tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160279625766242842024-03-14T01:27:08.293-04:00A realistic walkA Journey to Real ChristianityAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06836379391293077678noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516027962576624284.post-73285140523123406672013-04-04T16:17:00.000-04:002013-04-04T16:17:19.143-04:00Lukewarm Special with a Side of Indifference<br />
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<span style="font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";">Dinner has
always meant a lot to my family. It is
the one moment in the day where everyone comes together, sits at the table,
giving thanks to the Lord and for at least thirty minutes we are all together
as a family. With my family never knowing that at least five meals a week is a
strategic, well thought out plan that took a better part of the day just so I could
have those thirty minutes. Because
anyone that has prepared a meal knows that timing is everything. You have to know when to start cooking what
so that it is all done at the same time and if you are like me, you are timing
everything to be ready to be pulled out of the oven as your spouse is pulling
into the driveway. I do this because I want
everyone to have a hot plate of food so, they can enjoy that thirty minutes as
much as I do. I’m sure there are many
families that are just like mine that put just as much effort into their family
dinners. But, as I look at the current
state of this country and sadly enough, the church body, I can’t help but
wonder why is it we put so much work into having a hot meal but the faith and obedience
with which we serve Christ is lukewarm at best?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";">This country
was founded on Biblical principles. The
Word of God was the guideline our founding fathers used for how our nation was to
be governed. Over the generations,
however, we have picked over the Bible and as a country only keeping what we
like. Even non-believers are guilty of
this. Christmas and Easter are Christian
holidays last time I checked but, how many celebrate those holidays? Why in an era that the separation of Church
and State is at an all-time high are those two days still considered national
holidays? The answer is simple; they are
Biblical observances that are mutually non-offensive. People can get things they want, the
government gets the economic boost of people spending above their means and
Christians get to celebrate the birth and resurrection of their Savior. So we keep those Biblical institutions and
everyone is okay with the mixing of Church and State for the moment. But, what happens when a Biblical principle
is found to be offensive? The people
rally against it, scream for separation from the Church and call it a civil
rights issue.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";">Just as
Christmas and Easter are Biblical observances, the sanctity of marriage is
Biblical as well. God’s law on marriage
is clear. In <b>Ephesians 5:21-33 </b>He
lays it out clear and simple. Today,
that Biblical institution is under attack.
It has been found to be unfair and offensive and there is a movement of
millions fighting for marriage equality.
Now, I am by no means a Biblical scholar nor have I ever been to
seminary school but from all my reading in the Word, I have yet to find a
passage where God requires our approval for any commandment He has laid before
us; He only requires obedience. The
truth of the matter is there maybe commandments that to some are unfair but
that never negates the requirement to obey it.
If I was a talented public speaker (which I am not) and I wanted to
pastor a church <b>1 Timothy 2:12 </b>says
that female pastors would go against God’s will and <b>1 Corinthians 11:3</b> just confirms God’s order in the Church. So, if I wanted to be the head of a church I may
find those verses unfair. God is not
asking me to agree with His plan but commanding that I obey it. As parents we shouldn’t offer suggestions to
our children on how to behave nor should they be given an option to disobey
because they think we are unfair. But
instead, we should give them specific sets of rules with clear consequences
when the rules are broken. Our Heavenly
Father has done the same. Marriage is
not a civil rights issue but a Biblical privilege and it should remain a union
between a man and a woman brought together and blessed by God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";">Now, having made
my beliefs clear; I am not advocating Christians to practice condemnation
either. Jesus says in <b>John 8:7</b> only those without sin can is
qualified to throw the first stone and He made it clear again in <b>Luke 6:37<sup> </sup><span style="color: red;">“Do not judge others, and you
will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against
you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>Even though we
shouldn’t be throwing stones, we also shouldn’t be neutral in those issues that
go against the Will of God. We need to
stand firm in our faith, without shame. It
is a very thin line between loving the sinner and supporting the sin. When we let our foothold waiver and we become
neutral, we in turn begin to support the sin.
In the eyes of the Lord, there is no gray area; only black and white,
only hot or cold. Lukewarm is not acceptable.
<b>Revelation 3:15-16<sup> </sup><span style="color: red;">“I
know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you
were one or the other! <sup> </sup>But
since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of
my mouth!”</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";"><b> </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";">So, my prayer
for all of us as a nation and as a church body is to receive a fire from the
Holy Spirit to stand firm in our faith, active in the Word, obedient in our
service to Him and to do all things in love for our fellow man. In Jesus name. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";"> May all we do in service to Christ be just as
hot as the meal we place on the table.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06836379391293077678noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516027962576624284.post-58455022653700625392012-09-18T13:28:00.000-04:002012-09-18T13:28:14.266-04:00Kickin' It Old School<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">For as long as I can remember, Little House on the Prairie has always
been one of my favorite T.V. shows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which,
if you knew me, you would know how odd that is considering what a science
fiction nerd I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s true I can’t
tell you the name of one single cast member of Glee but I can, however, list
off Starfleet captains and the names of the ships they commanded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of my dreams is to learn to speak Klingon
(hey, don’t judge you never know when that may come in handy).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet, when I flip through the channels I’m
drawn to the 1880’s to spend an hour with the Ingalls’s family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never knew why I liked the show until
recently it hit me that it’s because of the strong family values; something
this generation severely lacks.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">In this one hour show I could see men who knew how to be men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They worked until their hands bled to support
their family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sun up to sun down, six
days a week doing whatever was necessary to put food on the table. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And no matter how tired they were, you could
still see them taking their family to church early Sunday morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also knew how to treat and love their
wives, how to treat them like the lady God created them to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The women knew how to be women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They worked just as hard in their responsibilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They knew how to be supportive to their
husbands, to love and respect them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
were willing to do whatever they could to take some burden off of their
spouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Children were raised to have
respect for their elders and for each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And when the family came on hard times, the children’s first thought wasn’t
about themselves; it was about how they could help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The family knew that when conflict reared his
ugly head, they didn’t search for the nearest divorce attorney for a solution;
they turned to the Word of God for answers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Neighbors loved one another, they helped each other; they might have
been a small town but they were a big family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The one thing that always amazed me was no matter how little or how much
they had, they knew how to be grateful and how to give thanks to God.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Now, I know that the show was fictionalized non-fiction and the real
Ingalls family couldn’t have been perfect but I do believe it has been one of
the closest representations of applying God’s plan for the family and the harmony
that comes from letting Him run your house as well as your heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s plan is not “old fashioned” or
outdated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was never meant to change
with the times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are the ones meant to
change. His Word is constant yesterday, today and tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The breakdown in the family dynamic today is
because we have removed Christ and replaced Him with chaos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone is trying to do the other’s God
given role instead of fulfilling their own role.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Truth is, it is not that hard to find husbands more concerned with
their own desires than with the needs of the family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible was clear on the role of the
husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Ephesians 5:25-33 we can
read that the husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even in verse 23 God’s plan shows he is to be
the head of his house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Men are to be the
spiritual leaders in the home; making sure God’s will is being fulfilled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Families everywhere are crying for their men
to lead!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also can find wives so
consumed with asserting control over their husbands that they neglect the very
roles they were designed for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In verse 22
of Ephesians, we know God wants wives to submit to their husbands as to the
Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems to me that women get hung
up on the word <i>submit</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a
woman and a wife and submission is not to be enslaved by or to be a doormat to
your husband it simply means to willingly follow your husband’s leadership in
Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve pointed out Matthew 26:39
before where Jesus, regardless of His own desires, knew the importance of
submitting to the Father’s will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew
His role, His place in God’s plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve
said this before and will proudly say again that if Jesus Christ, the King of
Kings, my Lord and Savior, can submit and know His place than I can know mine
as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">We can look deeper and find that even our children don’t know their
place in the family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We see our kids
trying all the time to assert authority in and out of the home; being outrageously
disrespectful and parents, being so wrapped up in their own will, doing nothing
about it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know that in Exodus 20:12
it says to honor your father and mother and in Ephesians 6:1 it says children,
obey your parents but how are they to know that? The Bible has an answer for
that too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We teach them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Deuteronomy 6:6-7 it says we are to keep
God’s word in our heart and repeat them again and again to our children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Proverbs 22:6 God promises that if we
direct our children on the right path, they won’t stray from it as adults.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">So, if husbands lead, wives submit and children obey like the Bible
says than the family should be a very cohesive unit, right? Well, in Little
House’s time of the 1880’s, where God’s word was the foundation of most
American families, the divorce rate was less than 5%.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today, it is more like 45-50%, so you tell
me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">God’s plan is not a set of random ideas that He put forth just because
He had nothing better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are specific
commands because He is our Heavenly Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He created us and He knows our needs before we even have them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if we follow His plan our needs will be fulfilled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We shouldn’t just accept our roles, we should
rejoice in them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Know that whatever role
He blessed you with is because that is where you can serve Him best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If His plan seems too “old fashioned” or too
outdated for our fast advancing society than I say, we need to stop looking
ahead to the stars and head back to the prairie. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06836379391293077678noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516027962576624284.post-25529935168059456252012-08-21T16:49:00.000-04:002012-08-21T16:49:30.375-04:00Not all that is beautiful, is pretty
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-themecolor: text1;">I remember when I first felt the
call to serve Jesus; I tried to ignore it at first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know, the way most of us have tried to
ignore the bill collectors when they call (Caller I.D. was such a beautiful
invention).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, just like with the bill
collectors, I knew what Jesus wanted when He called.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted me, not just some of me and not
just on Sundays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted all of me,
all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew this, so I tried to
ignore the call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew that like the
bill collectors, He wanted more than I wanted to give.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But lucky for me, He can’t be easily ignored
like they can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t just turn off
the phone or change my number and I eventually answered that call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember my body trembling, the tears
falling and even being afraid of what I was feeling because I had never felt
anything like that before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had so many
emotions that my mind could not sort them out and I had no other choice but to
surrender them to Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The experience
of turning my life over to Jesus was beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thank You, Jesus for being more persistent for my soul than bill
collectors were for my money!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-themecolor: text1;">Now, being born again will
always be the most beautiful experience that could ever happen here on earth
but, Jesus never promises that it will always be pretty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, it’s quite the opposite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2 Timothy 3:12 Paul writes, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i>“Yes, and everyone who wants to live a
godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said everyone will; not some and not
maybe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m thinking Timothy gave an Amen
when he read that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m thinking all
Christians can give Paul an Amen to that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes, it seems that we have a “no money down and no payment until...”
mindset on our salvation but, it seems the “until” part never comes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we first become born again the down
payment is easy: confess and repent your sins and believe Christ is the Son of
God and He is you Savior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Confess,
repent, believe; I can afford that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
we sport our transformation around like a brand new car, showing it off to
anyone that wants to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re armed
with all the specs and perks His grace has to offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, we turn into salesmen to let everyone know
they can afford all this too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, then,
the payments start becoming due and that shiny new car starts to look a little
dull.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-themecolor: text1;">The question is not whether or
not we can still afford His salvation but whether or not we want to pay for
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes, it’s not pretty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though, we could never pay what His gift
is worth; we should strive daily to pay with our obedience, even if that means
to sacrifice. Not only is not always going to be pretty but sometimes it is
going to downright hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It could cost
us relationships or financial stability, the freedom to go out and party or
even the bitter taste of some humble pie because you have to forgive someone
you don’t want to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my case, I had to
learn to love everyone, not just those who loved me or that I felt deserved my
love. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Jesus sacrificed Himself on
the cross; trust me, it hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just like
when He was here on earth, He never asks anything of us that He isn’t willing
to do Himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if He didn’t want
to, even if it caused Him pain; He obeyed and paid the price that was ours to
pay. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matthew 26:39 <i>He went on a
little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying,</i></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="color: #c0504d; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; mso-themecolor: accent2;"> "My Father! If it is possible, let
this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done,
not mine."</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-themecolor: text1;">Like I said before, He doesn’t
want part of us, part of the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
wants all of us, all of the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
the call is answered and we give Him all we are and could ever hope to be; the
reward will be great because we will stand before Him when He calls again to
bring us home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if the journey to
get there comes with sacrifice or pain or isn’t pretty; it will be absolutely
beautiful. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06836379391293077678noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516027962576624284.post-39411404535069084092012-07-19T15:05:00.000-04:002012-07-19T17:16:05.713-04:00The Not So Comfortable Comfort Zone<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";">I mentioned before that I was
going through some spiritual maintenance.
I’m starting to feel some changes taking place. By no means am I out of the shop but, it is becoming
clearer what improvements need to be made (this time around, anyway). I’ve been realizing that since I’ve dedicated
my life to Christ I have been very selective on what I’m willing to give Him
access too. It wasn’t intentional or
anything, I have always resisted change.
Even as a child, I was never impulsive and I never let others
impulsiveness intrude on my routine. I’ve
always needed control, needed a schedule and preferred solitude over
interacting with others. I guess I wasn’t
a very fun child to play with, huh? Anyway,
what I’m trying to say is that my comfort zone has always been very small and I’ve
always tried to stay in its boundaries.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";">I turned to Christ and it was
no different. I’ve been willing to give
Him everything; everything inside that small circle of a comfort zone, that is. I struggle with prayer, especially for other
people, especially out loud. I know we’re
not supposed to pray for show (Matthew 6:5) but we are supposed to pray with
our brothers and sisters in need (James 5:16).
I struggle with letting my emotion show, including and most of all,
joy. I’ve never been one to wear my
heart on my sleeve, so to speak. How was
anyone going to see the love of Christ in me?
I struggle with the need to stick to a strict schedule. Sometimes, I ignore
what He is tugging on my heart to do because I didn’t put that in as a part of
my day. Someone forgot to tell me that
God doesn’t make appointments. I suppose
my real struggle is just giving up that control. I gave Jesus my heart but didn’t want to hand
over the key.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";">I suppose that wasn’t enough
for Jesus so, in the shop I went. Since He
knows my heart, He knew my commitment was sincere; that I wanted to give Him
all of me but I was battling with my old self.
I would have lost that fight too if it hadn’t been for Him intervening. The work is not done yet and it never will
be. I will always be a <i>work in
progress</i> but I am starting to feel the improvements. The smile that has been in my heart is
starting to show on my face. Praying out
loud is still intimidating but He knows that sometimes the quickest way around
an obstacle is to go through it. So, He
is throwing prayer opportunities in my direction. I’m starting to see that not everything can
fit in a specific time allotment and its okay.
As long as His will takes priority then everything is right on time and
according to plan.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";">I see now that no one can grow
as long as they stay in their comfort zone because His work is bigger than what
we can do. He wants us in that
uncomfortable zone; that is where it is all about Him and He shines the
brightest because our controlling Self is out of the way. I know it is a process that won’t be complete
until He calls me home but I’m willing to do whatever He has set before me so
that He will be glorified.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";">If it doesn’t cost you
anything, it's not a sacrifice.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06836379391293077678noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516027962576624284.post-34443922025181567972012-07-10T13:37:00.000-04:002012-07-18T12:44:16.493-04:00Needing Input<br />
<img height="133" id="il_fi" src="http://www.jesseshook.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/understanding-baptism1.png" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="200" />Here lately I feel that God has placed on my heart that we, as Christians, need to come together as the body of Christ; regardless of how our denominations divide us. So, I began having a Bible study with a pastor other than my own. I believe that different perspectives can lead to better understanding of God's Word but I am learning that it can also lead to greater confusion. I know that is the enemy at work; keeping me from growing in my faith. I could really use some clarification right about now.<br />
<br />
I was always taught that being saved meant (1)Accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior (2)Believe that he died for your sins and God resurrected Him from the dead (3)Asking Him to come into your heart (4)Repent for your sins (5)Give Him control over your life and allow His will to show through you. Then, if you asked for all that with a sincere heart, your sins will be forgiven and your heart forever changed. Your walk with Christ can begin. And, one of your first steps should be to show the world your commitment and obedience to Christ by being baptized.<br />
<br />
Now, through this Bible study I am being taught that forgiveness of your sins cannot take place until you are baptized. What if there is a time gap between being saved and being baptized? Are you not really saved in that time? Then what happens when you sin after being baptized? Is baptism needed again? Can anyone help with this or have scripture that can show me the truth?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06836379391293077678noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516027962576624284.post-51839731830222057842012-06-17T18:40:00.000-04:002012-06-17T18:40:28.970-04:00Just in the shop<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-themecolor: text1;">Psalm 55:22 </span></b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Give your burdens to the
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-themecolor: text1;">It’s been a few weeks since I have
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share something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure what it
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but, for me who writes it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-themecolor: text1;">We all have our ups and downs
in our walk with Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are times
where we feel like our cup is overflowing with blessing and times where we feel
parched because it seems the cup is empty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now, we know (or at least we should) that the cup is not really empty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God doesn’t put a cap on how many blessings
He gives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some might say that if the blessings
seem to run dry; we have strayed and become undeserving of any.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I, disagree, for the simple fact, we have
always been undeserving even when our cup was overflowing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, I view this dry time as God
performing “<i>spiritual maintenance” </i>in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just like our vehicles, if we want them to
continue to run like the day we bought it we have to do maintenance on
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is being worked on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our walk is always
going to be full of peaks and valleys and I think that it is in those valleys
that we are just <i>in the shop</i> so to speak.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-themecolor: text1;">I’ve been in what seems to be
a valley for the past few months now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
hasn’t been anything really specific to complain about; like I said before just
been in an awkward place in my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
has felt like I’ve been just going through the motions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fire I had when I first got saved was
dwindling down to a flicker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It felt
like it had been months since a sermon had reached my soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, God is always faithful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has been sure to keep spiritually strong influences
around me to keep me company while my spirit is undergoing some
maintenance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew I was in need of
some reassurance and so a couple weeks ago when I was just going through the
motions and going to Bible study He put it on my pastor’s heart to talk about
the peaks and valleys that we go through and how the valleys are just as
important (if not more so) than the peaks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He also pointed out that to get to the next peak we need to go through
another valley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I heard those
words, I was reminded of an old saying that my previous pastor said for times
like this: <i>“Smooth seas never make good sailors.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, what my pastor was saying started to
really resonate in me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure I am not
the only that has been listening to a sermon and thought, “This seems to be
meant for me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guess what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes it is for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is just using the speaker to tell you the
message He has for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Praise God my
pastor is interested in God’s will and not his own.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-themecolor: text1;">It is only when you combine
knowledge with experience do you get wisdom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And, with wisdom comes strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
this is true, then when I climb out of this valley, I will have the wisdom and
the strength to get out of the next one. So, instead of giving me a blessing
that is temporary, it is permanent. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
cup of blessings isn’t dry; God is giving me one that not only has unlimited
refills but has the ability to be upgraded to a bigger cup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know how long I will be in these
rough seas but now I know God is not letting me drown; He is teaching me to
swim.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-themecolor: text1;">Isaiah 41:10 </span></b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Don’t be afraid, for I am
with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and
help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06836379391293077678noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516027962576624284.post-70678681393030435462012-05-25T13:39:00.000-04:002012-05-25T13:39:38.612-04:00Don't blame me<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-themecolor: text1;">When I first began my walk
with Christ and really started getting into the Word, my eyes started to see
the world the way it was supposed to be instead of the way it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I already knew that we were self-destructive,
I just didn’t realize to what extent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
knew before I started reading the Bible that killing, stealing and cheating was
wrong and since I didn’t take part in things of that nature, I didn’t have to
take any blame for the problems of this world. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have always had a strong since of responsibility,
I don’t do drugs or break the law, I believe in working hard and paying your
own way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took comfort in thinking I was
one of the good guys. Then, I opened up my Bible and learned there was plenty
of blame for me to take.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God started
showing me that just because I am not a drain on society, doesn’t mean I’m not
a drain on His kingdom.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-themecolor: text1;">As I began to study His word, I
learned that lies are color blind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
is no such thing as a “little white lie.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All lies are the work of the enemy and go against God’s will. <span style="font-size: large;"><i><span> </span></i></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">Psalm 101:7</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"> I will not
allow deceivers to serve in my house, and liars will not stay in my presence.</span></i></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i> </span>So many people don’t realize that the
smallest lie can destroy the strongest foundation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also learned that gossip is just as
destructive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even when you think what
you’re saying is true, if it’s negative, what is the purpose of saying it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we trying to help?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we trying to build someone up? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we spreading gossip, the answer is always
NO.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one has the right to assume they
know what it’s like to be someone else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I,
then, realized that since I was this hard working, law abiding, all around good
citizen that I had also became a little self- righteous and judgmental.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some reason, I thought I had the
authority to pass judgment on everything that didn’t measure up to my standard.
The Bible taught me that I have no authority to pass judgment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He showed me that just because I don’t kill
or steal doesn’t mean that I don’t have plenty of improving to do.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-themecolor: text1;">The problem,
however, is that once we learn how sinful these things really are, we can’t
seem to take accountability for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
search for justification of the sin or we want to place the blame on someone
else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is not God’s will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He never said thou shall not kill unless you
think you have to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have to humble
ourselves and admit our own sin to the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How can He forgive us if we refuse responsibility? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can’t just stop passing judgment onto others;
we have to take accountability for our own actions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything wrong isn’t always someone else’s
fault.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just because we are all God’s
children doesn’t mean we should act like children.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-themecolor: text1;">Truth is,
when we find fault and blame others; we are doing the enemy’s work but when we
hold ourselves accountable for our own sins, seek forgiveness and turn away
from it; we can allow God’s work to take place within us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, not speaking for any other Christian,
but that is what I pray for every day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-themecolor: text1;">2 Corinthians 5:10</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <i>For we must all stand
before Christ to be judged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will each
receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly
body.</i> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06836379391293077678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516027962576624284.post-37251623972189627392012-05-19T15:04:00.000-04:002012-05-19T15:09:32.298-04:00Not to offend, but...<br />
<div class="poet1-vn-sp">
Proverbs 22:6 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Direct
your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave
it.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";">We are well aware that the
wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) but, how about the wages of removing God
from our schools and in turn our country?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><u><span style="color: black;">Violent crimes
committed by teens</span></u><u><span style="color: black;"> </span></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Violent crimes are committed by teens every
year. The National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center (1) provides these
statistics on teen violence regarding violent crimes: </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<ul style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">In 2000, about 1,561 youth under the age of 18
were arrested for homicide. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">In 2000, nine percent of the murders in the
United States were committed by persons under the age of 18. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">One in ten teens arrested has been engaging in
a violent activity that could have resulted in the serious injury or the
death of another person. </span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Teen violence is a very real occurrence, and
violent crimes are committed by teens regularly. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><u><span style="color: black;">Suicide</span></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">We often neglect suicide in our examinations
of teen violence. However, suicide is violence against oneself and deserves
very real consideration. Two teen violence statistics to think about regarding
suicide (1):</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">1.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="color: black;">The third leading
cause of death among teens is suicide</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">2.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="color: black;">Over the past
year, one in 11 high school students admit to having made a suicide attempt.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">These statistics do not even take into
account the number of students that think about violence against themselves on
a regular basis. Additionally, these statistics do not take into account the
rising instances of self-injury, which do not necessarily need to be associated
with suicidal feelings, but which is a form of self-violence (2, 3).</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><u><span style="color: black;">Teen violence every day</span></u></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Not only is teen violence related to violent
crime and self-violence, but also there are lesser forms of violence that are
perhaps more prevalent and worrisome, as they indicate a trend toward teen
violence as an everyday occurrence. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) report the following teen violence statistics (4):</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<ul style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">National estimates indicate that 30 percent of
youth in grade six through 10 are involved in bullying, either as a target
or as the bully. Some even experience both.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">A national CDC survey indicates that 33 percent
of high school students were in at least one physical fight within a 12
month period.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">In 30 days preceding the CDC survey, 17
percent of high school students reported that they carried a weapon at
least once. The weapon could be a gun, knife or club.</span></li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";">Those numbers are a little
scary. This is the world our children
live in. Where is God in all that? That’s right; we removed Him from our schools. We send our kids to the lion’s den five days
a week and hope they survive. It’s not
just about <i>fitting in</i> anymore.
They deal with real issues and real dangers every day. It is not just a lack of caring for someone
else’s feelings; there is a serious lack of respect for human life. Death holds no meaning. For Christians, death means we get to go be
with our Heavenly Father. But, whether its
suicide or murder, death has become an answer to a problem for today’s youth. I see these problems almost every day on the
news, I hear the stories my own kids tell me about their day at school. So I ask; why aren’t we putting God back in
all that?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";">I’ve always believed that our
experiences as children help mold us into the type of adult we are to
become. If that is true, those numbers are
now horrifying. The children of today
are the leaders of tomorrow. If they have
no respect for life as children, what kind of leaders can they make as adults? In the 40’s and 50’s God was the cornerstone in
most homes and communities. Now, in 2012
children know more about Greek mythology than they do about the story of Moses. Look at how times have changed between the
two eras. Is it a coincidence that the
more we try to remove God from our country, the worse it becomes? I don’t think so.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";">Now I completely believe that
the Word of God needs to start in the home and we as parents take the bulk of
the responsibility. But, let’s face it;
there are too many homes where God is not the cornerstone. So, if His words aren’t taught in the home
and their not being taught outside the home...once again I ask; where is God in
all that? There used to be a saying, “It
takes a village to raise a child.” Hmmm,
that takes a whole new meaning for me now. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";">We need to instill love and
respect into our children; not just the need to survive. They are screaming out to us for help. How many more will die by their own hand or
the hand of others before we answer?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";">Deuteronomy 11:18-21 </span></b><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";"> </span></sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";">Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds;
tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. <sup> </sup>Teach
them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you
walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. <sup> </sup>Write
them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, <sup> </sup>so
that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land the Lord
swore to give your ancestors, as many as the days that the heavens are above
the earth. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Teen Violence
Statistics Sources:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; font-size: 9pt;">1. safeyouth.org/scripts/news/statistics.asp</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; font-size: 9pt;"> 2. pamf.org/teen/life/suicide/selfinjury.html</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; font-size: 9pt;">3. cignabehavioral.com/web/basicsite/bulletinBoard/selfInjury.jsp</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif"; font-size: 9pt;">4. cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/yvfacts.htm</span></div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06836379391293077678noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516027962576624284.post-79028386278524898022012-05-10T09:10:00.001-04:002012-05-19T15:06:37.419-04:00Disturbing Behavior<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";">I know earlier I had mentioned
that when I first became saved that I had put too much focus on <i>looking like
</i>a Christian instead of being one. I
feel the conviction of the Lord right now because I failed to include that if I
wasn’t being one than I couldn’t possibly act like one either. Like I had said before I was trying to dress
the part but because I wasn’t living it, it was all a costume; a mask of righteousness
and the only kind of righteousness I was seeking at the time was self-driven. I did what a lot of new christians do: I made
my faith about me instead of making me about my faith. Like a child, it was all about me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";">I went to church every Sunday
and gave God a whole two hours of my time.
I couldn’t tithe because I was too busy telling my pastor all about my financial
needs; I couldn’t bother with the needs of the church. I was ready to use the church’s resources to
satisfy my needs, even after it started to take a toll on theirs. I held a Bible study at my house every week
that every time the pastor would try to get into scripture, I quickly pulled
the focus to what I believed instead. Every time I was given an opportunity to
minister about Christ, I would debate why my beliefs were right and all other
religions were wrong. The time I spent
in God’s Word was minimal at best. I
spent so much time passing judgment on others that I never saw or sought
forgiveness for my own transgressions. I
was young and thought I had all the answers.
If I only knew a portion of what I thought I did.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";">At the time, I didn’t even
realize that I was being that way. I thought
I was really trying to be what God wanted me to be. What truly bothers me now is: How many people
did I turn away from Christ with my actions?
How many people were curious to know the Lord and changed their mind
after meeting me? I let the enemy get a
hold of me. I was new in my walk and susceptible
to his attacks. Even though God had
blessed me with a loving, compassionate pastor that was more than qualified to
spiritually guide me; I couldn’t learn.
He blessed me with a wonderful church with a congregation that was trying
to show me God’s love; I couldn’t see.
He blessed me with the most powerful weapon, His Word; I couldn’t use
it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";">I said before, when God gives
us that calling to serve Him; we become a threat to the enemy and God knows
this too. He gives us the tools and
resources to resist temptation and fight back.
He gives us the instruction manual, The Bible, to learn how to use the
tools and apply the resources. He never
leaves us defenseless but when we refuse to read His Word we make ourselves
defenseless. That is what gives the
enemy a foothold and lets our actions be led by him instead of by the Heavenly
Father. I fell into this trap and had no
one to blame but myself for my lack of growth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";">Since then, I have recommitted
my life to Christ and without fail God has provided the same tools and
resources that I need to better serve Him.
Once again, He surrounded me with loving, compassionate spiritual
leaders, a wonderful church that overflows with His love and of course The most
powerful weapon, His Word. But, this
time it wasn’t about me. I am willing to
be His servant; I’m eager to be and I read His Word’s daily so I can be. Because of this, the enemy is no longer
glorified by my actions. I desire only
for the love of Christ to show through my behavior so that anyone seeking the
truth will find it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";">As christians, our behavior
should always reflect the love of Christ.
All that we do should be in the service of God. We never know who is watching and because of
our actions find Christ or turn away from Him.
We do know that God is ALWAYS watching and will hold us accountable. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";">Colossians 3:17 </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";">And
whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving
thanks through Him to God the Father.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "MS PMincho","serif";"> </span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06836379391293077678noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516027962576624284.post-10023803270500859282012-04-27T20:02:00.001-04:002012-05-19T15:05:20.503-04:00Where's Your Place?<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">When I was young, it was mandatory for us kids to respect our elders. My parents had a <i>kids</i> <i>should be seen; not heard</i> rule. We were not allowed to ask for anything or say no to any request and if grandma had started to clean-up I had better jump in to take over. And, in my home sentences ended with sir or ma'am. When we decided to ignore these rules, my parents also believed in a more "capital" approach to discipline. So, needless to say, overall me, my sister and two brothers were pretty good kids. Now, that's not to say we weren't a little mean to each other; of course we were. And, I think we all would be lying a little if we said we didn't take some enjoyment when one of the others got in trouble at least once. But, that was okay, we were equals. We knew we could be disrespectful to each other as long as there was no disrespect aimed at any adult. I guess what I'm trying to say is: We knew our place; with each other and with everyone else.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Of all that I was taught as a child, that lesson still resonates in me today. I've always tried to teach my own children to have respect. I've always told them that I don't want to just raise them to be good kids but to be good people. To be a good person they needed to have respect for others and to always know their place. I wanted them to understand that whether they are four or forty, they will always have place that they need to stay in the boundaries of. A place with God, with their elders, with authority, even with their peers. Of course, at times, it has been an up hill battle considering I feel that this is a Godless generation and respect is turning into a 4 letter word. The problem is not just with children not knowing their place; we as parents need to know ours. It is not our job to be their friends(at first). First, we need to be their teachers and disciplinarians. Love them and guide them and make sure we equip them with the tools to be productive, respectful adults. Then, once we're done raising them, we can look at our children as friend.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I have a different place for each role God has blessed me with. Some of them I need to be a leader and some I have a more submissive part. No matter what the role, I try to fulfill it to the best of my ability because I know it all is to be a better steward for Christ. For us to truly learn and to submit to God's will, we need to accept His authority and know our place. I will be honest, being submissive was a very hard concept for me to grasp considering that I have a domineering personality. It wasn't until I started reading The Word that I realized that submission doesn't mean weakness nor is it a measure of worth. Jesus, himself, submitted to God's will and washed the feet of His disciples before they betrayed Him and He was crucified on the cross. If the Son of God can know His place; I can know mine as well.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Now, consider this: What if we all were equally submissive? I absolutely understand my place with my husband. He is the provider in my home and he works many very hard, very long hours to take care of our family and still comes home and makes time for me. Because of this, I'm proud to say he is the head of my house. In turn, he understands his place with me. He acknowledges that with or without a paycheck I work long hours too and I still find time for him. He doesn't downgrade my worth or importance of the role I have in this marriage So, we have equally submitted to one another. I am NOT the woman behind the man. I am the woman at my man's side; each in our place and each submitting equally. Because of this, we are a team with the utmost respect for one another.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">When we forget our place whether it be with our parents, our children, our spouse, ones in authority, and especially with God we lose the ability to have respect for one another and for Him.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<b>Ephesians 5:21</b> <i>And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.</i></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06836379391293077678noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516027962576624284.post-32808489837947382652012-04-26T16:00:00.000-04:002012-04-30T13:47:46.401-04:00Creating our own hell<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">One of my favorite things to do is to sit on my front porch with a good cup of coffee and a book (more often now my e-reader). Sometimes, I get distracted by the people walking by and it saddens me. I'm honestly not trying to listen to their conversations but we all know we can't always control what our ears take in. Just like in most places, my hometown is a victim of a lot of struggling families. Drug and alcohol abuse is common. Jobs are here but the pay is low and everyone does drug testing these days. I don't think you can even flip a burger without peeing in a cup first. So, I hear the things they say as they walk by; people worrying about money. The rent is late, the electric is due, the baby needs diapers, and... you get the point. Some asking me for a cigarette (praise God I haven't smoked a cigarette for almost 7 1/2 months!!!) Of course some just wanting to party. Even others rolling their eyes at the ones that have it so hard right now. It saddens me because as a lot of us are complaining on how hard times are, we don't even realize we are part of the problem. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">There, I said it. We create our own hell. I hear people use the term "hell on earth" and it confuses me. If that is where you think you are; truth is, it is of your own doing. In Genesis 1:1 it says God created the heavens and the earth. If you continue to read on you will see that He saw all His creations as good. That means earth as well. Our sins create the hell we live in. But, instead of turning away from our sins and choosing to be a part of the solution; we chose to stay a part of the problem. We don't turn to God seeking answers; we turn to each other seeking someone to blame. I see the down-and-out blaming their lack of jobs or money on the ones that seem to have jobs and money. On the other hand, I hear the ones with jobs blaming the taxes they pay on the down-and-out.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">So, let's be honest: to the ones that are jobless; it's not the employed that's to blame for your lack of a paycheck. Maybe it's because you didn't further your education or you can't pass a drug screening or maybe you run from the jobs that have been offered to you because you realized that you actually had to WORK to get paid. Now, to the ones blessed with a job; it's not the unemployed that's to blame for the taxes you pay. Sure, some of those funds go to help those who need it but, face it; your paying taxes no matter what the unemployment rate is. It is also not up to you to judge them on why they are unemployed. Maybe, they were laid off because of the current economic hardship we are under right now or the field they did go to school for is not in high demand at the moment or maybe they have been stricken with illness that has rendered them incapable of performing the only trade they've ever known. Regardless, we can't know everyone's circumstances so, we should stop blaming each other for what we think is the truth.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Now, I am not naive. I know there are plenty of dishonest people out there. There is no short supply of liars and thieves. They will be held accountable for their deeds the same as everyone else but not by me or by any of you. You don't have to be a believer to be judged by God; no one will escape Him on judgement day. So, I say let God do His job. He does not need our help to do it. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Don't think I'm being judgmental. I have been through all walks of life first-hand. I've been homeless and hungry all the way to homeowner and well fed. I used to be the undefeated champion of the blame game from both sides. God has truly convicted me of creating my own hell. I now know that if we stop blaming each other for all the wrongs here on earth and just strive to help one another; hell will stay where it belongs and that is not here on earth.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">So, instead of ending with scripture I feel He is calling me to end with this prayer:</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Heavenly Father, thank You for all Your blessings today. I pray that it was Your will that led me to write this today and not my own. I ask that it finds it's way into the hearts of all that need it and that all Your children can begin to come together, to help and love each other; all to glorify Your holy name. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.</span></i></b></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06836379391293077678noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516027962576624284.post-36313509991375461592012-04-21T16:12:00.000-04:002012-04-30T13:47:46.403-04:00Who's Judging?<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I never realized how non believers viewed christians until I became one. It seemed that as soon as people found out I had faith there was an ambush of accountability for the actions of every christian they had ever come across that I was suppose to take responsibility for.</span> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I heard countless stories about one christian or another who condemned them for their way of life. How they were told constantly that every choice they've made in their life was wrong and that according to the Bible if they don't change they will go to hell. So, consequently, since I am now one of those "Bible-thumping hypocrites" I must think the same way and should explain why we think we are better than everyone else. At first, I tried to defend my faith. I tried to tell them that I wasn't a "Bible-thumping hypocrite" and that my faith does not give me the authority to condemn anyone to hell. I tried to show them that I didn't view the Bible as a <i>do what I say or burn forever</i> book but instead as loving instructions from the Heavenly Father to all His children. That approach didn't work very well. So, I prayed for them. I prayed that they would open their hearts to God's love; to feel His presence and come to know the joy that only He can provide.</span> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Then, God showed me that they were not the only ones who needed prayer.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We as christians need prayer, too. Our responsibility is to show people God's love. To make them aware of His most amazing gift; His one and only son Jesus Christ.</span> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Jesus taught us numerous times that our thoughts, words and deeds should have love as the motive; love for God, love for our neighbor. Instead, as a whole body we have given the impression that it is love for ourselves that drives us. No matter what non-believer I have come across their experiences with believers are very similar and have one theme. They felt looked down upon by a representative of Christ. Being called to the Lord does NOT remove our capability to sin nor does it change the fact that we are still sinners. Being saved gives us the privilege to be forgiven as long as we sincerely strive to stop serving this world and serve only Him in everything we do. So, if being saved doesn't make us perfect, why would we judge the sins of others when we still have plenty of our own?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Of course, just like any other parent, our Heavenly Father does have rules for us to follow. They are in the Bible for us to learn and follow. Like the rules we make for our own children; they are for our own good. He loves us and wants to keep us safe. Safe from the enemy and safe from ourselves. His intent was not for us to take His commandments and become the judge and jury of other people's transgressions. We should build one another up, not tear each other down. Let us love and support each other in Christ and show others that in God they will find that Amazing Grace that we are always singing about. Show them that we are not perfect; just forgiven.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>John 8:7 </b>They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, <span style="color: #660000;">"All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!"</span></span></span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06836379391293077678noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516027962576624284.post-12090363393780935362012-04-18T12:55:00.001-04:002012-04-30T13:47:46.397-04:00Keeping it Simple<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I remember the first time I became saved, I did a life makeover. I just started changing everything, my taste in music, movies, home decor, clothes; I even changed my personality. I had this image of what a "good christian woman" was to look like and I tried hard to mold myself to fit that image. For example, dress pants not jeans, hymns not rock, long hair not short... and so on. I got so caught up in looking like a christian that I forgot to BE a christian.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You see, instead of trusting God to change me, I tried to change myself. Needless to say, the changes didn't stick. It was to hard being something I wasn't. Being someone besides me was exhausting! So,when the real me kept surfacing, I viewed it as me failing to be good enough for God's grace and eventually turned from Him all together. I never stopped believing; I just stopped showing it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ten years go by and no matter how much I tried to ignore it; I always felt Him tugging on my heart to return. Of course, God's will is always going to prevail no matter how much we try to resist. I did turn back to God; I recommitted my life to Christ and opened my heart so He could live there again. But, this time I did something different; I let God do the talking and I listened. He doesn't need my help. He will change, transform and enlighten my life when He wants to, not when I want Him to. The first time I was too busy implementing my will that I forgot to listen to His. This time I was saying, "Lord, do with me what You will."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now, I'm not saying I haven't undergone major changes; I have. I just can't take the credit for it. I didn't change me, God did. He showed me the sounds of the music I like was never the problem, it was the message it delivered. So, He introduced me to christian rock. He never cared if I wore jeans but, He showed me it was okay to dress up sometimes. He showed me long hair or short, He just wants me to take care of the body He gave me while I have it. My personality is exactly what He made it to be, He just wants me to use it to glorify Him and not myself. Looking like a christian is looking in the world's mirror; being a christian is looking through God's. His mirror isn't made up of glass or any other reflective material. It's made with words. The Bible shows us exactly how we should be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, what does a "good christian woman" look like? As long as I'm reading, applying, sharing and loving what The Word teaches, she looks like me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Ephesians 2: 8-10</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it was a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.</span> <span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.</span></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06836379391293077678noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516027962576624284.post-1762124656580517162012-04-17T17:18:00.000-04:002012-04-30T13:47:46.399-04:00learning to represent<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">From night and day all the way to man, God created it all. You can read that in the book of Genesis chapter one starting with verse one. I'm not speaking for anyone else but when i first picked up the Bible and read that, I realized His power overwhelms me. First it was with fear, then with an overabundance of love; His love. I started to see Him in everything. The trees, the clouds, the ground. i even felt His presence in the wind as it hit my face. I began to realize His love and power is in everything and it is everywhere. So, even when i was at the lowest points of my life and felt absolutely alone; i was never alone. Not even for a second. He has been waiting for me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I was crying that no one loved or cared about me, He was there with His arms open saying "Pick me. I love you. I care for you. I will never leave you alone." I wondered <i>Why didn't i see all this before? Why couldn't I hear Him?</i> <i>Why would I ever want to be without that kind of unconditional love again? </i>The answers are simple I didn't want to see or hear or except that He has all the answers. I decided I didn't want to be blind or deaf or closed off to the wisdom of God. So, of course, on my knees, with my eyes filled with tears and with a damaged, broken soul being repaired and then filled with the Holy Spirit I asked God to forgive my sins and bring His Son, my Saviour, into my heart. He heard my prayer and has been with me ever since; even when I didn't deserve it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> He wasn't the only one who heard my plea. The enemy heard and must of been seething with anger, cause he's been sending his reinforcements after me ever since. That, oddly enough, i was expecting. I was told in the beginning of my christian walk that if the devil isn't messing with you that means your not messing with him. So, with every enemy attack, I deal with it and then smile and say, "What a threat I must be to you. Guess I'm on the right path then."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> There was another attack that I didn't see coming....other Christians. I also wasn't aware that I could be held accountable for their deeds (or lack there of if the case may be). I thought i was only accountable for my own and in God's eyes I believe that's true. But, let's face it He is not the only one watching. Non believers are looking at us and studying us whether we know it or not. I'm not looking for a worldly acceptance but I should be<u> representing</u> God in such a way that makes others want to know Christ. All Christians should represent the way God wants us to not the way we have twisted religion to want us to. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, I want to start this blog and continue posts, in the hopes that all of us Christians can learn from each other and help one another. Because, regardless, of all of our religious differences; we ARE one family under our faith in Jesus Christ and should be representing Him in only one way....as The Messiah.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To be continued.........</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06836379391293077678noreply@blogger.com0