tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73672640539004107082023-11-16T12:55:57.797-05:00Dawn Aldrich ~ Author & BloggerGod, you have taught me since I was young. To this day I tell about the miracles you do. Even though I am old and gray...I will tell the children about your power; I will tell those who live after me about your might. Psalm 71:17-18 NCVDawn Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740102311381013988noreply@blogger.comBlogger575125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7367264053900410708.post-62409339049116091862019-02-21T15:00:00.000-05:002019-02-21T15:00:07.529-05:00The ordinary miraculous<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNVVl53STQSwTJukYK6AuM2yyBnCeOQEtJH_LyHOyTDrddt9aBDB-tbaMYa-WcGW-Dkn-ylZOLXCBP-E9UoMo_vaEAnj3Z2WnFXZ6148OQnAZ5Rur4dYIEVG1909sSYvKwL0Nkwl9maQ/s1600/4568976192_c0504112f9_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="640" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNVVl53STQSwTJukYK6AuM2yyBnCeOQEtJH_LyHOyTDrddt9aBDB-tbaMYa-WcGW-Dkn-ylZOLXCBP-E9UoMo_vaEAnj3Z2WnFXZ6148OQnAZ5Rur4dYIEVG1909sSYvKwL0Nkwl9maQ/s320/4568976192_c0504112f9_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image by Stuart Dootson <br />www.flickr.com/photos/stuart-dootson/4568976192<br />CC BY NC ND 2.0</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<em><br />Return home and tell how much God has done for you." Luke 8:39 NIV</em></div>
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<em><br /></em></div>
We spend most of our days in the ordinary. We awake, eat breakfast, dress for the day, and head to work or drive our kids to school, or to visit an elderly parent. Later we return home, share a meal with our family, relax and ready ourselves for slumber. {Rinse and repeat}.<br />
<br />
Life is full of the mundane, the ordinary, unless it's intersected by something extraordinary--a surprise or a crisis. We've become numb to the extraordinary Divine presence in our ordinary--little miracles that when compounded equal an extraordinary life!<a name='more'></a><br />
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What do I mean?<br />
<br />
Try going about you day without one of your five senses: sight, hearing, smelling, touching, tasting. How much ordinary would then become extraordinary? Or what if suddenly breathing became laborious? A simple deep breath then becomes a miraculous, life-giving experience.<br />
<br />
We all know the ordinary, mundane, every-day, life-giving actions are taken for granted because we simply don't think about them. We spend way too much time seeking the thrill of some spectacular event that we forget the small life-giving actions that give joy and life.<br />
<br />
Without the miraculous rhythms of our senses, life would be less amazing.<br />
<br />
We don't seek entertainment that tells about someone's first conscious breath. We don't consider stories of what someone sees from their picture window sensational. But consider the miraculous in the ordinary by imagining life without those senses.<br />
<br />
I cannot imagine waking without seeing my husband's face, feeling the warmth of his touch, or the sound of my grandchildren's laughter. Life would be less sweet if my tongue ceased to distinguish savory from sweet or salty from sour.<br />
<br />
Oh, the ordinary-miraculous is set within us before birth to set the stage for the extraordinary every day experiences. We recognize our mother's and father's voices in utero. We hear her heartbeat and feel the warmth of her life-giving womb.<br />
<br />
Breathe in life today! Touch the ordinary miraculous in every experience. Experience all God has made through your senses and know how very much a miracle it is to see, smell, touch, hear and taste the ordinary world around you.<br />
<br />
Taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8). Look at all he has done for you, even in the ordinary miraculous. Return from your day, and as you share a meal with your family, tell them all that God has done for you, (Luke 8"39) even in the ordinary miraculous day.<br />
<br />Dawn Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740102311381013988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7367264053900410708.post-90869274347777008982019-02-14T08:00:00.000-05:002019-02-11T10:10:24.272-05:00Compliant Hearts vs Rebellious Hearts<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICCnA8OsBwvKTOrSLA7EQJcOJCm8TyCY1nOY3CRdBxtVzQA-FdQsdgj0CcyftBSz8j47OWS23Md_q1b8fZMTtzW38hn6Jn-GkVDuruvb5Hyws__yG_2dGFdivnjLmJ7E6vA-Z1WSgSsE/s1600/Father+and+Daughter+by+Allsa_Flickr.com_4536997362_fdecfda941_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICCnA8OsBwvKTOrSLA7EQJcOJCm8TyCY1nOY3CRdBxtVzQA-FdQsdgj0CcyftBSz8j47OWS23Md_q1b8fZMTtzW38hn6Jn-GkVDuruvb5Hyws__yG_2dGFdivnjLmJ7E6vA-Z1WSgSsE/s320/Father+and+Daughter+by+Allsa_Flickr.com_4536997362_fdecfda941_b.jpg" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Father & Daughter<br />
by Allsa<br />
flickr.com_photos/38484636@N06/4536997362<br />
CC BY-ND 2.0</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><i>If you
love me you will obey what I command. John 14:15</i></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><br /></span></div>
Compliant children obey the rules, keep the
peace, and respect authority. They're agreeable, reliable and trustworthy,
yet easily over-looked because they don't demand constant attention.<br />
<br />
Strong-willed children break the rules, argue often, and question authority.
They're disagreeable, demonstrative and usually nonconformists. They get all
the attention because their behavior demands it.<br />
<br />
As parents, we wonder how such opposite children came from the same
lot.<br />
<a name='more'></a>What discipline works well with one certainly does not prove
effective with the other. In our attempts to be fair, we’re constantly
challenged to balance this with love. <br />
<br />
Luke reminds me of this in the "Parable of the Lost Son" (Luke
15:11-31). One son is compliant; the second is disobedient, impatient and
rebellious demanding his inheritance immediately. The father complies with his
demands.<br />
<br />
The rebellious one leaves home and squanders his entire inheritance on
frivolities. Starving and homeless, he returns home and apologizes to his
father, admitting he has not only sinned against his family but also against
God. <br />
<br />
Like any parent of a "lost" a child, this father is overjoyed that
God protected and returned the lost son, so he throws a party in his
honor. The obedient son expresses his outrage: <br />
<br />
<em>"Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never
disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could
celebrate with my friends. But when THIS son of yours who squandered your
property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for HIM?<o:p></o:p></em><br />
<em><br /></em>
“My son," the father said,
"you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to
celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive
again; HE WAS LOST AND IS FOUND" (Luke15: 31-32).<br />
<br />
It's all about the heart -
the attitude behind the obedience.<br />
<br />
Jesus says, "If you
love me you will obey what I command" (John 14:15). When we love someone,
our heart yearns to please them and obedience comes naturally, not
dutifully. That's a heart change. That's being "found."<br />
<br />
Are there "lost" areas in your heart that long to "be found"? Are you willing to let go of these places and allow the Holy Spirit access to them? Take some alone time with God today and let Him love on you and you on Him. It's not about to do lists or sin management, but rather relationship and love.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you joined me here today from <a href="http://www.encouragementcafe/blog" target="_blank">Encouragement Cafe</a>, welcome!</div>
Dawn Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740102311381013988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7367264053900410708.post-63416862614232559942019-02-11T10:00:00.000-05:002019-02-11T10:05:30.562-05:00Weeding<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you're visiting from <a href="http://www.encouragementcafe.com/blog" target="_blank">Encouragement Cafe</a>, welcome! Make yourself at home.</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatRBhnVVoK961V-cb2IRkgmlgE32wA9wS7B0vtJ8v-DKb8cJyYPzXTXr98TNC88-aowtavteCNcYQUHJ9_0_vWMFyVjBrqJX_g2x1M7q9yU0CiqgOiWzi1epH6nmuDXvwLzd4nyXbfxU/s1600/weeds.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507192402444729554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatRBhnVVoK961V-cb2IRkgmlgE32wA9wS7B0vtJ8v-DKb8cJyYPzXTXr98TNC88-aowtavteCNcYQUHJ9_0_vWMFyVjBrqJX_g2x1M7q9yU0CiqgOiWzi1epH6nmuDXvwLzd4nyXbfxU/s400/weeds.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><strong>But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. " Luke 8:15 NIV</strong></span><br />
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<strong></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Weaving through narrow, shoreline roads dotted with whitewashed gingerbread cottages, my sister and I simultaneously gasped, "How beautiful!" Peeking far above the picket fence of this corner lot a splash of nature's colors caught our attention: bright yellow, lacy white, hot pink, purple, and orange. All fashioned in their natural vases of green, this European flower garden was absolutely breath-taking. </span></div>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"></span></div>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">I marveled aloud at our shared joy of flower gardens we inherited from our mother. No matter where we lived as kids, our mother always planted a flower garden. In her early retirement years she won the neighborhood "Best Garden" award for her work a number of times. One of my earliest memories is following behind her while she weeded in the hot summer sun. I'm not sure she ever formally taught me the reason for weeding or other gardening techniques but I learned just by following her. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">First, weeds are sneaky. They creep up on you quickly and if they go unattended, they can choke out the healthy plants. It's essential to pull them out before they take over the whole garden.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"></span></div>
<br />
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<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Second, weeds must be pulled out by the roots or they'll keep growing back. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Third, weeds can be deceiving. They can be beautiful to look at, even appear to be the "real thing" so you have to discern the healthy plant from the weed. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Finally, healthy plants must be fed, watered , fertilized and given lots of sunshine to grow. If any of these elements are missing, the plant will not grow to its full potential.</span></div>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"></span></div>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Jesus warned against the weeds (thorns) of life that can choke us. He categorizes them as "life's worries, riches and pleasures." If we spend our days focused only on ourselves whether fretting, chasing money or over indulging in our pleasures we will remain immature and ineffective. But, Jesus says, if we spend our time focused on His word, effectively put it to use, and persevere then we will not only mature but reproduce. </span></div>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"></span></div>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">What are the weeds threatening to take over your life's garden today? Do you need to spend some time on your knees with the Master Gardner, Jesus to find their roots? He's got an endless supply of fertilizer, living water, and Sonshine. Drink him in.</span></div>
Dawn Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740102311381013988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7367264053900410708.post-60550059240619552692019-01-10T14:57:00.000-05:002019-01-10T14:57:05.527-05:00More Than Conquerors<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-L6opl-QQLPTLQhkEsa2rqKrxZGrQKiIwlgVdUr7wlTNzko0b47j4yUeLzpsTCnsrH9USFFac7fOmQup3sRArh0leLwdXk-nkqplkeUsoBRAT_qDBfFl0cVKu_Z7ig_yWTgXsmsM9sI/s1600/Surgery_USPacificFleet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-L6opl-QQLPTLQhkEsa2rqKrxZGrQKiIwlgVdUr7wlTNzko0b47j4yUeLzpsTCnsrH9USFFac7fOmQup3sRArh0leLwdXk-nkqplkeUsoBRAT_qDBfFl0cVKu_Z7ig_yWTgXsmsM9sI/s320/Surgery_USPacificFleet.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image by US Pacific Fleet<br />
Flickr.com_photos/compacflt/7414859100_CC BY-NC 2.0</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">In
all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37
NIV<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Death crept
in, uninvited. He’d invaded my husband’s body without a sound and caught us
unaware. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">My husband was familiar to the uncomfortable waves of aching pain
across his abdomen, but this newer, unrelenting ache was different than six
weeks prior, now accompanied by unshakable malaise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The CT
scan showed an inflamed appendix and surgery ensued. Post-surgery, he felt
brand new, like he’d received a fresh release on life. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">And, he had. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The
surgeon explained, “In the lottery of life, you won big!” </span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">We both looked at him confused. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The surgeon
continued, “We found carcinoid cells at the tip of your appendix. The cure for
this type of cancer is an appendectomy. And, we caught this early, so no other
organs were affected. THIS NEVER HAPPENS! Usually, these types of cancer cells
go undetected for years, until it’s too late and spread throughout the body.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Gob
smacked, it took us a few minutes to comprehend what he’d said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Before
we knew death had come, before we knew his name, God’s mercy rescued my
husband. God saw him. What the enemy meant for harm, God turned around for
good. Hallelujah!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">For
all things God works for good for those who love him, who have been called
according to His purpose. Romans 8:28<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">So,
what do we do now? What do we do when God’s given us a second chance? LIVE!
Live life UNDEFEATED! Do those things God’s impressed on us to do without
reservation. Move forward with great confidence under God’s direction, with the
authority of Christ and the peace of the Holy Spirit to take back Kingdom
ground. For my husband, it’s staffing and training with The Crucible Project—a
life-changing men’s ministry that helps lead them to deep heart healing and
soul-wholeness through Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Does
this victory mean we’ll never face trouble again? On the contrary, the months
have proven quite the opposite. We’ve been knocked down and pressed in on all
sides. Challenged physically, financially, and emotionally in many different
ways. But God has always been faithful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Jesus
said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the
world!” (John 16:33 NIV).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">What
troubles have found you, today? Take heart, dear sister, Jesus has overcome
that. God sees you and He is aware of your situation and He loves you. Thank
Him for His faithfulness in the past and bring before him your concerns for
today. Then, be still. Lay your concerns at His feet and watch what He will do
for you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Papa-God, you are so good to us.
You see what we need before we need it. You love us so much that you rescue us
before we even know we need rescuing. Thank you for your Son, Jesus, our great
conqueror and savior, through whom we can call you Abba, Daddy. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The
song <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rzn2inZ3URE">You Don’t Miss A Thing</a></i></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></b>by
Amanda Cook puts into words the emotions of knowing God sees me in every
situation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
Dawn Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740102311381013988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7367264053900410708.post-68055383156084264132019-01-04T15:00:00.000-05:002019-01-04T15:00:11.769-05:00More<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFilHqGgRPYTNA_tbtOCKd63__Zxbk-b5Jtn28bAgN7Zb1Pu4-e0kE2wZceoFpd6wWebRu6IjuCke482o8Zc9xCkN0OEkGBkaXAQanK_uD1LHG8MEbFrdnoWplEZU-qdQKJRNMr_WXweE/s1600/41450757415_58f0349595_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="640" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFilHqGgRPYTNA_tbtOCKd63__Zxbk-b5Jtn28bAgN7Zb1Pu4-e0kE2wZceoFpd6wWebRu6IjuCke482o8Zc9xCkN0OEkGBkaXAQanK_uD1LHG8MEbFrdnoWplEZU-qdQKJRNMr_WXweE/s320/41450757415_58f0349595_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farmer's Market Quilt by Bennilover<br />
Flickr.com_photos/75885098@N05/41450757415<br />
CC BY ND 2.0</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"...while every branch that does bear fruit he trims clean so that it will be <em>even more</em> fruitful." John 15:2 NIV</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
We don't usually ring in the New Year with thoughts of pruning and discipline. No, it's usually rung in with celebration, feasting, dancing and dreams of prosperity. More, if you will, than the previous year.<br />
<br />
More. It's my One Word for 2019 that God's given me to focus on. More. "More what?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"More 'becoming.' More good fruit," was God's reply.<br />
<a name='more'></a><!--more--><br />
And then he gave me this little lesson:<br />
<br />
Children do not "become" on their own. Yes, they are born with specific DNA from their parents, but how they "become" a mature adult is greatly learned by the example of their parents/caregivers. They're taught (or not) from birth about the principles of a good life: how to love; how obedience bears better fruit than rebellion.<br />
<br />
Witnessing our own adult children raising their families, I can see the good fruit they are bearing. I look at them through the eyes of a mother, heart swelling with pride, knowing that because of (and despite) my love and discipline, these children are my glory here on earth. They represent years of love raining down on them and their good fruit is a testament of that love. The fruit of their lives is my joy and glory.<br />
<br />
They didn't choose to be my children, but rather, my husband and I chose to birth them; made a conscious decision to create them and allow God to form them within and through us. So it is when God chooses us to be grafted into his family.<br />
<br />
We don't choose Him. Scripture says Jesus chose us.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>You did not choose me, but I chose you (to go and bear fruit that will last.) John 15:16 NIV</em></div>
Our only choice is whether to obey him, be pruned and molded by his loving discipline, and remain in Him...or not. If we do, and bear good fruit from remaining in that relationship, we become His glory and make His joy complete.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me... THIS is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." John 15:4, 8 NIV</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><br /></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>This is my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my [Jesus'] disciples. John 15:8 NIV</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><br /></em></div>
Just as we bless our children with<em> more</em> good things because we love them, how much more does God want to bless us with <em>more? More</em> of His love and joy and good fruit?<br />
<br />
We cannot force the fruit-bearing process. We cannot will fruit to grow any more than we can will our bodies to grow more or less by wishing it so. No, as our physical growth is dependent upon our physical DNA so our spiritual growth is dependent upon God alone. We must remain in relationship with Him through Christ in order to bear any good fruit, let alone, MORE.<br />
<br />
We bear <em>more</em> fruit by <em>remaining attached to the branch</em> (Jesus)in an outflowing of love, one to another. In this way their (God's/ Jesus') joy becomes complete. Their joy is made complete through us, in us, to others. More fruit, more joy, more completeness comes as we remain (abide) in relationship with Christ. Make Christ our home. When we emulate His love for us to others, we produce more fruit and THIS becomes God's glory, God's joy!<br />
<br />
What's your word for 2019? Has God given you a thought, a word, an idea that he wants you to focus on these coming months? I find it helps and gives me a starting point every January. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-One-Word-Change-Your/dp/0310318777/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1543866130&sr=8-1&keywords=One+Word+by+Rachel+Olse">Here's where I learned about that discipline. </a><br />
<br />
I'd love to hear what God's laid on your heart for 2019. Won't you share in the comments below?Dawn Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740102311381013988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7367264053900410708.post-81247921755844944582018-11-07T15:00:00.000-05:002018-11-07T15:00:06.297-05:00Why is saying "thank you" so difficult?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNUEDHRbCdYEM4P68g1w8Gvh5HrHUP5hR2WBAqqFlSEQ3jwIheqi6upmI14mxRTJy5DAR8cUlFqAb6XHP9vwlfu21ho4E4dvnGbASMiLhY3O9dbqDlKqHULV9_GcFJhiVxvuLnXfnrxMk/s1600/BeautyinHand_4833540833_7fb8c49de8_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="640" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNUEDHRbCdYEM4P68g1w8Gvh5HrHUP5hR2WBAqqFlSEQ3jwIheqi6upmI14mxRTJy5DAR8cUlFqAb6XHP9vwlfu21ho4E4dvnGbASMiLhY3O9dbqDlKqHULV9_GcFJhiVxvuLnXfnrxMk/s320/BeautyinHand_4833540833_7fb8c49de8_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image by petalouda62<br />Flickr.com_photos/30990153@N03/4833540833<br />CC BY NC ND 2.0</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>"Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?" Romans 8:32 (NLT)</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><br /></strong></div>
Her petite frame bent low, worn from nearly a century of living. Small in stature but oh, her heart - full and generous and always giving - barely containable. One could never out-give her, never repay her. "Just say thank-you, that's all," she'd say.<br />
<br />
Open hands to receive and a grateful heart is all she asked in return. She gave what we couldn't earn. She gave more than we deserved. All because she loved - delighted in providing for others. And today, nearly 14 years since her passing, my heart spills gratitude; not for the gifts but for the giver.<br />
<br />
Sarah Young, in Jesus Calling reminds us, "Sometimes {God's} children hesitate to receive {His} good gifts with open hands. <br />
<a name='more'></a><!--more-->Feelings of false guilt creep in, telling them they don't deserve to be so richly blessed...When a child of {God} balks at accepting {His} gifts, {He} is deeply grieved. When you receive {His} abundant blessings with a grateful heart, {God} rejoices."<br />
<br />
Oh the love of the greatest Giver of this universe cannot be contained or out-given. We can do nothing to earn his love nor do we deserve it.<strong> But. He. Still. Loves. Us.</strong> He can't help but love us because we are his children, made in his image. He gives generously - holds nothing back - not even his Son. All he asks is that we receive with open hands and a grateful heart. And when we do? He dances, sings, rejoices!<br />
<br />
What gift is God holding out to you, today? Do you find it difficult to receive because you feel undeserving? Because you can't repay him? Because you don't believe it's a "no strings attached" gift? Young makes a poignant remark, "{God's} kingdom is not about earning and deserving; it's about believing and receiving."<br />
<br />
When we accept God's gift with true gratitude our hearts overflow, spill out toward others. Receiving with gratitude and giving with heart-full love is stepping into God's kingdom flow. This is the abundant life Jesus came to give - still gives. Will you receive it?<br />
<br />
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16-17 (NIV)<br />
<br />
"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10b (NIV)<br />
<br />
Prayer: <em>Oh Lord, we stand here today with open hands and grateful hearts. Thank-you heavenly father, for holding nothing back from us; for freely giving us your Son so that we may come into your presence, live with you forever. Teach us to believe with open hearts, to receive with open hands, to live gratefully and love generously.</em>Dawn Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740102311381013988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7367264053900410708.post-49706138733700604892018-10-24T07:00:00.000-04:002018-10-24T07:00:04.102-04:00The Rhythm of Transformation: the Art of Waiting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRR-d_VMhblv1rlzjW4HTWpOnLTO5NgPuexKBPPJjY5xARGW3Utb1zBs6ivBVcKR0Cx6zrevgSQUQNzrB4-VEB1DVDtm9IBQvbGO24L2mskV6UEqLS_ajwUkWZGt4wvA13x5wPTkSLAoE/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRR-d_VMhblv1rlzjW4HTWpOnLTO5NgPuexKBPPJjY5xARGW3Utb1zBs6ivBVcKR0Cx6zrevgSQUQNzrB4-VEB1DVDtm9IBQvbGO24L2mskV6UEqLS_ajwUkWZGt4wvA13x5wPTkSLAoE/s400/017.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong>"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." </strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong>Hebrews 10:23</strong></span></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong></strong> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It stood up to infant artwork, toddler hand prints, foot scrapes, furniture nicks and vacuum mishaps. Ready and armed with a scraper in one hand and half and half (not the cream but the potent vinegar and water mixture that promises to melt the toughest glue) in the other hand I felt invincible and the rhythm of stripping wallpaper began.</span></div>
<div align="left" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Spritz, spritz, scrape, peel. Spritz, spritz, scrape, peel. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">It wasn't quite the waltz I imagined. </span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "georgia";">Instead of long, graceful lengths of wallpaper falling effortlessly off the walls and dancing my way down the hallway with ease, only minute slivers gave way with great effort and force and after day one, only two small walls on one side of the hallway stood bare. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia";">Exhausted, I left the dance floor and submerged myself into a hot bath hanging onto hope for more success in day two.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Spritz, spritz, scrape, peel. Spritz, spritz, scrape, peel. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">The rhythm of day two felt more like a waltz. Not quite the longest strides but better rhythm and more progress than the day before. My patience grew as piece by piece the layers of wallpaper crumpled to the floor. Only one more tiny corner and a stubborn stuck-on border at the ceiling remained for day three.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Spritz, spritz, <strong>wait</strong>. Scrape, peel. Spritz, spritz, <strong>wait.</strong> Scrape, peel.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><strong>Oh the magic of waiting</strong>! Patiently waiting for the potent liquid to soak in and do it's job--melt the glue. Wanting the end result so badly, I'd overlooked the most important step--waiting. It only took an extra minute or two and voila! The rhythm of the dance picked up and the paper slid off the walls with graceful, long strides. And soon, every wall stood bare before me full of hope and the potential for beauty.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Isn't it like that with us sometimes? God plants a dream inside of us or gives us a glimpse of a vision and we want the end result right away. We forget that sometimes there's layers of old habits and hurts God desires to melt away, scrape off and lift before our transformation begins and we see our potential for beauty underneath. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Transformation is exhausting, but there is hope. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Paul reminds us, "<em>And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns</em>." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">(Philippians 1:6)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Day by day, little by little if we <strong>wait</strong> on the Lord, soak up His presence and our many layers melt away - old habits, poor choices, heart wounds - until we stand bare and vulnerable. But that's when we're most responsive. That's when following His footsteps becomes easier. Our stride catches God's graceful rhythm and through His transforming power, we find ourselves fully clothed in His beauty.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">How do we wait in the midst of doing?</span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Set aside a specific time and space just for God every day (even lock yourself in the bathroom if you must)</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Read the Bible and ask God for wisdom and understanding as you read</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Pray (speak your heart honestly- you can't frighten God)</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Listen for God's whisper </span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Surrender old habits and heart wounds to God and let him melt and scrape and peel </span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><em>Lord,</em></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><em>Help us to believe that there is beauty and purpose and potential underneath all our layers. Help us hang onto the hope that what you began in us you will complete. Grant us the opportunity, the time and the willingness to wait in your presence and allow you to peel and scrape away at every layer that hinders us from becoming all you intended us to be. Strip our hearts bare, Lord and transform us. Clothe us in your beauty and help us to understand our full potential through the power and name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><em><br /></em></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia";"><em>If you joined me here from <a href="https://www.encouragementcafe.com/blog/todays-special">Encouragement Cafe</a>, welcome!</em></span></div>
</div>
Dawn Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740102311381013988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7367264053900410708.post-21545562256200782582018-09-20T08:00:00.000-04:002018-09-20T08:00:07.412-04:00Sandwiched
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdm7gxncrOWBL5ttSs7K30GxJ8IeFl-rRr0hTDIoyywH39GlvO8p1A9NMhqbtNW1rJLErWg65n1VH74c-8uy67eXWqTGu8L08UfA2bWSThFHuqnSquoOqIzrfLNUeS4XobxdHoVeJhUzQ/s1600/Powell+Burns+Sad+Sandwich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="612" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdm7gxncrOWBL5ttSs7K30GxJ8IeFl-rRr0hTDIoyywH39GlvO8p1A9NMhqbtNW1rJLErWg65n1VH74c-8uy67eXWqTGu8L08UfA2bWSThFHuqnSquoOqIzrfLNUeS4XobxdHoVeJhUzQ/s320/Powell+Burns+Sad+Sandwich.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sad Sandwich www.flickr.com/photos/powellburns/9911704733</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic;"><span class="woj"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><br />Take my
yoke upon you and learn from me,</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will
find rest for your souls.</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. </span></i></span><b style="text-align: right;">– <span class="woj"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Matthew 11:29-10 NIV</span></i></span></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">The phone rings and I take a deep breath wondering who's on the
other end. Is it the insurance company inquiring about our snow damage? Is it
my husband asking for help at the office? Is it the nursing home or my mother
needing help? Maybe it’s my child needing empathy or advice or simply my
grandkids asking for a special outing?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">At my weakest moments when the fatigue of caring for everyone
else’s needs wreaks havoc with my emotions, I fall into my husband’s arms
weeping. "Where do <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we</i> turn?
Who's there to care for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">us</i>?" <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Members of the sandwich generation are everywhere. I see them on
Facebook, at the grocery store, in the doctor’s office; adult children with an
aging parent on one arm and their grandchildren on the other. Our parents are
living longer, thanks to better nutrition and modern medicine—three and four
generations needing support simultaneously. So, just when we’re starting to
enjoy our empty nests, our parents, children and grandchildren all need us, too. Some days caring for the older and younger generations can leave me feeling like
a soggy tuna fish sandwich! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">With so many people tugging at our shirtsleeves how do we keep our
sanity and build healthy boundaries for our personal lives and marriage?</span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Recognize our limitations.</span></b><span style="color: black;"> We can’t possibly be everything to everyone
every minute of the day. Accept our limitations and offer the best help we can
with the time and resources we have.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Set boundaries.</span></b><span style="color: black;"> Determine the urgent needs from the wants and
act accordingly. Set realistic boundaries that protect time with our spouse and
immediate family while helping meet the needs of our extended family members.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Enlist help</span></b><span style="color: black;"> from family, neighbors, and friends. Offering others the opportunity
to serve will help lighten our load. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Rest</span></b><span style="color: black;">. Promote our own physical and spiritual health, which includes time
alone with the Lord, our spouse & family; healthy meals, regular exercise
and sleep schedule. Serving well comes from a spiritually full heart and a
healthy, rested body.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">If you’re feeling like a soggy tuna fish sandwich today, please
know <b>you are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> alone.</b> There are
thousands of us feeling pressed in on all sides, and although you may not see
Him or feel Him, God says he is right there with us helping to carry the load.
It sounds cliché but truth is truth. So, let go of that soggy bread and grab
hold of God's promises, still fresh and true from ancient times until today.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Enjoy a simple pleasure every day—a cup of your
favorite coffee, sweet treats, writing in your journal, a bubble bath—and don’t
feel guilty.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Abba, Father, you see our every
need and you know the needs of those we love. As we serve our families and
minister to their needs, strengthen us and give us the peace that only your
Holy Spirit can provide. Refresh us and renew a right spirit within us with
every new day. Amen.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>If you joined me here from <a href="https://www.encouragementcafe.com/blog/todays-special">Encouragement Cafe,</a> welcome to my blog! </i></b></div>
</span>Dawn Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740102311381013988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7367264053900410708.post-54219156164762877082018-09-05T15:21:00.000-04:002018-09-18T13:06:45.487-04:00Changing Up the Daily GrindI like coffee. More so in the cooler months of fall and winter than through the warmer spring and summer months. But one thing I've noticed of late, I like to change up my daily grind to coincide with the changing season.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpUHeGf627iSAq5_pF-sGkdwZYscMu0GehHoXaCW-3MagpubKSMlMe78f5bhtelmLgpEFfeU9u42-no209vZlKRwffKGjmpmyksQDD73Ej_oW7WL6u9qpaU8wcqJ2Ws0UWVAHJcJRyjE/s1600/79787320_de0c43dc5e_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="640" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpUHeGf627iSAq5_pF-sGkdwZYscMu0GehHoXaCW-3MagpubKSMlMe78f5bhtelmLgpEFfeU9u42-no209vZlKRwffKGjmpmyksQDD73Ej_oW7WL6u9qpaU8wcqJ2Ws0UWVAHJcJRyjE/s320/79787320_de0c43dc5e_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flickr.com 79787320_deOc43dcse_CC BY-ND 2.0</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For instance, in the warmer seasons, I prefer the light, fruity flavor and scent of blueberry coffee. I don't know, maybe it's good marketing or good aroma therapy, but it reminds me of summer as a kid, eating fists full of wild blueberries from my grandfather's farm.<br />
<br />
In the fall, of course I've fallen for the ever-popular pumpkin spice or salted caramel flavors. Who doesn't want to be reminded of sitting in a pumpkin patch or biting into a caramel apple at the local fair minus all those sugary calories?<br />
<br />
And winter? Well, there's the holiday blends that brew up memories of cinnamon sticks and Christmas sugar cookies that seem to carry you straight through the worst blizzards and comfort your soul.<br />
<br />
Well, you get the idea. <br />
<a name='more'></a>I like change...beyond changing seasons or my coffee flavors. I welcome change in my faith walk. I confess, I'm a human being that, while I find comfort in the sameness of a season, I can also easily grow complacent if I'm not challenged to think outside my present "faith box" if you will. Sometimes a change in the daily grind of my faith walk reminds me that I hold Kingdom purpose and I need to refocus.<br />
<br />
Sometimes change is voluntary and sometimes its forced upon me by life's challenges, emergencies, or tragedies. I've experienced spiritual change and growth in both instances.<br />
<br />
Voluntary change is best. It's when we voluntarily refocus our attention on Jesus; seeking Him with all our hearts, and desiring the Holy Spirit to move us forward and further into our God-led desires. God delights in His people, especially when they seek Him with all of their hearts. It's in this precious relationship, this give and take, soul-honest conversation and worship that God speaks intimately and we hear effectively. It's here we're able to move forward with joy and fullness of life.<br />
<br />
Involuntary change comes through life's challenges, emergencies or tragedies. Not a fun time of refocus. (And, please, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying God causes these situations to draw us nearer to Him. God does not cause tragedy. A broken world, poor choices by ourselves or others, and our Enemy cause tragedies). But, through these messed up times, when life is out of our control, that God has used these experiences to grow my faith, to open up new opportunities, or to make relational connections to further His kingdom purposes down the road. It's through life's unwelcome surprises where we must trust God to guide us through every moment of every day until we realize there's a new normal and we're experiencing a new flavor of life.<br />
<br />
Whatever causes the change, scripture reassures us <em><strong>"...that</strong></em> <em><strong>in all things God works for the good of those who love him and have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 NIV</strong></em><br />
<em><strong><br /></strong></em>
Whether you find yourself ready to voluntarily change up the daily grind of your faith walk, or you find yourself in the midst of an unwelcome life surprise, trust God to work for your good. Seek Him with all your heart, mind, strength and body. And if you need to borrow some strength, call upon someone you can trust to come alongside you and bear your burdens.Dawn Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740102311381013988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7367264053900410708.post-7248958413436682022018-07-05T15:00:00.000-04:002018-07-05T15:00:11.465-04:003 Steps to Scheduling a Soul-Cation<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HwB3AbSzipFnwtKs2_84QBJn4MVqNp4tc5FiDSrteyKwEKkeG5yktG1b7fJ_UFmAa2tnCXadXO441l4ZegJeN8RjFl4bsuR88LV3-QiYYRpvU-UvWdz13zynZyf8st1uskJ4EPM58Ek/s1600/Image+by+Cristian+Bortes_Flickr.com_4987916470_ef94f0d7bb_z+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HwB3AbSzipFnwtKs2_84QBJn4MVqNp4tc5FiDSrteyKwEKkeG5yktG1b7fJ_UFmAa2tnCXadXO441l4ZegJeN8RjFl4bsuR88LV3-QiYYRpvU-UvWdz13zynZyf8st1uskJ4EPM58Ek/s320/Image+by+Cristian+Bortes_Flickr.com_4987916470_ef94f0d7bb_z+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image by Cristian Bortes_Flickr.com<br />
4987916470_ef94f0d7bb<br />
CC BY-ND 2.0</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I anticipate summer all year, yearning for sunny days and warm temps when I can throw off my jacket, fling off my shoes and plant my feet on the cool green grass of my back yard, or bury them under the hot sand of the seashore. or swing them off the side of shade-covered hammock.<br />
<br />
Summer's when I reacquaint myself with nature, close up; when I dig in the rich soil of my vegetable garden and smell the sweet scents of the phlox growing by my back deck.<br />
<br />
It's when my work seems more like play and the daylight hours linger long enough to make me tired. A good tired. A tired that says, "That was a good days work," or "You played hard today."<br />
<br />
Summer rejuvenates and revives me and reminds me I'm part of something bigger.<br />
<a name='more'></a>Without summer, my body, mind, and heart would suffer.<br />
<br />
Our souls need summer seasons, as well. <br />
<!--more-->We think a thriving soul must constantly seek knowledge, strive to be better, serve more, do more, keep busy. While learning and serving is part of growing and maturing, our souls need breathing room, too. If we're continually over-scheduled or constantly pouring ourselves into ministry or people or work without slowing down and reconnecting with God, our souls will wither.<br />
<br />
It was easy to "schedule" my soul-cation as a kid. Summer church camp allowed for that, but how do we do that as an adult with all of our responsibilities and limited time?<br />
<br />
<strong>First,</strong> <em>time is not an issue</em>. We're all given 24 hours in each day. I find time isn't the real issue, but rather, discipline. Ouch! I know. No one likes to hear that. We'd rather say, "But, I'm soooo busy!" when reality is, we don't want to trade our busyness for quiet, because quiet seems such a waste of time.<br />
<br />
So, if your soul needs a soul-cation, we must schedule a retreat (an hour, a day, a weekend) away from the normal chaos of life. And that, takes a little planning, even if it's just swinging in the hammock in your own back yard for an hour.<br />
<br />
<strong>Second</strong>, <em>plan ahead</em>. Anticipate your soul-cation time and work ahead to get away. Discuss with your spouse, family member, friend if he/she would take your kids/pets for your allotted time. Think ahead of two places you feel most loved by God (at the seashore, the forest, hiking a trail, walking, running, in the library reading a book, in your car driving nowhere, etc. Wherever. Plan on two places in case weather does not permit being outside).<br />
<br />
<strong>Third,</strong> <em>leave your agenda at home</em>. Once you arrive at your favorite place, let God lead the rest. Just quiet yourself, sit back with your bible, a journal (if you like to write) or some instrumental music and just listen. Maybe ask God one question, "God, what do you want me to know about you right now?" And let him lead. Listen for his voice and simply rest in His presence. Let him fill you with living water and restore your soul.<br />
<br />
Soul-cations need not only happen once a year. <em>Soul-cations need to be a regular, spiritual discipline</em> where we can drink deeply of God's presence and Word in order for us to remain healthy, nourished and growing.<br />
<br />
Are you ready for a soul-cation? How do you rest and restore your soul? What has God whispered he wants to be for you?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Come to me, all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. </em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and </em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. </em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Matthew 11:28,29 (NIV)</em></div>
Dawn Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740102311381013988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7367264053900410708.post-36665272082602150382018-05-29T11:16:00.003-04:002018-05-29T11:16:50.252-04:00Afraid to Die<blockquote>
<em>Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. <a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Rom 10.13" data-version="niv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/niv/Rom%2010.13" target="_blank">Romans 10:13 NIV</a></em></blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote>
<em><a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Rom 10.13" data-version="niv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/niv/Rom%2010.13" target="_blank"></a></em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCqTnXqJA4RgP_R9oWi3BZyCNxJD_fGtN29IYC3_-9NjOWOdbIf5xREVoz0wm-aMgfmAmR_jOmJN6lwNRMFnSkJWyljSUBcsy-OI3WZ4E13wM52ZAvO7eHPt7VN_-AmSYhQ4QirqAkos/s1600/Elderly+Woman_Image+by+Neil+Moralee_flickr.com_+14311431780_aebd1553ba_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="640" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCqTnXqJA4RgP_R9oWi3BZyCNxJD_fGtN29IYC3_-9NjOWOdbIf5xREVoz0wm-aMgfmAmR_jOmJN6lwNRMFnSkJWyljSUBcsy-OI3WZ4E13wM52ZAvO7eHPt7VN_-AmSYhQ4QirqAkos/s320/Elderly+Woman_Image+by+Neil+Moralee_flickr.com_+14311431780_aebd1553ba_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></em></div>
</blockquote>
She admitted her greatest fear. Whispered it in my ear right there amid a thousand women. <br />
<em>I’m afraid to die.</em><br />
<em><br /></em>
More than that, she feared she wasn’t “saved enough”, that God’s grace wasn’t “big enough” for all the bad she’d done. <br />
<br />
My heart broke right there. Oh, the lies Satan wove into the heart of this precious eighty-something-year-old woman to convince her that her sins were too big and God’s grace was too small. <br />
<br />
If we’re honest, sometimes we’re convinced of the same, aren’t we? We’re afraid to die. We compare our sins with another or rate our sins on a scale of 1-10 thinking that our sins are too big for God’s grace. <br />
<br />
But the reality is, Christ overcame all sin, no matter how big or small, and for believers in Christ, no sin is counted against him. <br />
<br />
God’s grace covers all sin and covers anyone who calls upon the name of Jesus, no matter what she’s done in the past. <br />
For Scripture tells us plainly,<br />
<blockquote>
<em>for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.</em> <em><a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Rom 3.23-24" data-version="niv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/niv/Rom%203.23-24" target="_blank">Romans 3:23-24 NIV</a></em></blockquote>
There is nothing we can do to earn God’s salvation. It’s a gift freely offered by God through the shed blood of His only Son, Jesus, who died once for the salvation of all. All we need do is:<br />
<em>declare with your (our) mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you (we) will be saved. (emphasis mine) <a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Rom 10.9" data-version="niv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/niv/Rom%2010.9" target="_blank">Romans 10:9 NIV</a> </em><br />
<br />
I cupped the tear-stained face of this precious woman. She reassured me she’d asked Jesus to forgive her sins many times. So I looked her in the eyes and said, <br />
<blockquote>
<em>There is nothing you’ve done that God cannot forgive. There is nothing you can ever do that God will love you less. He is for you. He will never leave you or forsake you. He is with you always.</em></blockquote>
There are times we all need that reassurance. We need to stop managing our sin or the sins of others, and live in the victory of the cross and the empty tomb! Jesus is alive! He is risen! <br />
<br />
Our sins (every single one) have been accounted for once and for all. If we believe in our hearts that Jesus is Lord, then we are justified, made right before God for all of eternity. <br />
<br />
How would we live our lives differently if we unburdened ourselves from our past sins and lived from eternity’s perspective? <br />
<br />
If we lived in the present, knowing we are fully loved by our Papa-God, embracing ourselves and one another through the eyes of Jesus? What if we truly believed no sin is too big and God’s grace covers all? <br />
<blockquote>
<em>Papa-God, no one loves us as fully as You do, flaws and all. You see us only through the eyes of Jesus, Your Son, our Savior, who paid the price for our sins once and for all. Help us to see ourselves and those around us through His eyes. May we start living the victorious life through Jesus Christ, where Your grace covers all. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.</em></blockquote>
Dawn Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740102311381013988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7367264053900410708.post-91748651453945386152018-03-07T15:00:00.000-05:002018-03-07T15:00:57.092-05:00One Passionate Prayer<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eRHZS1ZEhK0goEmuFCiDITZ6vk7aOVRoENu4rwgshyphenhyphen0XZx4CU6gK7MqIkXdY_2iX0FehMcMIugDbMSYwkZRnD404ppbVKZJu94DWbCmIw5WtBgKENYBIkcOW5OQ7pJrcRh4tM3-4Egs/s1600/Phone+call+by+Eelke_Flickr.com_3231400982_94ae0f9b5c_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="640" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eRHZS1ZEhK0goEmuFCiDITZ6vk7aOVRoENu4rwgshyphenhyphen0XZx4CU6gK7MqIkXdY_2iX0FehMcMIugDbMSYwkZRnD404ppbVKZJu94DWbCmIw5WtBgKENYBIkcOW5OQ7pJrcRh4tM3-4Egs/s320/Phone+call+by+Eelke_Flickr.com_3231400982_94ae0f9b5c_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image by Eelke<br />
Flickr.com_/photos/eelkedekker/3231400982<br />
CC BY-ND 2.0</td></tr>
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Hearing only chunks of their phone conversation set my adrenaline running.<br />
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"Accident. Car hydroplaned. Rolled over. Car is toast. I'm okay. Thank God for German engineering. State police."<br />
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Instantly, I knew my son's life had been miraculously spared and I knew who had tried to inflict the worst. My first response after, "Thank you, Jesus!" was "Call your prayer warriors. This is all-out war!" </div>
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It wasn't just this one incident, but it was the tipping point for my exhausted self. Our family battled numerous spiritual assaults since Christmas: illnesses one after another that led to cocooning and isolation, household and weird car emergencies and financial stresses beyond the norm. Not just us, but three generations of our immediate family.</div>
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Many would call that life, but when half a family preps for an overseas mission trip, all hell breaks loose, even on the unsuspecting. Some, including my own mother, suggested we call off the trip; that somehow these challenges were a "sign" to stay put and let "someone else" do God's work. But, we knew better. Yes, these challenges were signs--signs that the work ahead was powerful, Kingdom work--and they aimed to instill fear and frustration and keep us home.<br />
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<b>Fear is the enemy's number one tactic and the best way to counter that is prayer. </b></div>
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With shaky hands, I thumbed through my contacts until I found a prayer warrior who answered. Between sobs, I choked out a quick explanation. "Our son was in a horrible accident. He's okay. Our guys need a ride to the airport immediately. They head to Uganda and Kenya in a few hours. This one (challenge) breaks me. We need support and prayer warriors surrounding us, right now."<br />
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Even when you know God's miraculously spared you or a loved one from death, <b>realizing the worst destruction the enemy will hurl your way punches you in the gut and throws you to your knees. </b><br />
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Once the guys secured their ride to the airport and I knew our son was in good hands at the ER, I raced home to email my powerful prayer warriors, asking them to suit up and surround us with prayer for the duration of the missions trip. A few hours later, I received this email:<br />
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<i>"...early this morning I found myself in tears praying for you (and your family) in regards to this ministry. I lifted you up and asked (God) to keep all of you safe...(God) assured me that you would all go forth, each one of you in your own way...and proclaim His word..."</i></div>
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Do you get it? This prayer happened hours before our son's accident. HOURS! And, what's more amazing, this precious friend lives just over a mile from the site of the accident. Do you see God's hand in this? This prayer warrior obeyed the nudging of the Holy Spirit to pray over our family even before anyone knew the immediate need.<br />
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Most certainly, I believe her passionate prayer released tremendous power over my son's situation.<br />
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<b>"...tremendous power is released through the passionate, heartfelt prayer of a godly believer." James 5:16 TPT</b></div>
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I don't claim to fully understand the reasoning behind prayer; why an omnipotent, omnipresent God would call a believer to pray His work into action. All I know is, prayer draws His attention, affection and favor to those who call on His name.<br />
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Is fear gripping you, holding you back from all God's intended for you? Do you find yourself engrossed in spiritual battle? If so, how might we battle (pray) on your behalf? </div>
Dawn Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740102311381013988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7367264053900410708.post-11407583499839337992018-01-31T06:00:00.000-05:002018-01-31T06:00:22.421-05:00Refrigerator Rites<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:18</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Our</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> downstairs reeked of sweaty boys, Mountain Dew, pizza, and Doritos from their all-night LAN party--the male version of a slumber party where they eat, belch, pass gas, laugh, cheer, scream, and play online computer games until dawn. Our dining room looked like NASA's control room, (thanks to my techie husband), where testosterone-driven boys, connected by power cords and flashing screens, fixed their eyes on other-world action and threw themselves into the game.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia";">We only had four rules:</span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia";">Wear headphones after midnight</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia";">Keep the noise to a dull roar</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia";">No one leaves the house except with a parent</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Help yourselves to anything in the refrigerator</span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Believe it or not, the last rule was the hardest for them to follow. To some, refrigerator rites were almost as personal as snooping through someones dresser drawers; you just didn't rummage around another person's refrigerator and help yourself to their food. But, this rite served two purposes in our home, and we enforced it: First, it relieved me from hostess duty. Second, and most important, it made the boys feel comfortable, like they were at home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A few of these guys grew up fatherless and I knew what that felt like. I knew how important it was to have a safe place to escape the stress of a broken home--even if it was just for a few hours; a place where they could participate in a whole and healthy family--where two parents lived happily under one roof. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia";">Refrigerator rites declare "You're part of the family, part of the whole."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">God offers us refrigerator rites, too. He adopts us as his own children (purchased by the blood of Jesus) and says, "You're part of the family. What's mine is yours. Help yourselves." But how many of us shy away, feel like we're eating a piece of forbidden fruit if we take anything from God's refrigerator? Maybe growing up without a daddy makes it awkward at first? We might need more time growing comfortable sharing the same bag of chips before we help ourselves to the last bagel without asking. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia";"></span><span style="font-family: "georgia";"></span><span style="font-family: "georgia";"></span><span style="font-family: "georgia";">One morning after seven years of all-night LAN parties, I found a dollar and a note pinned to my 'frige. It read, "Dear Mrs. Aaron's Mom, Sorry, I ate your last bagel. Here's a dollar. Ben." I chuckled and gave him back the dollar.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Maybe we're like Ben, uncomfortable taking something from God without offering payment, knowing the value of what God's offering. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><em>Lord, </em></span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "georgia";">Help us to simply accept our place in your family through the blood of your Son, Jesus. May we learn that there is no other payment necessary to find a place around your table. Help us to spend more time with you so until sitting in your presence feels like home--enough like home that we can help ourselves to anything in your refrigerator.</span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Amen.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span>Dawn Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740102311381013988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7367264053900410708.post-21342895188534886012017-12-05T00:00:00.000-05:002017-12-05T00:00:10.240-05:00Centered<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxufstZIrsX_3KtEpFns1kYrn_F5Af9PKduZlH5SxMCP_6A_G07_ZgWBetTvzeb1YEUJDuzXQZLLsl7MvWVpZFKYEikIBi39a43HwgZFQ58ucPIQ_sk_YY2u6qms-ypJGxtfq0TaC2KM/s1600/25593058045_abdbaf3ccf_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="640" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxufstZIrsX_3KtEpFns1kYrn_F5Af9PKduZlH5SxMCP_6A_G07_ZgWBetTvzeb1YEUJDuzXQZLLsl7MvWVpZFKYEikIBi39a43HwgZFQ58ucPIQ_sk_YY2u6qms-ypJGxtfq0TaC2KM/s320/25593058045_abdbaf3ccf_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image by Natallo<br />
Flickr.com_/photos/nmaicas/25593058045<br />
CC BY-ND 2.0</td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">May He keep us centered and devoted to Him, following the life
path He has cleared, watching the sign posts, walking at the pace and rhythms
He laid down for our ancestors. </span></i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">1 Kings 8:57-58 The Message<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What
good is an island no one can find?” grumbles a pirate sailing upon the Black
Pearl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What
good is a compass that’s broken?” asks his mate. “It doesn’t point north!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Who’s
looking for north?!” retorts Captain Jack Sparrow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">No
sailor, (except maybe Jack Sparrow), would ever set out to sea without a working
compass. Compasses, when working properly, guide a boat toward its destination
based upon the direction it points (north, south, east or west). They direct us
by means of a rotating magnetic needle that indicates magnetic north, which can
change based upon shifts in the earth, any ferrous metals or electronics that
may come near it. Therefore, magnetic compasses may need to be readjusted or
centered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In
the movie, The Black Pearl, the famous compass of Captain Jack Sparrow, spun in
every direction, never quite landing on true north, or any other direction, either.
You see, his compass wasn’t centered on true or magnetic north, but rather on
his heart’s truest desire. And, if you’ve watched any of the Pirates of the
Caribbean movies, Jack never quite knows what he wants, which is why it spins
out of control. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">My
life’s been like that spinning compass. Yours, too? We feel the pull of family,
ministry, friends, small group, writing, my home and, well, the list could keep
going. While all these parts of our lives are good, if they only serve to keep
us busy and exhausted until there’s nothing left for God, then something’s
gotta give. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">This
summer, I truly thought I’d slowed down and rid my life of distractions and
spinning schedules, but God wanted more. He wanted to be my center; to slow me
down until my compass pointed to true north—to Him alone—not to all those busy things
my life centered around. He beckoned me to reset my pace according to the
rhythm of His stride. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Guess
what happens when we slow and match God’s pace? We find others can do those
busy things just as well as we can. And we find clarity. The skies clear and
with our full attention on Him, we find ourselves moving forward toward God’s
promises spoken on our lives. When God is our center, we become centered in His
will and plan for our lives, which, I’ve realized, is our heart’s truest
desire. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Are
you looking for that island? (God’s purpose/Your heart’s desire), but you find
your compass is broken and spinning out of control? Slow down. Let God be your
center by putting some things aside and spending time alone with God every day.
As you draw closer to Him, He will draw closer to you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Prayer:
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>Father-God,
thank you for your patience as you wait for us to put aside our busyness and
slow to the rhythm of your stride. You are forever loving, gently, kind and
gentle as you wait. Now, Lord, we ask you to be our center. Redirect our
attention to you and your ways. Realign our heart’s desire with yours. Amen.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i><br /></i></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>If you joined me here from <a href="http://encouragementcafe.com/blog">Encouragement Cafe,</a> welcome!</i></span></div>
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Dawn Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740102311381013988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7367264053900410708.post-3817295389334638892017-11-15T08:00:00.000-05:002017-11-15T08:00:07.921-05:00Where's Your Gaze?<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gaze<br />
by Ben Raynal<br />
Flickr.com_/photos/zubrow/5516105138_CC BY-ND 2.0</td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts…Keep
your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step,
and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left;
leave all evil in the dust.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Proverbs 4:23, 25-27 (The
Message)</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Charging
ahead of us towards the playscape, my eldest grandson keeps looking backwards
over his shoulder. Eager to be first, he measures his footing not by what’s in
front of him, but rather how quickly his siblings and cousins are closing the
gap behind him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Inevitably,
he stumbles and falls. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Helping
him up, I dust him off and gently remind him to keep his eyes straight ahead so
he can see what’s right in front of him and avoid the fall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">It’s
like that off the playground, too, isn’t it? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">We
finally see God’s promises laid out before us. So, we charge straight ahead, but
somewhere along the way we become distracted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Maybe
we hear another’s strides closing in on us. They’re running toward the same
promises and we fear they’ll get there first, or that God won’t have enough for
both of us, and our gaze strays from what’s in front of us to who’s behind us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Or,
we grow weary, lonely, and discouraged along the way. The journey is long and
our encouragers have grown weary and gone home. We lose our way, doubt our
purpose, and feel unloved. We turn our eyes inward or toward someone or
something else rather than keeping our focus on God’s promises. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Either
way, we’re distracted from what’s straight ahead. Our hearts begin doubting all
that God’s spoken into us. Our gaze, rather than staying fixed on Him, falls
upon our distractions—whether ourselves or another—and we trip over our own
feet, an obstacle in the road, or we veer off the path. Suddenly, we’re flat on
our face, mired and muddied, wondering what happened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Proverbs
warns us to keep vigilant over our hearts; the place life starts. He urges us,
like I do my grandson, to keep our eyes fixed straight ahead, ignoring all
distractions and leave all evil behind. Our distractions may not be evil, per
say, but when something draws our gaze away from Jesus, then doesn’t that
something become our god? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">But
there is hope. Jesus never tires of rescuing. He always welcomes us back with
arms wide open when we turn our gaze back to Him. He’s always ready to set our
feet back on course when we earnestly seek Him and fix our eyes upon Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">God reminds us in Jeremiah, "I have it all planned out- plans to take care of you, not to abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." (Jeremiah 2:11-14a The Message).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Abba, thank you for never tiring of us; for always coming to our rescue when we become distracted, stumble and fall. Help us along this journey to set our hearts and our gaze upon you and only you. For you, Lord, have it all planned out for our good; for a full and abundant, victorious life. You never disappoint. So today, Lord, we reset our gaze upon you.</span></div>
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Dawn Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740102311381013988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7367264053900410708.post-61448321391539421932017-10-11T15:00:00.000-04:002017-10-11T15:00:02.098-04:00Lessons in the Vine<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3XPJFwsmebvQt6U3ri_gKkJiNgeAyGsiK7ZPk4BvdUVX_qY5eNNlpL-YQXfTffHTC-AOXX01YbMw-Xvn9qHz6Cmsm8slanQIwuYnW4b9Z2ThnZl_k7lyVrYuovqDbBvnYhY7r8OkePg/s1600/10400778_26042327277_6806_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3XPJFwsmebvQt6U3ri_gKkJiNgeAyGsiK7ZPk4BvdUVX_qY5eNNlpL-YQXfTffHTC-AOXX01YbMw-Xvn9qHz6Cmsm8slanQIwuYnW4b9Z2ThnZl_k7lyVrYuovqDbBvnYhY7r8OkePg/s320/10400778_26042327277_6806_n.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grape Harvest @ Gouveia Vineyards<br />
Wallingford, CT<br />
Image by Peter Aldrich</td></tr>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." John 15:4 (NIV)</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the early morning sun, grapes hung fragrant, ripe and heavy from the vine. The vineyard buzzed with activity from both man and bee as we harvested our community's first autumn crop. I met the challenge cheerfully, anticipating time spent outdoors tending the vines alongside my husband and neighbors. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />Conversations in the field were as plentiful as the grapes. Some were boisterous and jolly, awaiting the end-of-harvest drinks shared in celebration. Others were soft spoken and patient as they taught their little ones the proper way to cut the fruit from the vine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><em>There was so much going on around me but the more grapes I harvested the more I found my spirit contemplating the lessons in the vine</em>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong><u>The harvesting technique</u></strong> is most important for the future life of the branch. The harvester gently holds the grape cluster in one hand and while cutting the branch as close to the fruit as possible, leaving the leafy part attached to the vine. Cut too much of the branch away and it will no longer produce fruit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong><u>First fruits</u></strong>, harvested at just the right time, are full and ready to burst. The grapes are plentiful, closely entangled and difficult to separate from the vine. Sometimes, they are so plentiful that they have grafted themselves into the vine. There is promise of much wine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong><u>Neglected fruit</u></strong>, harvested too late, is either rotten or shriveled up, good only for the scavenger birds. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong><u>Unripened fruit</u></strong>, harvested too early, is small, hard, and bitter. Their easily separated and the farmer discards these to save his wine from their bitterness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong><u>Late fruits</u></strong> remain in the vine a bit longer. They endure shorter days, cooler temperatures and the first hard snap of frost. But, from these hardships comes the sweetest, most succulant dessert wine that tastes like sunshine on the tongue.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ahhh. Harvest time - celebrating the fruit of our labors - when the vine keepers pour out the wine in honor of their sweet labor representing countless celebrations to come. </span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The fruit multiplies and satisfies thousands!</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">How so as we think about abiding in the Vine, who is Christ. We must remain (abide) in Him to produce any fruit and as we remain the fruit of our relationship ripens - becomes plentiful, abundant, enticing, and sweet. Then harvest comes and the Vine Keeper distributes our fruit and satisfies thousands. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And what of our hardships? Like the late fruit that endure the harshest conditions, from our own hardships comes wisdom, compassion, our very best as long as we remain in Him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you've joined me here from <a href="http://wp.me/p1YbNo-18q">{re}fresh,</a> welcome!</span>Dawn Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740102311381013988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7367264053900410708.post-53033974550628418352017-09-20T12:30:00.000-04:002017-09-20T12:39:07.553-04:00Training Kids to Rule the Playground<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I sat sunning myself on the park bench watching her almost-five-year-old self scoop and sift sand through her fingers while eyeing the boy across the sandbox digging holes with his long-handled shovel. She offered small talk but he'd have none of it and pushed his shovel deeper into the sand as though flexing his muscles to impress her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Amused by their interplay, wondering how it might end, I kept a watchful eye.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia";">More impressed with his shovel than his underdeveloped biceps, she asked if she might have a turn digging holes with the coveted tool. Still speechless, he shook his head, "no" and she frowned, crossing her hands across her chest. Silence polluted the air between them and sent him running to his mother's side, leaving the long-handled shovel behind. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia";">I held my breath...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Sure enough she seized the opportunity, grabbed that shovel and dug in deep. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia";">...and I watched.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Like a silent picture show, I watched as he returned to the sandbox, held out his hand and demanded she return his shovel. She feigned deafness and dug her heels (and his shovel) deeper into the sand. He stood resolute and determined - hand still extended. </span><br />
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<em><span style="color: blue;">Wondering how this all turned out? Bring your pail and shovel and join me in the sandbox at the <a href="http://christianchildrensauthors.com/2017/09/20/training-kids-to-rule-the-playground/#more-6180">Christian Children's Authors blog.</a></span></em>Dawn Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740102311381013988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7367264053900410708.post-9529591497009934332017-09-06T08:00:00.000-04:002017-09-06T08:00:09.171-04:00On Growing Up Fully Alive<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYilWIxpFcqplL3dhFrSUbntkAJNKjzvjMKhVFBg3h9VqfhDnggt7OpIZpGsSrccqpxmmgiwdn7vZg8dtsGsgUasVq08CSY0u2uiHOxKG2V2qrcabnCBiV3yaPtiqvDs9FV9C4rRfnc1s/s1600/First+day+of+School_TedKerwin_flickr.com_4244725464_4c21d307bc_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="387" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYilWIxpFcqplL3dhFrSUbntkAJNKjzvjMKhVFBg3h9VqfhDnggt7OpIZpGsSrccqpxmmgiwdn7vZg8dtsGsgUasVq08CSY0u2uiHOxKG2V2qrcabnCBiV3yaPtiqvDs9FV9C4rRfnc1s/s320/First+day+of+School_TedKerwin_flickr.com_4244725464_4c21d307bc_o.jpg" width="206" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image by Ted Kerwin<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My two middle grandchildren started preschool this week. While I'm excited for this milestone, deep down my heart wants to wrap them up and put them on a shelf for safe-keeping. But that's impossible and it wouldn't be fair to them (or us or the world, for that fact), if stopping time were actually an option.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There's just something about their innocence, their childish giggles and freely-given embraces that I want to keep around forever. They face each new day fully alive, anticipating new experiences looking at all things as if it was brand new and I don't want that to change in them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In Madeleine L'Engle's devotional, <u>Glimpses of Grace</u>, she quotes a passage from Meet the Austins on family comforts:</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Johnny said, 'Why do people have to ... grow up and get married, and everybody grow away from each other? I wish we could just go on being exactly the way we are!'</span></i><br />
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<i>"'But we can't,' Mother said. 'We can't stop on the road of Time. We have to keep on going. And growing up is all part of it, the exciting and wonderful business of being alive...being alive is a gift, the most wonderful and exciting gift in the world.'"</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Aliveness. It's a gift. Living fully. It's a promise from Jesus: "My purpose is to give life in all its fullness" (John 10:10b TLB). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Do we teach our children this? Do <i>we</i> live fully alive as though life were a gift? Or, do we look at each new day as a chore too challenging to face that we wish it away? What would it look like if we lived fully alive and taught our children to do the same? How is that even accomplished?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If we refer back to John 10:1-18, Jesus says we are to live as sheep. Enter life through the Gate (a relationship with Jesus) into the sheepfold (of other Believers in Jesus) and find the Good Shepherd (Jesus). Through the Gate we find fertile, green pastures (abundant life) and our Good Shepherd who knows us. We come to know Him and His voice. We trust Him and follow Him wherever He leads because He is a good shepherd that not only protects us, but lays down his life for us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When God breathed life into each of us, we were not meant to be preserved on a shelf for others to gaze upon our beauty. Rather, we were meant to grow up, to mature, to unfold into the person God intended us to be from the beginning. As we live in relationship with Jesus, grow and mature and follow where He leads us, we discover the fullest life we can experience on earth. It's that sweet spot where who we are, what our passion intersects with God's plan and purpose for our lives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If we keep everything the same, whether in our personal lives or that of our children's, we thwart the purposes of God. Like Mother said above, "We can't stop on the road of Time. We have to keep on going." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As we allow ourselves to draw closer to Jesus, our Good Shepherd, and learn to live the fullest life possible through Him, we perpetuate life's abundant circle throughout the generations. By our example of living close to and through the power of Jesus, we show the next generation that they matter in the Kingdom of God, that they have a Kingdom purpose. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Will life be all frosting and cupcakes? Not at all. But, through Christ, all things work for good. As much as we want to keep everything the same, to freeze time and protect our children's innocence, we can not, should not do that. It is time to let God do the leading and watch His purposes unfold through us, through our children to the Kingdom of God on earth. This is what makes living a full and most exciting, living gift. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><i>If you joined me today from the <a href="http://wp.me/p2KRRT-4gA">Christian Children's Authors blog, </a>welcome!</i></b></span></div>
<br />Dawn Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740102311381013988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7367264053900410708.post-27153111484444007752017-08-16T09:00:00.000-04:002017-08-16T09:00:19.289-04:00What's the rush? <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16 (NIV)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's mid-August. Have you felt the pull of autumn, yet? The gardens bulge with ripened fruits and veggies. Back-to-school sales remind us that our children soon trade in sand buckets for lunch boxes and flip flops for sneakers. We trade in our lazy summer days for quick-paced, action-packed schedules and before you know it, we're preparing for our Christmas pageants and planning our New Year's resolutions! (Yikes!) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's tempting to let the hectic autumn schedules dictate our pace until we find ourselves on overload, exhausted and physically ill from trying to keep up. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the midst of all our busyness, it's important to schedule solitary time for us and especially for our children. Not only does solitude slow down our brains and our blood pressure, it clears room in our hearts for rest, creativity, and worship. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As we encourage our children and challenge ourselves to grow academically and develop new skills in in our sports or the arts, we should also allow time for spiritual growth. Here's a few suggestions:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1. <b>Veg Out </b>- allow at least 60 minutes a day with nothing to do. Power nap, watch a healthy family sit-com, read for pleasure. This allows your body & mind to rest and create space to hear God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2. <b>Get alone</b></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b> </b>- this is a must to maintain spiritual health. Get away by yourself at least 30 minutes per day. Lock yourself in the bathroom if you must. Use this time to reconnect your heart with God through scripture, worship songs, prayer, reading a devotion, journaling. However you connect best with God. Train children to do the same...maybe make a family worship time that includes solitude for 30 minutes. Be creative.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">3. <b>Play hard </b>- worship creatively through your favorite form of expression (writing, music, painting, drawing, walking, biking, running, etc). The possibilities are endless.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">4. <b>Worship together</b> - as a family and a faith community. Attend church as a family. Get children/youth involved in age-appropriate youth ministries so that promote worship and teaching. Join a small group community for yourself and/or your spouse. These smaller faith communities become your life-line of support, encouragement and prayer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm sure there's countless other ways to ensure time alone for spiritual growth. What are some ways you ensure this in your own life and your family? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>If you've joined me from the <a href="http://wp.me/p2KRRT-4aq">Christian Children's Authors blog</a>, welcome!</i></span></div>
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Dawn Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740102311381013988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7367264053900410708.post-5754672772350449082017-08-02T08:00:00.000-04:002017-08-02T08:00:00.188-04:00Hold me tight!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdVz8XE40K3sL0a4YXILMSZSXH4CgyT5Q-H7cN1nXbSZSXb3OxeVkY1YbN7AbuAeH-erJ287SG1g-PMO9PQzPjiP7CvhBrmDr-dtle9Xm4q3tUvlDaGa8B_uen9LDmxk0togZM7U9YCFg/s1600/10485280_10203097082841267_7182938279409532651_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdVz8XE40K3sL0a4YXILMSZSXH4CgyT5Q-H7cN1nXbSZSXb3OxeVkY1YbN7AbuAeH-erJ287SG1g-PMO9PQzPjiP7CvhBrmDr-dtle9Xm4q3tUvlDaGa8B_uen9LDmxk0togZM7U9YCFg/s320/10485280_10203097082841267_7182938279409532651_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image by Heather Aldrich</td></tr>
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<i>If I could fly on the wings of dawn, </i></div>
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<i>stopping to rest only on the far side of the ocean--even there your hand would guide me; even there your strong hand would hold me tight! Psalm 139:10 CEB</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If we're honest, we'd rather live a trouble-free, peace-filled, comfortable life than voluntarily battle life's crises, wouldn't we? At least I would. Reality is, however, that in this life there is always trouble. Jesus promised that (</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">John 16:33). Oh, it might be that we're crusin' through, happy-go-lucky, but eventually, "BOOM!" Something (or some things) completely upends our world. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Then, what do we do? </span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Try as we might to hear God in the midst of the clamor, we can't. Suddenly, we're blinded by the dust and swerve off the once-straight path we thought we were traveling. We start questioning God's motives, thinking He's got it all wrong or wondering where we wronged our faith; forgetting there's an enemy on the loose and he's engaged us in a fight. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We groan and moan over the ensuing injuries, calling in back up, allies in the cause. "Pray!" we cry. "For what?" our prayer warriors ask. We haven't a clue. Protection? Rescue? Answers? Wisdom? Guidance? Yes, all of the above! Just pray. And with more heartache we just cry, "Jesus!" and pray the Holy Spirit interprets our hearts before the throne in our stead.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm in the battle now, even as I write. It's not pretty and none of you would trade my troubles for your own. It's real. It hurts. It's exhausting. It challenges my faith. And yet, in the midst of it all, a prayer warrior offered me this picture from Psalm 139:10: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Wherever we go or whatever surrounds us, God's hand guides and holds. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A few years back, a hot air balloon landed near my son's home. Curious, he and his then, three kids, went to find it. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Up close, as they discovered, the flames that create the balloon's lift are loud and hot. The youngest boy clung to his father, afraid. His father's strong arms held him close, protected him from harm. Once calmed and still holding tight, his father guided him closer to the presumed danger, until what was frightening became safe. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I've held onto that image of my son holding his little boy throughout this scary battle. While I can't fathom the outcome, I only know God's holding me tight, protecting me even in the midst of what seems dangerous. And, although I can't see clearly through the battle dust, He's reassured me that He's clearing the path and guiding my every step. I bury myself in His Word, that will illuminate the way.</span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="text Ps-119-105-Ps-119-112" id="en-MSG-6714" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; position: relative;">By your words I can see where I’m going;</span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-119-105-Ps-119-112" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">they throw a beam of light on my dark path.</span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><i><span class="text Ps-119-105-Ps-119-112" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; position: relative;">I’ve committed myself and I’ll never turn back</span></i></i></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"></span></i></span>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-119-105-Ps-119-112" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">from living by your righteous order.</span></span></i></span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;">
</span><span class="text Ps-119-105-Ps-119-112" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; position: relative;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="text Ps-119-105-Ps-119-112" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Everything’s falling apart on me, <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">God</span>;</span></i></div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-119-105-Ps-119-112" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">put me together again with your Word. Psalm 119:105-107 (MSG)</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you've joined me from the <a href="http://wp.me/p2KRRT-4am">Christian Children's Authors blog,</a> welcome!</span></div>
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Dawn Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740102311381013988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7367264053900410708.post-33879108306292511922017-07-31T09:00:00.000-04:002017-07-31T09:00:15.905-04:00Beyond Words<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQEZH1LNCPueYEo-_tEzA3geqbu5faJD2kJIQU4lmrNqyFeKB4Rjq0bNznpV9H9feak0bynIGx3H1ZB2SaEtv-UAeghy7BL5ttvV7pQANnhjRXpMCDlCKqjItl2XPvkGK-cwfKszSay0/s1600/Rays+by+Surlan+Soosay_Flickr.com_6995846806_8abdf15161_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQEZH1LNCPueYEo-_tEzA3geqbu5faJD2kJIQU4lmrNqyFeKB4Rjq0bNznpV9H9feak0bynIGx3H1ZB2SaEtv-UAeghy7BL5ttvV7pQANnhjRXpMCDlCKqjItl2XPvkGK-cwfKszSay0/s320/Rays+by+Surlan+Soosay_Flickr.com_6995846806_8abdf15161_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rays by Surlan Soosay<br />
Flickr.com_photos/ssoosay/6995846806_CC BY-ND 2.0</td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">If you're joining me here from <a href="http://encouragementcafe.com/blog">Encouragement Cafe</a>, welcome!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">People look
at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7b<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I’m a slow forgiver. You?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">So, when the sassy girl at
work spewed insults under her breath in my direction, my heart hardened. I took
mental note and recorded her name on my imaginary “grudge list”. Yep, instead
of being the Jesus girl, I chose to be the grudge girl. My motto used to be,
“I’m the kindest person you’ll ever meet…just don’t cross me.” </span></div>
<a name='more'></a>Not proud of
that, but it’s the truth. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Loneliness marks the trail
of a slow-forgiving, silent, grudge girl. Skepticism, distrust, and fear stir
the soul of a grudge girl until she finds herself friendless. Not that people
choose not to befriend her, but she chooses to self-protect rather than risk.
It becomes her undoing because the battles she chooses are silent—fought
between her own two ears—and she always loses. She loses because she doesn’t
risk relationally—admitting there may be some truth in the offender’s words or
admitting it’s not at all about her and the offender is speaking from their own
heart wound.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">It’s the heart that
matters. God said it to Samuel, <i>“The Lord
does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward
appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1Sam. 16:7 NIV)</i> You see,
even when insults are hurled in our direction, we need to pause and look beyond
the words to the heart of our offender. What’s the offender’s story? What’s
their heart wound? What’s our story and our heart wound? Did what she say
strike me in my own wound? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Looking beyond words to
the heart of our offender (and ourselves) takes courage and Holy Spirit power.
Jesus set the example on the cross:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">When they
hurled insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered he made no
threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. (1Peter
2:23NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">We may never know our
offender’s story, but we can ask God to give us His eyes and His heart to see
them as He does. When we view others (and ourselves) through God-lenses our
hearts soften and forgiveness becomes possible. Jesus gave us, not only the
courage, but the power to withhold grudges: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">He himself
[Jesus] bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins
and live for righteousness… (1Peter 2:24 NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Jesus came so that we
might be free from everything that binds us—whether our past or our present,
ourselves or an offender—no matter the extent or complication of our
circumstances. We don’t have to hold grudges any longer. We can surrender that
urge and ask for Jesus’ compassionate heart to answer softly and wisely. But, we
must humbly surrender ourselves to Jesus. When Jesus heals our hearts we can look
beyond words and love wholeheartedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Prayer: Oh, Jesus, draw us close and heal our wounded
hearts. Give us your eyes to see ourselves and others as you see them. May we
draw upon the power of your cross to let go of our slow-to-forgive spirits and
urges to hold grudges. Soften our hearts and give us your compassion for our
offenders. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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Dawn Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740102311381013988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7367264053900410708.post-65680937041506189762017-07-19T09:48:00.004-04:002017-07-19T09:52:23.069-04:00Grammy Camp<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwal0LLbBOgKMGEwA2bZPINI_gG8htrVikjw4UlD_VI4VPpJCot7K3CRrb5j4PjBsFT_4M54EjGWSebC0Nud1MESmgCF9pz-dsInyF8h0HlbuejkBAQ5ntNeebPCmWsOA_7A2k-v0pPAM/s1600/15697960_10102379718092771_8568841104205946052_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="960" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwal0LLbBOgKMGEwA2bZPINI_gG8htrVikjw4UlD_VI4VPpJCot7K3CRrb5j4PjBsFT_4M54EjGWSebC0Nud1MESmgCF9pz-dsInyF8h0HlbuejkBAQ5ntNeebPCmWsOA_7A2k-v0pPAM/s320/15697960_10102379718092771_8568841104205946052_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text Ps-71-18" id="en-NIV-14995">Even when I am old and gray,<span data-mce-style="font-size: xx-small;" style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-71-18">do not forsake me, my God, </span></span><span class="text Ps-71-18">till I declare your power to the next generation, y</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-71-18">our mighty acts to all who are to come. Psalm 71:18 NIV</span></span></span></em></div>
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<em><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-71-18"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My heart swells when I look into the eyes of my grandchildren and see who God created them to be. It's not that I can see into the future, but their undeniable, unique, God-given personalities spill out of every one of my six grandchildren. What a joy to watch their quirks, their talents, their individuality blossom with each new growth spurt--both physical and emotional.<img alt="" class="wp-more-tag mce-wp-more" data-mce-placeholder="1" data-mce-resize="false" data-mce-src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" data-wp-more-text="" data-wp-more="more" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" title="Read more..." /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Fortunately, we live within 15 miles or less of one another, so witnessing these little beauties mature comes more easily than if we lived a long distance. Even so, keeping up with all six poses a different challenge. Time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This summer I've seen friends and family members host "Grammy Camps." Some opt hosting the whole tribe of grandchildren all at once away from the parents for an enjoyable (and exhausting) week of catching up while others simply plan individual date nights (or days) throughout the summer for each of those special grand-kids. Either way, its spending intentional time with the next generation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For our family, my husband and I carve out special weekends for each of our school-aged grand-kids throughout the year rather than cramming it into our few precious weeks of New England summer. For two days and nights, that grand-kid rules (of course within healthy boundaries). They choose what/where we eat, request special activities (games, crafts, park-time, blowing bubbles) or places to visit (a movie, a store, a kid's museum, the beach, whatever is within reason and budget). Of course, some want to duplicate the same experiences as their siblings, so as not to miss out on anything, but even so, their personalities mix it up enough that each weekend is unique. We get to concentrate on knowing and encouraging that one grandchild for who they are apart from the whole family mix.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The younger preschool grand-kids get little Grammy dates. I'll take them for a few hours alone during one day, or babysit for them at their own homes for an afternoon or evening. I guess sleeping over has become a potty trained right-of-passage for some.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As a Christ-loving Grammy, (or Grams as our grand-kids named me), I count it precious identifying God's fingerprints on each one or providing that space where little seeking-hearts feel safe to ask big God-questions. It's not an intentional devotional time where those conversations arise. Rather, it's in those quiet rides to the restaurant or movie theater or bed time routines where there's space to think.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Scripture repeatedly commands us to remember and pass on what God's taught us through His Word and through His faithfulness in our lives to the next generations:</span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Teach what you’ve seen and heard to your children and grandchildren. Deuteronomy 4:9 MSG</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We must be intentional not only with our teaching but with carving out time that invites questions and living out by example. Whether we live close by or far away from your grandchildren, we must be intentional in building a generational bridge so that we might pass on God's faithfulness and His teachings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Prayer: <em>Papa God, you built the foundations of this earth around family. Help us to honor our family covenants and to intentionally make time to encourage our children and grandchildren in Your ways. Amen.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>If you've joined me here today from <a href="http://wp.me/p2KRRT-48K">Christian Children's Author's blog</a>, welcome!</b></span></div>
Dawn Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740102311381013988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7367264053900410708.post-79202162466298241832017-07-17T08:00:00.000-04:002017-07-17T08:00:11.021-04:00Deep Dark Waters<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TA8DDdWybJWZLAnmWT59yqcbXCugmSqnO0U6waRjgDCgmIMyYD9BMnZSZQi33ZFugpFGJFCbHqQl1w3ctTqIcX6pVLWybT9UM5CYPm-_TJ3XF8lT66KBURLkSt1GUmkjz1eDpApbCE4/s1600/Image+by+Steve+Conger+Flickr.com_13937228763_26b27daab9_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TA8DDdWybJWZLAnmWT59yqcbXCugmSqnO0U6waRjgDCgmIMyYD9BMnZSZQi33ZFugpFGJFCbHqQl1w3ctTqIcX6pVLWybT9UM5CYPm-_TJ3XF8lT66KBURLkSt1GUmkjz1eDpApbCE4/s320/Image+by+Steve+Conger+Flickr.com_13937228763_26b27daab9_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image by Steve Conger<br />Flickr.com_/photos/dukie1/13937228763<br />CC BY-ND 2.0</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I will never leave
you nor forsake you.” Joshua 1:5b NIV</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I'd rather scale the side of a
mountain or jump from an airplane (with a working parachute), than dive into
deep waters. I find no pleasure wading blindly through muddy silt </span>among<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> invisible, toe-nibbling fish and I panic when my feet can’t touch bottom.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">However, heights comfort me ̶
whisper freedom deep inside ̶ lends a broader perspective of what’s below.
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Watching birds soar enveloped by blue skies excites me. But even birds have to land,
find nourishment in valleys or in ocean depths. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Our scary, dark, murky places where we can't touch bottom or catch our breath
might be sickness, grief, family or financial crises. All humanity experiences
dark places without exception because we live in a broken world. But for those
who trust in the Lord, he promises, </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I will never leave you nor forsake you”
(Joshua 1:5 NIV).</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Notice, he doesn’t promise no
problems, for how else would we know God’s faithfulness, God’s healing, God’s
provision, God’s refuge and strength? On
the contrary, he promises to swim alongside us, sometimes carrying us through
those murky waters until he plants our feet on higher ground.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jesus says, “In this world you will
have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NIV). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank
you, Jesus for your great promise to never leave us, nor forsake us no matter
how deep or dark our journey. Daily remind us that because YOU have overcome
the world we have NOTHING to fear and it is you who sets our feet on high
places.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you're joining me here from <a href="http://encouragementcafe.com/blog">Encouragement Cafe,</a> welcome!</span></span></div>
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Dawn Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740102311381013988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7367264053900410708.post-58014252691683792522017-07-12T15:00:00.000-04:002017-07-12T15:00:09.581-04:00Covenant: more than a pinky promise<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJr9Xfpko4-nIDdNpCXbn2InNg_dy3S6PURAblUdBjj05ntZiSFQ9IRvsT1WkekV-XxW0MNcR3CAZVLYQjGk7Y-6BRppdydzKeL31deR7YU0kXilRmUppKr6BieoppBwRmF_Ty6SEnZ8U/s1600/Image+by+All+Holding_Flickr.com_12315726084_7583df5247_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJr9Xfpko4-nIDdNpCXbn2InNg_dy3S6PURAblUdBjj05ntZiSFQ9IRvsT1WkekV-XxW0MNcR3CAZVLYQjGk7Y-6BRppdydzKeL31deR7YU0kXilRmUppKr6BieoppBwRmF_Ty6SEnZ8U/s320/Image+by+All+Holding_Flickr.com_12315726084_7583df5247_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image by All Holding<br />Flickr.com_photos/116388762@N02/12315726084<br />CC BY-ND 2.0</td></tr>
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My mother never made promises. "I can't promise you anything because I don't know what tomorrow might bring," she'd say. All spoken from her shattered heart knowing full well the pain of a broken marriage. Those words haunted me, (probably still do since I'm compelled to write about them), for years. I'd even avoid childhood pinky-promises, for fear of breaking them, so upon my own engagement, I trembled.<br />
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My husband and I spoke often of covenant promises. There was more at stake than a pinky promise held. This was our future, our family, our legacy. I could not--would not--face a lifetime of uncommitted tomorrows where we left open a window of mistrust or an opportunity to slink away. We either entered our marriage covenant fully committed--promising to fight for one another and our future together no. matter. what.--or not at all.<br />
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Of course tomorrows always hold surprises, but if we don't commit ourselves to anyone or anything, then we spend our days simply existing and accepting whatever comes. Where's the excitement in that? Where's the motivation to do more and be more? Where's the hope for the future? What legacy do we leave our children if we don't promise, commit, covenant our love and lives to one another?<br />
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We will all leave a legacy--good or bad. We <em>will</em> be remembered for something when we die. What people recall about us depends upon our choices; little decisions made every day that set our legacy in to motion. Listening to my aunt's eulogies this winter, there was no mistaking her legacy and how her life impacted her family. She wasn't rich or famous or popular. In some instances she was quite prickly, but in everyone's memory, we knew she loved the Lord, her devoted husband, her extended family, and a good laugh. That was her legacy.<br />
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Friend and author, Lucinda Secrest McDowell says it this way, "[You] live your legacy now! Legacies are built upon your commitments [promises] of today." So, yes, think carefully about your decisions, about the covenants you enter, making sure they are godly and worthy of your time and commitment. Ask yourself, "Is this worth fighting for?"<br />
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And how do we keep those promises? We are all fallible human beings and we will fail. As cliché as it sounds, if we want a fighting chance in this divorce-minded, disposable-thinking world, we must invite God into every relationship: our marriages, families, church bodies. When God becomes part of our relationships, He strengthens our covenants to one another:<br />
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<em><span class="text Eccl-4-12" id="en-NIV-17394">Though one may be overpowered, </span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Eccl-4-12">two can defend themselves.</span></span></em><br /> <em>A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12 NIV</em></div>
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Thirty-three years (next month), two children and six grandchildren later, we're still together. We've experienced mountain top highs and we've hit rock bottom, too, but the common thread through it all is this: we've always invited God into our marriage. He's fought alongside us, been our stability, our hope and our confidante. God has been faithful in everything. We strive to love God first as individuals, and then love one another through God's eyes. We ask for forgiveness often. Sometimes daily. Sometimes multiple times a day. And in return, offer grace that only God can supply.<br />
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What legacy do you want to leave as an individual, a family, a church? Do your choices today align with what you hope your legacy will be? In which relationships is God invited?Dawn Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740102311381013988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7367264053900410708.post-27854227428745472802017-07-05T08:00:00.000-04:002017-07-05T08:00:12.767-04:00Little People Praise God, Too: Book Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfjTA0M8N1135PuphGVDi2ibyh3FqrEeZpXnvWohXMVmvvdaM2LKDLLK_iJ56tVmOlytpWY2LfSp2Bz3HfzkGmJxIZGJ1p2LKGKRFurHwbYV_fbPpqW9lLfvYzWE46z-R9iXrxOqR4kI/s1600/IMG_1968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfjTA0M8N1135PuphGVDi2ibyh3FqrEeZpXnvWohXMVmvvdaM2LKDLLK_iJ56tVmOlytpWY2LfSp2Bz3HfzkGmJxIZGJ1p2LKGKRFurHwbYV_fbPpqW9lLfvYzWE46z-R9iXrxOqR4kI/s320/IMG_1968.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<b>Little People Praise God, Too</b> illustrates Psalm 150:6 perfectly: "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!" Author, Lynn Calvin integrates multicultural children and special needs children into her story beautifully, expressing God's desire that all His children praise Him. She even includes an example of braille within the book.<br />
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Using humor and age-appropriate dialogue, Calvin covers the meaning of praise; where we praise God and how we can praise God. <br />
<a name='more'></a>At times the dialogue can be cumbersome with too many "he said" "she saids", but if used as a reference text, this can be an effective teaching tool on praise and worship.<br />
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I do love how the author integrated the names of each child with a Hebrew praise word. For example: Karar = to dance, Todah = to lift up your hand, Tehillah = to sing. Calvin references the Hebrew praise definitions of each child's name at the end of the book. While I'm happy she included this reference, it may have been more effective to write a dialogue about the meaning of their names into the story, rather than just reference it at the end of the book.<br />
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The writing style is designed for early readers and older elementary school children. However, it can be used as a biblical praise and worship reference text for teachers of younger children.<br />
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<b>I award this book ****'s</b></h2>
Self Published<br />
ISBN: 978-19359141197 (soft cover)<br />
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You can learn more about Lynn Calvin and her books at <a href="http://cylskids.com/">cylskids.com. </a>Dawn Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740102311381013988noreply@blogger.com0