tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80456702104446875392024-03-14T01:17:46.790-07:00Nik-A-Doodle's NoodleRandom thoughts and growing spirituallyNikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706170982009802279noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045670210444687539.post-77982558740357927212011-01-26T20:37:00.000-08:002011-01-26T20:37:44.354-08:00I love Wednesdays! Wednesday seems to be one of the longest days of my week, but I never tire of them. Yes, I spend all day at work looking at spreadsheets and numbers and most Wednesdays I don't even get home until 9 which leaves little time to do anything. But let me say it again...I love Wednesdays. See...every Wednesday after work I head straight to church for worship choir practice and no matter how stressful my day has been or how tired I am or if I'm in a bad mood, God uses that time to bless me and not just bless me a little but give me <i>bountiful</i> blessings! As soon as I get in that room with my church family everything else seems to fade into the distance and I'm encouraged, pushed to grow spiritually, challenged!!! Tonight was no different.<br />
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Every Wednesday one of the choir/orchestra members gives a short bible study. I was so encouraged by tonight's lesson that I would like to share! I can't take these words and interpretation for my own as they are Jan Kimball's. She read a passage from Psalm 13:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i>"(1) How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? (2) How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? (3) Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, (4) and my enemy will say 'I have overcome him,' (5) But I trust in your <b>unfailing</b> love; my heart rejoices in your <b>salvation</b>. (6) I will sing the Lord's praise for he has been good [dealt bountifully] to me."</i></div><br />
When reading through the first few books of Psalm I always kind of thought I can related to David. "God why aren't you hearing me? Why do I have sorrow in my life? Why do I experience the things I experience?" Mainly a big woe is me pity party, especially if you consider David's anguish was from the fact that he was on the run and in fear for his life. However, I think most of us can relate to the inner groaning we all feel to understand our life and why things happen the way they do.<br />
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My favorite part of Jan's mini bible study this evening was how she pointed out the change in attitude from verses 1-4 compared to verses 5-6. How could David have a change of heart so quickly? He just poured out his heart and candidly asked God how long do I have to endure this? Are you there? Have you forgotten me? Then he changes to rejoicing!! Why? It all stems back to one word: SALVATION!!! David had so much hope that God would rescue him because God had already "dealt bountifully" with him through the gift of Salvation!! Can I get an AMEN!!<br />
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Same goes for me. The worldly desires and concerns of my heart pale in comparison to how bountifully God has already blessed me (and I'm not just talking worldly blessings.) I am sinful and dirty and have baggage in my life, yet because God loves me so He wants to give me the greatest blessing of all: Salvation! As I drove home tonight a Mercy Me song came on the radio: Beautiful.<br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>The days will come when you don't have the strength</i></span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i> </i></span></span></b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>When all you hear is you're not worth anything</i></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i> </i></span></span></b></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>Wondering if you ever could be loved</i></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i> </i></span></span></b></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>And if they truly saw your heart they'd see too much</i></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i> </i></span></span></b></span></div></span><b><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 23px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>I'm praying that you have the heart to find</i></span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i> </i></span></span></b></span></div></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>Cause you are more than what is hurting you tonight</i></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i> </i></span></span></b></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>For all the lies you've held inside so long</i></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i> </i></span></span></b></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>And they are <u>nothing</u> in the <u>shadow of the cross</u></i></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i> </i></span></span></b></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>Before you ever took a breath</i></span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i> </i></span></span></b></span></div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>Long before the world began</i></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i> </i></span></span></b></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>Of all the wonders He possessed</i></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i> </i></span></span></b></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>There was one more precious</i></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i> </i></span></span></b></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>Of all the earth and skys above</i></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i> </i></span></span></b></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>You're the one He <u>madly</u> loves</i></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i> </i></span></span></b></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>Enough to die</i></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i> </i></span></span></b></span></div></span><b><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 23px;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 23px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>You're beautiful</i></span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i> </i></span></span></b></span></div></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>You were meant for so much more than all of this</i></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i> </i></span></span></b></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>You're beautiful</i></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i> </i></span></span></b></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>You are treasured, You are sacred, You are His</i></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i> </i></span></span></b></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #656565; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 23px;"><br />
</span></div></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #656565; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">Wow! No matter HOW dirty my past is, HOW much baggage I claim, God sees me as beautiful and not only that but treasured, sacred, HIS!!! But only redeemed by His blood. What a great reminder!</span></b></span></span>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706170982009802279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045670210444687539.post-90840571177238550052010-11-09T17:51:00.000-08:002010-11-09T17:51:40.678-08:00Beautiful...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;">I'm in love with this song! I've had this song on my ipod for awhile now, but have been listening to it a lot more recently!!! What a wonderful picture of God's love for us! If you haven't listened to this song! DO!!! Even better...download it and listen to it over and over and over!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><b><i>Beautiful</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><b><i>Phil Wickham</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i>I see Your face in every sunrise</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i>The colors of the morning are inside Your eyes</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i>The world awakens in the light of the day</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i>I look up to the sky and say</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i> </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i>You're beautiful</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i>I see Your power in the moonlit night</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i>Where planets are in motion and galaxies are bright</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i>We are amazed in the light of the stars</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i>It's all proclaiming who You are</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i>You're beautiful, You're beautiful</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i>I see you there hanging on a tree</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i>You bled and then you died and then you rose again for me</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i>Now you are sitting on Your heavenly throne</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i>Soon we will be coming home</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i>You're beautiful, you're beautiful</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i>When we arrive at eternity's shore</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i>Where death is just a memory and tears are no more</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i>We'll enter in as the wedding bells ring</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i> </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i>Your bride will come together and we'll sing</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i>You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i>I see Your face, You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i>I see Your face, You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i>I see Your face, I see Your face</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;"><i>I see Your face, You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful</i></span><br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="225" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/2192318" width="400"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/2192318">You're Beautiful - Phil Wickham</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/vanderslice">Steve V</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706170982009802279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045670210444687539.post-34505326344028832182010-10-25T18:48:00.000-07:002010-10-25T18:48:23.413-07:00Plans...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'MS Shell Dlg'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'MS Shell Dlg'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">I was reading my sister's blog tonight...a little down and I came across a verse she quoted:</span></span></span></div></span></span><div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."</i></span></div><div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i> Proverbs 16:9 </i></span></div><div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How many times have I gone through life planning the courses I was going to take? Where I would go to college, what I would study, when and who I would marry...and when life doesn't go to plan I simply have a pity party for myself. I look past all of the wonderful things in my life! My friends, family, good health, job, etc. I forget His promise to me:</span></div><div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"'For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, 'Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11</i></span></div><div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So why is that when life gets hard or complicated I forget that promise? Why do I pity myself? How can I get passed my own worldly wants and get back to the heart of it and have that intimate relationship with Jesus? I don't have the answers to these questions...I mean I'm literally typing my thoughts out right now, but I can say one thing...</span></div><div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">THANK GOD THAT HE DETERMINES THOSE STEPS!!! I think I would do a pretty horrible job if it was just up to me.</span></div><div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706170982009802279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045670210444687539.post-18798375034119565102010-10-01T09:43:00.000-07:002010-10-01T09:43:11.150-07:00Yay!!! Jesus Loves me!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">I was on facebook and reading through the daily posts from all my friends and I came across one that just made my heart smile!!! My little 3 year old niece Marlee sang these lyrics: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><i><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="display: inline !important; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="UIStory_Message">"little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong. YAY Jesus Loves me. YAY Jesus Loves me..." How awesome is that?! Not just a simple yes, but a whole hearted, rojoicing YES!!! I am so grateful for His love.</span></h3></i></b></span></i></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><i><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="display: inline !important; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="UIStory_Message"><br />
</span></h3></i></b></span></i></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. </span></span></em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><u>Romans 8:37-39</u></span></span></i></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></i></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. – </span></span><a href="http://www.allaboutgod.com/truth/1-john-4.htm#9" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">1 John 4:9-11</span></span></span></a></span></em></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></em></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">How precious is Your steadfast love, O God! The children of men take refuge and put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. </span></span><a href="http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Psalm%2036:%207;&version=45;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Psalm 36: 7</span></span></span></a></span></em></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></em></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But God--so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us. </span></span><a href="http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Ephesians%202:%204;&version=45;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Ephesians 2: 4</span></span></span></a></span></em></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</em></span><br />
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</em></span>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706170982009802279noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045670210444687539.post-18141419706083575952010-09-21T18:22:00.000-07:002010-09-21T18:22:40.525-07:00Fears...Everybody has fears...some are hard to admit. One of mine is sharing my faith...<br />
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Last sunday was our dedication of our new building for First Baptist Rogers. We were blessed to have Dr. Bruce Wilkinson speak last sunday and he presented us with a challenge. Our church is in the middle of a kairos moment, and has the opportunity to change the future of the church and commit to growth. The challenge is to double the number of attendance by November 2011. Of course, this means that we must get involved, must go out! This is confronting one of my biggest fears. Sharing my faith...I don't know what it is that is scary...I believe and want others to know of this great love that God has for us and how he has impacted my life. So why is it so hard for me to vocalize what God has done for me?<br />
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I've come to the conclusion that my issue is exactly what I just wrote, it's hard for "me" to vocalize. What it comes down to is that I'm not trusting God to speak through me. I'm limiting His use of me. I'm letting Satin tell me that I'm not good enough, educated enough, special enough...fill in the blank...<br />
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Here is my commitment:<br />
"The Lord God is my strength, my personal bravery, my invincible army. He will make my feet like hinds' feet. To walk, not stand still in terror, but to WALK! and make spiritual progress upon my high places of trouble, suffering or responsibility." Habakkuk 3:19 (adapted)<br />
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I heard this verse stated this way a few years back at a Beth Moore Conference, but it has more meaning today then it did then. I need to stop making excuses and rely on God to keep me walking.Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706170982009802279noreply@blogger.com1