as family and friends. What we are doing is NOT working. Quarantine the sick. The goal post keeps moving. The clock keeps getting reset. If the goal is 0? More will die, but not from Covid. They will die from the loneliness and isolation of trying to keep them safe from a virus that some even though positive, have few symptoms.</p><p>We took our unrestricted access to our loved ones for granted. Personally, I didn't even know that we <b>could </b>be kept out due to the flu or gastro illnesses, and now Covid. We're dealing with NO access currently. The tag for our pleas for help has become #therehastobeabetterway </p><p>We are not asking for unrestricted access. We are asking for an essential caregiver (not just dependent on assistance with ADLs - Activities of Daily Living) to be allowed per resident. We will meet the same requirements as employees. We will test. We will sign a waiver saying you are not responsible for us or our loved one contracting covid at your facility. We will schedule an appointment. We will walk directly to our resident's room. What MORE do you want? What more can we do? THIS is not working for the residents. Or us. Help us help you find the better way. </p><p>-------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p>If religion or discussion of God offends you, please stop reading or continue to scroll to your next bit of interweb business.</p><p>I cannot close this blog post without mentioning this. When I first thought of unrestricted access, I was thinking of how often I took it for granted with visits to my mom. I also thought of my access to God. According to the Bible, there was a time when people wanted to talk to God, they had to go to a temple. The priests had to relay the requests/prayers to God. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ broke that barrier and allows us, each of us, unrestricted access to have our prayers heard. Anytime. Anywhere. The curtain of the temple separating us from God was torn. </p><p>I do not pretend to have all the answers to life's questions. I'm always willing to discuss and share what I have learned though. Feel free to reach out to me or others in your life that have made the decision to follow Jesus. My mom and dad made that decision long ago. They raised us knowing too. When we are aware of a gift, we don't want to leave it unopened. Thank you for opening your heart in consideration. </p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><span class="text Luke-23-44" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">Luke 23:44-46 (NIV) </span>It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon,</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;"> </span><span class="text Luke-23-45" id="en-NIV-25981" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">45 </span>for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;"> </span><span class="text Luke-23-46" id="en-NIV-25982" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">46 </span>Jesus called out with a loud voice, <span class="woj">“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” </span>When he had said this, he breathed his last.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><span class="versenum" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">John 3:16 (NIV) </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;">For God so loved</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;"> the world that he gave</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;"> his one and only Son,</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;"> that whoever believes</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;"> in him shall not perish but have eternal life.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;"><a href="www.biblegateway.com" target="_blank">www.biblegateway.com </a>is an awesome resource if you would like to read more from the Bible.</span></span></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945142343350499114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11815310.post-91550188307987361412020-07-04T22:43:00.000-04:002020-07-04T22:43:46.067-04:00In-dependence Independence day<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Today,
July 4 is an important day in the USA. We celebrate the day of the
signing of the Declaration of Independence. Thirteen colonies became
independent from a country we no longer agreed with. We celebrate our
freedom.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">As
we celebrate differently this year due to COVID-19 Corona virus, there are
not many big groups for parades, picnics, fireworks, etc. More people
are doing fireworks in their driveways tonight. I can hear the
booming of displays in our neighborhood. Many people invited others
over this year to share in their displays. Independent doesn't mean
alone. Our forefathers worked together to create our independence and
identity separate from the King and Britain.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">We
usually strive for independence. Especially as we get older. As
parents, we strive to get our kids to a point where they can handle
life on their own.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I
have been thinking the past few days though that sometimes I become
TOO independent. Maybe you do too? I usually notice it most when I
have tried to do life on my own. Again. Still.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">My
independence often comes at the expense of my leaning less on God. We
are not meant to do life on our own. God, our families, and our
friends can help us not to be dependent, but also not to be SO
independent that we start to think we handle everything on our own. I
know that even when I THINK I am, I'm not really.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Thankfully,
God does not let me get too far off the path that I stop
acknowledging I am not doing life independently. Today, I also celebrate
my in-dependence of God, our Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus: sent
to truly set us free.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The
really awesome thing is that God doesn't NEED me or you. He WANTS us.
He made us in His image. Sparkle on, my friends. Today. And everyday. When our final Grand Finale comes, will you be ready? </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">KA-BOOM!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #741b47; font-size: x-small;">1 Corinthians 12:4-13 The Message (MSG)</span></div>
<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful:<br />wise counsel<br />clear understanding<br />simple trust<br />healing the sick<br />miraculous acts<br />proclamation<br />distinguishing between spirits<br />tongues<br />interpretation of tongues.<br />All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when.<br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">1 Corinthians 12:19-26 The Message (MSG) <br />But I also want you to think about how this keeps your significance from getting blown up into self-importance. For no matter how significant you are, it is only because of what you are a part of. An enormous eye or a gigantic hand wouldn’t be a body, but a monster. What we have is one body with many parts, each its proper size and in its proper place. No part is important on its own. Can you imagine Eye telling Hand, “Get lost; I don’t need you”? Or, Head telling Foot, “You’re fired; your job has been phased out”? As a matter of fact, in practice it works the other way—the “lower” the part, the more basic, and therefore necessary. You can live without an eye, for instance, but not without a stomach. When it’s a part of your own body you are concerned with, it makes no difference whether the part is visible or clothed, higher or lower. You give it dignity and honor just as it is, without comparisons. If anything, you have more concern for the lower parts than the higher. If you had to choose, wouldn’t you prefer good digestion to full-bodied hair? </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #741b47; font-size: x-small;">You can easily enough see how this kind of thing works by looking no further than your own body. Your body has many parts—limbs, organs, cells—but no matter how many parts you can name, you’re still one body. It’s exactly the same with Christ. By means of his one Spirit, we all said good-bye to our partial and piecemeal lives. We each used to independently call our own shots, but then we entered into a large and integrated life in which he has the final say in everything. (This is what we proclaimed in word and action when we were baptized.) Each of us is now a part of his resurrection body, refreshed and sustained at one fountain—his Spirit—where we all come to drink. The old labels we once used to identify ourselves—labels like Jew or Greek, slave or free—are no longer useful. We need something larger, more comprehensive. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #741b47; font-size: x-small;">The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and the parts we don’t, the parts we see and the parts we don’t. If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance. </span>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945142343350499114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11815310.post-51347244552762772432020-04-12T06:11:00.000-04:002020-04-12T06:11:09.472-04:00wHo'S on First? Easter/virus baseballIn the late 30's/early 40's, comedians Abbott and Costello did a comedy sketch eventually titled "Who's On First" (Wikipedia). It was a play on words where the baseball players names are pronoun/phrase "nicknames".<br />
<br />
This year, 2020, many sport seasons were cut short and/or not starting on time due to the Covid-19 virus. Large gatherings of people for sporting events, concerts and festivals have been called off. The pandemic caused by the virus has rippled into cancellations of May and June events as major planning for Spring and Summer happens right while all of this is happening too.<br />
<br />
It is also Easter weekend. A time when many of us would be attending church to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. A time when many of us would be having dinner with family and friends. A time to celebrate Spring and nicer weather. However, many of us are under Stay at Home orders. Our celebrations will be different this year for many of us.<br />
<br />
The above events are what (2nd base!) got me thinking about what I'm about to write. I have also heard people struggle with faith especially at a time like this or when some other event rocks their world. I do too. Still. I don't know (3rd base!) all the answers. Still. Too much of the time I still find myself overthinking God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Bible.<br />
<br />
It is when I overthink, I start to question something I have stood on most of my life. Faith. To some this is going to be too simplistic. To some this will be filled with theological/non-Biblical holes. Honestly, I don't know that much about baseball other than a comedy sketch and watching some of my nephews games. <br />
<br />
I often hear people say, "How could a loving God let "x" happen?" We often refer to God as our Heavenly Father. When a person has not had a good earthly example of a father, this can be a major sticking point to belief in God. I hear people say that the Bible is full of archaic information and too many rules. However, we follow rules everyday. Traffic lights. Employment. Safety. Rules to Stay at Home when we'd rather be out, even if we have nowhere currently to go.<br />
<br />
So. Take a walk with me in your mind to your local baseball/softball field.<br />
<br />
The rules. The Bible. How do you play a game without rules? How can everyone play by the same guidelines if each team and/or each player made up their own rules? We may not like it. We probably won't like all of it. Doesn't make it less of a rule. The basic rules of the Bible are the ten commandments*. If it has been awhile, it might be a good time to check out the Bible. It is more than just rules. There are more ways than ever to read and listen. Currently, in the United States, we are free to read it, search it or listen to the Bible whenever we choose. This is not true everywhere.<br />
<br />
The team. Christians believe in the Trinity of God. How can one entity be three? A team contains more than one player. The trinity of God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.<br />
<br />
The other team. In this game, it is called spiritual warfare. Playing to win. The battle of good and evil. In today's world, we water it down to good and not so good. Everybody wins. If we are "good", we will get to go home, if you believe in that.<br />
<br />
Umpire. God. We may not like the decision. We can question. We can argue. Umpire makes the final call and coaches and fans have to live with it. In a world of instant replay, wow does this come into question. Maybe more than it used to. Depending on which outcome one wants, we can find info to "prove" what we need to see to make us feel better.<br />
<br />
The coaches. Other Christians. Want you to join our team. Encouraging. Cheerleaders. Help us learn the rules of the game.<br />
<br />
The fans. Rooting for a team. May or may not understand the game that well. Sometimes embarrassed to let their friends know which team they root for. Coaches can be fans too. They might be sitting right next to you. (<strike>May </strike>probably will be eating snacks from the concession stand)<br />
<br />
Home. Heaven. Christians believe that this life we live is not ALL there is. We believe that we will get to spend eternity with our team in Heaven if we accept Jesus as our Savior.<br />
<br />
I'm trying to think of a baseball way to explain hell. I'm not being real successful. Right now, the only way I can think of is if you REALLY don't like the game of baseball, but you are told you HAVE to play whether you want to or not.....the umpire doesn't MAKE you spend time forever playing baseball. You can question the umpire, in fact it is encouraged. You can disagree with the umpire, that's OK too. You've had time to decide if you want to play. That is your choice. That is free will. We have the choice to walk.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: yellow;">The World Series. EASTER On Good Friday, the other team thought they had won. They had KILLED the home team. They sent them to the dugout. The coaches and some of the fans were brokenhearted. On Easter Sunday, the home team rose up and the world was never the same. </span><br />
<br />
In this game of life it may be the 3rd strike in the bottom of the ninth. Are you running home? You can be in the stadium as a fan. Or not. BUT you are always invited to get on the field and play.<br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">*Ten commandments are found in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+20&version=NIV" target="_blank">Exodus 20 BibleGateway.com</a></span><br />
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John 11:24-26 (NIV)<br />Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”<br /><br />Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”</span><div>
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Revelation 21:5-7 New International Version (NIV)<br />He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”<br /><br />He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.</span>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945142343350499114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11815310.post-67667995164516112862020-04-05T05:03:00.000-04:002020-04-05T05:03:09.248-04:00Essential?I haven't written in awhile. Not because I don't have any thoughts. Believe me, I have TOO many. I think that is part of the issue. Narrowing it down to one or two basic points without getting overwhelmed. Realizing that if the thoughts are coming with good intentions, it is ok if everyone doesn't agree. As a people pleaser, that is difficult for me!<br />
<br />
We are at a challenging point in life right now. The world is dealing with COVID-19. A virus that is challenging to medical staff, governments, families and individuals. A virus that has tightened social restrictions from countries, travelling, to groups of less than 250...than 100....than 10....to stay at home unless absolutely necessary. A virus that has closed schools. A virus that is spreading faster than what we know to do with....for now. A virus that has definitely slowed, if not halted, the economy in Michigan and other areas except for "essential" services.<br />
<br />
I looked up "essential". According to Merriam-Webster.com (HOW convenient! I didn't even need to find a dictionary!), as an adjective it means <i>of the utmost importance</i>. As a noun, essential means <i>something basic</i> or <i>something necessary, indispensable or unavoidable.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
We are told to wash our hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds. Don't touch your face!<br />
<i></i><br />
The beginning of virus warfare was panic buying for essentials. Apparently, many considered toilet paper to be one of THE most essential items to have for staying at home. Baby wipes and hand sanitizer quickly flew off the shelves as well. This was probably early to mid March 2020 in the United States. As of the beginning of April, many shelves for paper products are still empty.<br />
<br />
If we venture out to the store, we are urged to make as few trips as possible, to only have one person from a family shop, to practice "social distancing" of 6' from each other in lines, etc. Most doctor/medical appointments are being done by "telehealth": online conference apps between medical staff and patient. Schools were closed. Decisions are still being made about the rest of the school year. Most teachers and students can connect through online communication. Many parents are working from home if able. So far, restaurants are open for take-out, carry-out or drive through. No sit down dining. No sports - end of seasons. No concerts, but many musicians have cheered us up online with impromptu home concerts.<br />
<br />
We are urged to stay at home unless absolutely necessary for food and other groceries. So far, we are allowed to be able to be outside for walks and exercise. If doing these activities with another person, we are urged to stay 6' apart. We are being told to try and limit exposure as much as possible. Our mom is at a nursing home. Residents are not allowed visitors. Staff is being temperature tested to enter for work. We have made some visits to mom's window or on Facebook Messenger to video chat.<br />
<br />
This has brought up some interesting thoughts and conversations for politicians and business owners. What defines an "essential" employee? What work can be done remotely from home? How will this change employment structures WHEN this all calms down?<br />
<br />
Friends, I urge us not to find our self worth tied to any job title or skill set. I feel that this will be easy to do if we are told to not work and file for unemployment. The term essential does NOT define our importance. To our employer. To our families. To ourselves. Many things have changed or shut down. Here's an exciting discovery: The world HAS NOT stopped spinning.<br />
<br />
<b>Here's another thing. YOU are essential to the One that knew your beginning and knows your end. YOU were especially created for such a time as this. NOBODY ELSE can fill in YOUR piece of this puzzle we call life. </b><br />
<br />
Yes, this virus is scary. The situations coming because of it are nerve-wracking and anxiety producing. And yet....there are good things continuing to happen on our spinning sphere. Neighbors are looking out for each other. We can still smile with our eyes even if it is determined that wearing a mask will help. Keep looking for the good. <b>Keep knowing that YOU are important and very essential just because YOU ARE YOU.</b><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;">Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.</span><div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;">Esther 4:12-14 (NIV) When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”**</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;">**If you would like to read more of Esther's story, there are 7 chapters in the book of Esther in the Bible. <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/" target="_blank">www.biblegateway.com </a>is an excellent resource</span></div>
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945142343350499114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11815310.post-42968393290917911382019-11-01T22:16:00.000-04:002019-11-01T22:26:18.510-04:00I Didn't Know<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I recently attended a writers conference. I have wanted to go in previous years, but always found a reason (ie: excuse) why "now" wasn't a good time. I figured if I'm going to do it, do it well. I signed up for the extra night and a pre-conference session. The extra night was to make sure I was there on time and in the right frame of mind to focus on one thing. Life has not been about only one thing at a time, or seemingly about me, for quite awhile. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My anxiety struck up as I got ready to leave that day. I'm almost ready to give her a name as she seems like a nit-picky, perfectionistic version of me I'm trying to get away from. "Why are you going to this BY YOURSELF? YOU don't like to go places where you don't know at LEAST one other person! Do you know how much other life stuff you have going on right now? WHY?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Why indeed. I slammed the door a bit harder than intended. Set my map app. Turned the radio louder to drown her out and drove away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was not alone for long. I found out that weekend was where I was supposed to be for that weekend. I don't think of myself as a writer. I think of myself as a person who likes to write now that I don't "have to". Our name tags listed our name as well as what we had entered on our registration. Mine said "devotionals/blogger". I made the mistake a few times of saying I "just" have a blog. I was reminded and encouraged that nothing is "just". Point taken. Learn to own it. "I am a writer" Take that, anxiety!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I sat with different people over the few days. Some had come alone. Some had come with friends. Many it was first-time attendance. Some had attended numerous years. I sat with an older couple. The wife referred to her husband as her boyfriend. So cute!. They shared they had recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with their family. I didn't tell him that he reminded me of my dad. That would have made me cry. I sat with men and women younger and older than me. I listened as they shared why they were attending and some of their stories they were willing to share. I was able to encourage some. Many encouraged me a lot. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I didn't realize until a few meals in that some of the people sitting at our tables were "in the industry" of writing: editors, publishers, authors, agents, presenters of the sessions. I was a bit intimidated when I made that little discovery. Why was I surprised though? They have to eat too! Anxiety snuck up again as I tried to replay conversations in my mind where I might have said something I shouldn't have to someone I shouldn't have. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I learned a lot. The weekend ended. I came home. The feeling to write has nagged me. I made an online Facebook support group because I don't have time right now to meet in person. I "friended" some of the attendees. They "friended" me. Writing is really kind of lonely overall. Sharing what is in my head and heart is kind of overwhelming overall. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How many times have I let what or who I didn't know get in my way? Is what we have written on our name tag as a job or how we would describe ourselves really what matters? It was a Christian writers conference. Would/Do people know that about me without seeing it on a name tag? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I write this to remind me...and you....don't let what you don't know stop you. I was reminded of the verse: </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hebrews 13:2 <span class="verse" id="verse-30244" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="verse" id="verse-30244" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span><span style="color: purple;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span>
<span class="verse" id="verse-30244" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;">and then I found verse</span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;">6: </span></span><br />
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<div class="first-line-none top-05" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0.5em 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span class="verse" id="verse-30244" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="verse" id="verse-30248" style="box-sizing: border-box;">So we say with confidence,</span><span class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box;">“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. </span><span class="indent-1" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box;">What can mere mortals do to me?”</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To those who shared hospitality with me: thank you for being an angel when I needed one. My new name tag: mere mortal/writer</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945142343350499114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11815310.post-80662124802630300362019-04-23T05:39:00.000-04:002019-04-23T05:39:54.204-04:00AlarmedI was sitting in a parking lot when I heard it. It wasn't the first time. It won't be the last. Sometimes it's even my fault!<br />
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A car alarm blaring in the not too far distance. Loud. Annoying. Continuous....until the owner pushes the right button and shuts off the annoying blare. I'm sure when car alarms were first produced they served the purpose intended. The alarm is aimed to protect your car from being stolen. Occasionally helpful as a personal way to find the vehicle if a person is not good at remembering where the car is parked. (eh hem)<br />
<br />
B E E P<br />
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Since car alarms are now just part of the way we do our daily business, the alarm seems to be mainly ignored by anyone else around the car. If the noise continues long enough, someone might mention it to a nearby business to see if the owner can be located. Overall though? Ignored.<br />
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I went to some Easter productions over the weekend. The Good Friday service was worship music interspersed with the life and death of Jesus those last days. The thing that hit me the most? A steady heart beat. The slowed heart beat with labored breathing. The heart beat. Stopped. Not like you would hear in a hospital, hooked to a monitor, an alarm might trip, flat line, a steady beep....until the machine is turned off.<br />
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This time? No hospital. No monitor. The heart beat. HIS h e a r t b e a t just....stopped.<br />
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I didn't know how alarming that would be for me as it brought me back to the living room and the final days of our dad the year before. He had fought Melanoma cancer 4 times. This time he was losing. It took almost a month in all for him to let go. The day after mom's 75th birthday. 52+ years married. 5 kids. 9 grand kids. 1 great grandson. That day the Hospice nurse left saying it probably wouldn't be long. A few hours later, I checked for a heart beat with a stethoscope I am not qualified to use. I expected to hear that steady, but slowing thump thump. There was nothing.<br />
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I had not had anyone THIS close to me die. I had heard the alarms of others as they shared their stories of grief in the classes I had attended knowing what was coming for our family. I had seen the blips of posts on FB and obituaries as others lost loved ones. I could ignore and be rather blissfully unaware....until that day.<br />
<br />
B E E P<br />
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The other Easter production showed creation, Adam and Eve (BEEP), Noah (BEEP BEEP) , Abraham, Joseph, Moses (LET MY PEOPLE GO BEEP BEEP BEEEEP).<br />
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JESUS<br />
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Some of the miracles portrayed. (BEEP BEEP BEEP) Palm Sunday where the people cheered for their King that was the King they needed, but not the King they wanted. Jealous leaders that were claiming to teach about God, but didn't know God. Supper with friends the disciples. Betrayed. Arrested. Falsely accused. Whipped. Beaten. Crucified. The slowed heart beat with labored breathing. IT IS FINISHED.<br />
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Put in a tomb. A rolled away stone. A glorious morning. Tell the story. Then.<br />
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Fast forward to now. The alarms are sounding. Do we hear? Do we ignore? Do we tell others? Do we just quiet the alarm and go on about our day? Do we go to church, sing a song, join a Bible study, listen to Christian radio?<br />
<br />
Do we write a blog?<br />
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BBBBBBBEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="passage-display-bcv" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-right: 6px;">Ephesians 1:17 (</span><span class="passage-display-version" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline;">NIV)<span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;">I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29224A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29224A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;">may give you the Spirit</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;">of wisdom</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29224B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29224B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;">and revelation, so that you may know him better.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span class="passage-display-bcv" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-right: 6px;">Mark 16:6</span><span class="passage-display-version" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline;">(NIV)</span></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene,</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-24880A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24880A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.</span></span></span></div>
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945142343350499114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11815310.post-80561221668837627172019-01-26T02:32:00.002-05:002019-01-26T02:32:50.515-05:00The Daily Mental Walk of Shame<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 32.1pt; margin-right: 28.35pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>I wrote this for a short story contest. I had been kicking the idea around in my head. Not necessarily a short story format, but it gave me a deadline. Honestly? I need deadlines. I can procrastinate something fierce without one....even with deadlines too often I wait until the last minute....or close to it. </i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>So, I didn't win. However, in the long run, I'm ok with that. If I had, I couldn't use it for a year. I'm hoping it will help others to read it as much as it helped me to write it. It is a bit more non-fiction than I would probably admit most days. </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Daily Mental Walk of Shame</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My name is Cera. Cera Bellum. My age doesn't really matter. Overall, it doesn't. By most </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">people's standards, I am pretty smart. At least I am usually. On the days when the brain fog is not </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">quite </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">so foggy, I can seem quite intelligent. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Every day starts out pretty much the same. I wake up. Usually much later than I </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">planned on, and after hitting snooze at least one time more than I should. Should. It's like </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">could and would. I really don't like those words. They make me feel guilty. It's early yet. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Too early for guilt. Moving on. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It has been awhile since I jumped right out of bed ready to take on the world in the </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Land of Overwhelm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I make it out of bed, sometimes even before I'm out of bed, I mentally climb a </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">ladder. The ladder leads to the platform that will begin the daily walk across to the other </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">platform known as the end of the day. The other platform that signifies the end of one day </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">blurring into the next. The platform that leads back to a bed and insomnia's version of </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">sleep. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sometime during that walk there will be the dip into the prescription bottle that </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">makes the tightrope connecting the platforms not quite as narrow. More like a bridge. My </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">time has become measured by the filling of the med boxes from the bottles: 2 fills of 2 </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">boxes and it is time for more refills and another month has passed. I didn't even always </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">need meds. Now? Meds help. Most days. Most. Days. I also found out it is much easier to </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">talk to a doctor about other family member's prescriptions than my own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some days, the better days, the walk can start on an almost wider bridge. However, </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">sometimes the space narrows to a tightrope as the day goes on. Then the real balancing act </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">begins.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some days the ladder leads to a roller coaster with ups and downs and loopy loops. T</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">he goal is to not have so many downs. I don't like roller coasters, especially the big drop </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">at the beginning to allow for picking up the speed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A wide walkway is better as I do not walk alone. I have "friends" traveling along with me. I </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">would not have always called them friends. Sometimes I still don't. I don't know what else to call them </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">either. Maybe just by their names. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dee Pression and Ann Xiety</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dee and Ann each hang on to a hand as I make the daily crossing. Some days are easier </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">than others. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On a not so easy day, Dee tries to whisper slowly droning in my ear even before we are </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">fully awake. "You don't really feel like getting out of bed today do you?" "Shower? Why? Too </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">much work!" “These PJs are comfy! Why get dressed?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ann says in a rushed, panicked voice, “There will be people out there! They will have </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">expectations and you might have to answer the phone, Cera! You hate answering the phone. You </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">would rather text. Here. Don't forget your smartphone, dummy. Oh and by the way there's a new </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">game app you should download so you can avoid your fear of roller coasters. Hey, look a cat </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">video!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Along the daily walk, sometimes we meet others that also know Dee and Ann. We covertly nod </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">as we pass, but we do not talk. Besides not everyone can see Dee and Ann like they would a broken leg </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">or glasses. They just think we do not try hard enough or we are lazy. How hard is it to get out of bed </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">and shower?!?! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We see cutesy or scary ads and social media posts that state “reach out for help”. “You are not </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">alone.” “Mental illness can become mental wellness.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dee and Ann whisper loudly past those with taunts of “You don't really want us to leave do </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">you? People would see the real you! What if they don't like you? You know not everybody even </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">believes in us. Do you see what happens to some of those celebrity people when it is a mental illness </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">and not physical? That could happen to you.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, I hold it in and somewhat together another day. Not reaching out. Feeling alone. Dealing </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">with mental issues people do not always acknowledge. Mental issues that I don't always acknowledge. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dee, Ann and I near the platform at the other end of the tightrope as another day closes. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There I introduce Dee and Ann to some new friends waiting there for us: Hope and Faith. Maybe </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">those meds, ads and social media posts do work. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tomorrow's walk.....and all those to come will be better. At least mostly, right?</span></span></div>
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945142343350499114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11815310.post-82827743926294413332018-04-26T05:46:00.000-04:002018-04-26T05:46:28.779-04:00Missing YouMy brain is not comprehending<br />
how you were HERE <br />
and now you're not.<br />
<br />
My brain is feeling overwhelmed<br />
with emotions<br />
and memories.<br />
<br />
My body is remembering<br />
sitting next to you<br />
holding your hand.<br />
<br />
My spirit feels tired<br />
until I remember<br />
there is more than this<br />
than missing you<br />
than trying not to think <br />
too much<br />
not to feel<br />
too much.<br />
<br />
My soul can think<br />
eternally<br />
while my mind grapples<br />
the past and the present<br />
with small bits of the future.<br />
<br />
The grief<br />
I've shoved in a place<br />
deep inside my mind<br />
until I think <br />
I'm ready<br />
to deal with it<br />
on my terms.<br />
<br />
Your smile<br />
your laugh<br />
your heart<br />
your YOU<br />
Missed.<br />
Never forgotten.<br />
<br />
kl<br />
4-26-18<br />
<br />
It's been over a month since our dad lost his cancer battle. I don't know what I THOUGHT it would be like. I had time to prepare. I thought I was. I thought I did. It is not like what I thought. I have kept myself busy with some things that were really important and NEEDED to be done sooner than later. I have kept myself busy with stuff that just fills time. So I don't have to think or feel. I go through motions. <br />
<br />
Missing You isn't just about grief. It is about life changes that have come up at a time I really don't need more to deal with. Time to make decisions about things I would rather not decide. Not now. Maybe not ever. <br />
<br />
Following the thought of "God doesn't give you more than you can handle", I think God and my dad have more faith in my abilities than I do.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">Revelation 21:4 (NIV) </span><span class="text Rev-21-4" id="en-NIV-31058"><span style="color: #741b47;">He will wipe every tear from their eyes.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-31058H" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-31058H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup> There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-31058J" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-31058J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup> for the old order of things has passed away.”</span></span>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945142343350499114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11815310.post-21759135202695825432018-04-18T23:54:00.000-04:002018-04-18T23:54:05.086-04:00Papers and Needles<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Most of the time, our jobs are more
than something we do just to earn a paycheck. Sometimes we plan a
career. Sometimes a career seems to fall in our lap. Sometimes we
love it. Sometimes we are just passing time and waiting until a
better opportunity comes along. People talk about passion. Sometimes
what we are passionate about is not something that seems to be
something we can make a living at. Sometimes we learn to love what we
do. Sometimes not.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
What a blessing that each of us has
different talents. Can you imagine being forced into an occupation
that maybe you do not have a talent for....or maybe even not have the
stomach to do? The title Papers and Needles refers to my sister and
I.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I am the papers. Bookkeeping,
accounting, taxes, and numbers. Those are things I can handle.
Writing when I was told to do it in school was not rewarding. Now I
enjoy it. Even as we become more of a paperless society, I am more of
a hands off type of person.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
My sister is the needles. She is a
nurse. Needles, blood, vitals and patients. Those are all things she
can handle with ease. Patient care, informing families, and charting
are all things she runs into on a normal night. She has planned her
schooling and career around her family which I greatly admire. She is
definitely hands on.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Communication and customer service are
skills that are assets on any job. There are times that we are called
to use (or fake our way through) skills we didn't even know we
possessed. However, when given a choice, we usually know what we are
best at and what type of jobs we feel we are best fitted for.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Often, if we are parents, we may be at
home taking care of the littles, or in addition to our paid jobs.
Parenting involves skills that can incorporate papers, needles,
counseling and any other of a wide variety of skills we seem to learn
along the way. Sometimes we may need to rely on “experts” just
like on any other job. Sometimes we are learning skills that will
help us help others along their journey or just be able to help
someone by saying “me too”.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Wherever you are in your job search or
career, I pray that you get to use your skills and talents to
encourage yourself and others and to make a life while making a
living.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Romans
12:6-8</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> (NIV)
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of
us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance
with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is
teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give
encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it
is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it
cheerfully. </span></span></span>
</span></div>
<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945142343350499114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11815310.post-58887737297422130872018-04-05T03:59:00.000-04:002018-04-05T03:59:50.219-04:00Who is that man?I meant to write this AT Easter, but life stayed busy. The fog of grief is not easy to get out from under. Planning a funeral is like planning a big party, but the guest of honor doesn't attend. It is a sad occasion with glimpses of laughter clouded by tears. There is paperwork. SO much paperwork. And decisions. Some minor. Some major. Not all can wait until the fog clears. We move slowly through dealing with life without dad, and the world spins on while it feels like a bomb dropped in our family.<br />
<br />
I kept thinking what else is there to be said at/about Easter? SO many things have already been said/written. BUT amazingly enough when glancing back there is a link for me this year that I have not felt before. An innocent question recently that reminded me of long ago.<br />
<br />
"Who is that man?" asked a 5 year old at our dad's visitation. I had wondered if it would be too overwhelming for the grand kids and other children that would come to see us. While death is a part of life, it is not one that is easy for us as grown ups to process let alone share with children that have questions we may not even be ready to answer for ourselves.<br />
<br />
I thought he was looking at my brother so I started to explain that man was my brother like he had his brother along.<br />
<br />
"No," he said. "Who is that man lying in the box by the flag?" He meant our dad. I explained it was our dad's body, but he wasn't there anymore. I don't like to say sleeping because that seems like it would make kids scared to go to sleep.<br />
<br />
We knew dad's life journey was coming to an end. He had battled melanoma cancer that returned more times than he could fight. We had some time to process at least a bit before that day. While it was painful for us as his children to start grieving. We, as parents, were also worried about how our kids would deal with losing "Grandpa Bob".<br />
<br />
I started to explain death to them as a butterfly. The caterpillar goes into that cocoon. When it comes out it is not the same. It breaks out of the cocoon and it is set free!<br />
<br />
Each of us are body, mind and spirit. Our spirit lives in our body, but when it is time, we leave this body behind and we are set free!<br />
<br />
A long time ago, many people were asking that same question: "Who is that man?"<br />
<br />
He was a carpenter's son, he understood things that teachers couldn't explain, he gathered a group of disciples around him, he traveled around doing miracles, healing people, talking about His father, and telling stories that had a deeper meaning. People started to think He was the king they had been waiting for. They welcomed him to town by waving palm branches and saying "Hosanna!"<br />
<br />
A group of religious leaders were asking the same question: "Who is that man?" He says he is the son of God. That he can tear down the temple and rebuild it in 3 days. He is getting too powerful. We must stop him! They found a way to get Jesus out of the way. They took him to higher ups that found him not guilty.<br />
<br />
They wanted death by crucifixion even if it meant letting someone worse go. The same people that welcomed Jesus to their town with a parade were now shouting "Crucify him!" and they did. They hung a sign over his head to tell the world who he was: Jesus, King of the Jews.<br />
<br />
He was later placed in a tomb with a large stone and guards in front of it. On the 3rd day, when some of his friends came, they were met by an angel: <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. (Matthew 28:6 NIV)</span></span><br />
<br />
"Who is that man?" JESUS He was and is who He claims to be.<br />
<br />
This year, the promise of eternal life became more obvious for our family.<br />
<br />
It is BECAUSE Jesus died, that we are changed, we can have everlasting life and we are set free.<br />
<br />
BLESSED EASTER!Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945142343350499114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11815310.post-29667620302486186862018-03-31T02:16:00.000-04:002018-03-31T02:16:07.610-04:00BulliedWe are living in a world where bullying is almost constantly in the news. A world where we think it is just kids on a playground teasing each other. A world where on a "good" day it is "just" words and not fists....or guns. A world where social media can sing your good graces or broadcast your greatest failure instantly to millions of people. A world where it is not just children picking on each other.<br />
<br />
One might think that bullying is a new trend or maybe we just hear about it more frequently. Bullying takes on many forms and there is even an instance of it in the Bible.<br />
<br />
Jesus came as a teacher, a prophet, a teller of stories that had a deeper meaning and as a leader of twelve disciples that were hand-picked by him. He went into towns and did miracles of feeding thousands of people with only a small amount of food available. He healed people who had been sick for YEARS just by their asking....or touching his robe. He raised his friend from the dead 4 DAYS after he had died. People saw miracles. People wanted Jesus to be a King.<br />
<br />
They gave him a parade as he entered town:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">John 12:13 (NLT) took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted,<br />“Praise God!<br />Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!<br />Hail to the King of Israel!”</span><br />
<br />
However, when someone starts to get a following, there are also those that are not happy with how things are turning out. Maybe that someone is trying to take away their perceived power. Maybe it is "just" as simple as they feel threatened.<br />
<br />
In this case, the "they" are the religious leaders at the time. Jesus was cutting in on their gig. He wasn't letting them get away being as holy as they let on. It sounds like they wanted people to act one way while they went on acting holier than thou and making new rules for others to follow that they usually were not following themselves.<br />
<br />
They tried to trick Jesus into answering questions in a way that they felt justified their dissatisfaction. When Jesus would question them back, they knew how popular he was becoming and that they were losing ground.<br /><br />They finally had enough and found a way to get him in front of a governor and demanded the death penalty by crucifixion. The governor wasn't having it. He declared Jesus not guilty. He said he would have Jesus whipped and let go. He sent Jesus to Herod. Also, not guilty. They put Jesus on trial and He did not give them the answers they wanted. In fact, most of the time, he was silent, said "you have said", or questioned them back which made the leaders more angry. They finally nailed him by having others state that Jesus had said he was the son of God.<br />
<br />
Then things got even more ugly and it is obvious that bullying is not a new practice.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">Matthew 26:67-68 (NLT) Then they began to spit in Jesus’ face and beat him with their fists. And some slapped him, jeering, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who hit you that time?”</span><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #741b47;">Matthew 27:27-31 Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it. When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.</span><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #741b47;"><div>
<span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></div>
Matthew 27:37 A sign was fastened above Jesus’ head, announcing the charge against him. It read: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #741b47;">Matthew 27:39-44 The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. “Look at you now!” they yelled at him. “You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. Well then, if you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross!”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #741b47;">The leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders also mocked Jesus. “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! So he is the King of Israel, is he? Let him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in him! He trusted God, so let God rescue him now if he wants him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”Even the revolutionaries who were crucified with him ridiculed him in the same way. </span><br />
<br />
Those that were chanting "crown Him!" and waved palm branches when He rode into town were the same ones yelling "crucify Him!" as they watched nails being driven above the palms of His hands. The same hands that would have been so willing.....that still are....so willing to grab on to ours. No matter where we are in life. No matter what we have done. He is willing and able to be our King.<br />
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John 14:27-29 (NLT) “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Thankfully, that wasn't the end of the story......</span></div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945142343350499114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11815310.post-77482658180219494162018-03-23T20:52:00.000-04:002018-03-23T20:52:29.772-04:00Daddy<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #4c1130;">Daddy</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;">When I was born</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;">a man became a daddy</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;">He tickled my face</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;">and waited for my first smile</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;">He held my hands</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;">as I took my first steps</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;">He told me he loved me </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;">He told me of God </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;">and a love from above</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;">He taught me of Jesus</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;">and took me to church</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;">He taught me with actions</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;">not just from a book</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;">The day is coming</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;">when my daddy will take</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;">his last breath</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;">Then he'll see our Daddy </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;">he told me so much about</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;">K.L. 3-9-18</span></div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945142343350499114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11815310.post-68054411679122233642018-02-18T08:20:00.000-05:002018-02-18T08:23:07.629-05:00We are FAMILYOh.....it has been a week and a day. Last Friday, our family world shifted...again. It isn't the first time. It won't be the last.<br />
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Our dad was diagnosed with melanoma in 2014. He has fought the battles. He has had surgeries. He has done treatments. It is a malicious beast. It fights back. Last Friday, we found out how much. It is much. For now, a steroid helps lessen the symptoms. For now.<br />
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This week, we have added Hospice to our arsenal. Their staff is helping our family help our dad. For this, we are grateful. We have had a chaplain, nurses, a social worker all WAY more versed in how this happens than we are.<br />
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This week, again, I watched our family pull together in ways I didn't know we would have to or could. It is understandable how the stress can pull families apart. OR push them together in a common goal: make the time there is the best time there can be.<br />
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This Saturday, we made one of the things our dad wanted to do, happen. In the overall scheme of life, it was something small and to us not really as important. BUT. It mattered to HIM.<br />
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As I sat at a table eating dinner with our dad and mom, I realized what an impact their lives have made on us and how our family has grown and continues to grow. We started as a family of 7. Mom, Dad, me, 3 brothers and a sister. (affectionately known as 5 K's or my 3 sons and the bookends) We have added 9 grandkids and 1 great grandson....so far!<br />
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Our mom and dad gave us a foundation of faith that has made us part of a bigger family. A foundation that has given our dad the courage to say it is in God's hands. A family that has helped support each other and our mom and dad.<br />
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Deep down, we all know we are on limited time. We will count it a blessing to have received notice that the time is more limited than we would choose it to be.<br />
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I don't think it is a coincidence that the last letters in FAMILY are I.L.Y.<br />
I Love You<br />
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F - siblings especially may not start out as <b>friends</b>, but hopefully, we end as friends BONUS<br />
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A - being a family can make us <b>aware</b> of the needs within our own circle, but also those beyond it<br />
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M - <b>Me</b> turns into we. We join forces and tackle life head on.<br />
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I - <b> Issues</b>.....we all got 'em<br />
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L - usually we <b>love</b> our family, if we're lucky we get to like them too<br />
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Y - <b>Yikes</b>. None of this is easy.<br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes+4:9&version=ERV">Ecclesiastes 4:9</a><br />Easy-to-Read Version[ Friends and Family Give Strength ] Two people are better than one. When two people work together, they get more work done.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;">For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.<br /><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=NIV&search=Romans%208:38-39">Romans 8:38-39</a> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/index.php?action=getVersionInfo&vid=31">NIV</a></span></div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945142343350499114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11815310.post-12287336097724926452018-02-04T04:28:00.000-05:002018-02-04T04:28:11.273-05:00Jesus WeptOne of the shortest verses in the Bible (making it really easy to memorize) is: <b>Jesus wept</b>. (John 11:35 NIV) As usual, with all good stories there is more to it than just those 2 words. I had heard the story of Lazarus many times. What was different this time?<br />
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Lazarus, as well as his sisters Mary and Martha, was a friend of Jesus. While Jesus was out of town, his friend became sick. His sisters sent word to Jesus and the disciples that Lazarus was sick. They knew that if Jesus could come back there, He could make Lazarus better. Jesus would heal him. They had seen Him perform miracles! However, by the time Jesus returned to their city, Lazarus had already been dead for 4 days. His family and friends were devastated and weary from grief.<br />
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They went to visit the tomb where Lazarus was. There was a stone placed in front of the tomb. The family and friends were crying. <b>Jesus wept</b>. The friends were thinking oh Jesus loved Lazarus so much. And He did. He also knew that this was a way to show people what could still be done for Lazarus.<br />
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Jesus prayed and said for Lazarus to come out. He did!<br />
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The extra thing I heard recently and the more I think about it makes a lot of sense is that Jesus may not have only been weeping over losing a friend. Jesus had the additional knowledge of the glorious place Lazarus had been and what He was bringing Lazarus back to.<br />
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Even as Christians and the promise of eternal life, death is hard, painful and sometimes almost unbearable. We do not see our family or friend. We can't just ring them up on the phone. We see and hear things that remind of us those we miss. We weep.<br />
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In the day to day grief, knowing there is a better place to be than the earth around us helps. Most days. Some days we just miss them so much that even knowing doesn't seem enough.The waiting just seems too long.<br />
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The miracle of Lazarus made some people angry and further set the wheels in motion leading toward the death of Jesus. People expected a King. Jesus is not the King they expected. Some of the same people that were amazed at the miracles were the same people that were later yelling "crucify him!"<br />
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Later, Jesus would be placed in a tomb behind a large stone, when His friends came weeping.....He was no longer in the tomb.<br />
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The full story of Lazarus is in John 11. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/" target="_blank">www.biblegateway.com </a>is an excellent resource for looking up Bible (MANY versions) books, chapters, verses and words.<br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;">John 14:2 (NIV) My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?</span><div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Revelation 21:4 (NIV) ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”</span>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945142343350499114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11815310.post-35826253966257650602018-01-02T03:27:00.002-05:002018-01-03T07:13:20.103-05:00The gifts of the tabernacle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sometimes vacations include unexpected learning opportunities. I was able to have such an experience a few months ago. I learned. I felt in awe. I experienced an appreciation for the gift of Jesus. I started writing this around Christmas. I put it off...found other things to do. I then heard some things on the radio that enhanced upon the thoughts I'd been thinking. So I share, in a new year. A time we usually learn to refocus and make promises to ourselves to do better.</div>
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We celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas. Jesus was born with a purpose of allowing us to be back in communion with God. On our own. Without a bunch of ritual, sacrifice or someone else (priest) bringing our concerns to God. We have the ability to pray and experience the Holy Spirit because that little baby came to earth and into our humanity. </div>
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The trip was to Florida to help a friend relocate for the winter. We drove past a sign on the way to Tarpon Springs that mentioned Tabernacle in the Wilderness. We did some web searching and scheduled a tour. There were only 3 of us, but we received a tour that would have easily been expected for a group much larger. I could do a review of the site itself, but that really isn't the intent of this post. The post is more of a visual and reminder of the purpose of the tabernacle and how it plays a bigger part of the Bible and making it more real for me. </div>
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We entered a rather unassuming (from the outside) building. The actual area of the tabernacle replica was (at first glance) similar to the inside of a large gym. However, when looked at closer and some was explained, we noticed the floor was painted to look like a desert. The far wall was painted to simulate mountains. The attention to detail was interesting and informative. </div>
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The majority of what is written in the Bible about the tabernacle (tent of meeting) is in the book of Exodus. The Israelites (people of God) left Egypt. God served as their protection and what we could consider GPS by providing a cloud by day and fire by night that let the Israelites know when they should move or stay and led them where God wanted them to be. </div>
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The biblical tabernacle was built to God's exact specifications of dimensions and materials. There were very specific instructions to Moses of what and how the tabernacle should be built. The priests were the only ones allowed IN the tabernacle. There were rules and laws of what the priests needed to do even before they entered the tabernacle. </div>
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Throughout this time, even though the Israelites were able to see proof of the Lord, even they struggled with following the directions and laws the Lord made. They made idols. They rebelled. They wandered in the desert because even then they lacked faith in what God told them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcymADBIvhhZLTLwvvSmXYJKXBYSAnt6olPRaqustA0xyjJ9EJ6gHaxAhfyDaK1IK9EeWsLMyRx-kZIeFPUNL9JGaW2HHXqV_PYRE_m_zMsCQWexlOlCuwo-_IkKa8ZDXBNl7E/s1600/20171004_131807%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcymADBIvhhZLTLwvvSmXYJKXBYSAnt6olPRaqustA0xyjJ9EJ6gHaxAhfyDaK1IK9EeWsLMyRx-kZIeFPUNL9JGaW2HHXqV_PYRE_m_zMsCQWexlOlCuwo-_IkKa8ZDXBNl7E/s320/20171004_131807%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
(The ark of the covenant contained the 10 commandments, the budding staff of Aaron, and a container of manna that God provided during the Israelites years in the desert)<br />
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<a href="http://www.lesliehale.com/tabernacle-in-the-wilderness/" target="_blank">Tabernacle in the Wilderness - Tarpon Springs FL</a> website. The location also includes a large display of antique Bibles.<br />
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Hundreds of years later, Solomon was tasked with the job of building a permanent temple. Even in this temple and those that came after due to destruction, there was a curtain separating people from the ability of communicating directly with God. It was still the job of the priests.<br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">1 Kings 6:37 (NIV)<br />The foundation of the temple of the Lord was laid in the fourth year, in the month of Ziv. 38 In the eleventh year in the month of Bul, the eighth month, the temple was finished in all its details according to its specifications. He had spent seven years building it.</span><br />
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Many years later, Jesus referred to himself as a temple:<br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"><br />John 2:18-20 (NIV)<br />18 The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”<br /><br />19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”<br /><br />20 They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.</span><br />
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When Jesus was crucified and gave up his spirit to death, the temple curtain was torn in two. It was no longer required that only the priests could talk to God for us. We have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit and the ability to talk to God directly on our own.<br />
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The gifts continue as we look forward to Easter and celebrating a risen King that led His people through years of wilderness, tore the temple curtain and enables us to present our thanks and needs to a God that knew we needed a Savior because we would continue to try to save ourselves.</div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945142343350499114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11815310.post-56768427446222577542017-11-20T08:14:00.001-05:002017-11-20T08:14:32.610-05:00Two ChairsLife. It remains hectic. To my detriment. I get overwhelmed. My cup gets empty. I don't take time to build myself back up. I don't get enough sleep. I don't make it to church. I make excuses. Many. Excuses. But yet. I seem surprised when this happens. It is a cycle. Vicious. Unrelenting. Mostly in my head.<br />
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But.<br />
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Sunday, I made myself go to church. I made myself "people" (get around people other than my immediate circle of family and friends). I had the nagging for awhile. Not really guilt. Or shame. Just feeling like it was one more thing on the to do list in my head and one more thing I couldn't/wouldn't do. Sometimes I feel like it is one more place where I will find I need/want to do one more thing that right now I can't. Or won't.<br />
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But.<br />
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Then I get there. I am reminded why I need to go. I need to praise. I need to worship. I need to listen. I need to learn. I've been a Christian for a long time. I still sometimes hesitate to tell people. I'd like to think I live my life like it. Honestly, that's not enough.<br />
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But.<br />
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There are still new things to learn. New ways of explaining that just seem to make more sense. Sunday was one of those days.<br />
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There are various ways to explain God/Jesus/Holy Spirit to someone that maybe hasn't heard, doesn't want to or won't acknowledge the possibility that there is: a higher power, a creator, God. One of the illustrations available is a bridge. That we (people) are on one side. God is on the other. Sin got in the way. Jesus on the cross became a bridge to let us cross the gap. (Sometimes search links don't always work the greatest so search: <b>bridge salvation illustration</b> if you'd like to see one...or many!)<br />
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At church on Sunday, there was another illustration...even better than a drawing. (This is a very abbreviated, observational description) I'll break some of it down with thoughts, etc. in another post.<br /><br />Two chairs. The chairs face each other. The speaker* sat in one depicting us. The other chair was the "God chair". We were created to be in relationship with God. Facing each other. Not equal. But able to know God on our own. Sin entered the world and we turned our chair around with our backs to God because we wanted to see things from God's perspective. A bunch of rules, regulations, laws and communication through the priests became the way to communicate with God. God wanted more for us. He sent Jesus, his son. He lived, grew up, taught, was accused and sentenced to death. He was beaten, crucified on a cross, died and was buried. This. This, paid the price for sin and the curtain in the temple was torn and allowed us to speak to God on our own again. Our chair was turned back around. Three days later, Jesus was resurrected and lived on the earth again for a time.<br />
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We have the choice (freewill) to turn our chair back around to God. We can turn our chair around again, but turn it back. We can choose to never turn that chair around.<br />
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I will add: We can investigate further to understand more of what God will do for us if we do turn that chair back to Him. There are many resources available to do that. (<a href="https://leestrobel.com/">https://leestrobel.com/</a> , <a href="http://coldcasechristianity.com/">http://coldcasechristianity.com/</a> are just a couple)<br />
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What Jesus did for us is called salvation. There are people that will think we never need saving. That we are not created. That there is not a Creator. That there is not a God. You may be one of those people.<br /><br />BUT.<br />
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Are you at least willing to take a seat?<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Thank you R.W. Young Life</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;">1 Chronicles 16:23-24 (NIV)<br />23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth;<br /> proclaim his salvation day after day.<br />24 Declare his glory among the nations,<br /> his marvelous deeds among all peoples.</span><div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Psalm 13:5-6 (NIV)<br />5 But I trust in your unfailing love;<br /> my heart rejoices in your salvation.<br />6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,<br /> for he has been good to me.</span>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945142343350499114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11815310.post-43249100273301677302017-09-15T00:01:00.001-04:002017-09-15T00:01:25.567-04:00All day Every day 24/7 signing off? Gather round boys and girls, lassies and lads and let me tell you something you may not be aware of. There was a time that television stations actually stopped broadcasting each day. There were 3, yes my dearies, ONLY 3 main networks. You might be old enough to remember. I'm stretching my memory muscles AND had to check YouTube to verify. The national anthem would play, our U.S. flag would raise, then there would be multi-colored vertical bars and a very annoying audio tone. I believe it was around midnight or maybe after the late night show....and then. Nothing. Until the next day.<br />
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Wow, maybe that is why sleep didn't seem to be as MUCH of an issue as it is now for me. The choice? was made for me. Turn off the TV or hear the annoying audio tone. The TV usually went off pretty quickly after that.<br />
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Fast forward to now when there are HUNDREDS of possible channels, let alone music stations included in cable packages. I don't believe any stations actually go "off" the air anymore. There are always reruns...and home shopping networks. ;) AND, just in case one cannot find anything on the actual TV, there is always the internet! Open. 24/7 for your viewing pleasure and convenience and sleepless nights.<br />
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While sometimes it is handy and even life-saving to have more coverage, as with weather for warnings, etc., even this can get taken to the extreme as every airtime second must be filled with SOMETHING! It is frustrating, and OK, often times entertaining/humorous to watch news people try to check in with each other as one stares blankly during the brief delay until it is their turn to speak or to not realize they are "on air". It is often painful to watch someone be interviewed that just lost their house or their child to an accident or, or, or......<br />
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"Can you tell us how you're feeling?" REALLY?!?!?!<br />
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Maybe that is part of the problem: we are so busy WATCHING that we forget about the actual important personal connections of family and friends. We don't get a chance to process feelings without a camera or microphone being shoved in our faces. AND that's only actual news people. Our cell "phones" have cameras and video capabilities that can record those moments too.<br />
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I started writing this even before the latest hurricanes: Harvey, Irma and now, Jose and wild fires. Too much water in some places....and not enough in others. I cannot watch too much news coverage usually. I feel it too deeply and it affects my mood and attitude. I've learned to filter (for the most part) what I partake of.<br />
I'm realizing I'm not so good at shutting it off though. I'm going to have to be responsible for my own "signing off". I have an alarm on my phone to "remind me" to go to bed. I often ignore it. Sleep experts would say no screen time an hour before bed. Ummm. There are often TVs, cell phones, lap tops, tablets, etc. IN OUR BEDROOMS! However, that is also a choice.<br />
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We can be kept busy 24/7 if we allow it. Time to be more aware of what I allow and choose. How about you?<br />
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Signing off. For now.<br />
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<span style="background-color: #b4a7d6; color: #351c75;">Psalm 25:5 (NIV) <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Guide me in your truth</span><span style="font-size: 0.625em;"><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14257B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-14257B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">and teach me, </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">for you are God my Savior, </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">and my hope is in you</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14257D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-14257D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue", verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> all day long.</span></span><br />
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945142343350499114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11815310.post-62472317018002122062017-06-11T04:40:00.000-04:002017-06-11T04:40:38.208-04:00Food for ThoughtRecently, I attended a conference with my parents. There was breakfast, some speakers, lunch, speakers, dinner...and fun. I did not attend the speakers....but I was there for breakfast, lunch and dinner. ;) There was good conversation and good food. The food was served buffet/cafeteria style. There were many workers keeping the serving dishes filled and the line moving efficiently. There were approximately 350-400 people for each meal.<br />
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I also know there were the behind the scenes workers. The cooks, dishwashers, and the clean up crew all helped to keep things moving and ready for the next meal. They were good at their jobs, helping when needed, and making it all <u>look</u> easy. People that are good at their jobs always seem to have this skill.<br />
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On the other hand, put me in a commercial kitchen and I wouldn't even know where to start. I might be able to muddle through to fill serving dishes. I know I would never make it as a waitress without spilling. I can barely (and rarely do) make dishes for my own little family of 4. I have a hard time coordinating dishes to come out at the same time so that the hot dishes stay hot and cold dishes are cool!<br />
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I've been to other events and watched food service workers move in coordination to get a large amount of meals served in a timely manner. I've been to conferences that served from a seeming mountain of boxed lunches to hungry conference goers. We are not always the nicest people when we are hungry and/or thirsty so this can be QUITE the job.<br />
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It made me think this particular time though....this is "just" about 400 people. I've read the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000. I also discovered in the Bible that this had happened MORE than once. There was also a time of 4,000 (Matthew 15)....just men AND then additionally women and children!<br />
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<b>Food for Thought:</b><br />
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God will meet BASIC needs first and then deal with the rest.<br />
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God is a God of MORE than enough. Both times of miracle feedings there was extra left over. The 5,000 there were 12 BASKETS of food left from starting with 5 loaves and 2 fish. Hmmmm....maybe one for each of the disciples?<br />
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God can take a little and make it a lot.<br />
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God did miracles then <b>and still does. </b><br />
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God is OK dealing with doubters.<br />
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Bread plays a major role (ohhh....punny) in the Bible. There was manna from heaven, Jesus is seen as the bread of life, last supper/communion, in the Lord's prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) Give us this day our daily bread<br />
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Were people really that excited to see Jesus, that they came without bringing food/basic necessities? Do WE get that excited to get into His presence?<br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130;">John 6:35-40 (NIV) Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me,but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”</span><br />
<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945142343350499114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11815310.post-60205126033512104432017-04-12T04:37:00.000-04:002017-04-12T04:37:28.585-04:00Taking Care of You aka The Dwindling RollI have read often during parenting and just for life in general that one needs to invest in "self care". That if you don't take care of you, who will take care of them? (and them can refer to children, parents, other family members, friends, etc) That you can't fill from an empty cup. That in case of an air emergency, put on your own mask first before assisting others.<br />
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I used to dread the term "self care". I'm still not real fond of it. However, if you are going to help others with their care, you deserve to give yourself at least (if not more) than what you are willing/required to give away to others. Yes. DESERVE.<br />
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BUT what does that look like? HOW does one take time in an already filled, overwhelmed feeling of a day FIND time to take? I have never been walking around when a yellow cup, air bag and strap magically appear in front of me making me aware or reminding me of the need to put on said mask before assisting others. Usually, by the time I remember or take notice, I am well into assisting others without putting on my mask first!<br />
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For the days you don't remember, I have found a reminder that will be in front of you every day. You will notice it slipping away as it is used up AND if like at my house, YOU will be replacing it when it is empty/used up. What is this wondrous bit of knowledge? Have you guessed?<br />
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Toilet paper!<br /><br /><b><i><u>DISCLAIMER:</u></i></b> I am preaching to myself with this post as well as I am far from reaching where I should be with my own self care. However, journaling, blogging and support of others I'm finding is part of my self care. We gotta start somewhere, sometime. Might as well be here....and now.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_c9LO_fHjc70CLku6xwWMBT4BTmHJueiRYZd0ohfY2EQJ5Sg352rZnSkWNhjGGZHSRoxaS26c0sjGxFgexUvp03u-REY9G5tFxGOt_58VeWJXdEQcwvbih4OYcJ7prPCwLHjK/s1600/tp1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_c9LO_fHjc70CLku6xwWMBT4BTmHJueiRYZd0ohfY2EQJ5Sg352rZnSkWNhjGGZHSRoxaS26c0sjGxFgexUvp03u-REY9G5tFxGOt_58VeWJXdEQcwvbih4OYcJ7prPCwLHjK/s200/tp1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
In this example, we start out as a full roll. I purchase by the square feet on the package and MUST be 2 ply. Bigger rolls = less times I have to change it out!<br />
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<b>Lesson:</b> Start out in the best "big roll 2 ply" condition you can: good sleep, fully hydrated, fed, medicated (if necessary), exercise (if you can't find 10 minutes now, will you find it when you are sick?), listen to music to get you moving, find something that makes you laugh and something to be grateful for<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirzSBJqzHXM8lYK4O__V0FV7j9XHmL9zS8rG9TvsLIdeSRaAIUk4ZGojGegFvOixWTxoDanhG02ZmQpT5d2zOktYMSDiCT4p0q4oEULxeFFRjH63nkyAZ140D1prENBC3X3ERg/s1600/tp2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirzSBJqzHXM8lYK4O__V0FV7j9XHmL9zS8rG9TvsLIdeSRaAIUk4ZGojGegFvOixWTxoDanhG02ZmQpT5d2zOktYMSDiCT4p0q4oEULxeFFRjH63nkyAZ140D1prENBC3X3ERg/s200/tp2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Approaching used up, mask dropping phase. Time to be careful. Your spare a square is running low. Keep some for you! Try and avoid the desperate cry for more while in a somewhat precarious balancing act!<br />
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<b>Lesson:</b> NOTICE when you are getting used up. Time to have a spare roll available on back up (accept help if people offer. ASK if necessary). The more people that are counting on us, the faster we disappear. Use those last few squares (actually, real paper probably works better for this) to write down a list of activities that may not take a lot of time, but make you feel better. This list comes in handy for when you are entering the land of Overwhelm. You won't need to THINK of something to do on top of already feeling stressed out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNdFNdpgWK2za3fVk5qEx-d2iLRyFQaK4z2WSn07Ml0-2HEkCnfXMKLgpnyRlPDTXnSomWtfEuNWlAqRIaHe-mlZNZ6Rkxas5Txo3cIziJYcJfy90QWdaj69kUphMy_d_LvvN/s1600/tp3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNdFNdpgWK2za3fVk5qEx-d2iLRyFQaK4z2WSn07Ml0-2HEkCnfXMKLgpnyRlPDTXnSomWtfEuNWlAqRIaHe-mlZNZ6Rkxas5Txo3cIziJYcJfy90QWdaj69kUphMy_d_LvvN/s200/tp3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Uh oh! Empty roll. No paper left. The mask is swinging around wildly in front of you. Now what?<br /><br /><b>Lesson:</b> DON'T feel guilty about getting drained/used up/overwhelmed. It happens sometimes without us noticing. We are slowly slipping away in the hustle and bustle of life. Don't seek an hour, take 5 minutes to sit somewhere and take a deep breath. Let it out. Repeat.</div>
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Notice it's time to replace the empty roll....and start the whole cycle again!</div>
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If you are here and you have not felt like a full roll in awhile, it is never to late to start doing things a bit differently to have a different tomorrow.</div>
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There are numerous resources about self care available online and books. If you can't think of some activities that will help, look some up to start a list. Keep the list in a visible spot so when you can grab a few minutes you don't have to think of something that helps. </div>
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Self care doesn't mean by yourself. If you have not "peopled" (been around anyone other than your child(ren), people depending on you), find a way to get out and about....especially if there is sunshine available!</div>
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Get out of the habit of saying there isn't enough time. We might be looking for a significant chunk of time and we should plan for those, but do not overlook the small moments of joy available in a day. I have learned to say that taking time sitting with a cat on my lap is lowering my blood pressure. ;)</div>
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Personally, my best self care is spending time alone with God. Praying. Reading the Bible...not a book about the Bible. I don't do it enough. When I do, I am never disappointed and always reminded that I do not have to do life on my own. You don't either.</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.<br /><br />Matthew 11:28 (NLT) Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.</span>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945142343350499114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11815310.post-83916170766345429542017-02-02T04:32:00.001-05:002017-02-02T04:32:41.193-05:00As The Spirit MovesDriving down the road recently, the bits of snow started to swirl in the wind and blow across the road. The swirling was mesmerizing and almost looked like white cap waves on a lake.<br />
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I was reminded that often people say we can't "see" God. I'm sure many have even used a wind analogy to try and explain it. We can't see the wind either, but we can feel it and we know it is there.<br />
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However, on that particular day, the thought crossed my mind that we don't often see (or appreciate the full force of) wind, and dare I say, the spirit of God ..... until it moves. Something gets picked up in the flow of the wind: leaves, rain, snow and then, then we see what only moments ago we may not have even felt.<br />
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Then there are the days we may not be sure that God is in the background or even paying attention to what is happening in our little busy, sometimes overwhelming world. But then....you get a call, email or text from a friend just when you need one, something just happens to fall into place, or we receive an answer to a prayer that wasn't even put into thoughts or words yet. Something moved and then we get a glimpse and are reminded (if we choose to be) that we do not have to do this busy, sometimes overwhelming world by ourselves.<br />
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The wind can be very gentle or have great power. If you lean back on a really windy day, the wind can feel like it is holding you up or pushing you back or reminding us it's time to go in the house (or in the basement!).<br />
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The spirit of God can be gentle or have great power. If you lean into it on a really cruddy day when feelings overwhelm and darkness feels like it is creeping in, it is possible to be held up and reminded (again) that we don't have to do life on our own. Sometimes it will be from someone that gets blown across your path at just the right time.<br />
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So, how do we better tune in to get more of that spirit moving? The best ways I've found is to actually allow quiet times frequently during the week. Time without TV, radio or computer. Reading the Bible and/or a good devotional book can help. Write in a journal. Pray. Praise music. A conversation with a friend. Making sure we take time to listen when someone needs to talk....because sometimes that is us getting to assist on a spirit moving for someone else.<br />
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If we truly look with our eyes and heart fully open knowing that sometimes it will NOT look like what we think it should look like, we will see. The wind...and the spirit moving.<br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV)<br />However, as it is written:<br />“What no eye has seen,<br /> what no ear has heard,<br />and what no human mind has conceived”<br /> the things God has prepared for those who love him—<br /><br />Galatians 5:22 (NLT) But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. </span>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945142343350499114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11815310.post-73095882786279372522016-12-24T21:40:00.000-05:002016-12-24T21:40:45.993-05:00Heavenly PiecesAs we draw ever nearer to Christmas and the notes of Christmas music fill the air, I hear numerous renditions of Silent Night. Most are familiar with the chorus line: Sleep in heavenly peace......<br />
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I've been rolling that phrase around in my mind....heavenly peace. My world this year has felt far from heavenly, let alone peaceful! Maybe your world has been too. Each year seems to have its own joys and concerns. Sometimes a year just seems to be especially filled with issues that are beyond our control and drag us out of our comfort zone.<br />
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I could provide a list of all the issues and related chaos that has seemed like our own personal blizzard, but some is not mine to share and some is "just" a different stage of life due to growing up. I will roll it into a snowball of moving into another phase of life with our children that are now "adults" (at least by age) and our parents that sometimes need our help more than they (and sometimes we) are comfortable with. <br />
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Heavenly peace sounds like a package deal, you either have it or you don't. SO in case you fall in the don't column, I have a proposition. We will begin to look for our peace in pieces. Little pockets of time where things are good or at least suck less. ;)<br />
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Ongoing health issues have provided us time with family members.<br />
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God's timing is always better than ours.<br />
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I have learned much about how I and our families function during good, bad and worse times. Honestly, we have come out stronger than when we went in.<br />
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Laughter (and tears) solve many issues.<br />
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Email, text, cards are all important forms of encouragement and support.<br />
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When you need to remind yourself to take a deep breath, you are TOO stressed. Breathe in peace, exhale stress.<br />
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God told us that this life would not be easy, however, he also told us that He has had a plan all along: the Christmas that we celebrate, the silent night that didn't stay silent as angels sang to shepherds in a field, the baby that the wise men sought and wise people still seek. So, my dears, sleep. Sleep in heavenly pieces.<br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span class="versenum" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">John 16:33 (NIV) </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26760AV" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26760AV" title="See cross-reference AV">AV</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> In this world you will have trouble.</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26760AW" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26760AW" title="See cross-reference AW">AW</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> But take heart! I have overcome</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26760AX" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26760AX" title="See cross-reference AX">AX</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> the world.”</span></span>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945142343350499114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11815310.post-22502209676068542552016-09-11T03:03:00.000-04:002016-09-11T03:03:12.033-04:00All About Me homeworkI was recently given the opportunity to help with homework! (Note: it was for 1st grade so I actually felt that I COULD help!)<br />
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As our children are no longer in school, I am a bit out of practice. I was feeling a bit misty that our daughter graduated this past year. I had no one to help get ready or school shop for. THAT was an odd feeling.<br />
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I was over at my nephews and niece's house. They are 6 <span style="font-size: x-small;">1/2</span> year old triplets. 3x the fun....and the homework...and school papers, etc. They had a night before school assignment of "All About Me" It was a fill-in-the-blank and draw pictures of things like: my name is, my favorite food, my favorite thing to do, my favorite character in a book, etc. It was 2 pages. I split it up into a couple sections at a time so they wouldn't have to work on it all at once. I let them do it in the order he/she chose.<br />
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The one section they all did last was draw a picture of "What I do best" Each of them really had to think hard about what they would draw.<br />
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I'm wondering if it was the word "best" that made them hesitant or if we really learn at that early of an age not to brag about ourselves. I know as we get older it seems more difficult for a lot of us to remember that we are each individuals with talents and gifts that make us....us....especially if anxiety tries to creep in.<br />
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Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of growing up, we forget that it is OK to acknowledge the fact that there are things we are "best" at. Maybe we don't think of it like that. Maybe we don't feel like we should act too "proud" or we sound conceited. Too often it is much easier to think of the bad and the ugly than the good.<br />
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The online world can easily make us feel "less than" what we see portrayed on TV, movies, and the internet.<br />
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I urge you to take a bit of time and think about your very own "All About Me" even if, maybe especially if, you are WAAAYYY past first grade.<br />
<br /><span style="color: #741b47;">Genesis 1:27 (NIV) So God created mankind in his own image,<br /> in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.</span><div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">Jeremiah 18:3-5 (NIV) So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.</span>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945142343350499114noreply@blogger.com0