tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63711162975672755422024-03-12T17:43:46.979-07:00Dinner's In The OvenA devotional blog seeking to encourage women in the Lord Jesus ChristKris Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07985460296527978465noreply@blogger.comBlogger146125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371116297567275542.post-52633836847524237972021-08-03T04:59:00.000-07:002021-08-03T04:59:16.106-07:00Year 2021 Update<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Elephant",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">MISSING
TRACK<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">By
Kristen Kelley<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">2021</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Researching, organizing, printing, and purchasing . . . I
thank the Lord for the new school year that awaits us. But I will admit my
tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Preparing to use more school
books “here” instead of “there” has not been entirely easy on my heart. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Last March, we were at a conference, thousands of miles away
from home, when the pandemic hit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Up
until that point, life had felt like a speeding train.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Traveling to meetings, packing belongings
into airline luggage, Brandon studying for his ordination . . . In my mind, I
picture what happened next being much like an air raid. The bombs fell, and without
warning, the speeding train came to a screeching halt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the dust settled, we stepped onto the
platform; safe but stationary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The track
in front of us was completely gone. How were we going to move overseas? And
when? A year-and-a-half later, the COVID crisis continues, and much in our
lives is still “on hold”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">To be perfectly honest, it can be challenging living without
a timetable. What if we’re here for another 6 months? Should I hang decorations
back on the walls? Should we let the girls wear the clothes packed in the
footlockers? Should we buy a new mattress? But what if paperwork suddenly
begins processing? Should my heart be ready to say “goodbye”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are new lessons in faith like we’ve
never experienced before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Psalm 27:13 says, <i>“I had fainted, unless I had believed to
see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">God is good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And He is
still at work behind the scenes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">By no means, has this “pause” been completely bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In many beautiful ways, COVID has given us
the “gift of extra time”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve been
able to make special memories with our families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve had opportunities to encourage,
witness, and serve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve begun online
language classes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But surrender can be
hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It isn’t over in a day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a repeated act and an ongoing state of
heart and mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like missionary wife Elisabeth
Elliot, there are many times when all I can do is “the next thing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">This wait; this schedule; it isn’t mine, Dear Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I know that the place of surrender is
exactly where You want me to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your
plan is for me to keep turning the pages of the calendar, not knowing the
“when” or the “how”. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Psalm 39:7 “<i>And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in
thee.”</i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Like the beautiful song, by Ron Hamilton, “My Hope Is Jesus”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">And when I let go – giving to God the uncertainties and the
unknowns – He <i>“restoreth my soul”</i> (Psalm 23:3).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He reminds me that He is in control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The earth is His – “ . . . <i>the world, and
they that dwell therein.” </i>(Psalm 24:1)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And while He holds the Universe in the palm of His hand, He merely asks
that I trust Him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The pencils are sharpened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The charts have been made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
textbooks are on the shelf. I do not know the future, but I can do “the next
thing”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And thus another school year
begins. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">* I pray that this transparent update will somehow encourage
you in your walk with the Lord. “Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to
understand, But I know Who holds tomorrow And I know Who holds my hand.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHvOPfh0CwS-egU0Q2Xseh4b9UBRJsq-QwOfd1qG3p4JObPEnfBSvWrS2bnnlPmglkIydRa1xsHHNtx_h35O_Do1OiKvmtXRz40-Lc_qx8Nq7MWuTLgm8Nmdfeyph4Hyd2o8GCLrl1oNo/s5184/IMG_7575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHvOPfh0CwS-egU0Q2Xseh4b9UBRJsq-QwOfd1qG3p4JObPEnfBSvWrS2bnnlPmglkIydRa1xsHHNtx_h35O_Do1OiKvmtXRz40-Lc_qx8Nq7MWuTLgm8Nmdfeyph4Hyd2o8GCLrl1oNo/w400-h300/IMG_7575.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Kris Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07985460296527978465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371116297567275542.post-51078752805265657162020-06-29T17:09:00.001-07:002020-06-29T17:12:16.484-07:00In The Valley of In Between - DINNER #100<br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">IN THE VALLEY OF IN BETWEEN<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Caught “in
limbo” . . . Life on pause . . . Stuck in a holding pattern . . . Walking in
The Valley of In Between . . .</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A valley seems a strange place to be penning “Dinners
In The Oven-Devotional #100”, but this is where you will find most missionary
families, this summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These brothers
and sisters in Christ are currently facing new challenges, either on their
field of service, or here in the United States, or even in a different country
altogether.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During this COVID crisis,
they are uncertain and unsettled, and they need our prayers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Who are
they?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These “nomads of the pandemic”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are children separated from beloved pets
and toys, friends and grandparents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
are mothers missing their own kitchens, and churches, and photo albums.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are fathers navigating cancelled flights
and changing departure dates. They are large families in small spaces. They are
preachers without pulpits, and ministers without meetings. They are furlough-waiters,
longing for hugs and hamburgers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
are deputation-completers, enduring the “final goodbyes” on an endless loop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are burden-bearers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Valley
of In Between can be a lonely and discouraging place . . . I know because I’m
here, myself; watching, and waiting; clinging to hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This global pandemic is, indeed, a valley for
many of us, and yet, even in a valley, there is no “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">height nor depth</i>” that separates us from the love of Christ!
(Romans 8:38-39)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the prophet Habakkuk
declared, “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Yet</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> I will rejoice in the
LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.</i>” No matter what.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As I dwelt
on this thought, the Lord brought to my mind an article I wrote about Habakkuk
3:18, over 8 years ago:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We
can put our trust in God to take care of ANYTHING and EVERYTHING we place
before that “yet” in our lives!</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In
Habakkuk 1:5, the Lord tells His prophet, “Behold ye among the heathen, and
regard, and wonder marvelously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye
will not believe, though it be told you.” God has plans for us that we wouldn’t
even believe! <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Isaiah
55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,
saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher
than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” We may not be able to see
why certain things are happening in our lives, or why certain things are the
way they are, but God is ever working . . . <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jeremiah
29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD,
thoughts of peace, and not of evil . . .” Whatever you are going through,
whatever you THINK you MIGHT have to go through, God is with you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is a God Who faithfully keeps His
promises, and He has promised us in His Word, “ . . . I will never leave thee,
nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And He IS with us, Dear Sisters in
Christ!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even in “The Valley of In
Between”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There may be much that we do not know
or have the answers to, but God knows every doubt and concern of our
hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A friend of mine recently shared
this beautiful thought: “Rest tonight knowing whatever is on your mind is in
God’s hands.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God has taught me much on the journey
of missions and motherhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I close out
this blog with great anticipation for what lies ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I look forward to the next season of my life,
when, Lord willing, I can write to you and encourage you from the other
side of the world!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may be this
summer, or this fall, or even the beginning of next year, but “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Lord will perfect that which concerneth
me .</i> . .” (Psalm 138:8) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God has a purpose and a plan – for me;
for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thank you, sincerely, for always allowing
me to share from my heart and from His Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God Bless!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Kris Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07985460296527978465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371116297567275542.post-91464557136273529632020-05-30T04:21:00.000-07:002020-05-30T04:40:25.798-07:00Glorified Gossip - Dinner #99<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhX9iOp3r54HE7RH2rDgOE7OjGmRFrfNcznURhmv8gNuQU0kD6-aKc0JGAvcIqBn1ekCKZmBDR9vO69thxvz0rKhVAZqsPCICADvtlvUwBgmlsQoPiDui0bmj2s5BZSf5z9kwpAb9JHno/s1600/IMG_3908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhX9iOp3r54HE7RH2rDgOE7OjGmRFrfNcznURhmv8gNuQU0kD6-aKc0JGAvcIqBn1ekCKZmBDR9vO69thxvz0rKhVAZqsPCICADvtlvUwBgmlsQoPiDui0bmj2s5BZSf5z9kwpAb9JHno/s320/IMG_3908.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: 13pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">I’m afraid we
like to share far more than just family photos and delicious recipes, on
Facebook, right now.</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">During this time of
isolation, we somehow feel the need to spread the latest news, as well.</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13pt;">“Did you hear?” Re-post. “This makes me so
mad!” Re-post.</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13pt;">“How can they do this to
us?!” Re-post.</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Social media
is being used as a platform for angry accusations . . . and many of us are only
adding fuel to the fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Proverbs
26:20-22 declares, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Where no wood is,
there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire ; so is a contentious man to
kindle strife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The words of a talebearer
are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Certainly,
some political and COVID-19 Facebook posts are accurate, but many of them are nothing
more than glorified gossip; fragments cut and pasted from an original document,
or images twisting the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In recent
days, I’ve observed dear friends unintentionally sharing one inaccuracy after
another regarding CDC requirements and government guidelines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve watched in sadness as good Christian people
spread slander regarding politicians and pastors alike. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“They lie!
They lie!”, the internet articles howl. “They’re making our lives miserable!” “They
seek to destroy us all!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in a moment
of anger and frustration, others join the online mob.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the snap of our fingers – or the tap of
our Smart Phone – we tear down and we burn, without a second thought. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">James 3:5
tells us, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Even so the tongue is a little
member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire
kindleth!”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As
Christians, we should be champions of TRUTH!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We should be the ones most cautious to check, and double-check before we
ever re-post the sensational; before we ever share what somebody else supposedly
said or did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our voice on social media
is no different than our voice in tangible relationships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our ability to spread gossip is just as
dangerous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whenever possible, we ought
to go to the source itself for verification!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Is that what
the pastor meant? I urge you to take the time to re-play his sermon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are those the actual health recommendations? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Visit www.cdc.gov.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did the governor REALLY say that? Listen to
the recorded speech. Read the information posted on the politician’s
OFFICIAL website.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check the date on the
article</span><span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">. </span><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Earnestly seek to spread only
the truth!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Psalm 15
encourages us to be, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“He that walketh
uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He
that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh
up a reproach against his neighbor</i>.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We must not
allow ourselves to be so easily caught up in the “Did you hear?! He said . . .
! She said . . .! How shocking!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We are apart
right now, and, in many ways, the online platform is our loudest voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Dear Children of Light, m</span>ay the information we share ring TRUE!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ephesians
4:25 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Wherefore putting away lying,</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">speak every man truth with his neighbor . .
.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Kris Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07985460296527978465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371116297567275542.post-73801910112727316542020-04-18T06:21:00.002-07:002020-04-18T07:53:03.824-07:00Renovations And Revival - Dinner #98<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Who would have ever imagined such a global pause?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I look back at devotionals written during the
stress and the business of life, and can hardly fathom the extent to which our
world has changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Social media is currently filled with photos of board
games and puzzles; of crafts and creative family dinners - evidences of some
really great substitutions for all the running-here-and-there that so often
dictates our human existence.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Many stores are closed, of course, but during a recent trip
to Ace Hardware, an employee remarked to my husband on the unexpected INCREASE
in business. It seems like many folks are finally getting around to the house
projects that have been on their to-do lists!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">There is a renovation project on the way to our local grocery
story, and it has been a secret pleasure of mine, watching the progress. Perhaps
the owners are being able to sand and paint a little more than usual right now,
because the front of the house is coming along quite rapidly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The truth of the matter is, through this pandemic, God has
given us THE GIFT OF TIME.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time to
notice areas in need of attention - both in our homes and in our hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Psalm 119:59 says, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I
thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.</i>” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Such a convicting verse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Are we taking heed and thinking on our ways?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we contemplating the direction in which
our life has been going?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are
things in my own life that I want to change; NEED to change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it the same for you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Government officials are hoping to re-open our borders, soon;
to return to “business as usual.” But, in all honesty, I don’t know if we’re ready
yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you and I turned to God with
our whole heart? As individuals, have we grown, through this difficulty? Are we
learning the lessons that Almighty God wants us to learn?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This week, during an online service, I heard
a pastor express it like this: “Normal is not what we need to get back to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to get back to God and His Word.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">How grateful I am for the blessed promise of James 4:8, which
says, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw
nigh to you.”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Being more of a homebody by nature, I’ve probably delighted
in this social distancing more than most people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I confess, I’ve loved the consistent schooling,
the extra cooking and cleaning, the crafts, and the crisp spring air! But in the midst
of what is really good, I pray I might not lose sight of what is BEST.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pray I might not miss this opportunity to
grow in my relationship with God – to experience a personal revival in my soul!
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHR12wBupGHobN5tZaPGcbnZOi4-ZOOdtoI8R-CGKXR5uiW1SKYeKfrLVh-yluQvBuYCn1SBqtJGu3N0hGyE51D7FF6Y2dK1pIodYaJ5GWMGLjt20NckCwjfxUwwHtfeWsPYtykUwwFmA/s1600/IMG_3398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHR12wBupGHobN5tZaPGcbnZOi4-ZOOdtoI8R-CGKXR5uiW1SKYeKfrLVh-yluQvBuYCn1SBqtJGu3N0hGyE51D7FF6Y2dK1pIodYaJ5GWMGLjt20NckCwjfxUwwHtfeWsPYtykUwwFmA/s320/IMG_3398.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Lately, I find myself hungering for the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes me think of the verse in Psalms that
speaks of longing for God like a deer longing for water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The story of Mary sitting at the feet of
Jesus also comes to mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Do you long for Him, too, Dear Sister? Do you want more of
God? What a significant soul-searching time this could be for each of us, if
we’d only let it be so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Jeremiah 29:13 declares, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“And
ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your
heart.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<br />Kris Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07985460296527978465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371116297567275542.post-40196059973108110512020-02-08T21:10:00.000-08:002020-02-08T21:14:27.401-08:00Driven - Dinner #97<br />
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;">“Mommy’s
laughing!”</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I smiled, but
deep down inside, the exclamation of our little 4-year-old saddened me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I interact
with people so frequently, as we travel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I speak to others at our missions table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I teach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, wow!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do I really laugh so seldom?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her exclamation made me recall another recent
incident – a game of chase in the backyard - when our 5-year-old giggled and
cried out, “Mommy’s having fun!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How
convicting!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do the pressures and
stresses of life control me so?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When I’m overworking, I can usually feel the achiness all over; even my wrists get
sore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too often I push myself to that
point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After nearly a decade of
marriage, my sweet husband has learned the warning signs, and tries his best to
make me rest, but I can be rather determined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My Grandma Trudy always used to say there was a “Guthrie Stubborn
Streak”. I think that in myself that stubbornness sometimes manifests itself in
the desire to finish something . . . or die trying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The tunnel vision sets in and I can become DRIVEN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Laughing Mommy goes out the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wife who snuggles on the couch cannot be
found.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Kristen Kelley is suddenly
blind to all else but THE TASK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It would
take several pages to describe all that goes into missionary Deputation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’ve ever packed for a road trip, a
family reunion, or a week at camp, you understand the general idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Deputation Mama does this same process
over and over again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Church clothes,
travel clothes, school books, snacks . . . oftentimes for 2-3 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As this part of the journey starts coming to
a close, all the preparations for an overseas move are then added to the still
ongoing travels to churches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The last
several weeks have found me here - surrounded by boxes, and bubble wrap, and
packing tape. Sometimes in full-out frustration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes in sentimental tears. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Why am I
telling you this? Because, as wives and mothers, we can all become
captive to the pressures of life. We can forget how to laugh, or even how to BREATHE. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I Peter 5:7 reminds
us to be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Casting all your care upon him;
for he careth for you.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For me it is
every suitcase yet to be packed; every item yet to be purchased; every "goodbye" yet to be spoken . . . I can give
it ALL over to the Sweet Master of my soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can trust Him with every aspect. And I desperately NEED to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In Matthew chapter
11, Christ says, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Come unto me, all ye
that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I
am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke
is easy, and my burden is light.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When the
stresses of life threaten to strangle us, we must ask ourselves whose yoke we
are wearing. The light one placed on us by Christ? Or a much heavier one of our
own making? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It is CHRIST
Who leadeth me beside the STILL waters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is CHRIST Who maketh the wind and the waves to cease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is CHRIST Who returns the peaceful CALM to
my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When I allow
that calm to enter my soul, do you know what happens? I can laugh with my
husband again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can look up from the
folding and SEE my daughter when she speaks to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can prepare for an international move
without those preparations controlling me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In
thankfulness to the Lord, I can rise from my knees, declaring, “I am no longer
a slave to the task at hand. I am no longer DRIVEN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am FREE.”</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifeGQDXoOrKgxzKzcVoh3xNkMPcxl54OIJdonBBhFjSu4dHJSpcF1jrclfgykaNVh5gtvCg0c9RfJUq9R5BaJEQ75t5A4d16C673ovkmeQb0dMv251lvgWjj2mGqNZHUg2ebXi4YnlviQ/s1600/IMG_2989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifeGQDXoOrKgxzKzcVoh3xNkMPcxl54OIJdonBBhFjSu4dHJSpcF1jrclfgykaNVh5gtvCg0c9RfJUq9R5BaJEQ75t5A4d16C673ovkmeQb0dMv251lvgWjj2mGqNZHUg2ebXi4YnlviQ/s320/IMG_2989.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />Kris Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07985460296527978465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371116297567275542.post-82742513593453195442019-10-16T15:54:00.002-07:002019-10-16T20:51:38.047-07:00Unraveled - Dinner #96<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">When our deputation
ministry began, we traveled together as a family and sought to hold onto as
much routine as possible.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">From one
destination to the next, we learned what worked well for us – material for
children’s classes, medleys for special music, activities for hotel rooms . . .</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Now, for the
first time on this journey, we are blessed with a newborn in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A “rainbow” long worried over, and prayed for,
and anticipated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s here!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beautiful, long-limbed, and with such a head
of soft, feathery hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all love her
so!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But newborns do cry and bring lack
of sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Babies need to be changed and
nursed frequently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Infants create
multiple loads of laundry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And somehow
adding this newness to an already hectic lifestyle has left me feeling like a
stunned deer in the headlights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do I
DO this?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttH_0ZGZaWdmY7ShXnbHJs6p0WkuQqwCKgmCyVaIvvNK5A1rgkHXc6eDaUIUvwyt9PtX84-8Wz7pSPSAcLAphFo2S7awWkZ9ATBmD24FoxQCziUr-NWIo9mqKYPDpQtKs-3WCySNBoVM/s1600/72322059_967353610276692_4914257887380897792_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttH_0ZGZaWdmY7ShXnbHJs6p0WkuQqwCKgmCyVaIvvNK5A1rgkHXc6eDaUIUvwyt9PtX84-8Wz7pSPSAcLAphFo2S7awWkZ9ATBmD24FoxQCziUr-NWIo9mqKYPDpQtKs-3WCySNBoVM/s320/72322059_967353610276692_4914257887380897792_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">One evening,
as I tried to navigate my way through church conversations, in an exhausted
daze, a single word suddenly popped into my mind – UNRAVELED.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It was as though the order and routine I had
known up until this point was coming apart at the seams. The thread was being
pulled out longer and longer, right before my very eyes.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It is
difficult giving a missions testimony when the baby wakes up as soon as she
hears Mommy’s voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speaking to ladies
about my book, while an infant wails on my shoulder, fighting gas bubbles, is a
little less than ideal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trying to fit in
a lengthy feeding, before a church service starts, can be emotional at best.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God is
beginning to stitch something new – I know He is! - A beautiful pattern
involving a family of seven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Slowly, the
embroidery of a calm life is returning to us, but some days, the tapestry looks
messy to my human eyes. All I can see is the unraveled string.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“. . .
when my heart is overwhelmed</i>”, O Lord, please<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> “lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” </i>(Psalm 61:2)<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I bow my
head and cry, “I can’t do this without You, Lord!” The simple fact of the
matter is, I can’t do ANYTHING without Him – not the difficult days, nor the
seemingly easy ones either. As Christ says in John chapter 15, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“. . . for without me ye can do <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">nothing</b>.” </i>Not a single thing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Whether the
stitches are unraveled, or every stitch seems exactly in its proper place,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>I NEED the Lord! ALL of the time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I can do this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The meetings, the traveling, the long newborn
days and nights . . . <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I can do <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">all</b> things <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">through Christ</b> which strengtheneth me.”</i> (Philippians 4:13)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My Heavenly
Father does not leave me helpless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Bible says, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“He giveth power to the
faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.”</i> (Isaiah
40:29)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am in need of that extra measure
of strength, right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">May we seek
Him together and ever find Him faithful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Kris Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07985460296527978465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371116297567275542.post-44104546461161942592019-08-25T00:06:00.000-07:002019-08-25T00:06:06.158-07:00Rainbow Baby Poem<br />
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<span style="font-family: Adorable; font-size: 28.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Rainbow Baby<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Adorable; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">By Kristen
Kelley<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">August 2019<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizt6j-7C81yh1698Uw4EIlbWMh7WKa865H78T7yGTCr8oei4wYmRgb8j3Nl6J6CPMVEjinlVPZA6Ch8cRbR57R82VzdWBszcneasU19F04Tv7jsKf-s5jYZLtDLz34nkFqawj2oLA60Eg/s1600/DSC_0446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizt6j-7C81yh1698Uw4EIlbWMh7WKa865H78T7yGTCr8oei4wYmRgb8j3Nl6J6CPMVEjinlVPZA6Ch8cRbR57R82VzdWBszcneasU19F04Tv7jsKf-s5jYZLtDLz34nkFqawj2oLA60Eg/s320/DSC_0446.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The sky can hold such beauty<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Following a
rain,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As light
shines through the sorrow,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Healing from
the pain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
brightness of a rainbow;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Promise from
above.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
brushwork of my Savior;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Symbol of
His love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A picture in
the heavens;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Blessing
brought below;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sweet
sunlight wrapped in blankets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Oh how we love you so!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7QcYyC2_vWrOmAY9XwG-Ia0-5dekFNkvOvRMJkr7iR7x0p5v0KX9qN28Hah1K5ce0f0VAayXMuOWdRwTgoVdWBegCsMO8MlKXGkhj-DkdIo0JIEVTGk4m3eY2NzPjJdIgYz2fIGQELA/s1600/68657007_10214086236285098_6622869995980324864_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7QcYyC2_vWrOmAY9XwG-Ia0-5dekFNkvOvRMJkr7iR7x0p5v0KX9qN28Hah1K5ce0f0VAayXMuOWdRwTgoVdWBegCsMO8MlKXGkhj-DkdIo0JIEVTGk4m3eY2NzPjJdIgYz2fIGQELA/s320/68657007_10214086236285098_6622869995980324864_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />Kris Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07985460296527978465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371116297567275542.post-20617892977535943542019-08-12T15:29:00.001-07:002019-08-12T15:29:14.370-07:00Praying In The Storm - Dinner #96<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">PRAYING IN THE STORM<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5KAjhVIyBx_lAe6ZjiIF1vfitA0igKLgizO-Q1IXnFvK2d7V1TNhjtA_lukjXaWFamXpZSxKkhF176uyiYKwY18jSux6wCayEpBhy8W6fVt76iyGeWu2OymIED5HECYQxQUCIeNv358/s1600/IMG_0391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5KAjhVIyBx_lAe6ZjiIF1vfitA0igKLgizO-Q1IXnFvK2d7V1TNhjtA_lukjXaWFamXpZSxKkhF176uyiYKwY18jSux6wCayEpBhy8W6fVt76iyGeWu2OymIED5HECYQxQUCIeNv358/s320/IMG_0391.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It is
amazing to me how the Lord sometimes pieces things together in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A missionary friend of mine recently sent me
an excerpt from a book on prayer, talking about the beautiful “laments” in the Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also ended up being the theme for our
adult lesson on Job, this past Sunday. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The class material had a step-by-step
explanation of what a Biblical lament included, and a couple of us were asked
to write one of our own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I am
currently 37 weeks along with our precious “Rainbow Baby”, and anxiously
waiting every day for her arrival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
a happy time in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there are
well over 7000 bereaved mamas in the Facebook groups I’ve been a part of, this
past year . . . There are recently-widowed ladies in my church . . . There are
friends with dissolving marriages and very serious health issues on my prayer
list . . . Every day, all around us, are struggling, hurting, grieving people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Do we know
how to pray to God when we encounter trials in our personal lives?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We understand that, as Christians, we ought
not doubt our loving Heavenly Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But is there a RIGHT WAY to talk to Him in our hours of deepest anguish,
and to tell Him how we truly feel?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In a “lament”,
we don’t doubt our Creator, but, rather we show that we TRUST Him – We trust
Him by pouring out our heart; trust Him with our innermost thoughts and
feelings; trust that He still hears us when we cannot see His face; trust that He
knows what is best in every situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you are
walking through a dark valley in your own life, don’t be afraid to pray like Job,
like David, like Jeremiah, and like so many others in the Bible . . . Don’t be
afraid to pray the very words of Scripture . . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Perhaps this
example will be a blessing to you:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I come before You, Dear
Heavenly Father.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I don’t understand why
this is happening to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My heart is so
hurt, right now - so devastated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel
broken and shattered in a million pieces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My circumstances weigh down on my heart like an anvil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A giant cloud has settled over my spirit and
I cannot shake it. The words of others wound me, again and again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When, Lord, will I find relief?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Deep down in my heart,
Dear Lord, I know that You are in control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You are good and You are God, even when I cannot see Your loving
face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your Word tells me to “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour
out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us . . .”</i> (Ps. 62:8)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need Your refuge, Dear Jesus!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I lay this burden of my heart down at Your
feet, Oh God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that I can run to
You when I have no where else to turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the
righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”</i> (Prov. 18:10) I know that You are
the Only One Who can truly help me through this trial. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Please strengthen me,
Dear God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please help me not to falter or
fail in my walk with You.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please help me
to bring You glory in everything I am going through right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the
congregation will I praise thee.”</i> (Ps. 22:22) You alone can see me through
to the other side, Dear Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please
help me on that day to praise You and to rejoice in You, and to not be afraid
to share your goodness in my life with others around me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Thank You, Oh Lord, for
hearing me when I pray!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank You for
comforting my heart, and for Your Holy Spirit reminding me that You are still
with me and You are still doing a special work in my life. You see the whole
picture from start to finish, Dear Lord, even when I cannot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you, Lord Jesus!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">AMEN <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In Psalm 23, David declares, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Yea, though I walk through the valley of
the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me . . .”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I encourage you to pray earnestly, My
Friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter what you are going
through today, you can share the deepest burdens of your heart with God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He created you and He loves you with an
everlasting love. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can truly cast “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all your care upon him; for he careth for
you.”</i> (I Peter 5:7)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Kris Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07985460296527978465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371116297567275542.post-27236143951938389972019-07-13T17:02:00.001-07:002019-07-13T17:10:20.082-07:00Awaiting A Rainbow<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeFepgi0R9Th7Y2Xi9I8gZdZiH4uIqLCW8wJLYPvor_3uOwdQjU1UR94N0oxn_f3ak0VaqF-kibbYpIzWZ2CEf7eRNPT83D-83ZEkuqbJwNooNk250zzKCk97A7g614EjPBvpGPN9MQ0/s1600/IMG_0909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeFepgi0R9Th7Y2Xi9I8gZdZiH4uIqLCW8wJLYPvor_3uOwdQjU1UR94N0oxn_f3ak0VaqF-kibbYpIzWZ2CEf7eRNPT83D-83ZEkuqbJwNooNk250zzKCk97A7g614EjPBvpGPN9MQ0/s320/IMG_0909.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">AWAITING
A RAINBOW<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">By
Kristen Kelley<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The myriad
of emotions I feel in my heart as my due date approaches is one of the most
difficult things I’ve ever known.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do I
dare to write that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To share that with
the world?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last time I visited the
L&D floor of our local hospital was 2+1/2 years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last time I visited the L&D floor of
our local hospital, I left with empty arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God has
brought about great beauty from the ashes, since that sorrowful day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing my booklet <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Letter In Your Loss</i> has now been put into the hands of hundreds
of other grieving mamas – that has been something beyond anything I could have
ever asked or thought (Eph. 3:20).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
here I am – bereavement author Kristen Kelley – staring labor in the face once again,
and praying that this time, there will be life on the other side. Praying that
there will be happy tears and smiles, infant cries, and the warmth of sweet
baby cuddles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jeremiah
31:13 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“. . . for I will turn their
mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their
sorrow.” <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It can be weighty on one’s heart, seeking
to hold out the hope of God to groups where mamas are literally losing their
babies every day. I’ve been trying to keep myself busy with various “nesting
activities” and not dwell on panic-triggering fears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anxiety seeks to infiltrate my heart, just
the same.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed:
I will sing and give praise</i>.” Psalm 57:7 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God has not
given me the spirit of fear (II Tim. 1:7).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I cling to that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I am
human.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the broken heart that God has
healed so incredibly, feels extremely vulnerable just now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not everyone must work through the difficulty
of reliving a trauma, but we all deal with difficulties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hymn phrase “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all your anxiety, all your care, Bring to the mercy seat, leave it
there . . .</i>” keeps running through my mind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Delivering a
live baby often brings with it a sense of maternal strength and power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I lost so much of that confidence during the
miscarriage delivery with our son. My body failed me over and over again on that day. What
if it fails me now?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Isaiah 41:10
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be
not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee;
yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Isaiah 41:10
has long been my “life verse”, and I love how it still anchors my heart – even
in this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What do you
cling to in your “this”? You may not be facing your biggest fears as you await
the delivery of a “rainbow”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may be facing
a mind struggle of an entirely different kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Do you know where to turn when Satan is seeking to rob you of your peace?
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Thou wilt keep him in
perfect peace, whose mind is stayed <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">on
thee</b>: because he trusteth <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">in thee</b>.”</span></i><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> (Isaiah 26:3)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“<span style="background: white;">Turn your eyes upon Jesus,</span></span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Look full in His wonderful face,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">In the light of His glory and grace.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Look to Our Precious Savior, Dear Sister!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter your trial; your dilemma; your
fear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall
keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.</span>”</i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> (Philippians 4:7)</span><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Kris Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07985460296527978465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371116297567275542.post-4604627210685095772019-05-09T20:29:00.002-07:002019-05-09T20:38:56.459-07:00 Carrying A Rainbow<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>CARRYING A RAINBOW</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">By
Kristen Kelley</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGXBSGZlkm8sE6xcw022NCEBCSCfZ-hz-YyXxl6M1qHIQO_SbCrLPCYUaSVN-rSfWJOfMNTX9_UduSZj5N7jipcD-gJ9VJ6OQL_8sAKxGA7Ay2Vur8HE_JiLt3OldkOumGZOzypyRcos/s1600/IMG_9908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGXBSGZlkm8sE6xcw022NCEBCSCfZ-hz-YyXxl6M1qHIQO_SbCrLPCYUaSVN-rSfWJOfMNTX9_UduSZj5N7jipcD-gJ9VJ6OQL_8sAKxGA7Ay2Vur8HE_JiLt3OldkOumGZOzypyRcos/s320/IMG_9908.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The second Sunday in May . . . I have
anticipated the onset of labor pains, on Mother’s Day, before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have had breakfast brought to me in bed by
my loving husband. I have taken photos in the front yard with my
daughters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have sought refuge in the
church parking lot, and wept the tears of grief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This Mother’s Day, I am carrying a
precious “rainbow” in my womb. We will be 6-months along, tomorrow, and it is
still difficult to put this pregnancy into words. Here we are with only about
16 weeks left to go, and I feel like I am finally letting myself start to
think, “This baby might be coming home with us!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So much that is “baby” has had to be
pushed away from my heart and mind the last few years, as I coped with the sorrow
of miscarriage – even videos and photos of our older girls when they were born <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>. . . It feels both exciting and incredibly
fragile to be looking at maternity clothes, and nursing pillows, and receiving
blankets. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We all have circumstances in our lives
for which we need to trust the hand of our loving Heavenly Father . . . Since
learning of our pregnancy, I have had to cling repeatedly to the truth that God
alone is in control of the outcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and
the breath of all mankind.” (Job 12:10)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I have always written a few letters to
our babies, while carrying them in my womb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The letters to this Little One are so different from those I wrote in
years past . . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I
feel your movements – especially when I’m wearing my seatbelt or a drinking a
delicious shake at bedtime – yet, I still long to hear your little heartbeat
thumping like a train.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having a fetal
Doppler has greatly helped to allay my natural fears between doctor
appointments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t imagine going 2
weeks or more before being reassured of your well-being within my womb.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“More people asked if we knew your
gender, yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I fought hard to . .
. refrain from automatically picturing the traumatic ultrasound where we
discovered we’d lost your brother Joshua.”</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I
want to be happy – ONLY happy – about the ultrasound, the rainbow baby shirts,
the secret Easter egg reveal . . . but my heart is like a pendulum.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">On a teeter-totter between fear and
hope - even today - the Holy Spirit reminds me of Psalm 42:5:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou
disquieted in me? <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">hope thou in God . . .</b>”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Kind church members recently provided
a travel bassinet and a travel swing, in anticipation of our new arrival. When I shared with the girls what we had received, our
oldest asked with grave concern, “But why are we getting baby stuff if we don’t
even know yet if we’ll be able to keep this baby?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Because it’s good to HOPE,” I told
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We need to keep hoping that
everything WILL be alright this time. And we need to start getting things ready
for if we DO get to bring her home. Right?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Wait <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">on the
LORD</b>: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say,
on the LORD.” (Ps. 27:14)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He can strengthen my heart; the heart
of my husband; the hearts of my daughters . . . Each of us have our own worries
and concerns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our hope must be in nothing
else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not in </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“chariots”</span><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> or </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“horses”</span><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> – not in doctors or ultrasounds - but in “</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">the
name of the LORD our God.”</span><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> (Psalm
20:7)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">HE alone is my Rock amid the swirling
“</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">multitude
of my thoughts within me</span><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">”, and His “</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">comforts
delight my soul</span><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.” (Ps. 94:19) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As the beautiful hymn declares, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">When all around my soul gives way, He then
is all my hope and stay.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“I think God gave us this rainbow baby
to keep,” our Cheyenne often tells me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I do too, Sweet Girl. Deep down in my
heart, I do too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Our God whom we serve <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">is able</b> . . .” </span><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">as the three
Hebrew children once said</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">, “ . . . But if not . . .”</span><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> (Daniel 3:17-18) If not . . . If God chooses
another plan – a more difficult road for me - I know with a certainty </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“.
. . his way is perfect . . .”</span><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> (Ps. 18:30)
and </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“he
maketh my way perfect.”</span><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> (II Sam. 22:33)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This Mother’s Day 2019 “ . . . my flesh also shall <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">rest</b> in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">hope</b>.” (Ps. 16:9)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Kris Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07985460296527978465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371116297567275542.post-3502791548598662392019-03-07T22:20:00.000-08:002019-03-07T22:20:48.210-08:00Patterned Parenting - Dinner #95<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6sYGq7Rrb8L88J1nJaAjGsPSlyp2EV_RMRQ1Wp1j-fj5a1vzXF0wFKsGFbJRQN72NJn0REP8Ue97qkyGxodqjmqG-Fwh9XfbQcYWsnYJl_KtzXO8kFxvewprXpzQxIJIH_UhyV5zTST8/s1600/KelleyFamily-4548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6sYGq7Rrb8L88J1nJaAjGsPSlyp2EV_RMRQ1Wp1j-fj5a1vzXF0wFKsGFbJRQN72NJn0REP8Ue97qkyGxodqjmqG-Fwh9XfbQcYWsnYJl_KtzXO8kFxvewprXpzQxIJIH_UhyV5zTST8/s320/KelleyFamily-4548.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As many of
you know, we are expecting a “Rainbow Baby”, and are due this summer! We typically travel as a family to deputation meetings, but I stayed
home with the girls for the conference this week, as we didn’t feel comfortable
with my going all the way to Louisiana just now. It’s interesting seeing how
one chooses to fill the long hours while Dear Husband is away . . . Simple
dinners, school work, doctor and dental appointments, lots of 2<sup>nd</sup>
trimester cleaning and organizing, dark chocolate . . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Tonight I
stayed up late watching one of those movies that requires a handful of tissues
. . . Being a big fan of “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fireproof</i>”,
and “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Facing the Giants</i>”, and basically
any movie produced by the Kendrick Brothers, I’d picked up a copy of their
newest Christian film - “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Like Arrows</i>”
– for myself to enjoy. What a powerful message it contains!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Like
Arrows</i>” is one of those movies that truly makes you stop and think . . . “What
are we really doing as parents?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where
are our children headed?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are we
doing wrong? How can we improve?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I have recently begun a study in my devotions that fits right
along with this idea of patterning our parenting after God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are times when I stop myself and think,
“I need to eliminate that type of sentence from my vocabulary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God doesn’t parent US like that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God doesn’t use sarcasm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t use bribery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t change His mind on a whim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where do we get our parenting ideas from,
anyway?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As God’s children, we ought to
be getting them from God Himself!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I John 3:1 “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Behold, what manner of love the Father hath
bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God . . .”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So far, I
have only scratched the surface of this personal study, as I begin working my
way through the book of Genesis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tonight,
before I head to bed, I just want to share some of these thoughts with you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What does Scripture
say about the parenting techniques of our Heavenly Father?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Genesis
3 – He used questions to make Adam and Eve think about and fully realize their
sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gave punishments specific to
each individual who did wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Genesis
4:3-7 – He set up specific rules and guidelines. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Genesis
6:5,8 – He rewarded good and punished evil.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Genesis
6:14-7:3 – He was specific and detailed in His instructions to Noah; in His
expectations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Genesis
7:4 – He did not keep Noah completely in the dark, but let him know some
information in advance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Genesis
8:21,22/9:12-16 – He made and kept His promises.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Genesis
11:5-9 – He recognized potential evils and did not leave his people to their
own devises.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Genesis
12:2-3 – He blessed/rewarded Abraham and those of his descendants who chose to
obediently follow God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And these
considerations are only from the first 12 chapters of the Bible!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Train up a child in the way he
should go . . .”</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">
(Prov. 22:6) Scripture tells us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have
been given a sacred privilege.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has
given US the task of raising the next generation for Him. I pray that as you
head into the weekend, the Lord might bless the precious sharpening of your “arrows”
(Psalm 127:4).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Psalm 145
declares that our Heavenly Father <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“. . .
is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The LORD is good to all: and his tender
mercies are over all his works.”</i> Oh that we might seek to parent as our
loving God parents us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Kris Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07985460296527978465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371116297567275542.post-40122248246911592192019-01-04T14:09:00.001-08:002019-01-04T14:09:41.538-08:00Christ Is My Castle - Dinner #94<br />
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<span style="font-family: Adelon; font-size: 18.0pt;">CHRIST IS MY CASTLE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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December 24, 2018 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The kinglet on the suet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rays of sunshine flooding the bedroom
just so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pine straw covering the
ground outside like a blanket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I reminisce
of days gone by when I sat on this very front porch penning historical fiction
as a teenager, creating lesson plans for preschoolers, and telling a skinny,
dark-haired college boy that I loved him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is pretty incredible returning to a home where you spent so much of
your youth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never knew that feeling
when I was little – we moved often during my younger years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this was where Dad had his final tour of
duty for the Navy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the home
where he retired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this is where I
return now for the holidays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A place of
familiarity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A haven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A refuge.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Our family traveled over 32,000 miles in 2018.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have learned to enjoy certain aspects of
being on the road, but for me, a truly fabulous day is one in which we never
leave the parameters of our own house and yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>By nature, a woman’s home is her refuge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With her family and the familiar about her, she feels SAFE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Certainly the schedule can go awry, the
laundry can pile up, and the toilet can overflow, but this is HOME.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is the wife, the mother, the queen, and
this place is her domain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Deputation,
however, takes much of that kingdom away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The missionary wife finds herself without the security of personal
decisions regarding meals, schedules, or sleeping arrangements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has no choice but to hand a million
unknowns to her Savior on a daily basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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This past fall, a pastor’s wife took several of us
missionary wives aside and prayed for us, “as they do that which is not natural
– leaving their homes behind.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It struck
me, as she prayed, that this is why life on the road is so difficult at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quite simply, it isn’t NORMAL.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As much as I sometimes long for my own routine;
for my own stove, and bed, and bathtub; to be surrounded by the familiar four
walls of my own “castle”; there are weeks and even months when God is the only
fortress in sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the truth of the
matter is, HE is all I need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>CHRIST is
my castle in my changing world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And HE
remains ever the same. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Hebrews 13:8 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Jesus
Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Deuteronomy 33:27 “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
eternal God is thy refuge . . .”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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My refuge; my “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">strong
habitation, whereunto I may continually resort” </i>(Ps. 71:3) When my day is
hard and my circumstances challenging - over, and over, and over again - I can
run to Him and be safe (Prov. 18:10).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
the hymn by William O. Cushing states so perfectly, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee, Thou blest ‘Rock of Ages,’ I’m hiding
in Thee</i>.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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David understood a transient lifestyle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The vast majority of his early adulthood, he
was running from King Saul; living in caves; living with the enemy . . . <o:p></o:p></div>
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In Psalm 142:5, David wrote: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion
in the land of the living.” <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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As we enter another year of deputation, this is my personal
prayer – that I allow God to be my REFUGE like never before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You are my castle, Dear Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>YOU are my home and my security.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Perhaps you pull into the same driveway every day; you check
your mail at the same mailbox; you use the same key in the same front door
every time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You do not feel you need God
as your HOME, in quite the same way as a traveling missionary wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we all struggle with the human need to
feel SECURE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may be that there are
new health issues on your horizon, or the “sands are shifting” at your
workplace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may find yourself facing
many unknowns in the year ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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The Bible tells us that “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">God</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore
will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried
into the midst of the sea . . .” </i>(Ps. 46:1-2)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Though the “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">earth be
removed</i>” – though my world be shattered - and though the “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mountains</i>” – all my personal strongholds
– “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">be carried</i>” away, God is always
with me – “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">a very present help in trouble</i>.”
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Psalm 91:1-2 “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He that
dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of
the Almighty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will say of the LORD,
He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.” </i><o:p></o:p></div>
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When every other fortress seems fallen, He is there for you,
Dear Sister!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And He is there for me . .
. Do you need to cling to God as YOUR refuge in 2019?? May Christ be your
castle – your stronghold against every changing wind and every foe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in every storm that comes, may you find
Him to be the Rock that is ever so much higher than yourself (Ps. 61:2-3). <o:p></o:p></div>
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“<i>Oh, safe to the Rock
that is higher than I, My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly . . . In
the tempests of life, on its wide, heaving sea, Thou blest Rock of Ages, I’m
hiding in Thee</i>.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Kris Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07985460296527978465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371116297567275542.post-67491730697745754472018-12-16T14:50:00.002-08:002018-12-16T14:57:52.830-08:00Bittersweet ChristmasAs I enjoy the beautiful hymns of Christmastime and think about the miscarried baby boy we kissed goodbye two years ago today . . . I pray this re-posted poem will be a blessing to you. May the Lord gently hold all of those for whom this holiday is truly "bittersweet".<br />
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<span style="font-family: "albertus" , sans-serif; font-size: 20.0pt;">Bittersweet
Christmas<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "albertus" , sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">By Kristen Kelley<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "albertus" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">2014<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOA8EYCUeU_k1IKFhT_Gsc4dAC969lT7wsnvIYXc9obcp-0tZSuBYEJBFqnHjUXX1x5ZXgx4whmnlrIcwJPiVn0B2dneCHvvoedPbbVghgqQdT7sbh29He6x5nCc7IkBbfEATChqadeOc/s1600/IMG_9017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOA8EYCUeU_k1IKFhT_Gsc4dAC969lT7wsnvIYXc9obcp-0tZSuBYEJBFqnHjUXX1x5ZXgx4whmnlrIcwJPiVn0B2dneCHvvoedPbbVghgqQdT7sbh29He6x5nCc7IkBbfEATChqadeOc/s320/IMG_9017.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
</span>
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So many lost their loved ones;<o:p></o:p></div>
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This year held many tears.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But those now gone are peaceful,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Without life’s toils and fears.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Though holidays without them <o:p></o:p></div>
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Will never be the same,<o:p></o:p></div>
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They sing now with the angels,<o:p></o:p></div>
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And praise the One Who came.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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These will spend their Christmas<o:p></o:p></div>
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With Jesus, up on high –<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our grandmas never suffer;<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our babies never cry.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Baby’s 1<sup>st</sup>” for some will be<o:p></o:p></div>
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Without the toys and lights.<o:p></o:p></div>
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They sweetly smile at Jesus,<o:p></o:p></div>
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And gaze at heavenly sights.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The voices are now silent,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Of friends upon the phone;<o:p></o:p></div>
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They live in glorious mansions,<o:p></o:p></div>
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And stand before the Throne.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Mothers who once baked and laughed,<o:p></o:p></div>
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And told the Christmas story –<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now they walk the streets of gold, <o:p></o:p></div>
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And share in Heaven’s glory.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Grandmas who once read God’s Word,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now see Him face to face.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And to those of us still here below,<o:p></o:p></div>
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God giveth us His grace.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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We think of those we lost this year,<o:p></o:p></div>
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As on our knees we fall;<o:p></o:p></div>
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And then we praise the Savior,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Who came and died for all.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We know that we shall see again,<o:p></o:p></div>
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The ones we held so dear,<o:p></o:p></div>
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And that they’d wish this holiday,<o:p></o:p></div>
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For us, be filled with cheer.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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We thank God for His loan to us,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Of those who are now gone.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We rise another morning,<o:p></o:p></div>
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And greet another dawn.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Kris Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07985460296527978465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371116297567275542.post-83311627046856505032018-11-20T14:04:00.000-08:002018-11-20T14:09:23.360-08:00The Top of My List - Dinner #93<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3F9LrpsRSba8Hh0vE614-rBxTYtbhSv6YPjRpB8Gb1HSIWSzSsKLWjKBVWUaPFBC1R1-KOs5ExYOMoEzQhirMlsL6I6bTIYzdsBHktjF-e263doeS0DaNnWTIo2DNNqugCjmyi9I-Uc/s1600/IMG_8743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3F9LrpsRSba8Hh0vE614-rBxTYtbhSv6YPjRpB8Gb1HSIWSzSsKLWjKBVWUaPFBC1R1-KOs5ExYOMoEzQhirMlsL6I6bTIYzdsBHktjF-e263doeS0DaNnWTIo2DNNqugCjmyi9I-Uc/s320/IMG_8743.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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As young children, we often thank God for the tangible: “My parents”, “my toys”, “my house”. But as we grow older – particularly as we
grow “older” in our personal walk with the Lord – we begin to see beyond the
tangible. We start to develop a deeper gratitude
for the things we cannot touch with our hands.
We thank the Lord for LOVE, for FREEDOM, for MEMORIES. We give praise for those things we know to be
true about God – His mercy, His faithfulness, His comfort. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I trusted in Jesus Christ as my personal Savior when I was
7-years-old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back then, my Thanksgiving
list would have been filled with the typical “Mom, Dad, sisters . . .” childhood
answers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But time quickly passes, and
before we know it, whole decades have gone by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>During a recent church service, I began to do the math and suddenly
realized that I have been a Christian for 25 years . . . Wow! That is a truly
incredible thought!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And while I am sincerely grateful to God for the
PEOPLE in my life – my wonderful husband, our four beautiful daughters, the loving
pastors and church members who have chosen to support us on this deputation
journey . . . There is something on my 2018 Thanksgiving List that may seem
rather unconventional. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Helen Keller, both blind and deaf, once wisely declared, “The
best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched –
they must be felt with the heart.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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The top-most “heart thing” I thank the Lord for this
year is SORROW.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Psalm 119:68 and 71 declare “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thou art good, and doest good . . . It is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">good</b> for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy
statutes.”</i> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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There are so many things in this life that we cannot learn
on the mountaintops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are so many
lessons that God wishes to teach us through tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the book <u>Hinds’ Feet On High Places</u>,
the most meaningful part to me is when little Much-Afraid finally enters the
Kingdom of Love, and she nearly begins to cry for the loss of her faithful companions
Suffering and Sorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is then that
these friends suddenly reappear – no longer as Suffering and Sorrow, but as radiant
Joy and Peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Isaiah 61:2-3 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“. . .
to comfort all that mourn . . . to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of
joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness . . .”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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If it had not been for sorrow, I never would have known the depth of God’s comfort and peace. If it had not been for sorrow, I never would have known the precious camaraderie there is with other miscarriage mamas. I never would have written “A Letter In Your Loss”. I never would have felt the burden to share God’s love with the bereaved in the hospitals of Virginia. I never would have seen how God could take my small endeavor and multiply it to His honor and glory. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
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But once further removed from a tragedy, the pains of grief can often
take us by surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This week, I felt
for a moment as though I couldn’t breathe when the strains of holiday carols
met my ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My heart nearly stopped at
the sight of the memorial ornaments on our Christmas tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thought of Thanksgiving brought with it
the memory of scheduling a doctor’s appointment, last year, and of hearing a
baby’s heartbeat – a little life now gone to Heaven . . . <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Psalm 34:18 says, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The
LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart . . .” <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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Oh how beautiful is the nearness of God! I have walked the road of baby loss twice during the last
two years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But how many times over have Suffering
and Sorrow brought God’s Joy and Peace! This Thanksgiving 2018, I THANK my Lord
for the grief and the tears that I have known – for the valleys He has brought
me through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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In Matthew 5:4, Christ proclaims,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Blessed</b> are they that
mourn: for they shall be comforted.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Though I would not wish it upon others; though I would never
ask for it again myself; I believe in my heart that I am truly blessed for
having known the sorrow of miscarriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With sincerest gratitude, I thank God for this plan He had for my life. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Romans 5:3-5 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“And not
only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh
patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope; And hope maketh not
ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts . . .”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<br />Kris Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07985460296527978465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371116297567275542.post-59394832291069168302018-10-20T13:16:00.000-07:002018-10-20T13:25:16.879-07:00Skilled For The Savior - Dinner #92<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFghpCjPsmLdo-pOc4YU63egAQbU4-77vCAKbNfSNUE8foZ-tqWkp_UcbUWiq-VxuaHqRVDRxLFnw2dCTocl1faITpnEOIU4BkQkI7JznO7ibbPQCXVqRUfOgGlna3ikHC41PDQmaa6cM/s1600/44393498_312503482677914_4566941427094781952_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFghpCjPsmLdo-pOc4YU63egAQbU4-77vCAKbNfSNUE8foZ-tqWkp_UcbUWiq-VxuaHqRVDRxLFnw2dCTocl1faITpnEOIU4BkQkI7JznO7ibbPQCXVqRUfOgGlna3ikHC41PDQmaa6cM/s320/44393498_312503482677914_4566941427094781952_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>Earlier this year, I remember speaking to a Christian
gentleman concerning “finding the time” to write. I had a strong burden to write for other
ladies, but I was also a busy home schooling mama, just starting to travel
full-time in a missions ministry with my husband. “Consider it to be like daily exercise,” this
gentleman told me. “Dedicate just ten to fifteen minutes each day to writing
SOMETHING. Before you know it, you may
find yourself writing for 20 minutes every day, or maybe even an hour!” </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I embarked on the project of publishing my book, began to
write occasional articles for the Guild of Baptist Writers, composed our
family’s prayer letters, and sought to contribute to my own blog more
faithfully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And what satisfaction – what
joy - there was in doing so!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How on
earth was I “finding the time”? It was just as the gentleman had said –
dedicating a little bit of time any day I could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I began to travel with a small clipboard by
my feet, in the van.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d jot down verses
and ideas as I’d have my personal devotions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I found an amazing resource at Barnes & Noble that stretched my
skills and made me feel as though I was getting a mini “writing course”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> For the first time in several years, </span>I sought to DEVELOP the talent that the Lord
had already given me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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One of my favorite passages of Scripture is found in the book of I Chronicles,
where David is excitedly gathering the materials and the workers for Solomon to
build the Temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In I Chronicles 28:21 David
says <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“ . . . and there shall be with thee
for all manner of workmanship every willing skillful man, for any manner of
service . . .” </i>These people were taking their skills - their talents – and offering
them willingly to the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we have ministered in various churches across the U.S.,
this year, one of the joys for me has been seeing the results of other ladies using their
talents for Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quilts, bath scrubs,
stationery, flower arrangements, piano specials, poems, meals . . . This past
week, I observed as a mother of three took the time to compose music, and
fashion various art and furniture projects for her home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About a month ago, a mama with several little
ones and another baby on the way, was sharing with me how she was endeavoring
to learn Hebrew, for her own personal Bible study!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How inspiring! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I Chronicles 29:5 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“ .
. . And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD?” <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZz5yJlIsDKCFlXTQTpCjS7AvC8Z7piOWZgSu1VGSOSGeWVbe5nBWQ45UTicVueZMWU5e_Af5MPu_xwXMDvgMzM3iidcPFsvatI90XbEtTEZe-a48LuLgfU3UuA8QDIazYIGogvOdk_8/s1600/IMG_2197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZz5yJlIsDKCFlXTQTpCjS7AvC8Z7piOWZgSu1VGSOSGeWVbe5nBWQ45UTicVueZMWU5e_Af5MPu_xwXMDvgMzM3iidcPFsvatI90XbEtTEZe-a48LuLgfU3UuA8QDIazYIGogvOdk_8/s320/IMG_2197.jpg" width="240" /></a>In the business of life, it is so tempting to fall into the
trap of declaring, “I just don’t have the time!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you realize how very much can be
accomplished in just 15 minutes? 20 minutes? Half-an-hour?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’ve ever potty-trained a toddler, you
probably know what I’m talking about!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’ve set that timer, and it’s time to wash as many dishes or fold as
many pieces of laundry as possible before the next visit to the bathroom.
SMILE!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What is YOUR God-given talent or interest? Perhaps you have
several!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you exercising those today?
Between the shopping, the cooking, the cleaning, and perhaps even the educating of your own children, what simple steps could you take to develop your skill? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Though there is truth in having to set some things “on the shelf”
during the busier stages of life, God also states for us the importance of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“redeeming the time”.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Savior does not wish for us to forsake
those gifts that He has given to us for His glory. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I Chronicles 29:9 “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Then
the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect
heart they offered willingly to the LORD . . .”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I pray that you’ll read that article, sign up for that
online class, or pull out the paints and the brushes, this week! And when you
do, may you offer your talent to the Lord for HIS work, and see whose lives He
allows you to touch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God Bless! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Kris Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07985460296527978465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371116297567275542.post-69987919785504363622018-10-03T20:32:00.000-07:002018-10-03T20:32:25.288-07:00October Awareness<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMpHhGiFOyrEG0iHiXZMxG4vgM_wCtpCEzRGG_d3ntg9_xwZFz8ng_g9wFFJHimkfrkepY_Gcz1tklxZTo3l3cCnlupPDLX635PN7gy4V-Gc8B48qpxD5-PNTTlnvfrzGCYc3qNHFCWU/s1600/October+Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="632" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMpHhGiFOyrEG0iHiXZMxG4vgM_wCtpCEzRGG_d3ntg9_xwZFz8ng_g9wFFJHimkfrkepY_Gcz1tklxZTo3l3cCnlupPDLX635PN7gy4V-Gc8B48qpxD5-PNTTlnvfrzGCYc3qNHFCWU/s320/October+Image.jpg" width="315" /></a>As some of you know, October is Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness month - a cause that is very dear to my own heart.</div>
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I would like to ask if any of you would join us in a very special endeavor, this month? There are so many sorrowing mamas in our communities, every day. If the Lord would lay it on your heart, would you be willing to purchase ONE COPY of our bereavement resource and drop it off at your local OB-GYN or hospital Labor & Delivery floor? I have attached the link below. </div>
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You can email me (dinnersready123@hotmail.com) at any time<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">, and I would be happy to send you an information letter for medical personnel, to accompany the book.</span></div>
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Would you also please PRAY as we continue to reach out to several hospitals in our state of Virginia? God is providing for this ministry in amazing ways! Thank you very much!</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Letter-Your-Loss-Through-Miscarriage/dp/1980441561/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538623475&sr=8-1&keywords=a+letter+in+your+loss">https://www.amazon.com/Letter-Your-Loss-Through-Miscarriage/dp/1980441561/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538623475&sr=8-1&keywords=a+letter+in+your+loss</a> </div>
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Kris Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07985460296527978465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371116297567275542.post-65765242497941245142018-09-20T12:00:00.003-07:002018-09-20T12:00:28.853-07:00Autumn, Please Don't Come<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
I mentioned in my book, “A Letter
In Your Loss”, how grief can feel like the waves – the tide coming in and
rolling out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both of our baby losses
were in the month of December, and though the spring and summer have been “good
to me”, I have recently been shaken by the realization that the colder months
are coming around again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my prayers
for grace to make it through the upcoming holidays, I composed this poem.
Perhaps it will resonate with others who have walked the road of grief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Isaiah 26:3 – <i>“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: </i></div>
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<i>because he trusteth in thee</i>.<i>” </i></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Agnes; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Autumn, Please
Don’t Come<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">By Kristen Kelley<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">September 2018</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I love the color pumpkin,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Apple red and gold,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The smell of Autumn’s flavors<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Baking in the cold,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The leaf that catches sunlight,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Mountains quite ablaze,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Corn rows, saffron yellow,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Growing in a maze,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A glimpse of charcoal hunter,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Furry, fierce, and wild,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The calm of foggy morning<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Sleeping like a child.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Awake now, Golden Season!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Harvest, sing your song!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">And yet my heartbeat whispers,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Autumn, please don’t come.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The chill brings sorrow’s mem’ry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Piercing through my soul.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">It hints of winter weeping<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Tears beyond control,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Of trees soon leafless, grieving<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Moaning in their pain,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Dark days and longer shadows,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Howling wind, and rain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The rose sings, “Farwell, summer!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Garden days are o’er.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Be gone ye wildflowers;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Petals smile no more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Arrive now blust’ry season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Thunder beat your drum.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">And thus my heartbeat whispers,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Autumn, please don’t come.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I can’t hold sunshine captive;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Heavens blue and white;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Can’t keep October waiting,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Cowering in my fright.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I need you, Dearest Jesus!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Savior, please draw near.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">You’ve held me through each heartache,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Days both bleak and drear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I’ve known your precious Presence;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Comfort, healing, peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I’ve felt Your gracious hand when<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Sobbing would not cease.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">This change I cannot welcome -<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Nor sing sweet Harvest’s song -<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">But by God’s grace I’ll whisper,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Come now, Autumn, come.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Kris Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07985460296527978465noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371116297567275542.post-39482742273679816732018-08-29T13:40:00.000-07:002018-08-29T13:43:23.458-07:00GUEST BLOG! - Flowers From Tears<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
It isn't every day that one is given the opportunity to "guest blog" . . . I was truly honored by the privilege. </div>
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Thank you, Mrs. Erin Ulerich! It is a sweet blessing to have another from-the-heart writer in the family.</div>
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To read my article entitled "Flowers From Tears", please follow the link given below:</div>
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<a href="http://www.erinulerich.com/?p=3957">http://www.erinulerich.com/?p=3957</a></div>
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Kris Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07985460296527978465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371116297567275542.post-49441947711762511672018-08-25T07:27:00.002-07:002018-08-25T07:34:33.388-07:00Majestic Creator - Dinner #91<br />
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Our deputation travels through New England will always hold
a few treasured memories for me. </div>
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Being a descendant of Hungarian immigrants, I had tears in
my eyes seeing “Lady Liberty” for the first time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Standing in the “Great Hall” at Ellis Island made
my heart stop in awe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I imagined my
relatives – my own grandmother not much smaller than our Charlotte - standing
in those massively long lines, reaching out for freedom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That moment for me was pretty
incredible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzWEYDYBSPvyq8M2sYSHUswfcrbBCZlWVW0YuG8kzaYqtE2y-q5P4N8m8SVRbAwc8Emr3OjPCtm9Savyac9PMO_uaoZCeR2vDW3jB0z8dwlKQjFP1aQ7J17EDYgNU-IqslqyhH_Df8HIQ/s1600/IMG_7855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzWEYDYBSPvyq8M2sYSHUswfcrbBCZlWVW0YuG8kzaYqtE2y-q5P4N8m8SVRbAwc8Emr3OjPCtm9Savyac9PMO_uaoZCeR2vDW3jB0z8dwlKQjFP1aQ7J17EDYgNU-IqslqyhH_Df8HIQ/s320/IMG_7855.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was Bar Harbor, Maine, however, that truly captured my
imagination. I have been in 28 states on the continental U.S., and, for me, nothing
compares . . . The blue-gray water and magnificent pines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dense fog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rocks of various hues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The miniature sea shells and colorful tide
pools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took beautiful photographs,
and even the photographs didn’t do it justice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2Hjktoh0aOhG3-8WFYI4rV_tH_FRBcXEjEJ1RTlI0NVWWu_XhOz8rD5tb75FaUcKTsmecoESy4dhHVAY2wE8SlpBaATOljV0_HEZTDpGeeI9fOaemlKAfWREEEQwG0pwhFQUI8er65E/s1600/39207058_745370382476607_2562873789444521984_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2Hjktoh0aOhG3-8WFYI4rV_tH_FRBcXEjEJ1RTlI0NVWWu_XhOz8rD5tb75FaUcKTsmecoESy4dhHVAY2wE8SlpBaATOljV0_HEZTDpGeeI9fOaemlKAfWREEEQwG0pwhFQUI8er65E/s320/39207058_745370382476607_2562873789444521984_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>Our surroundings are often a blur, following a deep sorrow. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now 8 months since our second miscarriage, I
feel as though Maine was the “wake up” moment for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look! There is beauty and majesty in the
world! The sun is shining! The sky is blue!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The trees reach to the heavens!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Psalm 104:24 declares, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">O
LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom has thou made them all: the earth
is full of thy riches</i>.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Psalm 19:1 “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork</i>.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do you ever stop to stare at the stars?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When was the last time you paused to watch a
butterfly or captured a sunset in your mind?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When was the last time you waded in a creek or picked a bouquet of
wildflowers?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When was the last time you
dwelt upon Our Heavenly Father as Creator of the entire universe? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Psalm 104:34 “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My
meditation of him shall be sweet. . .”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we see God for Who He truly is, every trial and
difficult circumstance we face pales in comparison.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jeremiah 32:17 “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ah
Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power
and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee . . .”</i> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9A5dXXOXlSuRJ4sBioDg7L8h5RoM-xAz3sOiRXJ_Vs3uyk920NCrjRKxU34sbQyfTJOtA-1Blhf8wMM5GoDqOftg2lHJ-xZTgcNuZ1PigEAZfSomTVyuGlg7KwLmIZjxnlwDiOT51eVc/s1600/IMG_7866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9A5dXXOXlSuRJ4sBioDg7L8h5RoM-xAz3sOiRXJ_Vs3uyk920NCrjRKxU34sbQyfTJOtA-1Blhf8wMM5GoDqOftg2lHJ-xZTgcNuZ1PigEAZfSomTVyuGlg7KwLmIZjxnlwDiOT51eVc/s320/IMG_7866.JPG" width="320" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div>
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Why do we worry and doubt?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our God is more magnificent than the grandest mountain; more powerful than
the raging sea; more brilliant than the brightest star . . . And our help is IN
HIM!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Psalm 124:8 “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Our help
is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth</i>.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the school year begins, I encourage you to take hold of
these final days of warm summer and EXPLORE – SEE – OBSERVE the natural world
around you – and MEDITATE on the goodness and the glory of our Creator God!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Kris Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07985460296527978465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371116297567275542.post-16028661640103177072018-07-09T13:31:00.002-07:002018-07-09T13:33:18.175-07:00The Blessing of Sisterhood PART II - Dinner #90<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">THE BLESSING OF SISTERHOOD</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Part II</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwvZcRknV74TGVGeZyOaOE6q4SLNHUX2DCR_BX2WIXk0T7V4FKoDwezmJUrzf8Orw754rwMDhYk_z9IGgRChMdd8um5MmvZjTHAbwLoRAf7NUQOUHJtX7H0xOuZinIrqqL3i_InqapHU/s1600/Blog+Hair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwvZcRknV74TGVGeZyOaOE6q4SLNHUX2DCR_BX2WIXk0T7V4FKoDwezmJUrzf8Orw754rwMDhYk_z9IGgRChMdd8um5MmvZjTHAbwLoRAf7NUQOUHJtX7H0xOuZinIrqqL3i_InqapHU/s320/Blog+Hair.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“All girls?!” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have heard it all my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The truth is,
I went from having only sisters, to now having only daughters!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Four daughters, to be exact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are our beautiful little “stair steps”,
and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I daily find myself in a world of pink and purple, dolls and dress-up,
hair accessories and tiaras.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it’s
what I’m used to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s all I’ve ever
known.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has surrounded me with female
relationships, and in so doing, He has given me a rare perspective on the
beauty and the blessing of SISTERHOOD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You see, the blessing of biological sisterhood is very
special.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The blessing of Christian
sisterhood is sacred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re adopted into
God’s family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve been bought with a
price.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our hearts are knit together by a
common salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we each have a
special purpose in the body of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Romans
12:4-6 “<i>For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the
same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members
one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is
given to us . . .”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
Corinthians 12:4-6 “<i>Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same
Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there are differences of
administration, but the same Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all
in all.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My girls are quite close together in age, but each one
has a personality entirely her own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God
intends for it to be that way!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same
is true in the body of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
Corinthians 12:17-18, 20-21 <i>“If the whole body were an eye, where were the
hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now hath God set the members every one of
them in the body, as it hath pleased him . . . But now are they many members,
yet but one body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the eye cannot say
unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have
no need of you.” </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It is so easy for us to look at each other and
compare. To complain when other members of the church don’t appear to be doing
as much work as we are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But perhaps
Sister-So-And-So doesn’t possess the gift of service, as you do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps she won’t be the lady overseeing
nursery Sunday after Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has
been given the gift of exhortation and is writing encouraging letters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or she has been given the gift of prayer and
is interceding on the behalf of every person in the church directory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who are we to judge and say, “You aren’t
doing your part” . . . <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>“I have no need
of thee”</i>?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Do sisters sometimes squabble? Certainly!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But God desires that, as His daughters, we
seek to be at peace with one another!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I Peter
3:8-9 <i>“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love
as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing
for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called,
that she should inherit a blessing.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Colossians
3:13-17 <i>“Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a
quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Scriptures call for UNITY among the brethren.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How much could our loving Heavenly Father
accomplish in this world, if His girls would only WORK TOGETHER?!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Philippians
1:27 <i>“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that
whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that
ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of
the gospel.” </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Philippians
2:1,2 <i>“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love,
if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy,
that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“She hit me!” . . . “She won’t share!” . . .
Perhaps our disagreements don’t sound so childish as grown women, but we are
prone to aggravate and annoy one another, nonetheless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is true, even in God’s family!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The
decorations for the Ladies’ Fellowship are horrendous!” . . . “Did you see how
short her skirt was on Wednesday night?!” . . . “She doesn’t immunize her
children!” . . . “Why am I the only one baking cookies for Vacation Bible
School?!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Romans 12:18
<i>“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Philippians
2:3,4 <i>“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of
mind let each esteem other better than themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look not every man on his own things, but
every man also on the things of others.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Caring about one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Praying for each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rejoicing with those who are rejoicing, and
weeping with those who are weeping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Rom. 12:15)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
Thessalonians 5:11 <i>“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one
another, even as also ye do.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Hebrews 3:13
<i>“But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today. . .”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Why? Why put forth the effort to “get along”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because we are the body of Christ!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I Corinthians
12:25-27 <i>“That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members
should have the same care one for another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one
member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in
particular.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The word “schism” in that verse means “a rent, as in a
garment, a division”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine a
beautiful wedding gown - the beads, the embroidery, the sparkles - but when you
lift it out of the box, you find there is a giant rip right down the front.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s enough to bring any young bride to
tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May the Lord help us as we seek
to “hold the stitching together” . . . As we seek to live in harmony, doing our
God-given part in the body of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYb04ZsO71OyWaUdrSwpEWLArr5QKErGJhiVu_KTo2jEWEe5r-VaEYDn_42-xg1TnoVWwsPOopXTy74Vk-8nzk-0AXZr_TRZePEQEHGvwkpCZN1cvUFOnu9K61nTgV5Zeyz-EUXmOdec8/s1600/IMG_7427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYb04ZsO71OyWaUdrSwpEWLArr5QKErGJhiVu_KTo2jEWEe5r-VaEYDn_42-xg1TnoVWwsPOopXTy74Vk-8nzk-0AXZr_TRZePEQEHGvwkpCZN1cvUFOnu9K61nTgV5Zeyz-EUXmOdec8/s320/IMG_7427.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There is something so beautiful about watching my little
girls ENJOYING spending time together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whenever I happen upon those scenes where the four of them are engaged
in some fabulous imaginative play, or where two are snuggled together on the
couch reading a book together, I immediately feel the need to grab my camera.
Such moments never seem to happen often enough!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How much more must God feel that way about us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How must HE smile, when He watches His
daughters greeting each other pleasantly in church, painting the backdrop for
Vacation Bible School without complaining, kneeling in prayer together . . . </span><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Psalm 133:1 </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">tells
us,</span><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <i>“Behold, how good
and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I encourage you to do those things that tend toward
UNITY with your sisters in Christ, this week!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<br />Kris Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07985460296527978465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371116297567275542.post-17209080709585498542018-07-05T21:59:00.001-07:002018-07-05T22:13:29.990-07:00The Blessing of Sisterhood PART I - Dinner #89<div style="text-align: center;">
THE BLESSING OF SISTERHOOD</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
PART I</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ironed uniforms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Taps at sunset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ear-splitting
sound of jets taking off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Airshows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Commissaries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And moving boxes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We lived in
8 different houses through the course of my military childhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My parents treated each new duty station as
an adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Across state lines, the
scenery, the brand names, and the accents changed, but my immediate family
stayed the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were quite close, my
two younger sisters and I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People often
referred to us as “The Guthrie Girls”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
sisters, we were not only family, but friends and classmates, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Homeschooling brought a sense of stability to
our constantly changing lives, and we loved it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My sister
Jessica is nearly 3 years younger than myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Being the middle child, my mom used to refer to her as the “Oreo
filling.” She was the peacemaker in the bunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She was enamored with horses and cowgirls, and could definitely look the
part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her outstanding feature was her long
blonde hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until the time she went off
to college, it only saw healthy trimmings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had thick bangs and waves that went every which way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jess’ hair curled up and frizzed up in
humidity, and tangled horribly in water and wind, but she resembled a Medieval princess with a long
rippling sheet of blonde down her back when her hair wasn’t braided.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jessica was lovely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s still gorgeous, by the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, most important of all, she was
sweet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She prayed beautifully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She read Scripture beautifully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She often played the role of peacemaker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And she was nearly always willing to
participate in whatever playtime idea her bossy big sister concocted next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All in all, she was pretty amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether it be Barbie “Olympics” or “orphan
trains”, elaborate dress-up story lines or Disney karaoke, Lincoln logs or toy
soldiers, Jess was my closest friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ashley was
the baby in the family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s in her
late 20s now, but forever an adorable curly-headed preschooler in my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of my earliest recollections of our
homeschooling days include her sitting at the dining room table with us,
coloring or playing with the Math-U-See blocks while we did our school
papers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was learning about “Leif
Erikson” and “Erik the Red” right along with us, and for a period of a year or two she had “Luke Skywalker”
for an imaginary friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was a
little firecracker and consequently the one who got annoyed and pestered the
most by her sisters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Quite special to me is the fact that </span>our
sisterly relationship grew stronger in the years after I got married.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ashley was the member of my family who
visited the most often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She came to help
me after every baby was born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was
the one who took the beautiful newborn photos, the one who helped get lunch on
the table amid the toddler wails, the one who sat on the couch and had long
talks while I waited for my husband to arrive home from selling cars. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13pt;">She jumped wholeheartedly into
her role of “Auntie”, sending cards for every birthday and holiday, and buying
presents to go with every birthday theme her nieces and their mother came up
with.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13pt;">She’s a pretty strong and fabulous young
woman, and I love her dearly!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jessica and
Ashley are my biological sisters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
memorized AWANA verses together, tent camped together, canoed through
alligator-infested waters together, survived eating Mom’s “mush-mush-crumble”
together . . . We’ve made hundreds and even thousands of memories, while
walking hand-in-hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sisters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s no other bond quite like it on
earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But it
doesn’t stop there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Our loving Creator </span>has taken a relationship so special and precious – the bond of
SISTERHOOD – and has allowed that concept to spill over into the spiritual
realm as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How tremendously
beautiful that we can also have Sisters in Christ!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> We can be me</span>mbers together of GOD’S family!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">No two
ladies are exactly alike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has
created us with unique personalities, weaknesses, strengths . . . If we are His
children, then He has given us certain spiritual gifts as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We may be as different from each other as
night and day, and yet, God in His infinite wisdom has woven us together in a
beautiful tapestry of grace; members of one body - the body of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
Corinthians 12:12, 14 <i>“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all
the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ . . .
For the body is not one member, but many.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How is this
possible? Because when we place our trust in Jesus Christ as our personal
Savior, we are adopted into God’s family!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Galatians
4:4-7 <i>“But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made
of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we
might receive the adoption of sons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your
hearts, crying, Abba, Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wherefore
thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God
through Christ.” </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">No matter the race, the nationality, the background .
. . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Colossians
3:11 <i>“Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision or uncircumcision,
Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Are you a believer in Christ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you been adopted into God’s family? Then
you, Dear Lady, have sisters! – Beloved sisters in Christ!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you realize how very special that is?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> There are w</span>omen and girls from every country around the
globe united by the redemption that can only be found in the Lord Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do
biological sisters, by nature, love each other?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How much more should sisters in Christ love one another! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I John 4:11,12
<i>“Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. . . If we love
one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Romans 12:10
<i>“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love . . .”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I pray that as you finish reading Part I of this
devotional, you’ll thank God for the beautiful blessing of SISTERHOOD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Hebrews 13:1
<i>“Let brotherly love continue.” </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtz8otBM-48eMcjLzdvsUKCxsbXPQdiQTF1BPTF77kHVqF9aMAkfuyADpVUkEKenOG52x96NfLKkmdjofG0jy8SiBA3bRYyEQAQFTHIdFYX8g6fsxEUZhEggvYWBAKHtCNpHhPL0TdcrU/s1600/Sister+Devo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtz8otBM-48eMcjLzdvsUKCxsbXPQdiQTF1BPTF77kHVqF9aMAkfuyADpVUkEKenOG52x96NfLKkmdjofG0jy8SiBA3bRYyEQAQFTHIdFYX8g6fsxEUZhEggvYWBAKHtCNpHhPL0TdcrU/s400/Sister+Devo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Kris Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07985460296527978465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371116297567275542.post-71297663575953971902018-06-01T20:21:00.001-07:002018-06-01T20:51:27.136-07:00Return To Candidate School - Dinner #88<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The truth? Last year, I
sat at missionary candidate school and I cried as I asked my husband, “Can we
really do this?</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Can we really do this to
our kids?”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">You see, deputation can be a
daunting task.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Missions conferences all over
the U.S., late nights, long drives, strange beds...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Yesterday afternoon, I
found myself at BIMI’s headquarters, sitting in the same exact bedroom we had
last year. I’ve often thought about the
2017 training session where Mrs. Snyder had all the second-year candidate
school ladies share lessons and blessings from THEIR first year of deputation .
. . Now, here I am, myself. We’ve only
been “full time” since January, but oh how our lives have changed since this
time last summer! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What would <b>I</b> say to those following along behind
us? What would I share with the
missionary mamas who are just about to embark on this deputation journey? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There will be “fewer” –
fewer movies and TV shows, fewer possessions that you feel are “must haves”,
fewer evenings alone with your husband . . . But there will be “more” too –
more restaurants, more opportunities for creative romance, more road trip
photos, more friends than you’ve ever had before, more preaching from God’s
Word . . . Don’t be afraid to embrace the changes!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Psalm
65:11 “Thou crownest the year with thy goodness. . .”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You’re going to swap
overwhelming “Mommy tasks”. Piles of dishes and meals to prepare will turn
into packing, unpacking, and re-packing, and organizing things to occupy your
children in the car for hours on end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Psalm 61:2 <i>“From the end of the earth will I cry unto
thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Education for the
children will switch from “at the kitchen table” to clipboards, and missionary
encounters, and totally awesome field trips along the way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Deuteronomy 6:7 <i>“And thou shalt teach them diligently unto
thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when
thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>and when thou risest up.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Be prepared for days you
want to jump out of the van and leave your husband behind - LOL, and moments
when you realize you’ve never been closer together as a family in your life. God’s
blessings are always there if you look for them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Psalm 26:3 <i>“For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes
. . .”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Open your heart to love
and be loved by ladies in churches all across America. Open your heart to love and be loved by
fellow missionary wives all over the globe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Psalm 26:12 <i>“My foot standeth in an even place: in the
congregations will I bless the LORD.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Psalm 122:1<i> “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us
go into the house of the LORD.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Don’t let your guard down
in thinking that 15 or 20 “church days” in a month is “sufficient” or “enough”
– You’re going to need your PERSONAL time with the Lord like never before. You’re going to need some special-to-you
deputation verses to cling to, as well.
God is the Only One Who can see you through this journey!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Psalm 119:2 <i>“Blessed are they that keep his testimonies,
and that seek him with the whole heart.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It is vital that you
“love on” your children daily – hugs, snuggles, books, audio
adventures, art projects (even in hotel rooms), puppets, funny songs in the car
. . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Genesis 33:5 <i>“. . . And he said, The children which God
hath graciously given thy servant.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Be ready to use some God-given
creativity. You may be making peanut
butter sandwiches on Hawaiian rolls, when the sliced bread is running low. You may be laying your kiddos crossways in
order to fit three to a bed, or placing a sleeping bag on top of a deflated air mattress for added cushioning. Make sure
you have plenty of Bible songs, and coloring sheets, and washable crayons in
your “back pocket”. Ask the Lord to help
you be flexible! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Isaiah 26:3 <i>“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose
mind is </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>stayed on thee </i></span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">because he trusteth in thee.”</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Your children are going
to love it more than you ever thought they would! Sure, they’re going to have days when they
admit, “I want to go home!” You are
too! But most of the time they’re going
to be begging to be the next one to push the elevator button, and asking if
they can have waffles at the continental breakfast. They’re going to be excited to sit beside the
pastor’s wife at the missions banquet, and inviting other children to look at
their display table. They’re going to be
telling others about cool places they’ve visited, and requesting to see your
hostess’ talking parrot as soon as they wake up in the morning. Deputation can be a childhood adventure
they’ll never forget!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Isaiah 54:13 <i>“And all thy children shall be taught of the
LORD;and great </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>shall be </i></span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">the peace of thy children.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">God can take care of any
and every financial difficulty you’ll face.
You can truly leave every need and every want in His care. You might be running low on gasoline or “Goldfish”
crackers, needing a date night with your husband, worrying about how worn your
girls’ church shoes are, or thinking how pleasant it would be for them to have
a new book to read or a doll to share this journey with them, and the Lord will
suddenly provide! Sometimes from a corner you never would have expected . . . When
you’re doing God’s will, He truly DOES take care of you! He shows Himself
FAITHFUL – again, and again, and again, and again . . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Matthew 6:<i>32 “ . . . for your heavenly Father knoweth
that ye have need of all these things.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Are you about to “step
out by faith”, as they say? Is the “road to missions” laying before you? Rest assured that the Lord is by your side!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Psalm 121:8 <i>“The LORD shall preserve thy going out and
thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">May the Lord bless you,
Dear Ladies, as you seek to serve Him with your lives! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />Kris Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07985460296527978465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371116297567275542.post-53014397346017360712018-05-17T12:48:00.001-07:002018-05-17T12:48:55.262-07:00A Thought On Marriage<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 4.5pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">1 Peter 3 starts by speaking of the husband and
wife in their individual roles, and then groups all together as they are in
Christ - BRETHREN. Verses 8-11 were no doubt written for all believers,
regardless of their marital status, but I believe it would do couples good to
read this passage and to think of it as an ongoing discourse on marriage.
Having compassion and courtesy, not seeking to “get even”, keeping our tongues
from evil, pursuing peace ... We live in a day when Satan would like nothing
better than to destroy our homes - May we “seek peace, and ensue it.”</span><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Kris Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07985460296527978465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371116297567275542.post-74821494569323788272018-05-04T22:20:00.000-07:002018-05-04T22:20:47.791-07:00Weary Pilgrims - Dinner #87<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">My husband purchased the classic </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">Pilgrim’s Progress</i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> for my birthday this year.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It is a work that has long been on my
“need-to-read” list.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As the main
character makes his lengthy journey, I find myself wondering, “When is he going
to reach the Celestial City? Shouldn’t he be nearly there by now?”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">But author John Bunyan accurately portrays
the Christian life – it is a series of defeats and victories, of valleys and
mountaintops, of weaknesses and strengths.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Any number of things tries to hinder the pilgrim on his way – the Slough
of Despond, lions, Apollyon, the Valley of the Shadow of Death . . . and so it
is with us.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It isn’t always easy to travel from one missions conference
to another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are times when I feel
the weariness in my very bones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I didn’t volunteer for this,” my heart sometimes wants to
say.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes, you did,” the Lord whispers in return. “Don’t you
remember that day as a teenager, when you kneeled beside your bed?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You told me you surrendered all your life to
Christian service and that you would do anything I asked of you. This may not
feel like ‘missions’ yet, but answering questions, sharing your testimony, riding
in a vehicle for long hours at a time, packing, singing, home schooling on the
road . . . this is the ministry that I have given to you, right now!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you still surrendered? Are you still
willing?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">God reminds me of my book on the subject of miscarriage, as
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re listening to the tears of
others who are hurting. You’re sharing the Gospel and the comfort that is found
in Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re in the business of
rescuing souls from the power of Satan’s darkness – Do you think you won’t be
fought?!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How about you, Dear Sister?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Do you, too, feel the battle raging?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are days when we all wish to quit – our jobs, our ministries, our
role as “mom” . . . “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Even the youths
shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall . . .” </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you recall the remainder of that verse? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“ . . . but they that wait upon the LORD
shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they
shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” </i>(Isaiah
40:30-31)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">God desires for us to<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Seek the LORD and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">his</b> strength, seek his face continually</i>.” (I Chronicles 16:11)
The truth is, we can’t live even the “easy” days without Him! We need THE LORD
if we are ever to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“ . . . run with
patience the race that is set before us.”</i> (Hebrews 12:1)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There’s an old hymn that reads:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He giveth more
grace when the burdens grow greater.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">He sendeth
more strength when the labors increase.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">To added
affliction He addeth His mercy,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">To multiplied
trials, His multiplied peace.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">When we have
exhausted our store of endurance,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">When our
strength has failed ere the day is half-done,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">When we reach
the end of our hoarded resources,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Our Father's
full giving is only begun.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">His love has
no limit, His grace has no measure,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">His power no
boundary known unto men,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">For out of
His infinite riches in Jesus,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">He giveth and
giveth and giveth again.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In Galatians 6, Paul writes “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap,
if we faint not.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Have you been struggling with “continuing on”, as I have in
recent days? Have you found yourself weary, even in the midst of doing GOOD
things - the RIGHT things?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">May we allow the Lord to help us and enable us as only He can
do! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“And he said unto me, My grace is
sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in
my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in
reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake:
for when I am weak, then am I strong.”</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> (II Cor. 12:9-10)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Kris Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07985460296527978465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371116297567275542.post-82406422371335115302018-04-12T15:02:00.002-07:002018-04-12T15:13:33.784-07:00Treasuring Our Children - Dinner #86<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnStuULzh0lKVVFWwwoAmpH-__XY8jJlGAdqZzRA4Qrf6dyKvuqvPZFGx9AIK0koHeErU_Ictw3_nIS9NQaD-xvnSG6FuGoRvtVu7hxxtpw_Ksb056ZSEv8MHlL4y2fe2mCAXkqABiOI/s1600/IMG_5806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnStuULzh0lKVVFWwwoAmpH-__XY8jJlGAdqZzRA4Qrf6dyKvuqvPZFGx9AIK0koHeErU_Ictw3_nIS9NQaD-xvnSG6FuGoRvtVu7hxxtpw_Ksb056ZSEv8MHlL4y2fe2mCAXkqABiOI/s320/IMG_5806.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Without a doubt, there is
a great amount of stress that goes into traveling with little people.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Toys and books drop in the van.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Clothing gets stained. Voices become loud. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jumping on hotel beds
occurs.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Parental blood pressure
rises.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">And I suddenly catch myself gritting
my teeth and saying, “Why can’t you all just be PERFECT?!” But they aren’t
perfect, nor will they ever be, in this world.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">And my heart is pricked with the realization that sometimes the
problem is ME. Am I REACTING to the daily conflict and chaos, like I ought to
be?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Psalm 113:9 speaks of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“... a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">joyful</b>
mother of children...” </i>On the difficult days, how easy it is to lose that
joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they’re still awake at 11:00
p.m. and asking for another drink of water . . . I know – I’m in the trenches
myself right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they are our
REWARD – our BLESSINGS! How often do we neglect to treat them as such?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Psalm 127:3 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD:
and the fruit of the womb is his <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">reward</b>.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Genesis 33:5 “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women
and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children
which God hath <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">graciously given</b> thy
servant.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Graciously given . . . They
are a GIFT, My Friend!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somewhere in the
overwhelming stickiness of jam and the changing of diapers, we can forget that
fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can forget to truly TREASURE our
children! I’m not speaking of idolizing them – not putting them first in our
marriages or first in our lives, but CHERISHING them as God would have us do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When was the last time we
TOOK THE TIME – to read the book, to sing the song, to pull out the Play-Doh,
to look up from our phones and see the little faces in need of us, once again? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Instead, in our frustration
and annoyance, we can find ourselves mindlessly muttering, “Not tonight”, or
“Not right now”, or “Not this time, Sweetheart - Mommy’s busy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Matthew 18:10 “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Take heed that ye despise not one of these
little ones . . .”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now I am a great believer
in mothers “taking time” for themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m not talking about refusing yourself the renewing that we so
desperately need to keep going every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, as parents, we <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">can</b>
become guilty of laziness and selfishness, and of addressing our children with
very little kindness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can interrupt
them, can speak in frustration toward them, can ignore them – many of the same
things we rebuke OUR CHILDREN for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">James 1:19 “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every
man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath...</i>”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Bible reminds us that
we as parents have the ability to either anger or encourage our children by our
parenting methods:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ephesians 6:4 “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And, ye fathers, provoke not your children
to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”</i> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This verse speaks of disciplining as well as
warning, but without needless severity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One commentator described this idea as placing them “under such
discipline and instruction that they shall become acquainted with the Lord.” Are
we remembering what an important role we play in leading our children to the
Savior?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Perhaps this is a day to
bow our heads and to ask the Lord to help us TREASURE our sons and our
daughters, once more. Children <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">will</b> whine,
they <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">will</b> argue, they <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">will</b> try our patience at times. They
will, literally, climb over the back of the couch, like mine are at this
present moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our words, our actions,
our attitudes toward our children are powerful, Sweet Mamas!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we seeing our Little Ones as God sees
them, today? Are we THANKING GOD for them, and continuing to lead them to Him? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If it were always easy,
then there would be no reason for Titus 2:4: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That they may <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">teach</b> the
young women to be sober, to love their husbands, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">to love their children</b> . . .”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sometimes we all need instruction and encouragement in this area of our
lives - myself included! And now I will calmly request that my children stop
closing each other in the hotel closet . . . Because my little girls are sweet
GIFTS FROM GOD.</span></div>
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<br />Kris Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07985460296527978465noreply@blogger.com1