Prayerlessness- A Beautiful Mess Part 2 by Shalene
2007-10-23 09:57:00
Holy Holy Holy hymn from PraiseWebsite.comLet my prayer be set before You as incense,The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Psalm 141:2 NKJVWho is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Romans 8:34 NKJVThere was a time after I became a believer in which I did not pray as I should. In the infancy of my salvation, I thought it was enough that I had accepted Christ into my life, and was attempting to live as Christ did- by showing love to everyone. I have since learned that living right is not enough. Certainly, it is not enough for the more mature believer that I am now.Once again, I am studying the tabernacle of the children of Israel, and I am studying about the altar of incense. The priests of the tabernacle were the only ones allowed to burn the incense upon the altar. They were to kindle the fire from coals from the altar of sacrifice, every morning and every eveni
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Old Wounds- A Beautiful Mess Part 1 by Shalene
2007-10-22 17:12:00
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13 NKJVWhile the verse above is not what yesterday's sermon was about, nevertheless, yesterday's sermon in church spoke to me. We were studying one of the miracles of Jesus. This was the third week of a six week series on the miracles of Jesus. You can listen here, if you so choose. (The sermon notes are also available here, if you want them.) It wasn't so much the miracle that Jesus performed, and that which was the sermon topic that had me thinking, so much as the fact that we all have wounds that keep us from being our very best, and more than just a beautiful mess. All of us bring old wounds into the present on a consistent basis. In some instances, it clouds our judgement, and in ot
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My Third and Final Answer by Shalene
2007-10-30 16:07:00
Hello Mr. Hallows,In an attempt to keep from "dipping and dodging" your questions (which by the way, I did not realize I had done- perhaps I misunderstood your questions) I am answering them within your original email. I have changed the font color to make it easier to see which are mine and which are yours. Please forgive me, if I get off subject, as I tend to think in stream of consciousness. So I will begin.Well, you have shown yourself to be a creationist at heart. I would please like your responce to a number of questions I've raised that you have dipped and dodged. As for those papers and the remains of noah's ark... it's just not there, period. If the "great flood" did happen, then any remains would have deteriorated over time long long long long ago. However, if you don't believe in evolution, then why belief in decay?I believe in Creation, yes. (How could I be a Christian and believe in the God that I do, without believing in His omnipotent power?) We will leave off the di
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An Answer to An Agnostic or Deist (not an Atheist) by Shalene
2007-10-29 11:00:00
Dear Readers: I have had continued correspondence with Mr. Hallows, of crazychristianblog who in my previous post, I erroneously classified as an atheist. He has informed me that he is somewhat a Deist, somewhat an agnostic. (I do not endorse his site, but I felt that in all fairness, I would include his link, for those that wish to know more of what this man's beliefs are. I warn you that the site is full of insult to Christianity, Christ followers, and swearing. Visit with caution, and prayer.) However, the fact remains that he does not believe in God, as I do, and so am continuing to share our correspondence. I welcome your comments, and would like to ask your continued prayers upon him. Remember that despite what he may think of us, God loves him, and so should we.First, his email to me, and then my response.Subject: Responce To Your 2 EmailsThank you for your response. First of all let me point out a few things. I was in fact raised as a Christian, my mother is of Catholic
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, Atheist
Sunday Song Recommendations
2007-10-28 14:55:00
Ginny Owens- If You Want Me To GINNY OWENS lyricsSorry, only one song for today, but I think it's enough, don't you?? Blessings to you.There is no "MORE" to this post. Subscribe in a reader
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An Answer to An Atheist by Shalene
2007-10-28 12:42:00
I received this by email today, and would like to request your prayers over this man. I am sharing his email to me, and my response, and would welcome your comments and suggestions. Blessings to you.Subject: Response To A Comment You Made At crazychistianblogHello, You left a comment on my blog and I would like to give you the full chance to explain your reason for your believe in Christianity. I am by a long shot completely dumbfounded why anybody would take up a religion such a Christianity, a religion that was founded 300 years after the events that shaped it and it ultimately nothing more Judaism 2.0. I can tell that you are very much a devout woman but I am yet to get a satisfying answer to one question. Why are you a Christian? At what point did you decided Christianity was a religion for you. Are you a Christian because your family is, or is it because your husband is, or because this is a country run and governed by Christians. What, besides a dusty old book actually makes you,
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Joining Others and Following the Crowd (kinda)
2007-11-03 21:06:00
As though I didn't have enough to do, I've decided to do something that may be fun. I've joined the NaBloPoMo '07 bloggers. What in the world?? you ask? Well, basically it's this. I write something everyday for the month of November. Since I pretty much do this anyway, I didn't think it would be too much of a big deal. What that means though, is that my Sunday Song Recommendations will have to come alongside other interesting written words. And I won't be able to do Wordless Wednesdays without doing Word filled Wednesdays too (I don't know if there's actually a Word Filled Wednesday thing or not, but I will have to do it whether there is or not.) :) I think I can do it, so long as you have patience with me, when it seems that maybe I'm writing just to be writing. I've also done that on occasion, as you know, so perhaps, it won't be an issue. I think my biggest challenge will be when I go to Oregon at the end of the month and trying to come up with something to wri
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, Others
, Following
Sometimes...... by Shalene
2007-11-02 14:57:00
I am an intelligent woman. Most people that know me would agree. But sometimes I can be a bit of a ditz, and sometimes, sometimes I do things that are just plain stupid. Things that any intelligent person wouldn't do. Some of you will recall that a few months ago, I asked for your prayers in order that I might quit smoking. You will also recall that I finally managed to be successful while I was pregnant. Now, I must confess that once the hopelessness of our situation came to light, I allowed myself to fall back into my old habit. I started again. Now, I ask you, how stupid was that??? Especially considering that we intend to try again for another baby in a couple months. Ok, I'm done beating myself up. I ask for your prayers again. And for your prayers over my husband. We are both going to do it this time, and likely it won't be especially pleasant in our house for a couple days. But then again, perhaps you can pray for that as well. That the Lord would have compassion on our effor
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A Community Service Announcement
2007-11-02 11:23:00
Today, my writings are directed more towards those that live in the US and to for some of it, to the readers in my own area. But it's applicable to all, so please do read on.Firstly, I was given information the other day about a movie called "The Golden Compass". I have been asked to warn all that I know about the deviousness of this movie. If you'd like more information about this movie, and what' so bad about it, please do see this link. Or you can visit this one. If you are a Christian parent, you do NOT want to take your children to see it! Obviously, you will want to make up your own mind about it, and I urge you to do so, but please go into it with your eyes wide open.Next, I'd like to ask all of you for your prayers. I have been convicted lately of my inability to become salt "outside of the shaker" (in other words, I'm predominately ministering to other Christians, and not really obeying the Great Commission to the fullest of my ability.) Therefore, I have been looking int
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, Announcement
His Infallible Word by Shalene
2007-11-01 10:31:00
Relient K- Getting Into YouI was asked a question recently about how I can believe the Word to be infallible. About how I can believe the bible is Truth, despite all the "translations" it has gone through. For the person that asked that question, here I present your answer.History of the Sharing of the Old Testament of the BibleAs oral history was the original form of passing on the stories included in the bible, it is known that when one thing is said to one person, and then repeated, facts often get changed and/ or rearranged. In order for this not to happen, daily practices, or doctrines, were deemed appropriate and necessary, so as to pass on this information to subsequent generations. This is how ALL history was related, not just the teaching of the bible.At the onset of writing, these oral stories and traditions began to be put to "paper." This can be found and corroborated by the fact that the bible is not the only source for stories regarding the story of Creation and the "Grea
Inviting Persecution by Shalene
2007-10-31 16:26:00
"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:11-12 NKJVDo I invite persecution, perhaps I do. I won't go into too much detail, but because of the nature of my previous posts (the ones that I have now deleted) I have brought persecution upon myself. Am I upset by this? No, I'm not. I count it all blessing that I am being persecuted, because that then means that I must be doing something to further His kingdom, and something that the deceiver does not want me to do. For the record, I did not delete the posts because of the persecution, but rather for the sake of those souls that may come to my blog seeking Truth. I do not want the content they find here, to in any way cause them to stumble in their search of Him. I had actually discussed this matter with my husband last night, prior to
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Miss Goody Two Shoes
2007-11-08 11:00:00
Yesterday, I prayed for a return to normalcy. Today, I realize that I can't pray for that, because one does not return to something they never were to begin with. I am NOT normal. :) Does anyone else in the world live their life as though it's a musical???? I think of songs all day long, and music is a big joy in my life, but COME ON!!! A couple days ago I had an "oldie" stuck in my head, and this morning I woke up to the song by Adam and the Ants "Goody
Two Shoes" (anybody remember them??) I won't post the video here, because I'm not sure that it's a positive message to the song, but anyway, the link to it is up there, for those that just like 80's music.I know why this song was in my head. I'm quitting smoking, and for now, I'm not drinking because drinking makes me want to smoke. So I've quit both for an undetermined amount of time (not the smoking- I plan on that being for the rest of my life.) Anyway, so I looked in the mirror this morning as soon as my eyes were clear of
Perhaps I Spoke Too Soon by Shalene
2007-11-07 10:35:00
Yesterday, I kept thinking about that song by the Rolling Stones. That song about the "Mother's Little Helper" (Yes, I'm that old.) :) And I kept thinking that a couple weeks ago, I spoke too soon. I do that often. Speaking too soon, that is. But that's another subject for another day.Today I'm speaking of the fact that I'm going to be taking the little yellow pill again (No, I'm not talking about the same one that the Rolling Stones sing about in "Mother's Little Helper". Not a very pleasant song in my opinion.) The results of the pill I will be taking will be similar to the Rolling Stones song though, in that they are an antidepressant.When did I speak to soon? I spoke too soon when I said I couldn't remember the last time I had an episode that was severe enough to warrant medication. Though it is true that I couldn't recall one at the time I made that statement, though you may find it hard to believe, I am in the throes of one now.I have determined though, that it is not a
WHAM!! Right Between the Eyes!! by Shalene
2007-11-06 09:51:00
This may seem like a strange thing to say, but something just hit me last night. Something big! I realized that though I am a Christian, and a minister, I have never shared with anyone through this forum, how to come to Jesus Christ and how to pray the sinner's prayer! How could I be so lax???!!! So I am remedying that fact today. Though most of my readers are already believers, I need to be ready always for anyone that might come seeking Him. I need to be ready for that one person that says, what do I do? How do I gain that salvation? For that one person, here is your answer. Please keep in mind, that there is nothing you need to do to make yourself ready to do this. You do not need to get your life together, you don't need to straighten up this or that aspect of your life. You do not need to make yourself worthy in any way. It can't be done. All you need to do is accept this FREE gift.1. First you must acknowledge that Jesus Christ is God and that he came to earth as
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For My Wonderful Husband
2007-11-05 13:05:00
Many of you know what a great relationship my husband and I have. Many of you know that he also reads my blog everyday, and often adds a quip here or there to tease or encourage me. So far, I have not made a point of bragging on my husband, and I'm sure that there are times when he might wonder why. Though bragging on him is not the purpose of my blog, having a great marriage is one of the aspects of this blog. So today, I want to tell the world why I think my hubby's the best. Please don't hate me, because my husband's beautiful. :)He has the most beautiful green eyes that when they are uncovered (he likes his sunglasses), causes even the most faithful of women to want to stare into them, and drown in their depths. I suppose that could be a stumbling block, but I don't mind. They are beautiful, after all.He has a magnificent body that he does not have to work at (I'm kinda jealous of this fact, because I DO have to work at any semblance of a nice shape, but oh well.) I
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, Husband
MMM!!! Monday by Shalene
2007-11-05 09:58:00
I have so many ideas of things that I would like to write about, but none are fully formed, so today, I am going to share a recipe that my mother and I used to compete with each other on. My mother originally shared the recipe with me, and I then tweaked it. Then she took my recipe and tweaked it, then I did the same and back and forth, until we have this recipe. It was a competition all in good fun, and in complete love. It was one of the areas where we really had fun with one another. We both used our families as guinea pigs, and though I don't get to make this recipe often anymore (bell peppers, unfortunately are not my family's favorite vegetable) I do still make it very rarely, because it's not a recipe that one would make every day, and I've gotten compliments on it. So here it is: my recipe forStuffed Bell PeppersIngredients 6-8 med bell peppers (use any color you wish, according to taste, but be sure they are round and squat) 1 1/2 lbs of lean ground beef (any ground meat w
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What's Up With All Those "Begats"?
2007-11-04 19:01:00
I found this over at Isaiah's site, and finally I see the reason behind the "begats." If you were like me, and used to skim over them, because you were certain that there was no real purpose in them, except to tell us some geneology that no one really cared about; then do watch this video. I stand amazed and more than a little bit contrite. Blessings to you! (Don't forget to pause the music player at the end of the posts, so you can hear without a lot of garbled mess.) There is no "MORE" to this post. Subscribe in a reader
A Schedule??? What's That??
2007-11-13 17:02:00
Robyn at Overflowing Grace posted the other day about her daily schedule and asked that other SAHMs let her know what their schedule was like. My first response was "Schedule
?? What's that??" Then I realized that I do have a schedule. It's just not the same every day. So here is my "schedule" just for her. :)Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays6:00- 7:00 am wake up, get coffee, do bible study.7:00- 7:15 am talk with hubby about coming day and pray with him before he and eldest daughter leave for the day7:15- 8:15 am feed 3 youngest children, get them ready for school.8:15- 8:30 am take son and 5 year old to school8:30- 9:30 am try to blog while 2 year old watches some PBS cartoons9:30-11:45 am clean kitchen from breakfast, do a load or two of laundry and play with baby.12:00 noon pick up kindergartener from school12:15 feed baby and 5 year old lunch12:30-1:00 pm put baby down for 2 hour nap, help kindergartener with homework1:00-2:30 read, blog, answer emails, research, bible study2:
One of My Favorites
2007-11-13 14:28:00
I have received a few awards since I started this blog, and they all mean something to me, but today I was given an award that really makes me smile, and I think it will certainly be named among my favorites. Michelle over at In the Life of a Child awarded me with this award today.Thank you so much Michelle! You lift me up too! That's what cyber friends are for, right? Or any other kind of friend for that matter. You are such a blessing to me. Now since I don't know what the "rules" are for passing this along, I'll go with however many people I can think of that are worthy of this award, before I am finished with this post. It may be many, it may be a few. If I've left you out, please don't think that I think any less of you, I just have so many blogging buddies, that if I listed them all, I'd be writing all day. As a mother of four and a wife, if I want to remain so, I better not stay on the computer all day. :) With that said, on to the award recipients.Piper of Blis
Three Years Ago Today and Yesterday
2007-11-13 10:00:00
Three years ago yesterday was one of the best memories I have of my mom. I had taken a four day weekend by taking the day after Veteran's Day as a vacation day from work, and wanted to do some home decorating. I had so many household chores to do though. What to do??? Oh yeah, I thought to myself, Mom has a foreign exchange student that wants to earn some extra spending money, maybe she'd be willing to come over and do those chores so I can do what I wanted to do. I called Mom, and said, "Hey Mom, do you think Severina would be willing to come over and do some housework, while I do a couple other things around the house? I can pay her $40." She said "Let me ask her." "She said that would be fine. We'll be over in a few minutes." "Great. Oh, wait Mom, do you have a staple gun? I borrowed one from Dad, but his is a really old one, and the staples don't seem to fit." "Yeah, I have an electric one. Let me see if I can find it." "Ok, see you in a bit."A little while later
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, Years
, Today
, Yesterday
Your Debt Has Been Paid
2007-11-12 11:46:00
In the spirit of thanksgiving, and the coming holiday season, I want to share something that I shared back when I first started this blog. I wanted to share a concept called Paid4U. It is a concept not just based on random acts of kindness, but also on the fact that Jesus paid our debt for us. You can go to the website to learn more about it, but I wanted to share what I know about it with you.When you participate in this "program" you get these bright green cards, that look a little like business cards. They say Paid4U on them. You can use them whenever you want to pay for something for someone. Say you're in the drive through at Starbucks, and you want to pay for the person's order behind you. You give your money and card to the cashier, and ask them to give the card to the person you've paid for. The person will then likely be compelled to look the information up and perhaps, they will continue the practice. It is designed to introduce or remind others of the debt paid b
Always the Same
2007-11-09 11:26:00
I want to share something HUGE with you today! I love history and I love the bible. When you put the two together, well I'm just tickled by it all. What I'm going to share today is something I've been learning about. Now, I've always been told, and I believe it too, that the bible supports itself throughout the Old and New Testaments. That what is said in one portion is supported in another. That's because God does not lie. He knows our yesterdays, todays, and tomorrows.My husband called it Moore in the morning and Moore in the evening, because I'm doing a Beth Moore study in the mornings, and listening to David Moore in the evenings. (Yes, I am aware he's had some issues with his personal life that affected his ministry; but what I'm listening to came from before those issues, and it doesn't make them any less true.)While doing these studies, I'm learning a lot about the Old Testament, and the prophecies related to the nation of Israel. For the most part, the Beth Moore stud
My Lentil Soup Recipe by Shalene
2007-11-16 15:23:00
I've made lentil soup a few times in my life, but always used my mother's recipe. She always got rave reviews, so I stuck with it. However, I wanted to make some today, and couldn't find my recipe. I also didn't have the ham hocks that she liked to use. So I struck out on my own today. Here is MY recipe (they are the best I've ever made, in my own humble opinion.)Ingredients1 lg yellow onion1 lb of bacon2 cloves of garlic (or 2-3 TBS of garlic powder, whichever you prefer)2 14.5 oz cans Italian style Stewed Tomatoes16 oz bag of lentils5 cups water2 beef boullion cubes (or 2 cups of beef broth)Chop bacon into small pieces. Brown bacon in large pot, dice onion and garlic very small and cook with bacon. Add 5 cups of water (I did not drain the bacon first, but you may if you like.) Add rinsed lentils. Add juice from cans of Tomatoes, smash tomatoes into smaller chunks. Add salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes. All done!! Ve
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My 200th Post- A Smile From God
2007-11-16 10:33:00
This was too cool, not to share, for my 200th post. Look, it's a smile from God. Blessings to you! Subscribe in a reader
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Who I Look Like
2007-11-15 12:18:00
I know I am a child of God. So that heritage is a given now. However, throughout my lifetime, I have been compared to and been told I look like a number of celebrities. When I was a child, I was told I looked like Brooke Shields. I think it was because of my nice bushy eyebrows. (I can never seem to keep up on the tweezing!) When I was a teen/ young adult, I was told that I looked like Julia Roberts. This one was because of my height, hair color, and the fact that she and I had the same big, curly hair. The last celebrity I was told I looked like was on my honeymoon, a waiter at the airport said I looked like Geena Davis. "But not when she was chubby. More like from that spy movie she just did." (This was the movie "The Long Kiss Goodbye")I don't think I look like any of them anymore, and when we still had cable, every once in awhile I would watch "Look Alike" and wondered, if I auditioned for it, who would I be a look alike for?So because I was really curious, I found this
7 More Weird Facts About Me
2007-11-15 11:04:00
As though yesterday's weird facts weren't enough, I did get "officially" tagged after I wrote them. So here I go again, in the spirit of actually taking part in the meme. BusyDad tagged me for this one. Thanks BusyDad. :)I'm not sure these will be particularly insightful, or inspiring, but since I have blogger's block right now (actually I think I have too many ideas of what to blog about, so none of them will fully form) I'll just go with it.1. I can touch the tip of my nose with my tongue. Incidentally, all my children can too, and in fact my son can place his almost on top of his nose. They like to tease me and pretend to pick their noses with it. So gross!!2. For my height, I have tiny hands and feet. My 11 year old and 14 year old's hands are already bigger than mine. (Maybe the tiny feet are why I'm so clumsy. See this post.3. I cannot touch, smell, or eat mushrooms without being sick. I ate your everyday lawn variety when I was 3 and had to have my stomach pumped. However
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Group Writing Project
2007-11-14 15:20:00
Announcing the first-ever group writing project sponsored by On the Horizon, The Next Step, and Proverbs 31 Woman WannaBe:“I am thankful to be a Christian because..."Write a post with that title and submit it using this form no later than Tuesday, November 20, 2007, at midnight (Pacific time) by clicking here.All entries will be collected and the link to each published at On the Horizon, The Next Step, and Proverbs 31 Woman Wanna Be on Wednesday, November 21, 2007, just in time for Thanksgiving.One post per blog, please, but you may submit a post that you write specifically for this group project or one that you have previously published on your site. There is no minimum or maximum number of words required and, in fact, you may feel free to submit a post containing a video presentation, artwork, or other media so long as it is consistent with the theme, i.e., conveys to the reader the basis and rationale for your belief that Jesus Christ is the One true son of God and died for your s
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, Project
Seven Weird Facts About Me
2007-11-14 11:18:00
Ok, well I haven't been officially tagged, but in the spirit of sharing about myself (which you all know I love to do) I am sharing Seven
Weird
Facts About Myself. Now before I list them, you will notice that the first four point to the fact that I am surely blessed to be alive. Just a little heads up. Have fun reading about what a "freak" I am.1. When I was born, the doctor pronounced me stillborn, because I would not take my first breath by crying. The nurse saved me though, by sticking a needle into my foot! That is when I screamed out for the first time, and lived to tell about the other weird facts about myself.2. I hate hospitals! I spent a large portion of my childhood years in them (as you will see in a moment) for one reason or another; and to this day going into one makes me nauseus. I used to vomit when I entered one, regardless of the reason I was there. Thankfully, I have gotten past the actually doing it part.3. I have had stitches 5 times. Once when I was a year old, an
Thanksgiving Acrostic
2007-11-22 20:50:00
I got this idea from a devotional I received early Thanksgiving
morning. I thought it was such a neat idea, that I decided to make my own. After you've read mine, perhaps you'll try it too. It may not be Thanksgiving Day, anymore, by the time you read this, or try it; but I think that every day is a good time to give thanks. If you do participate with your own acrostic, please do let me know, and I'll be happy to post a link to your as well. Blessing to you!T-Three Ts: Time, Talent and Treasure: I am thankful for the time God has given me here on earth, the talents He has blessed me with, and the overabundance of treasure that my husband and I are stewards of.H-Humility: I am thankful that I can see more than just myself as an important part of this world. That I can be a servant with a glad heart, knowing that this is what I was called to do and be.A-Attitude: I am thankful for the change in attitude that being a Christ follower has caused within me.N-New Life: I am thankful that b
What Would Jesus Say...To Me
2007-11-22 15:12:00
I was recently tagged by Isaiah, for this very interesting meme. The purpose of this meme is to get us to think about what Jesus
would say to one of us, if we were to meet Him face to face today. I usually do introspective well, but I've had difficulty with this one, I must admit. Maybe because I don't have the pure heart of Jesus. Maybe becuase I don't really want to know what Jesus would say to me. I don't like feeling like I don't measure up. So, after thinking about it, probably more than I wanted to, here is what I think Jesus would say to me.He would tell me that I need to quit seeing myself as "all that." That though I spend time in His Word, and time in prayer, that I still have a LONG way to go, before I understand even a half of what I need to know.He would tell me that He loves me, 'warts' and all, but that the 'warts' will eventually have to be removed, before they become cancerous.He would tell me to study more and ask less questions. That I can find the answers,
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