tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47022628973171693232024-03-12T22:08:39.234-04:00Hallelujah Anyhow!Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08788724686085310730noreply@blogger.comBlogger431125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702262897317169323.post-40141654591781734802017-04-14T20:13:00.001-04:002017-04-15T14:23:34.544-04:00Are You Wearing Crimson Pearls this Easter?<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This Easter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">in the middle of the pastel sea</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">of baby boys in palest blues...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">toddler girls in pinks and lavenders...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">moms in pale yellows and soft teals...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and dads in matching ties (or not)...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">let's recall the</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Colors of our Redemption </span></i>-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Fwo9yW9buJQ/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Fwo9yW9buJQ?feature=player_embedded" width="480"></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-small;"><i>For some reason the video does not show up in certain platforms. The direct link is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fwo9yW9buJQ#action=share" target="_blank">here</a>. </i></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-small;"><i>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This video was originally posted here in 2011 and created for my church's Easter program using the theme of Black, Red, White. The message is still relevant today and I hope it blesses you!</span></i></span></div>
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08788724686085310730noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702262897317169323.post-64700778461878144262016-12-03T11:15:00.000-05:002016-12-03T11:15:50.191-05:00The Night the Dimpled Guy Won My Heart<div align="center">
<em>Imagine if you will - </em></div>
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<em><br /></em></div>
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<em>a first date with your grade school crush...</em></div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NjdNYG9wF3Y/WELhA5JvgEI/AAAAAAAAVgc/hYZfMJrvPiE/s1600-h/2714.png"><img alt="27" border="0" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KoWnI7Y2KHA/WELhBXBBlXI/AAAAAAAAVgg/AoXB-wmGPIw/27_thumb20.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="27" width="177" /></a><br />
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<em><br /></em></div>
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<em>During the "most wonderful time of the year"...</em></div>
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<em><br /></em></div>
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<em>Wearing a custom made "fancy" dress created by your mom specifically for this <a href="http://hallelujahanyhow.blogspot.com/2008/12/first-time.html" target="_blank">special occasion</a> that would never have happened without her prodding and prayers.</em></div>
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<em><br /></em></div>
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<em>When he arrives to pick you up, you are amazed at "how grown up" he is and your heart is all a flutter...his dimples have only gotten cuter!!</em></div>
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<em><br /></em></div>
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<em>So you arrive with your crush at a crowded fellowship hall for a district wide church youth Christmas banquet...</em></div>
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<em><br /></em></div>
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<em>The buffet style meal so lovingly prepared by</em> <em>sweet southern mamas and grandmas requires you to leave your seat and help yourself to ham and sides...you pray all the while that you don't spill anything on yourself...or on him.</em></div>
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<em><br /></em></div>
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<em>You and Mr. Dimple Man return to your table to feast and make merry, when, what to your wondering eyes should appear,</em></div>
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<em>but your perpetually late sister with friends who just happen to be parked in </em><u>your</u><em> seats!</em></div>
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<em><br /></em></div>
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<em>Thriving on order and predictability, your slightly type A personality </em><span style="font-family: MS PGothic; font-size: medium;">freaks out</span><em> as you pan the room over the sea of teenagers and see no...empty...chairs.</em></div>
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<em><br /></em></div>
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<em>While ham juice soaks into your chinet and sweet tea threatens to spill down your perfect dress, Mr. Tall and Handsome quietly points to two empty seats on the far side of the room.</em></div>
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<em><br /></em></div>
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<em>Gallantry and smooth moves abound as he guides you to the new table and helps you into the chair...but then...without a word...he turns and walks away!!</em></div>
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<em><br /></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: medium;">What!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
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<em>Your eyes follow him as he heads to the other side of the room...goes over to your sister, leans down for a sec, then raises up with a smile.</em></div>
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<em><br /></em></div>
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<em>Huh? What is this? A </em><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">conspiracy</span><em>?</em></div>
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<br /></div>
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<em>You watch as he saunters back to your table...all the while his lips smiling and dimples dimpling...</em></div>
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<em><br /></em></div>
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<em>Then your knight in shining armor extends his hand and gives you the little black handbag you left on the other side of the room.</em></div>
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<em><br /></em></div>
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<em>Your heart </em><span style="font-family: Impact; font-size: medium;">explodes</span><em>...</em></div>
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<em><br /></em></div>
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<em>In the midst of the noise and joyful chaos, you only see </em><span style="font-size: medium;">him</span><em>...</em></div>
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<em><br /></em></div>
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<em>The meal is eaten, games are played, and carols are sung...but nothing outshines the glimpses of his face...the sweetness of his smiles...and the depth of his dimples...</em></div>
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<em><br /></em></div>
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<em>And as the saying goes...the rest is history!</em></div>
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<em><br /></em></div>
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--OAOy8eBcG0/WELhBpFZWFI/AAAAAAAAVgk/abxCkB_iqAg/s1600-h/Ricky-at-wildwood.jpg"><img alt="Ricky at wildwood" border="0" height="482" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sjtXGoiCKvc/WELhCGurVuI/AAAAAAAAVgo/DxLUxBeDOZw/Ricky-at-wildwood_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Ricky at wildwood" width="351" /></a><br />
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<em><br /></em></div>
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<em>Happy 40th December 3rd, my Ricky dear...</em></div>
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<em><br /></em></div>
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<em>I love You!</em></div>
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</div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08788724686085310730noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702262897317169323.post-9990016865937865682016-11-16T11:17:00.000-05:002016-11-16T11:17:10.912-05:00How To Make Yourself at Home<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: large;">Where is home? Home is where the heart <br />can laugh without shyness. Home is where <br />the heart's tears can dry at their own pace. <br />~Vernon Baker</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3RcmHiMTuPI/WCyAmRDG00I/AAAAAAAAVYY/fg7y3YkF3Pc/s1600-h/photo-1444492417251-9c84a5fa18e0-cop.jpg"><img alt="photo-1444492417251-9c84a5fa18e0 copy" border="0" height="480" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jh3B4ZekH1w/WCyAnAtsqHI/AAAAAAAAVYc/R16sz0Vi7CA/photo-1444492417251-9c84a5fa18e0-cop%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="photo-1444492417251-9c84a5fa18e0 copy" width="360" /></a><br />
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“I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done—kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love."</div>
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<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+15%3A9&version=MSG" target="_blank">John 15:9-10 MSG</a></div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-71xaY8eivlA/WCyAnUJB7BI/AAAAAAAAVYg/SMjcb9mEe4U/s1600-h/bounty_bar350%25255B2%25255D.gif"><img alt="bounty_bar350" border="0" height="64" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q2YjT_T150I/WCyAnySTRzI/AAAAAAAAVYk/Zxy_OxH7ui0/bounty_bar350_thumb.gif?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="bounty_bar350" width="240" /></a></div>
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I have loved you just as my Father has loved you. So let me love you always.</div>
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<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+15%3A9&version=WE" target="_blank">John 15:9 WE</a></div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-38lgJkTeaio/WCyAoNbfWhI/AAAAAAAAVYo/cdz8I8foV_k/s1600-h/bounty_bar350%25255B5%25255D.gif"><img alt="bounty_bar350" border="0" height="64" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N150jcbkqkE/WCyAomEJY6I/AAAAAAAAVYs/GX5i4YkmmGo/bounty_bar350_thumb%25255B1%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="bounty_bar350" width="240" /></a></div>
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I have loved you just as the Father has loved Me; remain in My love[and do not doubt My love for you].</div>
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<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+15%3A9&version=AMP" target="_blank">John 15:9 AMP</a></div>
</blockquote>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V976gyutBUQ/WCyAo0cQWOI/AAAAAAAAVYw/60GWf2t5vLk/s1600-h/bounty_bar350%25255B8%25255D.gif"><img alt="bounty_bar350" border="0" height="64" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mdKUOqe381w/WCyApY_pz_I/AAAAAAAAVY0/D6lpnCWghD8/bounty_bar350_thumb%25255B2%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="bounty_bar350" width="240" /></a></div>
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<sup></sup>I have loved you, just as my Father has loved me. So remain faithful to my love for you.</div>
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<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+15%3A9&version=CEV" target="_blank">John 15:9 CEV</a></div>
</blockquote>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AJ43-sr3IIQ/WCyApjdLffI/AAAAAAAAVY4/YVZldYlpPqA/s1600-h/bounty_bar350%25255B11%25255D.gif"><img alt="bounty_bar350" border="0" height="64" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oX2txzKvB64/WCyAqSwzlCI/AAAAAAAAVY8/-B127ue9llA/bounty_bar350_thumb%25255B3%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="bounty_bar350" width="240" /></a></div>
<blockquote>
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As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.</div>
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<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+15%3A9&version=NKJV" target="_blank">John 15:9 NKJV</a></div>
</blockquote>
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When pain comes, home offers healing.</div>
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When fear overtakes, home is the safe place.</div>
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When despair consumes, home brings hope.</div>
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When life overwhelms, home is peace.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Home is not.. </div>
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between walls</div>
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at an address</div>
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or a temporary shelter.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Home is.. </div>
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where your heart is held</div>
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by the One who is love in the flesh - </div>
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who welcomes all with arms stretched wide -</div>
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mercy saturated and grace multiplied </div>
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<br /></div>
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The door is <span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: small;">ALWAYS</span> open </div>
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Make your self at home </div>
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in Jesus'</div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: large;">LOVE</span></div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08788724686085310730noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702262897317169323.post-29883446873342946882016-11-03T08:19:00.000-04:002016-11-03T08:19:02.691-04:00Unbound Love<br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: medium;">I have loved you from the start <br />I have seen your hurting heart <br />And you feel so lonely <br />But you keep on hiding <br />Cause you feel so guilty <br />For what you've done but <br />There's no distance too far <br />That I can't reach you <br />There's no place that's so dark <br />That I can't find you <br />Anywhere that you are <br />If you need proof <br />Take a look at these scars <br />And know I love you <br />Doesn't matter what you've done <br />You are never too far gone <br />You can never outrun my love </span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<em><a href="http://www.newreleasetoday.com/article.php?article_id=1750" target="_blank">~Jordan Feliz~</a></em></div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xmX4nVu571M/WBsorJflsyI/AAAAAAAAVKQ/ADOxeGOdz_Q/s1600-h/IMG_7192_p-copy14.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7192_p copy" border="0" height="298" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yvnjuEnWH0Q/WBso4Zm2QlI/AAAAAAAAVKU/PJktTgBrG4I/IMG_7192_p-copy_thumb11.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7192_p copy" width="440" /></a><br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DWkShJ7Onko/WBso4mk7XXI/AAAAAAAAVKY/6V6uDfze8v4/s1600-h/dividers2.gif"><img alt="dividers" border="0" height="27" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MX1R5SYfdpo/WBso5PfjCsI/AAAAAAAAVKc/35QRS8g446M/dividers_thumb.gif?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="dividers" width="239" /></a><br />
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
I will heal<sup></sup> their waywardness<sup></sup> <br />and love them freely,<sup></sup> <br />for my anger has turned away<sup></sup> from them.</div>
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<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hosea+14%3A4&version=NIV" target="_blank">Hosea 14:4 NIV</a></div>
</blockquote>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WD2rBIQSC8o/WBso5WX0HDI/AAAAAAAAVKg/8UA9r0dwmrQ/s1600-h/dividers6.gif"><img alt="dividers" border="0" height="27" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UwpXVd6vdj0/WBso5_T_T5I/AAAAAAAAVKk/OsN9nJZn2GA/dividers_thumb1.gif?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="dividers" width="239" /></a></div>
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
The Lord says, “I will bring my people back to me. I will love them with all my heart; no longer am I angry with them.</div>
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<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hosea+14%3A4&version=GNT" target="_blank">Hosea 14:4 GNT</a></div>
</blockquote>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1bP1Sa1Pyhk/WBso6HTo3CI/AAAAAAAAVKo/BwX28oOZhu0/s1600-h/dividers10.gif"><img alt="dividers" border="0" height="27" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kp6SQH2G_Wg/WBso6kGlD8I/AAAAAAAAVKs/ruXZJbk8XOE/dividers_thumb2.gif?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="dividers" width="239" /></a></div>
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
I will bring My people back to Me. I will not hold back My love from them, for I am no longer angry with them.</div>
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<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hosea+14%3A4&version=NLV" target="_blank">Hosea 14:4 NLV</a></div>
</blockquote>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jyRXbGw61Mw/WBso65xZq2I/AAAAAAAAVKw/YdCKblQxLRs/s1600-h/dividers14.gif"><img alt="dividers" border="0" height="27" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ymzC_fCegPg/WBso7pwqeJI/AAAAAAAAVK0/VXAcxKmowWA/dividers_thumb3.gif?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="dividers" width="239" /></a></div>
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
Then I will cure you of idolatry and faithlessness, and my love will know no bounds, for my anger will be forever gone!</div>
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<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hosea+14%3A4&version=TLB" target="_blank">Hosea 14:4 TLB</a></div>
</blockquote>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q-tQAbq-eVo/WBso8CipKZI/AAAAAAAAVK4/SF0FKH2rZu0/s1600-h/dividers18.gif"><img alt="dividers" border="0" height="27" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rVv7_e4t0OA/WBso8ebNp_I/AAAAAAAAVK8/3nFN7UZ_5-Y/dividers_thumb4.gif?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="dividers" width="239" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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We are </div>
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Loved freely...even when we don't love back</div>
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Total heart loved...even though we break His</div>
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<br /></div>
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Love that is </div>
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Unbridled...unconditional...unrelenting</div>
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Unbound</div>
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Sacrificial</div>
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Full of grace and never ending</div>
<div align="center">
Able to heal, restore, renew, and revive what was once dead</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Loved Freely</span></i></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
LOVED</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
FREE</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
Hearts blowing in the wind </div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FEHBfMm0SZg/WBso89E485I/AAAAAAAAVLA/KnzA_JEugAo/s1600-h/heart-700141_192012.jpg"><img alt="heart-700141_1920" border="0" height="293" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tE_96-XkoVk/WBso9Vs-klI/AAAAAAAAVLE/oLP3PygA6I4/heart-700141_1920_thumb10.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="heart-700141_1920" width="440" /></a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08788724686085310730noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702262897317169323.post-91904840290155079282016-10-26T08:10:00.000-04:002016-10-26T08:10:47.774-04:00The High Price of Peace<div align="center">
<em>"Peace isn't a concept. </em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>Peace is a person."</em></div>
<div align="center">
~Elaine Olsen</div>
<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TZSagFuLP8Q/WBCcNvhjnqI/AAAAAAAAVIE/9h3H2H9aiT8/s1600-h/Isa-53-546.jpg"><img alt="Isa 53 5" border="0" height="351" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7tZSswm3axw/WBCcOI72cgI/AAAAAAAAVII/oad2Sth_qFY/Isa-53-5_thumb43.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Isa 53 5" width="403" /></a><br />
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt <i>and</i> iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace <i>and</i> well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed <i>and</i> made whole. </div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+53%3A5&version=AMPC" target="_blank">Isaiah 53:5 AMPC</a></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
But he was being punished for what we did. He was crushed because of our guilt. He took the punishment we deserved, and this brought us peace. We were healed because of his pain. </div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+53%3A5&version=ERV" target="_blank">Isaiah 53:5 ERV</a></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
But He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on Him, and we are healed by His wounds. </div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+53%3A5&version=HCSB" target="_blank">Isaiah 53:5 HCSB</a></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
But he was wounded and bruised for <i>our</i> sins. He was beaten that we might have peace; he was lashed—and we were healed! </div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+53%3A5&version=TLB" target="_blank">Isaiah 53:5 TLB</a></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. </div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+53%3A5&version=NLT" target="_blank">Isaiah 53:5 NLT</a></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
But he was hurt because of us; <i>he suffered so.</i> Our wrongdoing <i>wounded and</i> crushed him. He endured the breaking that made us whole. The injuries he suffered became our healing. </div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+53%3A5&version=VOICE" target="_blank">Isaiah 53:5 VOICE</a></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
Politicians promise it<br />
<em><br /></em>
<em>Choirs sing about it</em><br />
<br />
Nations covet it<br />
<em><br /></em>
<em>People fake it</em><br />
<br />
but only those who acknowledge the Lord<br />
<em><br /></em>
<em>will ever attain it...</em><br />
<br />
It can't be bought, sold, bartered, or explained<br />
<em><br /></em>
<em>It goes beyond what our minds can imagine</em> <em>and </em><em>surpasses what our hearts can understand </em><br />
<br />
Yet it is freely given to all who ask<br />
<em><br /></em>
<em>True peace</em><br />
<br />
from the <br />
<em><br /></em>
<em>Prince of Peace</em><br />
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Javanese Text; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Javanese Text; font-size: large;">Jesus is our peace</span></div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08788724686085310730noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702262897317169323.post-30685417374064918322016-10-21T21:25:00.000-04:002016-10-21T21:25:17.667-04:00The Right Time to Stay Close <div align="center">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/$47e31ef7f2e2%20copy[47].jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702262897317169323" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
Hold everything earthly with a loose hand.</div>
<div align="center">
— Charles H. Spurgeon</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/$falldivider[14].gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702262897317169323" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702262897317169323" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702262897317169323" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702262897317169323" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/$falldivider[6].gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702262897317169323" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/$47e31ef7f2e2%20copy[47].jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/$falldivider[14].gif" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702262897317169323" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702262897317169323" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702262897317169323" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702262897317169323" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/$falldivider[6].gif" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702262897317169323" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/$47e31ef7f2e2%20copy[47].jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r6PV8i_M7DA/WAq5Mv0WcnI/AAAAAAAAVHc/DLpUcKBGl8EuhidgP_L_ritzDIB0L_OIgCLcB/s1600/47e31ef7f2e2%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r6PV8i_M7DA/WAq5Mv0WcnI/AAAAAAAAVHc/DLpUcKBGl8EuhidgP_L_ritzDIB0L_OIgCLcB/s400/47e31ef7f2e2%2Bcopy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
Love the Lord your God. Obey him. </div>
<div align="center">
Stay close to him. He is your life.</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+30%3A20&version=ICB" target="_blank">Deuteronomy 30:20</a> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+30%3A20&version=ICB" target="_blank">ICB</a></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h4Wr3zZOHsY/WAq5wCuTDJI/AAAAAAAAVHg/I0SLAK8qbKYjN26rRpFDLFLW2cTKI7IKQCLcB/s1600/falldivider.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="32" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h4Wr3zZOHsY/WAq5wCuTDJI/AAAAAAAAVHg/I0SLAK8qbKYjN26rRpFDLFLW2cTKI7IKQCLcB/s320/falldivider.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
Choose to love the Lord your God </div>
<div align="center">
and to obey him and to cling to him, </div>
<div align="center">
for he is your life and the length of your days.</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+30%3A20&version=TLB" target="_blank">Deuteronomy 30:20</a> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+30%3A20&version=TLB" target="_blank">TLB</a></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h4Wr3zZOHsY/WAq5wCuTDJI/AAAAAAAAVHg/iUX-HHEQJ20YdVwWrTtBDfTFvWZXWzuOgCEw/s1600/falldivider.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="32" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h4Wr3zZOHsY/WAq5wCuTDJI/AAAAAAAAVHg/iUX-HHEQJ20YdVwWrTtBDfTFvWZXWzuOgCEw/s320/falldivider.gif" width="320" /></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/$47e31ef7f2e2%20copy[47].jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702262897317169323" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/$falldivider[6].gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702262897317169323" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702262897317169323" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702262897317169323" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702262897317169323" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/$falldivider[14].gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
And love God, your God, </div>
<div align="center">
listening obediently to him, </div>
<div align="center">
firmly embracing him.</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+30%3A20&version=MSG" target="_blank">Deuteronomy 30:20</a> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+30%3A20&version=MSG" target="_blank">MSG</a></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h4Wr3zZOHsY/WAq5wCuTDJI/AAAAAAAAVHg/iUX-HHEQJ20YdVwWrTtBDfTFvWZXWzuOgCEw/s1600/falldivider.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="32" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h4Wr3zZOHsY/WAq5wCuTDJI/AAAAAAAAVHg/iUX-HHEQJ20YdVwWrTtBDfTFvWZXWzuOgCEw/s320/falldivider.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/$falldivider[14].gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702262897317169323" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702262897317169323" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702262897317169323" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702262897317169323" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/$falldivider[6].gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702262897317169323" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/$47e31ef7f2e2%20copy[47].jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>..and that you may love the Lord your God, </div>
<div align="center">
listen to his voice, </div>
<div align="center">
and hold fast to him.</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+30%3A20&version=NIV" target="_blank">Deuteronomy 30:20</a> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+30%3A20&version=NIV" target="_blank">NIV</a></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h4Wr3zZOHsY/WAq5wCuTDJI/AAAAAAAAVHg/iUX-HHEQJ20YdVwWrTtBDfTFvWZXWzuOgCEw/s1600/falldivider.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="32" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h4Wr3zZOHsY/WAq5wCuTDJI/AAAAAAAAVHg/iUX-HHEQJ20YdVwWrTtBDfTFvWZXWzuOgCEw/s320/falldivider.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
Love the Lord your God and obey His voice. </div>
<div align="center">
Hold on to Him.</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+30%3A20&version=NLV" target="_blank">Deuteronomy 30:20</a> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+30%3A20&version=NLV" target="_blank">NLV</a></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<div align="center">
The Teacher wrote: <i>F<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes+3%3A1&version=VOICE" target="_blank">or everything that happens in life - there is a season, a right time for everything under heaven...</a></i><br />
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
During this season of changes - <br />
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
in our personal lives,<br />
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
in our cities/churches/nation and world, <br />
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
let's <b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">hold fast</span></b> to what is unchanging and everlasting, <br />
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
and <b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">stay close</span></b> to the <b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">One</span></i></b> whose love never fails. <br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08788724686085310730noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702262897317169323.post-50661773327411342292016-10-19T20:38:00.000-04:002016-10-19T20:38:07.312-04:00Waves of Rest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center">
"We should never attempt to bear </div>
<div align="center">
more than one kind of trouble at once. </div>
<div align="center">
Some people bear three kinds - </div>
<div align="center">
all they have had, </div>
<div align="center">
all they have now, </div>
<div align="center">
and all they expect to have."</div>
<div align="center">
— Edward Everett Hale</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/$11223616_800368085866_42777470734595.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/$11223616_800368085866_42777470734595.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WXyWVErG1hE/WAeUsUIAmEI/AAAAAAAAVGE/cqWu7nFcv0MieKNLOtaBr45x5KkbrYJFgCLcB/s1600/11223616_800368085866_4277747073459510779_o%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WXyWVErG1hE/WAeUsUIAmEI/AAAAAAAAVGE/cqWu7nFcv0MieKNLOtaBr45x5KkbrYJFgCLcB/s400/11223616_800368085866_4277747073459510779_o%2Bcopy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
No matter the burden..</div>
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
“Come to Me, </div>
<div align="center">
all who are weary and heavily burdened </div>
<div align="center">
[by religious rituals that provide no peace], </div>
<div align="center">
and I will give you rest </div>
<div align="center">
[refreshing your souls with salvation]. </div>
<div align="center">
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me</div>
<div align="center">
[following Me as My disciple], </div>
<div align="center">
for I am gentle and humble in heart, </div>
<div align="center">
and you will find rest </div>
<div align="center">
(renewal, blessed quiet) </div>
<div align="center">
for your souls. </div>
<div align="center">
For My yoke is easy </div>
<div align="center">
[to bear] </div>
<div align="center">
and My burden is light.”</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2011:28-30&version=AMP" target="_blank">Matthew 11:28-30(AMP)</a></div>
</blockquote>
<div align="center">
No matter the weariness..</div>
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? </div>
<div align="center">
Come to me. </div>
<div align="center">
Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. </div>
<div align="center">
I’ll show you how to take a real rest. </div>
<div align="center">
Walk with me and work with me — watch how I do it. </div>
<div align="center">
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. </div>
<div align="center">
I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. </div>
<div align="center">
Keep company with me </div>
<div align="center">
and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2011:28-30&version=MSG" target="_blank">Matthew 11:28-30(MSG)</a></div>
</blockquote>
<div align="center">
No matter the weight of the load..</div>
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
"Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, </div>
<div align="center">
and I will give you rest.<sup> </sup></div>
<div align="center">
Put My yoke upon your shoulders — </div>
<div align="center">
<i>it might appear heavy at first, </i></div>
<div align="center">
<i>but it is perfectly fitted to your curves</i>. </div>
<div align="center">
Learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. </div>
<div align="center">
<i>When you are yoked to Me,</i> </div>
<div align="center">
your weary souls will find rest. </div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/$11223616_800368085866_42777470734595.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/$11223616_800368085866_42777470734595.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light."</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2011:28-30&version=VOICE" target="_blank">Matthew 11:28-30 VOICE)</a></div>
</blockquote>
<div align="center">
the Lord</div>
<div align="center">
gives </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "javanese text";">REST..</span></div>
<div align="center">
Wade out into the waters </div>
<div align="center">
of blessed quiet...</div>
<div align="center">
walk in unforced rhythms of grace..</div>
<div align="center">
and find ripples of respite<br />
flowing into waves of rest</div>
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as far as your eyes can see.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photobucket.com/images/dividers" target="_blank">
</a></div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08788724686085310730noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702262897317169323.post-75366653973730607892016-08-09T19:01:00.000-04:002016-08-09T19:01:06.079-04:00Remembering the Promises<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">You asked me around 9 am this morning if I remembered what I was doing 39 years ago at this time...and I couldn’t answer your question.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uU9QsoEzW9s/V6pMddYNDhI/AAAAAAAATwI/j-CXz-gpCio/s1600-h/Untitled-1%252520copy%25255B55%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Untitled-1 copy" border="0" height="146" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x1No7Rgj7Go/V6pMdz3-XBI/AAAAAAAATwM/pRj6fa2LbzI/Untitled-1%252520copy_thumb%25255B53%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Untitled-1 copy" width="199" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I remember I had been awake for hours already and was getting ready to “<a href="http://hallelujahanyhow.blogspot.com/2009/08/once-upon-time.html" target="_blank">go get married</a>” later that afternoon but the details of that last unwed morning elude me.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rFR8G8N-XuI/V6pMea3Px7I/AAAAAAAATwQ/0rM-gwYfaJo/s1600-h/B%252526G%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="B&G" border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fJ1fnsY1ul0/V6pMe2xQxuI/AAAAAAAATwU/V_WmnZwwLtA/B%252526G_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="B&G" width="300" /></a><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Ah, dear husband, how sweet to grow old with you and be forgiven for memory lapses...but while my mind can’t hold on to every little thing...what’s important is <a href="http://hallelujahanyhow.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-best-thing-in-world.html" target="_blank">stored in my heart forever.</a></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q1XmapINpqs/V6pMg-VvGtI/AAAAAAAATwY/BIwYo9eWDHg/s1600-h/divd%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="divd" border="0" height="33" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RB6ap6BmnrE/V6pMhV2LjSI/AAAAAAAATwc/f-EmucZZNeU/divd_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="divd" width="240" /></a></div>
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<em>"You cannot return to a time, <br />but you can return to a place where promises were made."</em></div>
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~<a href="http://rbrault.blogspot.com/2016/05/every-thought-i-have-left.html" target="_blank">Robert Bault</a></div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Du_qhdOCDi0/V6pMhpkS1sI/AAAAAAAATwg/Y5Bof6wrOeM/s1600-h/divd%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="divd" border="0" height="33" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BHbCKD3qZBw/V6pMiIY5nBI/AAAAAAAATwk/dMrnUajKEFs/divd_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="divd" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">While standing before God as He blessed us with the words of that little preacher man, <a href="http://hallelujahanyhow.blogspot.com/2012/08/twelve-thousand-days-of-true-love.html" target="_blank">we promised</a> to have and to hold, from that day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, <a href="http://hallelujahanyhow.blogspot.com/2011/08/from-kmart-to-niagara-falls.html" target="_blank">in sickness and in health</a>, to love and to cherish, as long as we both lived.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oN5pN8WsbvM/V6pMiTN3L1I/AAAAAAAATwo/fYeFNOr0lu0/s1600-h/hands%25255B117%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hands" border="0" height="266" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BQ-sdu85-sw/V6pMigAKEgI/AAAAAAAATws/xy3TrM2KYxk/hands_thumb%25255B115%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="hands" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We have kept those promises...and more...these 39 years…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We have shared:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Perfect harmony and intense debates over our opinions </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Joy at welcoming our 3 boys into our lives </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Thankfulness for the daughters those boys chose </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Amazement at how smart and hilarious our grandkids are </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Laughter at the antics of your bothers </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Grief when we couldn’t hear their voices anymore </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Tears as we said goodbye to loved ones who left empty chairs around the table </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Pain in our bodies and bewilderment in our minds as so called perfect plans failed </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and so much more...to fulfill those promises... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We have seen each other sink into sand up to our knees and then climb up onto that Solid Rock...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I had to see you thrown into the lion’s den, and while it nearly broke your body, you came out stronger in spirit than ever...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mPtCFYwl5Qs/V6pMjIsSscI/AAAAAAAATww/7SyTOi5_6iU/s1600-h/drogo%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="drogo" border="0" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oUaAtQDosTY/V6pMjv6UsFI/AAAAAAAATw0/n4DAT2iAv1I/drogo_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="drogo" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So now there is a storm...with thunder rumbles and lightening bursts...and wind so strong our umbrellas turn inside out...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We can no longer rely on our own understanding for </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><em>anything </em>and <em>everything</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><em><br /></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b><u>BUT</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><em><br /></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> 3 things remain always:</span></em></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "impact"; font-size: x-large;">FAITH</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">in the One who knows <em><b>us</b></em> best </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and knows <i><b>what is best </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">to bring about His will for our lives</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "impact";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "impact"; font-size: x-large;">HOPE</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">that things will turn out alright in the end </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">because what the Lord created on August 9, 1977 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><em><b>will always be in His hands</b></em> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and we can trust that the next chapter in His story for us </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">will be so much more than we can <em><b>ever imagine</b></em>...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and <i><b>especially</b></i></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "impact"; font-size: x-large;">LOVE</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">for Him </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and you </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and me </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and us </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and we </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and forever and ever, amen!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">And that's a promise!</span></div>
<br />
<blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: large;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: large;">Trust steadily in God, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: large;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: large;">hope unswervingly, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: large;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: large;">love extravagantly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: large;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: large;">And the best of the three is love</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: large;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+13%3A13&version=MSG" target="_blank">1 Corinthians 13:13</a></span></div>
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<br /></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EWSJLJFnFmc/V6pMle95ywI/AAAAAAAATw4/x1xCfT-sssw/s1600-h/sand_love_1024x768%25255B1%25255D%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="sand_love_1024x768[1]" border="0" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ivkmtuThqE0/V6pMoCQgvII/AAAAAAAATw8/UutM8NrfMG8/sand_love_1024x768%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="sand_love_1024x768[1]" width="400" /></a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08788724686085310730noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702262897317169323.post-35490013333607249622016-06-19T18:08:00.000-04:002016-06-19T18:08:20.638-04:00If You Are Looking for a Hero<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: "segoe print"; font-size: small;">“Those who say that we're in a time </span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "segoe print"; font-size: small;">when there are no heroes , </span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "segoe print"; font-size: small;">they just don't know where to look.”</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "segoe print"; font-size: small;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "segoe print"; font-size: small;">RONALD REAGAN, First Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1981</span></em></div>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">All dads are not heroes...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">All heroes are not dads...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Blessed are those who have both!</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">According to the dictionary, “dad” is the informal version of “father” and a “father” is a man who has begotten a child.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A hero is defined as a person who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote:</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "segoe print"; font-size: small;"><em>A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, </em></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "segoe print"; font-size: small;"><em>but he is braver five minutes longer.</em></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "segoe print"; font-size: small;"><em><br /></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Let me share a story...</span></em></div>
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<em><br /></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Once upon a time there was a <em>good man.</em></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">One day the Lord chose him </span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">to be the</span> <span style="font-family: "segoe print"; font-size: small;">daddy</span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">of a little girl</span>. </div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WS28fvrMY0s/V2YFq2pYpbI/AAAAAAAATmI/OZVPyFhLehc/s1600-h/2%252520022%25255B86%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2 022" border="0" height="253" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dHhaFJdhdvo/V2YFratRSoI/AAAAAAAATmQ/3Qxpe-7DaF4/2%252520022_thumb%25255B89%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2 022" width="333" /></a></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">God entrusted this good man -</span> <span style="font-family: "segoe print"; font-size: small;">and now great daddy</span> -<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> to raise his daughter to recognize the attributes of the Lord, so she would know from the very start that unconditional love, mercy and grace were the foundations of life.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">And so the</span> <span style="font-family: "segoe print"; font-size: small;">daddy</span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">obeyed</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and watched </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and loved </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><em><br /></em></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><em>this apple of his eye..</em></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><em><br /></em></span></div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4Pv93PVMYtw/V2YFsXOdxpI/AAAAAAAATmY/TDtVIENnmLU/s1600-h/2%252520005%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2 005" border="0" height="393" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nhimF2FQrGo/V2YFsyNZZsI/AAAAAAAATmg/WFTdN9UpkVE/2%252520005_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2 005" width="479" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">He became her protector, </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">her guardian, </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and her defender.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Nothing escaped his watchful eye and the little girl grew up knowing love that would lay down its life for her. </span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The</span> <span style="font-family: "segoe print"; font-size: small;">daddy</span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">was delighted...but sometimes saddened...to see his daughter venture out and spread her wings. Sometimes he allowed her to wander knowing struggles would send her back into his arms and that hard lessons learned would help her grow strong.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">And then there were times she thought she knew more than him... and after he had lovingly corrected her, he endured moments of heartache as the mercy he so desperately wanted to freely give was ignored and then only half-heartedly accepted.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Those were the times the</span> <span style="font-family: "segoe print"; font-size: small;">daddy</span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">didn’t know</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<i><span style="font-family: "segoe print"; font-size: small;">- that even thru her tears -</span></i></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">his daughter</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">respected him for the discipline</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">admired him for his principles</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and </span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "segoe print"; font-size: small;">
loved him more than ever.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">In her eyes - </span></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">he was her <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://hallelujahanyhow.blogspot.com/2009/06/my-hero.html" target="_blank">hero</a>.</span></span></em></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">She always felt safe...whether sleeping in his arms as a baby...living under his roof as a teenager...or taking another man’s name as her own and moving away. </span></div>
<div align="center">
<em><br /></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Her</span> </em><span style="font-family: "segoe print"; font-size: small;">daddy</span><em> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">remained her hero...</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">And because of this</span> <span style="font-family: "segoe print"; font-size: small;">daddy’s</span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">great love and sacrifice, </span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">she readily accepted that </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">the Creator of everything</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">the God of angel armies</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">the Rock of Ages</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">El Shaddai</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Jehovah</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">was truly a merciful and loving Heavenly Father...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and that any time day or night she could run to Him calling out </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "segoe script"; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "segoe script"; font-size: large;">Abba, Abba</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and as His cherished child be welcomed home in a loving embrace that would never let go.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y2GgxwkXku0/V2aYiuVQjSI/AAAAAAAATnE/euYM8CkPWs8OFLfl-D25WmxQZVgKQLwwwCLcB/s1600/02a4dd2b54cff6e78d38eef0510da862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y2GgxwkXku0/V2aYiuVQjSI/AAAAAAAATnE/euYM8CkPWs8OFLfl-D25WmxQZVgKQLwwwCLcB/s320/02a4dd2b54cff6e78d38eef0510da862.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://inspirationalchristiansfortoday.com/2014/06/15/happy-fathers-day-god/" target="_blank">credit</a></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So as the daughter blessed to be given the treasure of a God-fearing and obedient <span style="font-family: "segoe print"; font-size: small;"> daddy</span>, let me say:</span></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: small;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Thank you for your love and never ending support.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Thank you for all the advice...the many rescues...and even the sarcastic jokes that made me groan and roll my eyes.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: "segoe print"; font-size: small;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Thank you for being my rock and keeping me steady on this adventure called life</span>.</em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><br /></em></div>
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">He reached down and drew me <br />from the deep, dark hole where I was stranded,
</span></em><br />
<div align="center">
</div>
<em><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">mired in the muck and clay. </span></em></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">With a gentle hand, He pulled me out </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">To set me down safely on a warm rock; </span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div align="center">
<i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">He held me until I was steady enough</span></i></div>
<div align="center">
<i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">to continue the journey again.</span></i></div>
<div align="center">
<em><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+40%3A2&version=VOICE" target="_blank">Psalm 40:2</a> </em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: "segoe print"; font-size: small;">Happy Father’s Day</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: "segoe print"; font-size: small;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: "segoe print"; font-size: small;">Daddy!</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: "segoe print"; font-size: small;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: "segoe print"; font-size: small;">You are...</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: "segoe print"; font-size: small;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: "segoe print"; font-size: small;">and always will be...</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: "segoe print"; font-size: small;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: "segoe print"; font-size: small;">my hero!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "segoe print"; font-size: small;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ANdJIA4TAqk/V2YFtaE7MGI/AAAAAAAATmo/NAAPwi-FyGA/s1600-h/2016-06-17_174539676_4FFB3_iOS%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2016-06-17_174539676_4FFB3_iOS" border="0" height="356" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l0CDU7BrBWA/V2YFtk88krI/AAAAAAAATmw/jG6JES9MmYo/2016-06-17_174539676_4FFB3_iOS_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2016-06-17_174539676_4FFB3_iOS" width="364" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<em><br /></em></div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08788724686085310730noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702262897317169323.post-43269108973057502402016-05-08T14:00:00.000-04:002016-05-08T14:00:06.432-04:00What the FTD Florist Doesn't Offer<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I considered sending you flowers, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gsrTOl6wJsc/Vy44XzFfreI/AAAAAAAATdU/qjH1_w_92qoafQqzGYRUwacnhKcn8an-gCK4B/s1600/flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gsrTOl6wJsc/Vy44XzFfreI/AAAAAAAATdU/qjH1_w_92qoafQqzGYRUwacnhKcn8an-gCK4B/s320/flowers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">but we both know that
delivered bouquets </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">don't always look like the online pictures...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and although
you are ever gracious about the scrawny ones...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">you don't deserve such<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> a <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">feeble expression of thanks</span>.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I considered a plaque or picture </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">(we all know how much you
love pictures), </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">but we both know there is just so much room </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">to park doodads and
whatnots....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and although you have beautifully arranged your keepsakes....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">you
don't deserve the chore of finding </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">just one more spot </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">for something else.</span><br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I considered taking you out to one of your favorite
restaurants,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AmnkCDBWF4E/Vy5KVXAru6I/AAAAAAAATeU/rpUcsqXiPXYcsrNcRsEr959n4aPPjZOZQCK4B/s1600/table-setting-1422649-1279x852.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AmnkCDBWF4E/Vy5KVXAru6I/AAAAAAAATeU/rpUcsqXiPXYcsrNcRsEr959n4aPPjZOZQCK4B/s320/table-setting-1422649-1279x852.jpg" width="320" /></a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">but we both know that such plans don't always work...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and since
we are years behind </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">on some of our other special event outings...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">you don't
deserve another promise for another day<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">.</span></span><br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I considered writing a blog post, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">but we both know that has
already been done, <a href="http://hallelujahanyhow.blogspot.com/2009/05/one-god-gave-me.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://hallelujahanyhow.blogspot.com/2011/05/all-for-love-spiritual-sunday.html" target="_blank">here</a>....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and while they don't do you
justice, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">my hope was to offer a little praise and a lot of love </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">that would last
longer than lilies </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and take up no amount of space in your home... </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">but live on in
your heart.</span><br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So why do it again this year?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I guess, because...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">just
because of unspoken words </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and gratitude
that fill </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">the very core of my being </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">for the gift of....YOU!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QCV_QQlgmX4/Vy5FZAhEJJI/AAAAAAAATd8/4a17tzvqE8wczl6J1w42o8l9M6yOcPWDwCK4B/s1600/2016-05-06_165915737_D92EA_iOS.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QCV_QQlgmX4/Vy5FZAhEJJI/AAAAAAAATd8/4a17tzvqE8wczl6J1w42o8l9M6yOcPWDwCK4B/s320/2016-05-06_165915737_D92EA_iOS.jpg" width="240" /></a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QuHBrUUI6ds/Vy9VvlX_XGI/AAAAAAAATek/MDZjYCQRFjg11gaHRdMDgDlRqVa9Whv2gCLcB/s1600/IMG_1437.2015-06-28_194945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QuHBrUUI6ds/Vy9VvlX_XGI/AAAAAAAATek/MDZjYCQRFjg11gaHRdMDgDlRqVa9Whv2gCLcB/s320/IMG_1437.2015-06-28_194945.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">How could I ever give you anything </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">even remotely as
wonderful as you deserve?</span><br />
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I read two "mother's day quotes" this week that really
stayed with me:</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"Call your mother. </span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Tell her you love her. </span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Remember,
you're the only person who knows </span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">what her heart sounds like from the inside." </span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">~Rachel Wolchin</span></i></span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">What an a<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">mazing</span> blessing </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">to have been given the honor and
privilege</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> of hearing the rhythm of your beating heart</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">from such an innermost place...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">if that were the only thing
the Lord had ever done for me, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I would consider myself favored for eternity.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<u><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">You carried me close for 9 months </span></i></u><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><u><i>and carried me closer the next
57 years<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">,</span></i></u> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and knowing the cadence of your inner heart </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">gives me the authority to
say...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">that the outward expressions of your hear<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">t...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">the unconditional love<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">the
compassionate acts of mercy<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">the constant support and encouragement<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and
the countless prayers </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">are<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> treasured<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> </span>as blessings </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I can never repay</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">if I lived another 57 years.</span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Which leads into quote #2:</span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">If you have a mom, </span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">there is nowhere you are likely to go </span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">where a prayer has not already been. </span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">~Robert Brault </span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></i></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">While this can not be said about every mom unfortunately, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">it
has been your way since God knitted me in your womb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Where would I be today </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">without the prayers
and petitions lifted up on my behalf</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">every single day of my life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">How many times </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">have your prayers placed me in
the middle of divine enclosures </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">that kept me safe from roaring lions and </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">my own
rashness and stupidity?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">How many times </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">have I felt strengthened during moments of trial </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">because of my praying mama? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Or
been able to sleep soundly thru the night </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">after months of exhausting tossing
and turning?</span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Does FTD have a flower for that?</span></span></span></b></i></span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This blog post <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">may be</span> lengthier than <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">some </span>but<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> it doesn't <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">matter</span></span>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I</span>f the few regular readers need to click out </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">due to time restraints </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I understand...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">because I do that myself many days </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">as time for long reads and in-depth
comments <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">has</span> become a thing of the past for many of us.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">T</span>his does not concern me, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">because I know </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><b>my
mama</b></i> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">will do as she has always done....</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">continue to the end.</span></b><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The love chapter in Corinthians </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">describes you well, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">my
precious mama:</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span class="text">Love
is patient and kind. </span></i></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text">Love is not jealous or boastful or proud</span> <span id="en-NLT-28631"><span class="text">or rude. </span></span></span></i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span id="en-NLT-28631"><span class="text" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It does not demand its own way. </span></span></span></i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="en-NLT-28631"><span class="text">It is
not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.</span></span> </span></i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="en-NLT-28632"><span class="text">It does not rejoice about injustice but
rejoices whenever the truth wins out.</span></span> </span></i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span id="en-NLT-28633"><span class="text" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Love never gives up, </span></span></span></i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span id="en-NLT-28633"><span class="text" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">never loses faith, </span></span></span></i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span id="en-NLT-28633"><span class="text" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">is always hopeful, </span></span></span></i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span id="en-NLT-28633"><span class="text" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and
endures through every circumstance.</span></span></span></i></span></b></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">That</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">is</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">my</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Mama</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">in every way!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Happy Mother's Day!</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I love you always and forever!</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08788724686085310730noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702262897317169323.post-68083628705275082512015-07-31T20:02:00.000-04:002015-07-31T20:02:53.130-04:00What is Certain in Life?<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Many blue moons ago, while Doris Day sang:</span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">“The future's not ours to see <br />Que Sera, Sera <br />What will be, will be"</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><br /></em></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">my friends and I wondered, hoped, and planned a future ripe with knights in shining armor, picket fences surrounding swing sets, and exciting careers in exotic places...unconcerned that armor conceals the real knight and exotic places rarely sport wooden fences and jungle gyms.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BBxtcqWce0k/Vbvw7kVI1dI/AAAAAAAAQuo/AePGvw20kWk/s1600-h/knight%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="knight" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9llms7GmsSw/Vbvw70J2FBI/AAAAAAAAQus/nwY4iHa4V-w/knight_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="405" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="knight" width="372" /></a><br />
<div align="center">
<em><br /></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Fast forward several decades and the world is a</span> <b><span style="font-family: augie; font-size: large;">scary</span> </b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">place...</span></em></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The jet packs and Rosie the Robot maids that we all assumed would be the norm by now have been replaced by terrors abroad and on home soil...dishonest leadership...nonexistent accountability...and disregard for creation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We never discussed this in home ec class...</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></em>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Hell and damnation were reserved for the vilest of sinners...while the rest of the population would just float along in a sea of tranquility and blow bubbles from wands dipped in the imagined squeaky cleanliness of their noble lives...not a care in the world.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">But we know that’s just not real...</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></em>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">What <em>is</em></span> <span style="font-family: Feltpen; font-size: small;"><b>certain</b></span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">is - </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We will</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">have struggles </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">grow weary </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">feel pain </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">lose loved ones </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">not understand </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">reach a breaking point </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">want to give up </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">That is life in our post-paradise world...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Albertus; font-size: medium;">BUT</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Albertus; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">there are promises...</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></em>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">more promises than the “<em>might happens</em>”...and “<em>will happens</em>”...and “<em>already happened</em>”...and the “<em>happening right now</em>”...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DNT7SX7IQnI/VbvzXNSLXgI/AAAAAAAAQvM/5LaKCkHJ1Oo/s1600/file5641339529759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DNT7SX7IQnI/VbvzXNSLXgI/AAAAAAAAQvM/5LaKCkHJ1Oo/s400/file5641339529759.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">When you have to step off the shore of supposed safety and venture into deep waters...and the buoys and life preservers are hidden behind the darkened clouds of a world gone</span> <span style="font-family: augie; font-size: small;"><b>mad</b></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">...and arms flail and feet slip and heads threaten to go underneath the unrelenting current...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">look up...</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><br /></span></em>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">the Father’s strong right arm reaches down,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">the Savior lifts up,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and the tide turns as the Spirit rushes in.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Victory is the place </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">where our breaking point </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">becomes our turning point." <br />— L. Burt</span></div>
</blockquote>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">What is</span> <em><span style="font-family: Feltpen; font-size: small;"><b>certain</b></span></em> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">in life is this - </span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<em><u><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">we will...</span></u></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><u><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><br /></span></u></em></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">but </span></div>
<div align="center">
<em><u><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><br /></span></u></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><u><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>God does</b></span></u></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><u><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><br /></span></u></em></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">provide</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">protect</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">restore</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">forgive</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">comfort</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">love </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><em>so much more than we can imagine</em>... </b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: large;">Victory</span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">is</span> <span style="font-family: Feltpen;"><b>certain</b></span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">for a child of God.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UcGy11kpQ2A/Vbvw8TkvscI/AAAAAAAAQu4/cu-zCbbIJro/s1600-h/9721599-1438261222534_640x640%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="9721599-1438261222534_640x640" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YJeciy33ots/Vbvw8p4YBGI/AAAAAAAAQvA/kI_DWWIzjik/9721599-1438261222534_640x640_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="372" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="9721599-1438261222534_640x640" width="372" /></a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08788724686085310730noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702262897317169323.post-33212163619985728922015-07-20T20:21:00.000-04:002015-07-20T20:21:49.820-04:00When You Just Need a Bluebird<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">She had birthed her babies in the safest place possible.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Hand-built with love...used for decades of spring and summer seasons...the birdhouse was a haven for</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> bluebird families.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zd3Hg-TXvmE/Va2FZu7AZPI/AAAAAAAAQm4/Xez0AGvO1P8/s1600-h/IMG_1477.2015-07-20_230150%25255B23%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1477.2015-07-20_230150" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-73L4i7n_c0Y/Va2FZ_XbewI/AAAAAAAAQnA/H_JjW4cREeM/IMG_1477.2015-07-20_230150_thumb%25255B20%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="521" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1477.2015-07-20_230150" width="379" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Unreachable by cats, snakes, and other predators...her nest was secure.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">One evening, winds from the north tore down southward...trees bending, snapping, falling...buckets of rain pouring...and the metal pole that supported the birdhouse swayed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">She comforted her young ones and assured them they were safe and protected and that she would be right there with them...thru the storm.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xPsMQ9IZIh8/Va2FavGSLWI/AAAAAAAAQnI/KpQoNuk--aE/s1600-h/15600058044_a704e8b085_z%25255B47%25255D.jpg"><img alt="15600058044_a704e8b085_z" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rmZkYSeW_2Y/Va2Fa-WOCxI/AAAAAAAAQnM/DPzIsYByb7M/15600058044_a704e8b085_z_thumb%25255B45%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="289" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="15600058044_a704e8b085_z" width="289" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Suddenly, the wind force was so strong that the top of the birdhouse flew back on the hinge and the nest was exposed to the driving elements...and everything else.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Mama bluebird did what she knew she had to do...spreading her wings to completely cover her babies...she became a shield of protection...all...night...long.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Morning came and still her tired body and wings lay across her little ones...risking her life for theirs...never forsaking...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">What sacrificial love from a tiny bluebird of happiness...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y4zX3NruUeI/Va2FbYwtuVI/AAAAAAAAQnY/KFtdPidJIj4/s1600-h/bluebird%25255B49%25255D.jpg"><img alt="bluebird" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DHBSu9r9W1Y/Va2FbrQUcSI/AAAAAAAAQnc/xCYdXyWljhE/bluebird_thumb%25255B45%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="218" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="bluebird" width="289" /></a><br />
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">**Sigh**</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Such a sweet story...</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">but if you are </span><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">storm soaked</span></b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> and the </span><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">night is endless</span></b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> and sometimes the furthest thing from your mind is where happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zpRbDWb-rXA/Va2FcLXJMeI/AAAAAAAAQno/ZSUPdJEaQEo/s1600-h/rainbow%25255B55%25255D.jpg"><img alt="rainbow" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i6nXlJnaf3o/Va2FcYxydWI/AAAAAAAAQns/vs3k3dUkteo/rainbow_thumb%25255B53%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="291" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="rainbow" width="289" /></a><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></em>
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>Then remember this...</b></span></em><br />
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">On that day that was dark</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">with boulders crashing</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">graves opening</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and sacred veils ripping from powers unseen...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">with</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">life blood dripping from His wounds</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">living water pouring from His side</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">arms stretched wide from east to west...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He became </span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">the impenetrable shield</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">between the child</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and the storm...</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">His blood covers everything </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">as sacrificial love that never fails...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">conquers the darkness</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and brings </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>JOY </b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">that can’t be defined with words</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">but must be experienced with the heart... </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and that outshines </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">the rainbows </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">stars </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and sun...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><em><br /></em></span></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That’s where I want to fly, Dorothy...</span></em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> </span></div>
<br />
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-size: small;">That is what the Scriptures mean </span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-size: small;">when they say,</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-size: small;">“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, <br />and no mind has imagined <br />what God has prepared <br />for those who love him</span></em>.” </div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+2%3A9&version=NLT" target="_blank">I Corinthians 2:9 NLT</a></div>
</blockquote>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08788724686085310730noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702262897317169323.post-41715005714404157362013-08-09T23:07:00.000-04:002013-08-10T12:10:32.383-04:00The Best Thing in the World<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"></span>Just a few months after the world was introduced to a galaxy far, far, away and Elvis sang “Hound Dog” for the last time, </span><br />
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I heard your voice say, </span><span style="font-size: large;">“<span style="font-family: Boring Boron;"><em>I do</em></span>” </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and watched your dimples imply that being a husband was the </span><span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: large;">best thing in the world.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Three years later... </span><br />
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I heard your voice shout </span><span style="font-size: large;">“<span style="font-family: Boring Boron;"><em>I have a son!”</em></span></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and watched your strong arms hold him ever so gently and show that being a dad was the </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: large;">best thing in the world.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Fast forward 25 years later and... </span><br />
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I heard your voice declare, </span><span style="font-size: large;">“<em><span style="font-family: Boring Boron;">I have a granddaughter!</span></em>” </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and watched your blue eyes hint that she had already stolen your heart and that being a Papa was the </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: large;">best thing in the world.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<em><br /></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">For many years I have <span style="font-size: small;">heard</span> and <span style="font-size: small;">watched...</span></span></em></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I heard your regrets over missing out on so many events while our children were young, while I watched you work so very hard and do anything necessary to make sure we always had what we needed...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I heard your complaints (<em>and your laughter</em>) about your brothers and their antics, and I watched your heart break when they were taken so soon...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I heard your frustrations voiced every day because of a body that just wouldn’t do what you wanted it to do, as I watched the effects of years of hard work and crippling arthritis take their toll..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I heard your cries of pain in the night and watched our snowy white little girl climb up and rest her paws on your chest and stare at your face until you said that you were okay.<span style="background-color: yellow;"></span></span><br />
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">For 36 years I have <span style="font-size: small;">heard</span> and <span style="font-size: small;">watched.</span></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And today, my love, </span></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">I hear</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: large;">two hearts in rhythm</span> </div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">and I watch</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: large;">a lifetime of love grow deeper and sweeter than mere words can describe.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You are the best thing in my world!</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HvLwnKOdhB4/UgWrZvXJhGI/AAAAAAAAOrY/V2NkyzhlxNs/s1600-h/photo%25255B19%25255D.jpg"><img alt="photo" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Cxx8DU_vdxo/UgWraIw-s7I/AAAAAAAAOrg/dv8TwSERrRQ/photo_thumb%25255B16%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="photo" width="360" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Amaze; font-size: medium;"></span></div>
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
<strong><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><em>“Love never ends:</em> </span></strong></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">it wakes up every day determined to do it all over again.”</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">~<a href="http://sayable.net/2013/03/what-love-is-this/" target="_blank">Lore Ferguson, Sayable</a>~</span></div>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Click <a href="http://sayable.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/blackbckcoloredPOSTER.pdf" target="_blank">HERE</a> for some more beautiful expressions of love based on </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20corinthians%2013&version=NIV" target="_blank">I Corinthians 13.</a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photobucket.com/images/dividers" target="_blank"><img alt="dividers Pictures, Images and Photos" border="0" src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t256/katokisses/dividers.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/208/75947C14692E4D34A3E33E56BD7EEA70.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/208/660FCB7AD6919E08D857611FCEAB2EDA.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08788724686085310730noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702262897317169323.post-51352431325205828802013-07-30T08:54:00.000-04:002013-07-30T08:54:14.743-04:00When Faith Needs a Face<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fSb4fGQr--A/UfLpC8MwQfI/AAAAAAAAOqw/f4PSRRorsq0/s1600-h/photo8.jpg"><img alt="photo" border="0" height="291" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EEPqf_V9wZs/UfLpDaltJaI/AAAAAAAAOq0/6E-Lexejsdo/photo_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="photo" width="390" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The letter was addressed:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Monotype Corsiva; font-size: large;">“Dear Heavenly Father”</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Dated October 11, 1978, my <a href="http://hallelujahanyhow.blogspot.com/2009/05/mother-who-was-grand.html" target="_blank">Grandmother’s</a> handwriting on the faded page closed with:</span><br />
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Monotype Corsiva; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Monotype Corsiva; font-size: large;">“Your daughter and son</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;"><em><span style="font-family: Monotype Corsiva;">We are Your children”</span></em> </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">In that pre-blog era of putting actual pen to paper, she wrote heart words to her Lord and Saviour asking for blessings concerning selling her and <a href="http://hallelujahanyhow.blogspot.com/2009/06/golden-grahams-and-granddaddy.html" target="_blank">Granddaddy’s</a> house.</span><br />
<div align="center">
<em><br /></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">She knew the value of a </span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">tangible testimony </span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">of her faith in answered prayer…</span></em></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The same envelope housed another such letter dated one year later that began:</span><br />
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Monotype Corsiva; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Monotype Corsiva; font-size: large;">“Dear Heavenly Father</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Monotype Corsiva; font-size: large;">We thank you Father for all <u>Your blessings upon us</u>”</span></em></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and ended with:</span><br />
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Monotype Corsiva; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Monotype Corsiva; font-size: large;">“Thank You Father for answering prayer.</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Monotype Corsiva; font-size: large;">We are Your children.</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Monotype Corsiva; font-size: large;">Hallelujah”</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><br /></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Monotype Corsiva; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MiKbZ9VZBfY/UfLpDvdFRlI/AAAAAAAAOrA/hjoaHp9FlyI/s1600-h/photo-17.jpg"><img alt="photo-1" border="0" height="291" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VFnfnd_HbSE/UfLpEWhpUrI/AAAAAAAAOrE/GTlqhmiqNEA/photo-1_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="photo-1" width="390" /></a></span></em></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Did my Grandmother know when she wrote these letters that nearly 35 years later they would </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>encourage</i></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> and </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>edify</i></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">?</span></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Did she know that her precious script would be seen across the globe and that a written prayer goes further than ink on paper by </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>putting a face on faith for all to see</i></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">?</span></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And did she know that her Hallelujah would merge with mine and raise a right </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>holy ruckus of praise</i></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">? </span></div>
<div align="center">
<em><br /></em></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Put a face on your faith</b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Write the letter</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></em>
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Break the bread</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Hug the weary</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Reassure the doubtful</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></em>
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Minister to the broken</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and go serve</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">in whatever way God tells you</span></em></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Because your faith needs a </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">face</span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">, </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">hands</span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">, and </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">feet</span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> to glorify </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><u><br /></u></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><u>the One Whom you believe</u></i></b></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">....</span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">A faith that does not do things is a dead faith.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%202%3A17&version=NLV" target="_blank">James 2:17 NLV</a></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><br /></span></blockquote>
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<a href="http://photobucket.com/images/dividers" target="_blank"><img alt="dividers Pictures, Images and Photos" border="0" src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t256/katokisses/dividers.gif" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/208/75947C14692E4D34A3E33E56BD7EEA70.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/208/660FCB7AD6919E08D857611FCEAB2EDA.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08788724686085310730noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702262897317169323.post-10757901727624242742013-07-14T21:10:00.000-04:002013-07-14T21:10:31.728-04:00The Seeker of Shards<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-u6Cnoyih8E4/UeBKvUg7QXI/AAAAAAAAOoY/bWLGGv7teJA/s1600-h/Day_after_Oslo_bombing-64.jpg"><img alt="Day_after_Oslo_bombing-6" border="0" height="347" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Fxxd3nZv_ds/UeBKvpYJ04I/AAAAAAAAOoc/L5xontIPLgg/Day_after_Oslo_bombing-6_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Day_after_Oslo_bombing-6" width="395" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Three edged sharp, the</span> <span style="font-family: augie; font-size: large;"><b>shard</b></span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">is almost hidden in the shadows.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Just one piece of many, the</span> <span style="font-family: Japanese Brush; font-size: medium;">Seeker</span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">carefully places it with the others. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">All shapes and sizes, the fragments seem to have no rhyme or reason, yet the</span> <span style="font-family: Japanese Brush; font-size: medium;">Seeker</span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">knows what the</span> <span style="font-family: Impact; font-size: medium;">Father</span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">can do with <i><b>broken pieces...</b></i></span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Small slivers caused by </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">promises not kept...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">harsh words...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and disappointments...</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Larger pieces with sharp edges that cut deeply brought on by </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">broken homes...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">diseased bodies...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">wayward children...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and questions not answered in the here and now...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IjyHO6Iwe_8/UeBKwLiU31I/AAAAAAAAOok/KE99-Or3JEU/s1600-h/White_square_with_question_mark%25255B67%25255D.png"><img alt="White_square_with_question_mark" border="0" height="113" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-K6bJAwnyh1Y/UeBKwRKYJZI/AAAAAAAAOow/DrxBOBA3Yi4/White_square_with_question_mark_thumb%25255B66%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="White_square_with_question_mark" width="85" /></a><br />
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<em><br /></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Why, God?</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Nothing makes sense...</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">What did I do?</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>What </i><b>didn’t</b><i> I do?</i></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Are You even there?</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Do You really care?</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And the</span> <span style="font-family: augie; font-size: large;"><b>shards</b></span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">shatter wild with hope falling to the ground and</span><br />
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<em><br /></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>Immediately,</b></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">the scarred hands of the</span> <span style="font-family: Japanese Brush; font-size: medium;">Seeker</span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">gather them tightly and</span> <span style="font-family: webster; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Marigold; font-size: x-large;"><b>His blood covers all...</b></span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The</span> <span style="font-family: Japanese Brush;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Seeker</span> </span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">looks at the newest</span> <b><span style="font-family: augie; font-size: large;">shard</span>.</b>..<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">the one created at a hospital bedside</span>...<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">from a mother’s heart bleeding out every ounce of love she had in the hopes that gushing fountain would heal her boy until it just pumped dry and brittle and was completely broken</span>...<br />
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<em><br /></em></div>
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<em><b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The world is full of broken heart shards...</span></b></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This very <em><b>second</b></em>, someone’s heart is <em><b>coming apart</b></em>...</span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">In this imperfect world that offers no hope...</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Marigold; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Marigold; font-size: x-large;">hope is offered by perfect love</span><em>...</em></b></div>
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<em><br /></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><em>It is our </em><span style="font-size: small;">choice</span><em> whether to accept it or not...</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Japanese Brush; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Japanese Brush; font-size: medium;">Shepherd, Seeker, Redeemer</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The</span> <span style="font-family: Japanese Brush; font-size: medium;">Seeker</span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">of the</span> <span style="font-family: augie; font-size: small;">Shards</span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">gathers every single piece of brokenness and lays them before His</span> <span style="font-family: Impact; font-size: medium;">Father</span>...<br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And the</span> <span style="font-family: Impact; font-size: medium;">Father</span>, <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">with His bottled tears and numbered hairs, takes the countless pieces of the shattered heart and begins to smooth the sharp edges...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Marigold; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Marigold; font-size: x-large;"><b>Healing begins with the Heart Maker</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Gaps between the cracks are filled with His glorious grace that is sufficient to hold the pieces together until the final step of restoration when our eyes see His face and our heart is complete...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Marigold; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Marigold; font-size: x-large;"><b>What was once in pieces, will be restored.</b></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Marigold; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bjtaX_BCL6g/UeBKw5C32TI/AAAAAAAAOo4/4cKGeevi9Gw/s1600-h/file72012616590512.jpg"><img alt="file7201261659051" border="0" height="245" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ds2dnrGdUVU/UeBKxAXxSBI/AAAAAAAAOo8/QngucjMIRbk/file7201261659051_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="file7201261659051" width="359" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I am sick at heart. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">How long, O Lord, until you restore me?</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%206:3&version=NLT" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Psalm 6:3 NLT</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The Lord is my strength and shield. <br />I trust him with all my heart. <br />He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. <br />I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2028:7&version=NLT" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Psalm 28:7 NLT</span></a></div>
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08788724686085310730noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702262897317169323.post-16573869163517682802013-02-09T10:39:00.000-05:002013-02-09T10:39:03.901-05:00When His Sheep are Black & Blue<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Your birthday came and went last month.</span></div>
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MJpTMh-y2Ow/URZn6CnIveI/AAAAAAAAOME/DFYM3h1b5R0/s1600-h/balloons5.jpg"><img alt="balloons" border="0" height="233" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6nuFPlIeAGM/URZn6adpURI/AAAAAAAAOMM/-JN2QGDjJd8/balloons_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="balloons" width="350" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">No cake, ice cream, or balloons for you this year...just a harvest of seeds sown...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">You see yourself as the “</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>black sheep</b></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">” of the family...</span></div>
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G3DguZZ6L-s/URZn64TSZWI/AAAAAAAAOMU/c0Kvy22_9Gk/s1600-h/black%252520sheep%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="black sheep" border="0" height="180" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Egj_yN_Gnpk/URZn7eINtcI/AAAAAAAAOMc/nz0fpjY-bDY/black%252520sheep_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="black sheep" width="240" /></a><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">But I was there that night </span></em></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The night you pushed up from the altar...planted your hand on your heart...lips curled into a grin...<em>actually you laughed</em>...and said:</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<em><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Thank you, Jesus!”</span></b></em></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">That </span><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">black</span></b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> heart was washed white...and momma danced happy...</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I was there later as the enemy tried to take back </span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">what had been redeemed...</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And watched as detours became the norm...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-g5eEr9DNgIo/URZn8Hj_v2I/AAAAAAAAOMk/_akRkDEAl0Q/s1600-h/detour5.png"><img alt="detour" border="0" height="133" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UrTitqnPwuA/URZn8RrusBI/AAAAAAAAOMs/b9Bgf7MGK9s/detour_thumb8.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="detour" width="350" /></a><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">eventually steering you back to the straight path...</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-s60L8XjuVDI/URZn9P9vvAI/AAAAAAAAOM0/DnnwoTIEBhI/s1600-h/path-19555_6405.jpg"><img alt="path-19555_640" border="0" height="232" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OE86SJBvtkg/URZn9vBkpPI/AAAAAAAAOM8/oaZbC-43_Mw/path-19555_640_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="path-19555_640" width="350" /></a><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><i>and then you’d be off again...</i></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-59F5cJZUePs/URZn-k1dSOI/AAAAAAAAONE/kEzXzcH6LH8/s1600-h/path4.jpg"><img alt="path" border="0" height="205" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CbARoMZs_f0/URZn_HVq2jI/AAAAAAAAONM/e_NMeLvSvL0/path_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="path" width="354" /></a><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Another birthday came and went this month.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">A custom cake by Katie, </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-srCQos7_sp0/URZn_yt66II/AAAAAAAAONU/YV3BwkzgFgM/s1600-h/DSC_8435%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC_8435" border="0" height="320" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GRA5K4EICnY/URZoA0s_zXI/AAAAAAAAONc/r3nFJYcTtVI/DSC_8435_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_8435" width="354" /></a><br />
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<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Kroger ice cream, <i>but no cards</i>...</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2fhEn5qHHFM/URZoBcn8YbI/AAAAAAAAONk/eGdPdLNHkaU/s1600-h/mailbox%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="mailbox" border="0" height="277" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vEQYHr7yqDA/URZoB_9cTBI/AAAAAAAAONs/fmc0suVfDKc/mailbox_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="mailbox" width="354" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Until the mail lady delivered an envelope with your return address in the corner...</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Inside was the <b>sweetest custom handmade card.</b>..</span></em></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And this </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>blue</b></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> sheep smiled and thanked God for His grace and love...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">So </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">black</span> sheep, <span style="font-size: large;">blue</span> sheep, <span style="font-size: large;">green</span> or <span style="font-size: large;">purple</span></b></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> - </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">if grazing in the </span><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #ffd966;">Good Shepherd</span>’s</span></i> pasture</span></b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">we are all the same.</span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<em><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #ffd966;">His blood marks those who belong to the <span style="font-size: large;">Lamb</span>.</span>..</span></b></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></em></div>
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. After He has gathered His own flock, He walks ahead of them, and they follow Him because they know His voice. </b></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2010:3-5&version=NLT" target="_blank"><em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>John 10:3-4 NLT</b></span></em></a></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photobucket.com/images/dividers" target="_blank"><img alt="dividers Pictures, Images and Photos" border="0" src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t256/katokisses/dividers.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/208/75947C14692E4D34A3E33E56BD7EEA70.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/208/660FCB7AD6919E08D857611FCEAB2EDA.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08788724686085310730noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702262897317169323.post-49511111029263152732012-12-05T20:42:00.000-05:002012-12-05T20:42:05.836-05:00Finding Christmas in the Ink Stain<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It was the year before Charlie Brown first asked:</span><br />
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Cookies; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Courier New;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Cookies; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Courier New;">”</span>Isn’t there anyone, </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Cookies; font-size: medium;">who knows </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Cookies; font-size: medium;">what Christmas is all about?!”<span style="font-family: Courier New;">”</span></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Cookies; font-size: medium;">”</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Cookies; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-R6oWxU_OuMY/UL_yGp94nDI/AAAAAAAANwU/VDatvyLoVyQ/s1600-h/file00018313572716.jpg"><img alt="file0001831357271" border="0" height="296" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HsLkBhwFLdM/UL_yHJ2aZrI/AAAAAAAANwc/U2NgLJ9HSdk/file0001831357271_thumb11.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="file0001831357271" width="380" /></a> ””</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Christmas past...her 6th, and a special gift from paternal grandparents...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Nv5LvPGC8YI/UL_yHyIrntI/AAAAAAAANwk/cI56_KdyrjQ/s1600-h/DSC_8199-16.jpg"><img alt="DSC_8199-1" border="0" height="265" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-12YR9x6Kk9s/UL_yIvjl3fI/AAAAAAAANwo/7t_IdvcaaVU/DSC_8199-1_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_8199-1" width="400" /></a><br />
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Black leather, </span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: red; color: red;"></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;">red</span></em><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: red;"></span> </span>words, </em></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"></span><em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #333333;">white</span><span style="background-color: black;"></span> pages of the</span> </em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">King</span><em>’</em></b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>s story</b></span> </span><em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">in a king’s version</span>...</em></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Many Christmas seasons pass and the book is taken down from the shelf to find the treasures hidden among</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> words sometimes hard to understand...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">She decides to make a statement by</span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><u>underlining every word</u> she reads in</span> <span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;">ballpoint ink</span>...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-D54S2MDRu80/UL_yJGoUyhI/AAAAAAAANw0/wdRPqcFoHhg/s1600-h/DSC_82015.jpg"><img alt="DSC_8201" border="0" height="238" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5oLM5g2VZq8/UL_yJ9WNSuI/AAAAAAAANw8/MHcjxq1Bhtk/DSC_8201_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_8201" width="380" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Tiny globs splotch the thin sheets...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Fast forward to Christmas present, and during an attic search those packed away inked pages and spotted verses are found in the middle of a box of keepsakes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">She pauses and opens the book...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Zyiv1v_jGdM/UL_yKe9uFcI/AAAAAAAANxE/f575HQw3oQE/s1600-h/DSC_82059.jpg"><img alt="DSC_8205" border="0" height="249" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hpUk-KHBrtg/UL_yK9e9udI/AAAAAAAANxM/B7MmRBuLDWY/DSC_8205_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_8205" width="380" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The naivety of the ink stains...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The reminder that <em><u>underlined words mean nothing</u>...</em></span><br />
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: large;">unless</span> </div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">penned by a</span> <span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: large;">holy hand</span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">on a</span> <span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: large;">receiving heart</span><span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;">.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<em><br /></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and she sees His hands</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: large;">innocent hands</span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">balled into tiny fists swaddled close under the star of wonder...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: large;">healing hands</span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">that touched lepers, </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: large;">tender hands</span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">that held children and broke bread... </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: large;">sacrificial hands</span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">inked red..</span>. </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: large;">mighty hands</span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">that are big enough to hold pieces of broken hearts so <em><b><span style="font-size: large;">hope</span></b></em> can mend the cracks and <em><b><span style="font-size: large;">grace</span></b></em> repair the irreparable...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: webster; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: webster; font-size: large;">So the world can know joy</span> </div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Japanese Brush; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Japanese Brush; font-size: x-large;">Love</span><span style="font-family: Japanese Brush; font-size: large;">...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<em><br /></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And that, Charlie Brown, is what Christmas is all about...</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The greatest</span> <span style="font-family: Japanese Brush; font-size: large;">Love</span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">imaginable </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Japanese Brush; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Japanese Brush;">Love</span> </span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">that underlines</span> <span style="background-color: #ffd966; font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;">YOUR NAME</span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">with crimson</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and then rubs a mercy-filled eraser across all the splotches and smudges we create in our lives...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Japanese Brush;">Love</span> </span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">like this, </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">only</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b>Jesus </b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-v4r-lVZ1GaI/UL_yLSzCw0I/AAAAAAAANxU/kGLtNDfEItE/s1600-h/file0001188160819-copy5.jpg"><img alt="file0001188160819 copy" border="0" height="285" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5bZ-45Q_Emw/UL_yL7fvj-I/AAAAAAAANxc/PLtl3FV3MG8/file0001188160819-copy_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="file0001188160819 copy" width="380" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://photobucket.com/images/dividers" target="_blank"><img alt="dividers Pictures, Images and Photos" border="0" src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t256/katokisses/dividers.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/208/75947C14692E4D34A3E33E56BD7EEA70.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/208/660FCB7AD6919E08D857611FCEAB2EDA.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08788724686085310730noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702262897317169323.post-82958518885280843432012-09-13T10:37:00.002-04:002012-09-13T10:37:28.190-04:00When You Need It Most<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">“<i>People need loving the most when they deserve it the least</i>.” John Harrigan</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: augie;">See the people?</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: augie;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jy6q-sHhPmo/UFHq6SIwHII/AAAAAAAAMGA/FJiMx0ysQw0/s1600-h/friend6.jpg"><img alt="friend" border="0" height="318" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NWh7Ms9t-Vg/UFHq7Jz_xjI/AAAAAAAAMGM/M2HTFd2SemM/friend_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="friend" width="350" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The friend who betrayed your trust and seemingly forgot every promise she ever made to you </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and deserves forgiveness the least...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Boring Boron;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Boring Boron;">needs forgiveness the most</span></em> </div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">as she battles alone the demons trying to destroy her family...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Qz8_bKk6fNs/UFHq7j-1S0I/AAAAAAAAMGU/xBFVBwRIVdw/s1600-h/file4801310649783%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="file4801310649783" border="0" height="292" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oBOHM8j9OsA/UFHq8LlNAuI/AAAAAAAAMGc/Hiq1NopLtcU/file4801310649783_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="file4801310649783" width="350" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The pastor who forgot the purpose of his calling amidst numbers and payroll </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and deserves grace the least...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Boring Boron;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Boring Boron;">needs grace the most</span></em> </div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">because he is the one God has chosen to lead your loved one to Christ...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Lz9oEAUR_FI/UFHq8urKbYI/AAAAAAAAMGk/ZbjNwcnGDXk/s1600-h/file0006407568896.jpg"><img alt="file000640756889" border="0" height="233" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OY4iqXn3zf0/UFHq9GwOg0I/AAAAAAAAMGs/kJCIZXHMHZ4/file000640756889_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="file000640756889" width="350" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The addict who lies and steals and cheats </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and deserves mercy the least...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron;"><em><br /></em></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron;"><em>needs mercy the most</em></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">because he is looking for a Strong Tower, </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">with eyes blind and hands chained...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: augie;">Can you see the people?</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The man in the deepest pit dug by selfish choices and hateful actions </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">who deserves hope the least...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Boring Boron;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Boring Boron;">needs hope the most</span></em> </div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">because death waves a ticket of escape in his face stamped with a date that is too early...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: augie;">Can you see?</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The wretch who stomped thru the puddles of blood flowing from Calvary in indifference...who stepped up in </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">pride instead of kneeling down in humbleness...who turned away from the only One compassionate enough </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">to see through her façade of fear...who shook her fist at the One whose hands were reaching out to save...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">who deserved love the least...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">who deserved no love at all...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron;"><em><br /></em></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron;"><em>but needed love the most...</em></span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">was given the </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron;">most love possible</span> </div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">in the form of God in the flesh...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: augie;">See the people?</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: augie;"></span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">They are everywhere and everyone...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">They are</span> <span style="font-family: Boring Boron;">me</span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and they are</span> <span style="font-family: Boring Boron;">you</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and because the most we deserved was death, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Jesus Christ became the least so we could have the most wonderful gift of all...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>a life with Him</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ayL5DLcNYvw/UFHq90hNtjI/AAAAAAAAMG0/B0BnQxX-SU4/s1600-h/file4831335316242%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="file4831335316242" border="0" height="197" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EBCD82OGtlI/UFHq-a2OwrI/AAAAAAAAMG8/5ZfNzGBzUlo/file4831335316242_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="file4831335316242" width="350" /></a><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">But God shows his love for us, because while we were still sinners Christ died for us.</span></em></div>
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<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%205:8&version=CEB" target="_blank"><em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Romans 5:8 CEB</span></em></a></div>
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<a href="http://photobucket.com/images/dividers" target="_blank"><img alt="dividers Pictures, Images and Photos" border="0" src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t256/katokisses/dividers.gif" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/208/75947C14692E4D34A3E33E56BD7EEA70.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/208/660FCB7AD6919E08D857611FCEAB2EDA.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08788724686085310730noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702262897317169323.post-16157120767921642132012-08-09T16:33:00.000-04:002012-08-09T16:33:17.265-04:00Twelve Thousand Days of True Love<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We actually said </span><b>“</b></em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><b>I do</b></span><em><b>”</b> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">on that very first date...</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Shy girl and shy boy in a crowded room jammed full of people and</span> <em><span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;">we didn’t see any of them</span></em>...<br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Heart all aflutter as the boy/man</span> <em><span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;">rescues a lost purse</span></em> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and</span> <em><span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;">captures my heart</span></em>...<br />
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<span style="font-family: Feltpen; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Feltpen; font-size: small;">His dimples were so cute!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Eight months pass with sweet stop sign kisses and plans for the future</span>...<br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We say </span><b>“<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">I do</span>”</b> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">again, but this time before God and one of His men as our journey begins...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2K-bdXAscgs/UCQO3fKJJLI/AAAAAAAAL3o/lRPMV4-fR3w/s1600-h/Top-1%25255B1%25255D.png"><img alt="Top-1" border="0" height="349" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MRf4JgJVgGU/UCQO4NTO8UI/AAAAAAAAL3w/s4xHHzMpnDw/Top-1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Top-1" width="350" /></a><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We work</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We play</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We make memories</span></em></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Time passes swiftly as our bond becomes stronger and love grows deeper...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I discover my guitar player is also a </span><span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;"><em>singer</em></span>...<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and a </span><span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;"><em>songwriter</em></span>...<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">who composes melodies about <span style="font-size: small;">EVERYTHING</span>...</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0gs3gfY6dlU/UCQO43RC7OI/AAAAAAAAL34/zTlH_ebG_cY/s1600-h/file0002018002969%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="file0002018002969" border="0" height="228" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tbyvD9H4nNE/UCQO6XezdBI/AAAAAAAAL4A/PHVHHnit6M4/file0002018002969_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="file0002018002969" width="350" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Our family tree grows</span> <span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;">3 new branches</span>...<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><em>BOYS</em></span>...<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">so alike yet completely different and </span><span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;">husband</span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and</span> <span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;">wife</span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">also become</span> <span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;">mom</span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and</span> <span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;">dad</span>...<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8f0I-HyhEEY/UCQO7WsyN4I/AAAAAAAAL4I/i-AjcI1-WvE/s1600-h/59%25255B3%25255D.png"><img alt="59" border="0" height="337" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TzI8tXJOoGQ/UCQO73Z5DjI/AAAAAAAAL4Q/vS_VjPXUuA0/59_thumb%25255B11%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="59" width="350" /></a><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Blessings abound and joy overflows and it couldn’t possibly get any better...</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Feltpen; font-size: small;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<b><em><span style="font-family: Feltpen; font-size: small;">T</span></em><em><span style="font-family: Feltpen; font-size: small;">he songs keep coming...</span></em></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Seasons pass and our branches grow and lo and behold they are joined by beautiful new growth </span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3KlDPTrxHYg/UCQO8SofxII/AAAAAAAAL4Y/FlS7ZLJlTdQ/s1600-h/720210052_vsKpx-O-1%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="720210052_vsKpx-O-1" border="0" height="300" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZavtVXBQLgY/UCQO86Ti78I/AAAAAAAAL4g/-1_RI553BGg/720210052_vsKpx-O-1_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="720210052_vsKpx-O-1" width="200" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aR50KnZIGCA/UCQO9Ei17YI/AAAAAAAAL4o/Z5RZ74iPkps/s1600-h/377113_184498581634346_158583157559222_402634_80604199_n%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="377113_184498581634346_158583157559222_402634_80604199_n" border="0" height="300" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PZDrEto4_R0/UCQO9tUrA0I/AAAAAAAAL4w/g3WQegvqWSA/377113_184498581634346_158583157559222_402634_80604199_n_thumb%25255B20%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="377113_184498581634346_158583157559222_402634_80604199_n" width="239" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and buds bloom and before you know it there are... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;">1 2 3 4 5</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">little Thompson grandflowers</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UDEtSXPlZdc/UCQO_X5CWGI/AAAAAAAAL44/PJL2EW7_Kas/s1600-h/3395921177_cd6bb614c9_o%252520copy%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="3395921177_cd6bb614c9_o copy" border="0" height="255" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nIUU8cP2aTw/UCQO_rfgMyI/AAAAAAAAL5A/aAOaPtL9fxw/3395921177_cd6bb614c9_o%252520copy_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="3395921177_cd6bb614c9_o copy" width="350" /></a></div>
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<em><br /></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Babies of our babies</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And we glow in the journey of having</span> <span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;">daughters</span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and being</span> <span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;">nanna</span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and </span><span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;">poppa</span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and the </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Feltpen; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Feltpen; font-size: small;"><b>songs burst forth with no effort at all...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Feltpen; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mBPCtJ8SdLA/UCQPAQGskJI/AAAAAAAAL5I/4smehnvLVo0/s1600-h/file1161243325676%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="file1161243325676" border="0" height="242" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-v-WGMz5VlvY/UCQPBAx5D8I/AAAAAAAAL5Q/0SFj6lD8_FQ/file1161243325676_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="file1161243325676" width="350" /></a><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And after 35 years we still say</span> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><b>“</b></span></em><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">I do</span><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">”</span>...</em></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;">To have...</span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">as many more years together as the Lord allows</span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron;"><span style="font-size: small;">To hold</span>...</span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">as tightly as we can to the Rock that is secure</span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron;"><span style="font-size: small;">From this day forward</span>...</span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">until He comes or calls us home</span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron;"><span style="font-size: small;">For better</span>...</span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">which it is every single day</span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron;"><span style="font-size: small;">For worse</span>...</span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">which we overcome by </span></em><em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">trusting God and </span></em><em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">leaning on each other </span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron;"><span style="font-size: small;">For richer</span>...</span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">as our blessings are priceless and many</span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron;"><span style="font-size: small;">For poorer</span>...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><em>as the sacrifices were not made in vain</em>...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron;"><span style="font-size: small;">In sickness and in health</span>...</span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">because that is what you do for someone you love and back rubs and M&M’s can sometimes cure what ails you...</span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Boring Boron;"><span style="font-size: small;">Until death do us part</span>...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Feltpen;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em>so let’s go out with a song</em>...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Feltpen;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">According to the figures,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">we have been married for </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">12,785 days</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1826 weeks</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">306,840 hours</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">18,410,400 minutes</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">or </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1,104,624,000 seconds</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and I am thankful for</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;">every - </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;">single -</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;">second -</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Boring Boron; font-size: small;">with you...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Happy Anniversary my love,</span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Feltpen; font-size: small;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Feltpen; font-size: small;">Never stop singing....</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Feltpen; font-size: small;"><br /></span></em></div>
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0l34uHFiKAs/UCQPB_DGJlI/AAAAAAAAL5Y/uM7Xyp239Sg/s1600-h/380989_1716423048621_1779590432_867499_1678453172_n%252520-%252520Copy%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="380989_1716423048621_1779590432_867499_1678453172_n - Copy" border="0" height="343" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-omtVGYut8Uc/UCQPCZbpNUI/AAAAAAAAL5g/eviH8X_PaZk/380989_1716423048621_1779590432_867499_1678453172_n%252520-%252520Copy_thumb%25255B15%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="380989_1716423048621_1779590432_867499_1678453172_n - Copy" width="350" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photobucket.com/images/dividers" target="_blank"><img alt="dividers Pictures, Images and Photos" border="0" src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t256/katokisses/dividers.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/208/75947C14692E4D34A3E33E56BD7EEA70.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/208/660FCB7AD6919E08D857611FCEAB2EDA.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08788724686085310730noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702262897317169323.post-31716842783014060272012-07-21T16:05:00.000-04:002012-07-21T16:05:29.378-04:00The Color of Glory<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Listening closely, the child hears the old saints sing about</span> “<span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: small;">streets of gold</span>”, “<span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: small;">walls of jasper</span>”,<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> and</span> “<span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: small;">gates of pearl</span>”...</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Visions of Dorothy and the Tin Man walking the streets of <span style="background-color: lime;"></span>Oz <span style="background-color: lime;"></span>paint pictures in her mind of a </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">brightly lit and beautiful place..</span>.</div>
<div align="center">
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Sparkling jewels and precious stones glow </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">amber, sapphire, and jade </span><br />
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yPgzosFxALkrXRlLWZLIXND8t7J7NsS3HdQtoq6lyoXOrZ11SbzZHaIgE9VXqqmOjKZxXnYzTUMnyp9QZdDB6uIHZWrqqSTPsxtPnKb5GMzUovpOb0UQ8gh2xSMI8y4xqau9J8DkIwE/s1600-h/file0003370009655.jpg"><img alt="file000337000965" border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47S-qlYKa-ADm1dnFOz1bHzPJDQj9qSsaFhnul2U7flUAVGNz5wt0CRLpc3j207ZjdX9YCliLBo4IBESFzu6ifUoRE74uVQUMkaJboYjjrHw7vrmrcBoTMcdK8279IL46dmmnQIkmHx0/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="file000337000965" width="350" /></a><br />
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: medium;">but she doesn’t know the <span style="background-color: #ffc000;">color of glory</span>...</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: medium;"></span></em></div>
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>The wall was jasper, the color of Glory, and the City was pure gold, translucent as glass.</i></span></div>
<h5 align="center">
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2021:18&version=MSG" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><i>Revelation 21:18 MSG</i></span></a></h5>
</blockquote>
<br />
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Time passes and she catches glimpses...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<em><br /></em><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><em>Wrinkled hands holding life in the pages </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><em>of a leather bound Book</em>...</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVK02P1xwJAuB_VtoN-qz2z3dsC16zDtpC5-gH4j0iw4ze55EUECoRs4nFWBnc2nS6tNKM0Jsp7-h2ooKeHfzSxBiKGntxG12kQNkSEWomrpqHGck5SQ0MlOg6YMkPO4nZAXWKc-WfhHE/s1600-h/138526524_552449b82d5.jpg"><img alt="138526524_552449b82d" border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirg-RVme-5RV2ZFkGWAc2t0vjFwV1v5UWr_q2mX54wYTzfDMdvXBvWIjPSEE8zqSNg3lDml5AL7ob4vpzuW2xIeOW1O1QSFukXd2rzsQAac4s7Ai1PVQn9ZOPnI87KYG5SP1cj1-9_FL8/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="138526524_552449b82d" width="350" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<em><br /></em><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><em>Humble servant hands clasped in prayer</em>...</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUP7EjSB085b5BWLys5hG_VFa9YO8YWMITWxygFRzmBLnVDtaLQz8xuLN5BOC7xNKWGupfJInLK6YI5ty7VldiMIBEPGstUxwHQ7MspFSVuGQNWRzdIuwY3-nTUTjwOga3z75-Gq94lI/s1600-h/John-D.-Carter-90th-0506.jpg"><img alt="John D. Carter 90th 050" border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDIUcBC_82KBVNmkemrfGfkMERIgxPaLvkJujIpzbhdn3BkccDCeUzp5QX8vwkkeJaUFSfevPzYyzHHuNTWcbSbvNeki6fgBxK39J6HQnA6aVy-QQ9Br_UEVygP0P2gJCLiVPMNEbWdA/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="John D. Carter 90th 050" width="350" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<em><br /></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Tender hands reaching out in love to right the wrongs </span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and comfort the hurting...</span></em><br />
<em><br /></em></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOTVB4XiBLERf8gis_kF42jKK2eAZkYMbgpsU6Gf3nnFnVN7sFIstrHTeJVQQ4rKs5YIiRcOhPwd5IXkfpcagNvMXfgj049MdxgbkJ7Sr6TfErFm3hdMmGzZf8J2P2ELDx4twzih9otQ/s1600-h/DSC_2622-1%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC_2622-1" border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBpUDC0cWUC8pyr_vboZYGPaQ1fmiQa6s91WQEhncUF3R6ZiHyd6Kpm2zWo1AKeBWaIH64z7s7LcAdjCyMdFCN91JMrpnUeUlh0JpxWPaRxezLtkk7NedPSnLM2MKuFyGaJ49w7x6SiE/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_2622-1" width="351" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">She sees hands...and feet...and faces reflecting the</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: medium;">glory of Jesus</span>...<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">by unselfishly placing others first...<em>regardless of the cost...</em></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: medium;"><em><br /></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: medium;"><em>But what is the <span style="background-color: #ffc000;">color of glory</span>?</em></span></div>
<div align="center">
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>Is it the color of innocent faith?</i></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmDQ8g_e4ziPz0o-6-DLoRAnsUo0j-4Y72kK0_PMXZoaDphy3x6nK4_3eqpXho8OD7HI9z9xK5MrDfgWz3dm4lJbDwfhyphenhyphennfzcJ_IW_7L53UQAg5RUNGGccLnl_dH85Ntty0DQ6FcPObE/s1600-h/720204626_sGCxe-L-1%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="720204626_sGCxe-L-1" border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BJnvuthsnU5Vp-sNvkevavJV4eB1deQp_8mjF1F0JNh3BUJXy1jKhnvJzOHvl-nhjes-IiDBq1v820Kjx76h6YJIihPM53BMjlztnEFpAT_Zy7Muh1E08g2G_U-2Tlxf4Fz51HXF8es/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="720204626_sGCxe-L-1" width="350" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>Or unconditional love?</i></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFZES3ds4n8Yi_mZsFeGLH-AK0uKZxJWB2POYBjSnlOK_hGKl0AICpac01cdUhu63v7EDXEw-SfS1Ct4Pbp1CjiIy_gwTUgIg3fkO4KCb2NimzEUyv8G7mXuoZmMuk_WIvPSbjZSJ35Y/s1600-h/720206521_MizgZ-L-1%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="720206521_MizgZ-L-1" border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5O19Jr6-h4TQEaN09dsylaG8w1mVIApDSV1KKrDjfp0xS3C46QQ6oml-PGBYZabKmVQuPhlCftriJJMfhZQTxsbSSd4DidtjyLvasvvJnW9F51btu0ByyQyk0jI2XQ3yvBu_Y_ItyBAk/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="720206521_MizgZ-L-1" width="350" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>Or <span style="background-color: yellow;"></span>indescribable<span style="background-color: yellow;"></span> joy </i></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iXZ1UpTSOs1MgwVkt5h7X6B-f6LNS6wQj0qfnf89rXXBCLhmY2eol9Ta4O2dph6q1UQx54931PNaEScXF7ocZYmGAMPpz6M3wGt4OUuM7OVVqPaBjG8_CkdN-kudIR6qzljXH8pyJSQ/s1600-h/720198858_kRYuV-L-1%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="720198858_kRYuV-L-1" border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrQOz0COZODSIHqzO82GqJcuCDq2ryJnDopPhjQ00fjF3F0WxrXTMV_sNb4x3KxEOnctXblbUoWzNlYO-1eweCHYYcu-oeLa3I8TeneJrVOkP4LFoRDbZU3zQXf_ME9CwI49od3N4Qos/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="720198858_kRYuV-L-1" width="350" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>and absolute freedom?</i></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTZKQEBe_99p5LG6toc-lOm84I1YyevaiiSffVZwiAjl7Ge_NEt4v-jcRFIYFLEL1gqQ0sHjBdv1pzm41F2xNGIzweXWjwXcZHPhx83iIHYjjOEQmbBi9ZgtnJePxejPvYoQLluJIxew/s1600-h/file611293680148%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="file611293680148" border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglFD0Z4DoM96oiDLU_1ELRRaEq1JZiM2QCCM5dwdQjVSDxrEpqaKrmZPwINb9-OQeg8mN1bOqD6_kjkN_6GkwOrCO3wDpSx-FRe3ReXAVI4_EtxP7R8nayOuzZ6esy0OCz7E3Oj5XxYI/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="file611293680148" width="350" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="background-color: #ffc000; font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: medium;"><em><br /></em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> Is</span> </span><span style="background-color: #ffc000; font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-style: italic;">Glory the color...</span></span></div>
<div align="center">
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Of dust flung wild from the Father’s feet as He runs to greet the child that was once lost </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">but now is found...</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhXSFF3kdTVie-3hzTcw07DO3jhG2s8n5jgRpWqgPNtN_vmt7AjhnjA-_yb8tONlpLXzPxdo7x-RFXr_MYSkdI7Swqm0fab1ufFKZEBnWhRihlfZb9B1sRzUmQtPkmgOO2qLjAX4nwr4/s1600-h/dust6.jpg"><img alt="dust" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLiSGaOw6X-sbuxx_UV-hnXvusscf4azC8556t5Mqi5EwTbqX5mijU21-bsnMsP2Tu7bw7DwEeZ-cRpRz70HoM4cJgIWFu8tFUfwLFfWO6b6Ikus7-lP9N1EtFAvCmUY2BwY4L93p1Xpc/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="dust" width="350" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Of praise sung loud and hearts wide open in worship to </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Feltpen; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron';"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+4:6&version=MSG" target="_blank">The Was, The Is, The Coming.</a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Feltpen; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron';"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5XtkiBJF7ywQE2xHZHZf28bZH5siSjNjcrp5WFOLz0MVVDYWhr0XNwU8JzwhCLAhsjZlt1A9UZ3NjfzJf7r57gZWBaFr-g8QIVYGNWIJqBKDLkkZab4f6lQjy4TxyI47T4aAOzm5y1U/s1600-h/225414_1336796478194_5278250_n%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="225414_1336796478194_5278250_n" border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6St8D4V8lZCBoVx49no4KdRvkgkBgEGlDzaJucd054xT6ig_4dryeTwhZ5ieoi-KTjh8lJsF6Pexbd3eShJWVxXREeAWFhNu65IO7RChN99UPqOmWxPSZCPw3YASffU87dfCHlX6ZZI/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="225414_1336796478194_5278250_n" width="350" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Of the ransom paid at such a great price...</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaYvVZOA-nw-rwY2f5eg_iWj83_0He2OaqEYamY_aU1p0Ff2wtqiX_tBRLZL_jHkRcDn9DHiENlXis_fd4k1c13n6BlRCAJ0GWc0JOiCHU3iBOcBSmOO5I_pbUnZnjrGq7KV8VTjGQYc/s1600-h/redemption%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="redemption" border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrWxOWXlAJB392Scgq4wBAyL0vXN3QKNd-Ih_OGYVHac2enGy1e668mU5N5XhyuyeSQK5_Hd7tIAvGE_2PlHt9P3zohMv6MZuk5Q6rD4x3Ig6rCpdbUKoXAE4wiHUMHA9POnYPrCbx5A4/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="redemption" width="354" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">The</span> <span style="background-color: #ffc000; font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: medium;"><em>color of glory</em></span> <span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">has</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> the hue of</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: medium;">grace</span> <span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">saturated with rainbows of </span><span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: medium;">love</span> <span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and sunbeams of</span> <span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: medium;">hope</span>..</div>
<div align="center">
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It can be seen by the blind...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">heard by the deaf...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and touched by any hand that unloosens its fist...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<em><br /></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">because </span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">these colors radiate from the</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: medium;">One</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">who made heaven and earth</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and we,</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>as His children</i>,</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">are the reflection of </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ffc000; font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: medium;"><em>His glory</em></span>…<br />
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">so let His colors shine through you....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Now we see a reflection in a mirror; then we will see face-to-face. Now I know partially, but then I will know completely in the same way that I have been completely known.</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=i%20corinthians%2013:12&version=CEB" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>I Corinthians 13:12 CEB</i></span></a></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a href="http://photobucket.com/images/dividers" target="_blank"><img alt="dividers Pictures, Images and Photos" border="0" src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t256/katokisses/dividers.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/208/75947C14692E4D34A3E33E56BD7EEA70.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/208/660FCB7AD6919E08D857611FCEAB2EDA.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08788724686085310730noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702262897317169323.post-88299794230344254632012-06-10T20:03:00.001-04:002012-06-10T20:08:35.004-04:00He Said His Name was John<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">He said his name was </span><b><em><span style="font-family: Feltpen; font-size: small;">John the Baptist</span></em>.</b>..<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">In a hospital wing filled with waiting families and faithful friends</span>, <br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6isUYeCZYN8/T9UzEpqFAYI/AAAAAAAALiw/WiyFg3jjXjQ/s1600-h/file3291233869663%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="file3291233869663" border="0" height="225" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bNdmcxPeBDE/T9UzFHHRSAI/AAAAAAAALi4/2QJMyJLVVrE/file3291233869663_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="file3291233869663" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">this “<em><b>John</b></em>” sits...alone...loudly declaring His appointment by God to be a voice crying in the wilderness...of 21st century Rome, Georgia...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Sideways glances and feet shuffled are the responses...as thoughts run the gamut of “<em><b>is he crazy</b></em>” to “<em><b>what is he going to do?</b></em>”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Louder cries and voices change as threats ring out to all nearby...</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_xkYe7nIvYs/T9UzFgB3niI/AAAAAAAALjA/SNYDh-S9HTA/s1600-h/file000244831962%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="file000244831962" border="0" height="189" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cQifrEI1pvA/T9UzFxY6rHI/AAAAAAAALjI/HzB-DGzmC8M/file000244831962_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="file000244831962" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">The men in blue arrive...and escort the prophet outside while clenched muscles relax and quiet chatter resumes...as the battle for John’s mind and soul rages on...</span><br />
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: augie; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: augie; font-size: medium;">Never put down your sword</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: augie; font-size: medium;">*********************</span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">He said His name was</span> <span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: medium;">Jesus</span>...<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><em>the name above all names</em>...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">In a small church filled with faithful saints and waiting sinners, </span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DxfNJPNP0cw/T9UzGawXEaI/AAAAAAAALjQ/YT8lej-HZgI/s1600-h/file000214019326%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="file000214019326" border="0" height="199" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3SCI0Be3q24/T9UzGxewEMI/AAAAAAAALjY/cJ1K8MByG3E/file000214019326_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="file000214019326" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">she sits in a pew...a battle raging...a decision to be made...</span><br />
<em><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>THE</b></span> decision to be made</span></em>...<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Her heart beats louder with every second passed as the preacher urges</span> <em><span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: small;">ears to hear</span></em> <span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and</span> <em><span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: small;">feet to walk</span></em>...<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">so</span> <em><span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: small;">lips will confess</span></em> <span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">as</span> <span style="background-color: yellow;"></span><span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: small;">eternity</span> <span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">gets <em>closer and closer</em><span style="background-color: yellow;"></span>...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">He said His name was</span> <span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: medium;">Jesus</span>...<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and with eyes closed she sees <span style="font-size: small;">Him</span> and knows that this <span style="font-size: small;"><b>Person</b></span>...this <em><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Name</b></span></em>...is the One she has been waiting to meet...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Down the aisle and at the foot of the cross, she places her heart on the wounds in His hands...<i><b>and His heart’s blood washes her white...</b></i></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-68pQAFF6puk/T9UzHfa2PkI/AAAAAAAALjg/wnl16HSqgjE/s1600-h/file0001518312498%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="file0001518312498" border="0" height="225" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SIFiNA2_aTg/T9UzHtPSimI/AAAAAAAALjo/VFcMYhX6Rbk/file0001518312498_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="file0001518312498" width="300" /></a><br />
<div align="center">
<em><br /></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Anyone can speak a name...</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">but not every </span><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">name</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> can speak </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and </span></div>
<div align="center">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">chains break</span></b></div>
<div align="center">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">sickness heal</span></b></div>
<div align="center">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">brokenness repair</span></b></div>
<div align="center">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">sins erase</span></b></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and death run..</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">.</span></b></em></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">The name of <b><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus</span></b> - </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">there’s not just something about that Name...</span><br />
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: small;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: large;">That Name is everything...</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: small;"><br /></span></em></div>
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><sup></sup><em>There is no way to be saved from the punishment of sin through anyone else. For there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we can be saved.</em></span></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%204:12&version=NLV" target="_blank"><em><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Acts 4:12 NLV</span></em></a></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Because of this, God lifted Jesus high above everything else. He gave Him a name that is greater than any other name.</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=phil%202:9&version=NLV" target="_blank"><em><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Philippians 2:9 NLV</span></em></a></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photobucket.com/images/dividers" target="_blank"><img alt="dividers Pictures, Images and Photos" border="0" src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t256/katokisses/dividers.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/208/75947C14692E4D34A3E33E56BD7EEA70.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/208/660FCB7AD6919E08D857611FCEAB2EDA.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08788724686085310730noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702262897317169323.post-69947608611384128902012-06-06T18:27:00.000-04:002012-06-09T19:59:59.200-04:00Prayer Request<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Dear blogging sisters,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">My mother will be having major surgery tomorrow and I would appreciate prayers for her and my daddy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Thank you!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">UPDATE:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Mom is resting at home after a successful operation.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">We are expecting a complete recovery!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Thank you for the prayers and emails.... they made a difference!</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photobucket.com/images/dividers" target="_blank"><img alt="dividers Pictures, Images and Photos" border="0" src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t256/katokisses/dividers.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/208/75947C14692E4D34A3E33E56BD7EEA70.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/208/660FCB7AD6919E08D857611FCEAB2EDA.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08788724686085310730noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702262897317169323.post-31593938606332481532012-06-01T19:38:00.000-04:002012-06-01T20:37:08.402-04:00Caged Words<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><em>Birdcages aren’t just for birds</em>...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Q64YvUzb0z8/T8lKyylnD2I/AAAAAAAALg8/xMo-oIVdyUU/s1600-h/DSC_667714.jpg"><img alt="DSC_6677" border="0" height="305" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-w1w7pyx4tZk/T8lKzY8wEPI/AAAAAAAALhE/FYj3wq3geAk/DSC_6677_thumb11.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_6677" width="306" /></a><br />
<b>
<b>
<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dr5AhFVLf9c/T8lK0GlN0OI/AAAAAAAALhM/7H55js2AWCY/s1600-h/DSC_66765.jpg"><img alt="DSC_6676" border="0" height="306" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-h56OReFt8NQ/T8lK0rD1eiI/AAAAAAAALhU/QZo4V3se8eU/DSC_6676_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_6676" width="306" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R_UlAy35hrE/T8lK1J7rKaI/AAAAAAAALhc/y9TYccAFhdM/s1600-h/DSC_66975.jpg"><img alt="DSC_6697" border="0" height="306" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mXY85kig_0c/T8lK1-K3W0I/AAAAAAAALhk/n9XaVpQdnxo/DSC_6697_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_6697" width="306" /></a><br />
</b></b><br />
<div align="center">
<b><b><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">They make a nice spot to house the words of favored writers...</span></b></b></div>
<b><b>
</b></b><br />
<div align="center">
<b><b><em><br /></em></b></b><br />
<b><b><em><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">But what if our own words are kept in cages?</span></em></b></b></div>
<b><b>
</b></b><br />
<div align="center">
<b><b><br /></b></b><br />
<b><b><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">words caged</span></b></b></div>
<b><b>
</b></b><br />
<div align="center">
<b><b><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">thoughts hindered</span></b></b></div>
<b><b>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">revelations untold</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">praises unspoken</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Feltpen; font-size: medium;">Are your words caged?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Feltpen; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GptQD83BNf0/T8lK2bD61AI/AAAAAAAALhs/22XVKG3ZHJs/s1600-h/DSC_66825.jpg"><img alt="DSC_6682" border="0" height="305" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3trToUffACk/T8lK3HXAjzI/AAAAAAAALh0/7i0AkQOa5Wo/DSC_6682_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_6682" width="306" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">or free</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">to suggest ponderings</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">to declare encouragement</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">to worship the One most worthy?</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: medium;">Words caged mean blessings lost…</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Feltpen; font-size: medium;"></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Feltpen; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Feltpen; font-size: medium;">Are your words caged?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Feltpen; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Atv6SW7t2H0/T8lK3mnXtNI/AAAAAAAALh8/yy_OqWQM9dE/s1600-h/DSC_66949.jpg"><img alt="DSC_6694" border="0" height="306" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Fdg5H8Qrg_Q/T8lK4OTqz0I/AAAAAAAALiE/IvghmPLGffM/DSC_6694_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_6694" width="306" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<b><b></b></b><br />
<div align="center" style="display: inline !important;">
<b></b><br />
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<b><b></b></b><br />
<div align="center" style="display: inline !important;">
<b></b><br />
<div align="center" style="display: inline !important;">
<b></b><br />
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<b></b><br />
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<b><b><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">or are they free to soar </span></b><b><b></b></b></b></div>
<b>
<div align="center" style="display: inline !important;">
<div align="center" style="display: inline !important;">
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<div align="center" style="display: inline !important;">
<div align="center" style="display: inline !important;">
<div align="center" style="display: inline !important;">
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<b><b><b><b><b><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">from </span></b></b></b></b></b></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<b><b></b></b><div align="center" style="display: inline !important;">
<b></b><br />
<div align="center" style="display: inline !important;">
<b></b><br />
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<b></b><br />
<div align="center" style="display: inline !important;">
<b></b><br />
<div align="center" style="display: inline !important;">
<b></b><br />
<div align="center" style="display: inline !important;">
<b></b><br />
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<b></b><br />
<div align="center" style="display: inline !important;">
<b></b><br />
<div align="center" style="display: inline !important;">
<b></b><br />
<div align="center" style="display: inline !important;">
<b></b><br />
<div align="center" style="display: inline !important;">
<b></b><br />
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<b></b><br />
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<b><b><b><b><b><b><b><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">head to heart to lips or perhaps to <i>fingertips</i>?</span></b></b></b></b></b></b></b></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="display: inline !important;">
<div align="center" style="display: inline !important;">
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<div align="center" style="display: inline !important;">
<div align="center" style="display: inline !important;">
<div align="center" style="display: inline !important;">
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<div align="center" style="display: inline !important;">
<div align="center" style="display: inline !important;">
<div align="center" style="display: inline !important;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="display: inline !important;">
<div align="center" style="display: inline !important;">
<div align="center" style="display: inline !important;">
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Then off they fly to spread the </span><i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good News</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Feltpen; font-size: medium;">Are your words caged?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Feltpen; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FCqwe7AVI9c/T8lK4g9VD9I/AAAAAAAALiM/AOjYn1SJHfw/s1600-h/DSC_66835.jpg"><img alt="DSC_6683" border="0" height="306" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JUl_2MfS4cU/T8lK5DJ4k2I/AAAAAAAALiU/cYHnwrV_KiQ/DSC_6683_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_6683" width="306" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and do the stories you live die with the moon and never rise again to spread joy, hope, and love?</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Even words of humor bring <i>healing</i> to </span></div>
<div align="center">
<b><b></b></b><br />
<div align="center" style="display: inline !important;">
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<b><b><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">souls scarred and spirits scared...</span></b></b></div>
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Feltpen; font-size: medium;">Are your words caged?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Feltpen; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Feltpen; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VxAzVE1GSHM/T8lK5zHrPAI/AAAAAAAALic/jBqghKIGQb4/s1600-h/DSC_66955.jpg"><img alt="DSC_6695" border="0" height="306" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-D_gBjD0Nn38/T8lK6anaRTI/AAAAAAAALik/rJw6Qjsh5po/DSC_6695_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_6695" width="306" /></a></span></div>
<div align="center">
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Open the door and release them...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Let the homing instinct of </span><span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: medium;">your words</span> <span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">fly to the place they long to be, that they need to be, where roosting carriers rest until more words come and complete the testimony only </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">YOU</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> can share...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Don’t let your words remain caged.</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: medium;">Someone, somewhere needs them</span>...<br />
<br /></div>
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Thanksgiving is our dialect.</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%205:4&version=MSG" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Ephesians 5:4 MSG</span></a></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a href="http://photobucket.com/images/dividers" target="_blank"><img alt="dividers Pictures, Images and Photos" border="0" src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t256/katokisses/dividers.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/208/75947C14692E4D34A3E33E56BD7EEA70.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/208/660FCB7AD6919E08D857611FCEAB2EDA.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</b></b>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08788724686085310730noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702262897317169323.post-21514786711065843542012-05-23T21:52:00.001-04:002012-05-23T21:52:14.412-04:00Step Back...and Let Go<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It was called the “</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spindletop</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">” here in Georgia.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-B50zuHGSf3A/T72RZQfyLrI/AAAAAAAALgI/oCQaQUrPfdk/s1600-h/SFOG_entrance%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="SFOG_entrance" border="0" height="226" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HY-S6IoB2a4/T72RZ11z5iI/AAAAAAAALgQ/R-PW824oB7g/SFOG_entrance_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="SFOG_entrance" width="300" /></a> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">The dark bare walls of this cylindrical room always made me nervous...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
“<em><span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: small;">Step back</span> <span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">with your feet against the wall</span></em><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">!”, was the first order from the operator. </span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">“<em>Remain in your spot and don’t move</em>!”</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">The room began to spin...faster and faster...up to speeds of 33 revolutions per minute (<em>or so I am told</em>)</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
“<em><span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: small;">Let go</span></em>!”<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">, my cousin shouts, as I grip his hand tightly...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Then, the floor drops about 2 or 3 feet and we are left</span></div>
<div align="center">
<em><br /></em></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><em>Hanging</em>...on the wall...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dZFOiWodd-s/T72RaFHEVpI/AAAAAAAALgY/l-Wo4L8K5Kg/s1600-h/images%252520%2525281%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="images (1)" border="0" height="172" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-az6UKA5QBno/T72Rap9dJ5I/AAAAAAAALgg/H2cZ-mk_t88/images%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="images (1)" width="304" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<em><br /></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">By a force so strong we are helpless to stop it...</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Yeah, I know that thrill ride is considered “old school” to this generation, but back in the day it nearly terrified me...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Stuck in one spot...held up by an unseen force...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">If we had refused to </span>“<em><span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: small;">step back</span></em>”, <span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">things would not have worked correctly...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">If I had not</span> “<em><span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: small;">let go</span></em>”, <span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">my cousin might have been mad at me the rest of the afternoon...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">So now during this prelude to summer in Georgia, I find myself <em>on another ride</em>...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">There are only seconds remaining before the room begins its revolutions...and<em> I hear...</em></span></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;"><em><span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron';">Step Back</span></em>.</span>..</div>
<div align="center">
<em><br /></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">So I stay,</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and then</span></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron'; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;"><em><span style="font-family: 'Boring Boron';">Let Go</span></em>..</span>.</div>
<div align="center">
<em><br /></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">(this part is way hard but I know it’s what I have to do)</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">The floor</span> <span style="font-family: Impact; font-size: large;">drops</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Antique Olive';"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Antique Olive'; font-size: large;">And that force so strong I am helpless to stop it</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Antique Olive'; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Antique Olive'; font-size: large;">Rushes in <em>like the wind</em> </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Antique Olive'; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Antique Olive'; font-size: large;">And I am <em>held up</em></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="background-color: #ffc000; font-family: 'Antique Olive'; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="background-color: #ffc000; font-family: 'Antique Olive'; font-size: large;">By His power </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="background-color: #ffc000; font-family: 'Antique Olive'; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="background-color: #ffc000; font-family: 'Antique Olive'; font-size: large;">And His mighty hand</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="background-color: #ffc000; font-family: 'Antique Olive'; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="background-color: #ffc000; font-family: 'Antique Olive';"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LpSpWgpUK20/T72RbOmGbmI/AAAAAAAALgo/ebBIrT5-r9s/s1600-h/right%252520hand%252520copy%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="right hand copy" border="0" height="299" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ft42QlqsSsA/T72RbpGwJWI/AAAAAAAALgw/XB1XRiEYOTM/right%252520hand%252520copy_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="right hand copy" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. <br />Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. <br />I will strengthen you and help you. <br />I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.</i></span></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+41:10&version=NLT" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>Isaiah 41:10 NLT</i></span></a></div>
</blockquote>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Is there a situation in your life that the Lord is wanting you to <span style="font-size: small;">step back</span> and <span style="font-size: small;">let go</span>?</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photobucket.com/images/dividers" target="_blank"><img alt="dividers Pictures, Images and Photos" border="0" src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t256/katokisses/dividers.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/208/75947C14692E4D34A3E33E56BD7EEA70.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/208/660FCB7AD6919E08D857611FCEAB2EDA.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08788724686085310730noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702262897317169323.post-47265323147749231152012-05-19T09:30:00.000-04:002012-05-19T09:30:31.356-04:00Labyrinth of Love<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>In a room filled with people, she only sees silhouettes and berber carpet stretching for miles...</i></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-F_ahf5OV-UM/T7cLO47B9aI/AAAAAAAALGg/zmgEZeCZdE4/s1600-h/119317225_7b759b3ee93.jpg"><img alt="119317225_7b759b3ee9" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WxKJMX6ONSw/T7cLPSV3hbI/AAAAAAAALGo/VqcDJFHeEAA/119317225_7b759b3ee9_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="119317225_7b759b3ee9" width="364" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>In the ocean of humanity, he floats along...a hollow piece of driftwood...tossed by waves...alone and cast aside</i></span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lWsLd96725Y/T7cLPw_nShI/AAAAAAAALGw/cUfJsFJQRWw/s1600-h/1987506921_f87f28afe0_o5.jpg"><img alt="1987506921_f87f28afe0_o" border="0" height="246" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gCxwHZlCT7g/T7cLQgRySHI/AAAAAAAALG4/KK4L9nGsIq4/1987506921_f87f28afe0_o_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="1987506921_f87f28afe0_o" width="364" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">They have scores of friends on Facebook, but in the dark of night, empty hearts and broken dreams flash vacancy signs neon bright... </span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UMLY7TYrYSg/T7cLRO4iufI/AAAAAAAALHA/wea0T8LhhMw/s1600-h/136285562_572b94e2554.jpg"><img alt="136285562_572b94e255" border="0" height="188" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ornaS32TsPg/T7cLRcKk80I/AAAAAAAALHI/KpVf4nd8u9Y/136285562_572b94e255_thumb9.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="136285562_572b94e255" width="364" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #333333; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style'; font-size: small;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="background-color: #f1c232; color: #333333; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style'; font-size: small;">“The most terrible poverty is loneliness, </span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style';">and the feeling of being unloved.”</span> </span></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span>― <span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Mother Teresa</span></em> </div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Wasteland wanderings filled with souls crying out for just </span></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">one </span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">touch </span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">of compassion...</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">a small expression of affection</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Impact; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Impact; font-size: large;">L O V E</span></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Unconditional</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Everlasting</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: small;"><em>"I have loved you with a </em></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: small;"><em>love that lasts forever.</em></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: small;"><em> <br /> I</em></span><span style="font-size: small;"><em> have kept on loving you </em></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: small;"><em>with faithful love.”</em></span></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jeremiah%2031:3&version=NIRV" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;"><em>Jeremiah 31:3 NIRV</em></span></a></div>
</blockquote>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Let’s go get lost in a maze of love...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>continued at <a href="http://wallleaper.blogspot.com/2012/05/walls-of-loneliness.html" target="_blank">Leaping Over Walls</a>..</i></span>.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photobucket.com/images/dividers" target="_blank"><img alt="dividers Pictures, Images and Photos" border="0" src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t256/katokisses/dividers.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/208/75947C14692E4D34A3E33E56BD7EEA70.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/208/660FCB7AD6919E08D857611FCEAB2EDA.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08788724686085310730noreply@blogger.com7